CAT 2025 Question Paper with Answers (Slot 1, 2 & 3); PDF Download

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Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content
Updated on Jul 19, 2026 21:14 IST
CAT 2025 question paper PDF was released officially with the issuance of response sheet and provisional answer keys. Candidates preparing for the upcoming session of CAT can use CAT 2025 question paper for slot 1, 2, and 3 available here. CAT previous year question papers help candidates analyse different question types that appeared in the past.

CAT 2025 question paper PDF was released officially with the issuance of response sheet and provisional answer keys. Candidates preparing for upcoming session of CAT can use CAT 2025 papers for slot 1, 2, and 3 available here.

CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF

Download CAT 2025 Papers with Answers for Slot 1, 2, and 3

CAT 2025 question paper PDF is available now. Candidates preparing for CAT exam can access the CAT 2025 question paper pdfs to know the difficulty level, exam structure, and important topics. Candidates also get to know the CAT syllabus weightage using the previous year's question papers. CAT response sheet hosts all questions, answer options, and correct answer as per the provisional answer key. Find CAT question paper PDF 2025 below. Download CAT 2025 slot 1, 2, and 3 question papers.

Table of contents
  • Download CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF with Answers
  • CAT Question Paper Pattern 2025
  • CAT 2025 Slot-Wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution
  • CAT 2025 Analysis by Experts
  • Previous Year's CAT Question Paper

Download CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF with Answers

CAT question papers have a mix of MCQs and TITA questions. Candidates must use the previous year's CAT question papers to practice as many questions as possible. As per the CAT 2023 exam analysis, candidates found the exam to be moderately difficult. Download slot 1, 2 and 3 PDFs for CAT paper 2025 from the table below:

CAT 2025 Question Papers PDF Download
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 1 Question Paper PDF
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 2 Question Paper PDF
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 3 Question Paper PDF

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
A: 

Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Q:   From where can I download CAT question papers?
A: 

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Response sheet hosts CAT exam questions and answers.

Q:   What is the marking scheme of CAT?
A: 

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.

Q:   What is the sectional time limit in CAT?
A: 

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.

CAT Question Paper Pattern 2025

The table below indicates the CAT question paper pattern 2025:

Parameter Exam Specifications
CAT 2025 Exam Date 30-Nov-2025
Which IIM Conducted CAT 2025 Exam? IIM Kozhikode
CAT 2025 slot time

3 exam slots as mentioned below

  • Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Total Questions 68 Questions (48 MCQs + 20 TITA)
CAT Total Marks 204
Total Marks 204 Marks (+3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQs)
Sectional Breakdown

VARC (24)

DILR (22)

QA (22)

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CAT 2025 Slot-Wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution

CAT 2025 exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level. Candidates can check slot wise CAT 2025 question paper analysis for VARC, DILR, and QA below:

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Moderate (Comparable to CAT 2023, easier, if compared with CAT 2024). Check section wise CAT 2025 Slot 1 exam analysis below:

1. VARC (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Income Inequality & Growth Economics (4 Questions)

    • The Evolution and Aesthetics of Electronic Music (4 Questions)

    • Systemic Complexity and Pandemic Responses (4 Questions)

    • Evolutionary Psychology & Mental Health (4 Questions)

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Para Summary (2), Para Completion (2), Paragraph Jumbles (2), and Odd One Out (2).

  • Expert Take: The RC passages appeared dense at first glance, but the option choices were highly distinct, allowing for straightforward elimination.

2. DILR (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions | Mix of 4-and-5-question sets):

    • Set 1 (5 Qs): LR-Based Ticketing and Revenue Distribution (Moderate)

    • Set 2 (4 Qs): Circular Arrangement with variable conditions (Difficult)

    • Set 3 (4 Qs): Radar Graph on Import-Export Data (Easy-DI)

    • Set 4 (4 Qs): Quant-Based Puzzle involving Taps/Flow (Moderate-Difficult)

    • Set 5 (5 Qs): Analytical Reasoning based Employee Matrix (Moderate)

  • Expert Take: Crackable if you avoided the Circular Arrangement time-sink. Securing 2 complete sets (~8-9 questions) with high accuracy was the 99th percentile differentiator.

