CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF (Available): Download Official Slot 1, 2 and 3 Papers
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
Registration - To be notified
CAT 2023 question paper was set by IIM Lucknow, the exam convening institute for that year. Check here detailed explanation CAT 2023 papers of all three slots. Download CAT 2023 question paper PDFs for knowing the sectional weightage and difficulty level.
CAT 2023 Question Paper (Slot 1, 2 and 3)
CAT 2023 question paper had the same diffculty level as CAT 2022, but there were a few changes in topic-wise weightage. The sectional breakup of CAT question paper 2023 was no different from previous years. While VARC had only MCQ, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude section had a few non-MCQs. Here we have shared the composition of CAT question paper slot 1, slot 2 and 3. Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 must go through previous years' CAT papers and solve them so as to know and understand the question types and difficulty levels. CAT exam 2025 is scheduled to be held on November 30, 2025, so do practice CAT previous year papers.
Download CAT 2023 question paper PDFs below:
| CAT question paper 2023 PDF free download | |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 1 | CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 3 |
- 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 Question Paper slot 1: Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023 Question Paper slot 2: Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023 Question Paper slot 3: Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2023 Question Paper: Sectional Composition
The CAT question paper 2023 of every slot is 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:
| CAT 2023 Sections |
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:
Commonly asked questions
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.
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 |
Download CAT previous year question paper PDFs
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+ |
Commonly asked questions
There are no straight forward vocabulary questions in CAT. Out of the total of 24 questions in VARC section, 12-14 questions are Reading Comprehension based and rest of them comprise parajumbles, para completion and odd sentence. CAT is the only MBA entrance exam, which does not have direct vocabulary and grammar questions. However, one needs to have strong vocabulary and grammar to be able to solve RC, parajumble, para completion and odd sentence questions.
Data Interpretation or DI is a sub part of CAT's second section DILR. This section has 20 -22 questions (until 2023, the totla number of DILR questions was 20, and in 2024 the number of questions was 22). Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions have equal number of questions. Candidates must make sure that they prepare for both topics well as the weightage is equal and if they are ill prepared for either of the two, their score will get affected.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
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_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, slo1, 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: Rationalization RC 3 Topic: Romanticism RC 4 Topic: History |
CAT 2023 Question Paper: DILR
Like previous 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 |
You can get memory based answer keys slot wise by clicking on the following links:
- CAT 2023 slot 1 answer key and question paper analysis
- CAT 2023 Slot 2 Answer Key and question paper analysis
- CAT 2023 Slot 3 Answer Key and question paper analysis
DILR topics of CAT 2023 Question Paper
Check the below table 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 Question Paper slot 1: 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 Question Paper slot 2: Quantitative Aptitude
The CAT 2023 question paper of slot 2 was similar to slot 1. I this slot, however, Algebra had more questions than Arithmetic.
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
7 |
| Algebra |
8 |
| Modern Math |
2 |
| Geometry |
3 |
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
12 Jan '26 - 31 Mar '26
5 Apr '26
22 Mar '26
5 Feb '26 - 23 Mar '26
12 Feb '26 - 23 Mar '26
23 Mar '26
3 Jan '25 - 28 Mar '26
1 Feb '26 - 31 Mar '26
11 Apr '26
CAT 2023 Question Paper slot 3: 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 |
Also Read:
Read More:
- CAT Question Paper Analysis of Previous Years
- CAT score vs percentile: What is the difference?
- CAT cut offs: Expected and Previous
- Understanding CAT normalization process
- CAT result: When and where to download?
- IIM Shortlist: Check process and admission status
- Previous Years' CAT cut offs for IIM admissions
- Campus-wise IIM cut-offs, selection criteria and admission process
- All MBA colleges accepting CAT score
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jul '26 | XAT 2027 registration dates |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
8 Mar '26 | MAT Feb 2026 CBT |
5 Mar '26 | MAT Feb 2026 CBT admit card |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
27 Dec '26 - 28 Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
17 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 result |
31 Jan '26 - 2 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 exam answer key obje... |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
16 Mar '26 - 10 Apr '26 | TANCET registration window |
May '26 | TANCET admit card download |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 13 hours ago
Pre-CAT at MET Institute of Information Technology, Mumbai is a preparatory course for students preparing for CDAC's CCAT (Computerized Common Admission Test) for PGCP-AC. It is a 160 hour part-time course covering the syllabus of Sec A + B of the CCAT exams.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
Yes, you can join the PGPM+MBA programme at Amity Global Business School (AGBS) Ahmedabad without CAT score. Admission is based on graduation marks and performance in a personal interview. Scores of exams like MAT/XAT or an internal Amity test can be used, and high academic performers may be conside
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, most of the top-ranking MBA colleges in Delhi NCR do not require the CAT exam, but require other national-level entrances.
You can explore the links below that show which exam is required if not CAT.
- MDI Gurgaon MBA - MAT, ATMA, and XAT are accepted.
- JMI MBA - JMI Entrance Test only.
- JIMS Rohin
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
MET Center for Insurance Training, Research & Development considers CAT scores for admission to PGPMBA programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with any other accepted entrance exam scores can also get admission provided they also meet the eligibility.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
CAT is a national-level exam that is conducted for MBA admission at PG level in colleges. CAT is a computer-based-test. The test duration is 120 minutes. It consists of 68 questions that are divided in the following 3 sections:
- VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
- DILR (Data Interpretation
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
To get admission in IIM Kashipur MBA, students have to clear the CAT cutoff. The cutoff for the general category AI quota was 95. For NC-OBC candidates, it is 81 percentile, for SC candidates it is 66 percentile whereas for SC and PwD candidates, it is 40 percentile. Students can check the official
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, the application fee for Amrita CAT can only be paid online. There is no provision of offline payment.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
CAT exam conducted only once a year in the month of November. It is conducted in three shifts on a single day.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
CAT exam is conducted in computer based test mode. Candidates have to visit a designated test centre to give the exam on a computer system. They have to login their answers with the help of computer mouse.
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full Bio