CAT 2023 question paper PDFs for all three slots is now available. CAT 2023 question paper was set by IIM Lucknow. Download CAT 2023 question paper PDFs to know the sectional weightage and difficulty level.
CAT 2023 question paper PDF is now available for all three slots. CAT 2023 paper was among the toughest in recent years of the MBA entrance exam history. Check CAT question paper for slot 1, slot 2 and 3, below. Candidates preparing for CAT exam can use previous years' CAT papers to analyse different themes of questions, paper pattern, syllabus weightage, and more. Every year, CAT exam is scheduled to be held on last Sunday of November; one must practice as many past papers as possible. Find the downloadable PDF for CAT question paper 2023 below.
- Download CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF with Answers
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Sectional Composition
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Marking Scheme
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: VARC
- CAT Mock Test
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: DILR
- CAT 2023 Slot 1 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023 Slot 2 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023 Slot 3 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
Download CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF with Answers
CAT 2023 papers for slot 1, 2 and 3 were out with the release of response sheets. Candidates can access CAT question paper 2023 PDF files for all three slots below:
| CAT Question Paper PDF - Download Link | Overall Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 Slot 1 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2023 Slot 2 Question Paper PDF | Difficult |
| CAT 2023 Slot 3 Question Paper PDF | Very Difficult |
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CAT 2023 Question Paper: Sectional Composition
The CAT question paper 2023 of every slot is the same in terms of structure, sectional breakup and weightage. However, the difficulty level will vary. Given below is the section wise break-up of CAT question paper 2023 Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3:
| Section | Number of Questions | Allotted Time-Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
Practice Workbooks:
CAT 2023 Question Paper: Marking Scheme
Every question carries 3 marks for correct entry and minus 1 mark for incorrect entry. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions and incorrect attempts in non-MCQ.
| CAT 2023 Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 24 | 72 |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 60 |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 66 |
| Total | 76* | 198 |
🎯 Crack the CAT: Download Official Past Papers (2017–2025)
95% of the top percentiles start here. Access actual question papers, complete with official answer keys. Free instant download for slot 1, 2, 3.
CAT 2023 Question Paper: VARC
The VARC section of CAT paper 2023 as usual, had more Reading Comprehension questions than Verbal Ability, which made it a tough section to crack. Given below is the break-up of VARC section of CAT question paper 2023:
| Module | Total Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 Questions | 4 RC Passages | Moderate to Tough |
| Odd One Out | 2 Questions | Easy to Moderate |
| Parasummary | 2 Questions | Easy to Moderate |
| Parajumbles | 2 Questions | Moderate to Tough |
| Paracompletion | 2 Questions | Easy |
| Total | 24 Questions | Good Attempts 15+ |
CAT Mock Test
Check below free Shiksha CAT Mock Test for practice. These CAT mock tests are prepared from original CAT questions.
| CAT Mock Test | CAT Mock Test Solutions |
|---|---|
| CAT Mock Test 1 | CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions |
| CAT Mock Test 2 | CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions |
RC Passages of CAT Question Paper 2023
Check the table below for topics of the Reading Comprehension passages of CAT question paper 2023, slot 1, 2 and 3. All the passages are inference based.
| CAT 2023 Slot 1 | CAT 2023 Slot 2 | CAT 2023 Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
RC 1 Topic: Garments/ fashion Industry & Pollution - Easy to moderate RC 2 Topic: Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe → Good or Bad for Europe? RC 3 Topic: Liberalism is Dying - Moderate to Difficult RC 4 Topic: Facts & Interpretation in History |
RC 1 Topic: Colonialism and Pollution RC 2 Topic: Rationalisation RC 3 Topic: Romanticism RC 4 Topic: History |
CAT 2023 Question Paper: DILR
Similar to past years, the DILR section of CAT question paper 2023 had set of 4 and set of 5 questions. Check below the break-up of DILR section of CAT question paper 2023:
| CAT DILR Topics | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation Set 1 | 5 | Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 1 | 5 | Moderate |
| Data Interpretation Set 2 | 5 | Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 2 | 5 | Moderate |
CAT 2023 Paper: Slot wise DILR Topics
Check the table below for areas and topics of DILR sets of CAT question paper 2023:
| CAT 2023 Paper Slot 1 | CAT 2023 Paper Slot 2 | CAT 2023 Paper Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
Just like last year, the Quantitative Ability section of CAT 2023 was dominated by Arithmetic in all three slots. Given below is the Quantitative Ability sectional break up in CAT question paper 2023:
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 7 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 |
| Number System | 4 |
| Modern Math | 1 |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
The CAT 2023 question paper of slot 2 was similar to slot 1. In this slot, however, Algebra had more questions than Arithmetic.
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 7 |
| Algebra | 8 |
| Modern Math | 2 |
| Geometry | 3 |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Question Paper: Quantitative Aptitude
The quantitative aptitude section CAT 2023 question paper slot 3 was tougher than slot 1 and 2. Check the break up below:
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 4 |
| Modern Math | 4 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Numbers | 3 |
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Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
In case of mistakes in the fields mentioned on the CAT admit card, candidates must contact the official CAT helpdesk via email or phone to get it rectified before the exam date.
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Answered 5 days ago
Candidates need to log in using their CAT User ID and Password to download CAT admit card. These login credentials are generated at the time of registration.
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No, the Common Admission Test (CAT) admit card cannot be obtained offline. Candidates have to download CAT 2026 admit card from the official website.
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Answered 5 days ago
Yes. Candidates must preserve their admit card safely. It is a mandatory document required for identity verification during the Writing Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI) rounds, and final admission stages at the institutes.
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Yes, you can download the PDF on your smartphone. However, it is better to use a laptop or desktop computer to prevent any layout errors and to ensure you can print a clean copy easily.
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Candidates can log back into the official CAT portal using your registered User ID and password to download the PDF again. The download link remains active until the exam day. Candidates are allowed to download a fresh copy whenever needed
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No. The CAT 2026 admit card release date remains the same irrespective of the slot. It is not split or delayed based on assigned slot or exam city.
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Yes, one can join an IIM without taking the CAT exam, but this alternative route depends entirely on the type of programme. CAT exam remains mandatory for the flagship two-year full-time MBA (PGP/PGDM) programs. However, some courses may not need a valid CAT score for IIM admission.
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Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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