📐 CAT Quantitative Aptitude Practice Questions with Solutions
Practice every CAT Quant topic with free PDFs, detailed solutions and CAT-level questions.
✔ Updated for CAT 2026 📄 12 PDFs 🎯 Topic-wise Practice

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate (Trap-heavy but manageable)

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (8 Questions): Dominant force; focused on Time-Speed-Distance, SICI, and Mixtures.

    • Algebra (6 Questions): Linear Equations, Logarithms, and Modulus Inequalities.

    • Number System (3 Questions): Highly focused on factors and digit properties.

    • Geometry & Modern Math (5 Questions): Standard coordinate geometry and basic progressions.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the structure of CAT mock test same as the actual exam?
A: 
CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual CAT exam. It is so because the purpose of the mock test is to prepare the candidate for a speed based test which requires quick decision making and quick calculation with 100 per cent accuracy. This can be achieved only if the candidates has been in such an environment multiple times. In the CAT mock test, candidate has to solve equal number of questions as the CAT exam, in the same time limit. This, helps them in mastering the art of solving 66 questions in 120 minutes with much ease and confidence. The CAT mock tests have questions of same or higher difficulty level than the actual exam. In many unofficial mock tests, the questions are of previous CAT exams. Candidates must solve a variety of mock tests so that they are well versed with CAT questions of all types and varieties.
Q:   What's new in CAT exam?
A: 

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.
Q:   What is the best time to practice CAT mock test?
A: 

Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.

Q:   How many questions are asked from Profit and Loss in CAT?
A: 

Profit and Loss is one the main topics of CAT Arithmetic, which dominates the question paper every year. About 2-4 questions are asked from Profit and Loss every slot of CAT exam.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (slightly tougher than Slot 1). Check section wise CAT Slot 2 exam analysis 2025 below:

1. VARC (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Biological Adaptation: How Tetrafish Evolved in Caves

    • Data Biases and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence Systems

    • The Architectural Concept of "Place" in Modern Literature

    • The Friction Between Empirical Science and Tribal Culture

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Followed the strict standard split (2 Summary, 2 Completion, 2 Jumbles, 2 Odd Sentence).

  • Expert Take: The AI and Tetrafish passages were highly accessible. The literature passage was abstract, featuring long, tricky question stems that required multiple readings.

2. DILR (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Difficult

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions | Noteworthy 11 TITA Questions):

    • Set 1 (5 Qs): Pollution Index Calculation via Weighted Averages (Medium-DI)

    • Set 2 (4 Qs): Double Bar Graph analyzing Authors and Books (Easy-DI)

    • Set 3 (4 Qs): Scatter Plot Tracking Index Calculations across 3 Years (Difficult-DI)

    • Set 4 (4 Qs): Numerical Logical Ranking with 6 balls and 4 holes (Easy-LR)

    • Set 5 (5 Qs): Grid Puzzle based on Musicians and Instruments (Difficult-LR)

  • Expert Take: A massive deviation occurred here—exactly half the section consisted of non-MCQ (TITA) questions, with one entire set strictly requiring typed entries. Choosing the Bar Graph and Ball-Hole Ranking sets was crucial for a competitive score.

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Difficult

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (8 Questions): Relied heavily on complex weighted averages and successive replacement rules.

    • Algebra (5 Questions): Highly abstract quadratic formations and Logarithmic inequalities.

    • Modern Math (4 Questions): Marked increase in Progressions, Permutations, and Functions.

    • Geometry & Numbers (5 Questions): Focused on properties of regular hexagons and divisor counts.

