CAT 2025 Exam Analysis by TIME Slot 1, 2 and 3 (DILR, VARC & QA)
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
CAT 2025 exam analysis is out for first slot. Overall, the question paper was moderate. Read below CAT 2025 analysis by T.I.M.E. for Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3.
CAT 2025 difficulty level
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis by T.I.M.E. – Today is the day of Common Admission Test or CAT. The exam is being conducted at across India for admission to IIMs and other top MBA colleges India. Shiksha will be sharing below CAT 2025 analysis for Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. The CAT 2025 question paper review for Slot 1 is out. According to T.I.M.E, the exam was moderately difficult. Check below section wise analysis and expected CAT cut off 2025.
Latest:CAT 2025 answer key soon @iimcat.ac.in - live updates
- CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 slot 2 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 analysis and expected cut offs by CATKing
- CAT 2025 response sheet and answer key PDF download
- CAT 2025 question paper PDF download slot 1, 2 and 3
- CAT 2025 Exam Analysis: Sectional Break Up
- CAT 2025 analysis: VARC
- CAT 2025 analysis: DILR
- CAT 2025 analysis: Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis: Sectional Break Up
Check below the sectional break up of CAT 2025 question paper.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Sectional Time |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
40 Minutes |
| DILR |
22 |
40 Minutes |
| QA |
22 |
40 Minutes |
| Total |
68 |
120 Minutes |
CAT 2025 analysis: VARC
VARC section of CAT 2025 had maximum questions from RC. The Verbal Ability questions were moderate. There were 2 parasummary questions, 2 parjumbles, 2 odd sentence, 2 paracompletion.
| Sr No. |
RC Passages |
Number of questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Income Inequality & Economic Growth |
4 |
| 2 |
Electronic Music |
4 |
| 3 |
Law & Mental Health |
4 |
| 4 |
Noise & Social Order |
4 |
Also read:
- CAT 2025 cut offs: college-wise
- CAT 2025 answer key and response sheet
- CAT 2025 result: when and where?
CAT 2025 analysis: DILR
DILR questions of CAT 2025 were as usual in sets. The Spider + bar set was easy, but others were slightly tricky and 2 sets were tough.
| Set |
Area |
Topic |
Number of questions. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DI |
Spider + Bar |
4 |
| 2 |
LR |
Seating Arrangement |
4 |
| 3 |
LR |
Quant-Based Reasoning (Train tickets) |
5 |
| 4 |
LR |
Quant-Based Reasoning (Feet tapping) |
4 |
| 5 |
LR |
Distribution Puzzle plus rank arrangement (Employee rating) |
5 |
CAT 2025 analysis: Quantitative Aptitude
Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2025 was dominated by Algebra and Arithmetic, as usual.
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Number System |
3 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Algebra |
6 |
Moderate |
| Arithmetic |
8 |
Moderate |
| Modern Math |
1 |
Easy |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
4 |
Moderate |
Read More:
- CAT score vs percentile 2025
- CAT normalisation process 2025
- MBA colleges accepting CAT score range of 50-60 percentile
- MBA colleges accepting CAT score range of 60-70 percentile
- MBA colleges accepting CAT score range of 70-80 percentile
- MBA colleges accepting CAT score range of 80-90 percentile
- MBA colleges accepting CAT score range above 85 percentile
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There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:
- The fee amount increased from INR 2,500 to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and from INR 1,250 to INR 1300 for Reserved category candidates.
- In DILR section, number of questions increased from 20 to 22.
- Total marks of CAT DILR section increased from 60 to 66.
- Total marks of CAT exam increased from 198 to 204.
- Candidates can select five cities instead of six.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 14 hours ago
In CAT 2025, 26 candidates scored 99.99 percentile. 14 are from engineering background and 12 are from non engineering background. And among them 4 are female candidates.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 14 hours ago
In CAT 2025, the number of 100 percentilers was 12. Maximum toppers were from Delhi (3). IIM Kozhikode had released the state wise toppers data along with CAT 2025 result on December 24, 2025.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 14 hours ago
A total of 2.58 Lacs candidates appeared for CAT 2025. Check below gender wise break up.
Category | Number of registrations | Number of test takers |
|---|---|---|
Female | 1.10 lakh | 0.97 lakh |
Male | 1.85 lakh | 1.61 lakh |
Transgender | 9 | 9 |
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 14 hours ago
In CAT 2025, two female candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2025. Number of 99.99 percentile scorer females in 4 and the number of 99.98 percentile scorer females in 5.
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
GIBS Business School's Admissions Policy emphasizes fairness, equity, and merit throughout the admissions process. Accordingly, GIBS Business School does not maintain an official reservation policy based on a candidate's entrance examination score (CAT, MAT, etc.) when allocating seats for its vario
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
Yes, there is a 10% scholarship for those who have scored 80 percentile and above in the CAT exam. Scholarship based on CAT is offered based on document verification once you join the program. There are limited scholarship seats which are offered on first-cum-first-serve basis. This scholarship is v
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
In 2024, the CAT cutoff percentile for the Shiv Nadar University Chennai was 60 for the students belonging to the General AI quota. The is the overall sectional cutoff. More details are below:
| Section | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Overall | 60 |
| Quants | 40 |
| VA-RC | 40 |
| DI-LR | 40 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
| Exam | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| CAT (percentile) | 88 | 88 |
| XAT (percentile) | 85 | 85 |
With these cut off details, students can decide the kind of preparation they will have to do.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
FIIB CAT Cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM courses. According to the FIIB PGDM Cutoff 2025, students belonging to the General category under the All India quota needed to secure at least 60 percentile for admission at FIIB. The institute also accepts other MBA entrance exams, l
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates need to score at least 50 marks in CAT to be considered for IIHMR University MBA admissions. IIHMR University will prepare a composite score considering factors like GD-PI performance, past academic record and more.
J
Beginner-Level 5
CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.