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CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Challenging (Toughest among all three slots). Check section wise CAT Slot 3 exam analysis 2025 below:

1. VARC (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Challenging / Hard

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Autonomous Decision-Making and Moral Agency in AI & Robotics

    • Art, Representation, and Tribalism in Historical Contexts

    • The Forest Rights Act and Ecological Policy Shifts Since Independence

    • The Direct Impact of River Dams on Local Riparian Ecology

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Maintained the uniform pattern, though Paragraph Completion questions featured highly technical terminology.

  • Expert Take: The toughest Verbal section of CAT 2025. The passages on AI Morality and the Forest Rights Act required deep contextual comprehension, with extremely close options that penalized hasty readers.

📊 CAT DILR Practice Questions with Solutions
Practice every CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning topic with free PDFs, detailed solutions and CAT-level questions.
✔ Updated for CAT 2026 📄 5 PDFs 🎯 Topic-wise Practice

2. DILR (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions):

    • Featured highly structured, grid-based logical arrangements and clean matrix structures. Unlike the afternoon slot, the data sets were less computation-heavy and heavily rewarded systematic deduction and process of elimination.

  • Expert Take: This slot offered minor relief compared to the brutal DILR sections of Slots 1 and 2. Candidates who accurately mapped out their grid systems easily cleared 2.5 sets.

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (9 Questions): Dominated by time, work, and distance variations, including multi-variable time constraints.

    • Algebra (4 Questions): Heavy use of higher-order roots, log properties, and simultaneous linear equations.

    • Geometry (3 Questions): Purely application-based theorems involving inscribed circles inside trapeziums and isosceles triangle altitudes.

    • Modern Math & Numbers (6 Questions): Standard arithmetic progressions and geometric progressions.

📘 CAT VARC Practice Questions with Solutions
Practice every CAT VARC topic with free PDFs, detailed solutions and CAT-level questions.
✔ Updated for CAT 2026 📄 9 PDFs 🎯 Topic-wise Practice

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Previous Year's CAT Question Paper

Candidates preparing for the upcoming exam can use CAT question paper PDFs to analyse difficulty standards, important topics and more.

Download CAT Paper PDF

Overall Question Paper Difficulty

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Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content

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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Answered Yesterday

CAT coaching institutes in Vadodara that offer weekend batches IMS Vadodara, Career Launcher (CL) Baroda and Endeavor Vadodara.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

To choose the best CAT Coaching institute in Vadodara, candidates must consider the following points:

  • Compare classroom vs. online/hybrid formats
  • Success Rate of the centre
  • Ask about batch size, number of full-length mocks, recorded sessions/notes
  • Final fee structure and refund/installment policy.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

The average fee in Vadodara ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹85,000 for offline classroom courses and ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 for online courses.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

CAT coaching institute in Cuttack that offers weekend batches is Career Launcher Cuttack. TIME and Samantaray Academy also offer weekend batches, but candidates need to contact them for more information. 

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

To choose the best CAT Coaching institute in Cuttack, candidates must consider the following points:

  • Compare classroom vs. online/hybrid formats
  • Success Rate of the centre
  • Ask about batch size, number of full-length mocks, recorded sessions/notes
  •  Final fee structure and refund/installment policy

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The average fee ranges in Cuttack from ₹50,000 to ₹85,000 for offline classroom courses and ₹25,000 to ₹45,000 for online courses.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

CAT sectional cutoff is the minimum percentile score required in each individual section (VARC, DILR, and QA) to qualify for an institute's selection process. All IIMs have a distinct admission policy, including the sectional cutoffs and overall cutoff scores.

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Akansha Goyal

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IIM exam score remains valid a period of one year for admissions. However, IIM Ahmedabad has a deferred admission policy for its flagship PGP course, allowing selected candidates to postpone joining by up to two years to gain work experience.

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Loveleen Sharma

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The CAT exam pattern and difficulty levels do not change drastically. The core syllabus of Quant, VARC, and DILR typically remains the same.

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Vikram Tyagi

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Career Launcher (Rajkot) and TIME are CAT coaching Institutes in Rajkot that offer weekend batches.

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