CAT 2023 exam analysis is now available slot wise today. The paper analysis includes sectional difficulty level, topic wise weightage, number of good attempts and expected CAT cut offs. Check out CAT exam analysis 2023 for slot 1, 2, and 3 by Career Launcher and TIME.
CAT 2023 exam analysis - IIM Lucknow conducted the CAT 2023 exam today at various exam centres. The CAT was conducted in three sessions. The CAT question paper 2023 was moderately tough. In terms of sectional difficulty, CAT VARC and DILR wwere easy to moderate whereas CAT Quantitative Aptitude section was tough. As per the experts, an overall raw score of around 98 to 99 should fetch a 99%ile in CAT 2023.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Shiksha has perovided here detailed CAT 2023 analysis for slot 1, 2 and 3 which will include section wise analysis of difficulty level, weightage of topics, types of questions, number of good attempts and expected CAT 2023 cut offs. Check below CAT exam analysis 2023 for slot 1, 2, and 3 by Career Launcher and TIME.
Read here in-depth CAT exam analysis 2023 for session 1, 2 and 3
- CAT 2023 Exam Analysis: Exam Highlights
- CAT 2023 Exam Analysis by Career Launcher
- CAT 2023 Analysis Slot 1 VARC
- CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 1 DILR
- CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 1 Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023: Expected Cut Off Percentiles, slot 2
- CAT 2023 Analysis Slot 3
- CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 VARC
- CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 DILR
- CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2023 Slot 3: Expected Percentile
- CAT 2023 Analysis by T.I.M.E.
- CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: VARC
- CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: DILR
- CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: Quantitative Ability
- CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: VARC
- CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: DILR
- CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: Quantitative Ability
CAT 2023 Exam Analysis: Exam Highlights
Given below are the key highlights of CAT 2023 exam. The exam pattern will be common to all the three sessions, but the difficulty level will vary.
CAT 2023 Particulars |
Details |
---|---|
Total number of questions |
66 |
Difficulty level |
Moderate |
Sectional break up |
VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22 |
Total marks |
198 |
Good attempt |
98-99 for 99%tile |
Also read:
- CAT 2023 cut offs: college-wise
- CAT 2023 answer key and response sheet
- CAT 2023 result: when and where?
CAT 2023 Exam Analysis by Career Launcher
Given below is the overall analysis of the CAT 2023 question paper by Career Launcher. Read to know the key highlights of the exam this year.
CAT 2023 Analysis Slot 1 VARC
The RC passages were around 400-450 words each.4 questions were Non-MCQs or TITA questions. Odd-sentence-out questions and para completion were both included in the section this year.
In the VA sub section, 2 questions each were asked from para summary, parajumble, odd sentence and para-completion. All 8 questions were moderate.
Passage Topic/ Area |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Wolf → Environmentalists vs Farmer (400 words) 2 Questions- Fact based 2 Questions- Inference based |
4 |
Easy read |
Philosophy → Change in Work Culture (400 words) |
4 |
Difficult read, Easy to solve |
Indian Ocean-based Geographical Literature (400 words) |
4 |
Difficult read |
Human Behavior (450 words) |
4 |
Easy read |
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 1 DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2023 slot 1 had 4 sets with 5 questions each. The number of non-MCQs or TITA questions was 6.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
College Elections (LR) |
5 |
Moderate - Difficult |
Visa Applications (LR) (Time & Sequence set) |
5 |
Moderate |
12 Houses (LR-DI) Rectangular diagram (3*2) |
5 |
Moderate - Difficult |
Restaurant→ Rating (Mean, Median, Mode) |
5 |
Moderate |
|
20 |
Moderate - Difficult |
Also Read:
- 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
- CAT 2023 question paper PDF slot 1, 2, 3
- CAT 2023 student reactions and reviews
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 1 Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2023 slot 1 had 6 non-MCQs questions. And as always, Arithmetic dominated the section followed by Algebra.
Topic |
Total Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Number System Surds-1 |
1 |
Easy |
Algebra Log-1 Equations-3 Surds-1 Sequence & Series-2 |
8 |
Moderate- Difficult |
Arithmetic TSD-2 T&W-1 Ratio-1 SI CI-1 PLD-1 Mixture-1 Clock-1 |
9 |
Easy- Moderate |
Modern Math P&C-1 |
1 |
Easy |
Geometry & Mensuration Triangle-1 Quadrilateral- 1 Coordinate Geo Circle - 1 |
3 |
Moderate |
Total |
22 |
|
CAT 2023 Expected Cut Off Percentiles. slot 1
As per the experts of Career Launcher, the expected CAT cut offs 2023 will be:
Percentile |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
Overall |
---|---|---|---|---|
99 |
40 |
25-27 |
25-28 |
80 |
95 |
28-30 |
18-20 |
20-22 |
55 |
90 |
22-24 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
45-48 |
85 |
20-22 |
13-14 |
12-14 |
39-41 |
80 |
18-20 |
11-12 |
10-12 |
35-37 |
Read More:
- CAT score vs percentile 2023
- CAT normalisation process 2023
- 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
CAT 2023 Analysis slot 2 VARC
In the VARC section of CAT 2023 slot 2, four questions were non-MCQs or TITA questions. There were four RC passages of 400-450 words each.
In the VA sub section, 2 questions each were asked from para summary, parajumble, odd sentence and para-completion, like slot 1. All 8 questions were moderate.
Passage Topic/ Area |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Garments, Fashion Industry & Pollution (400 words) |
4 |
Easy to moderate |
Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe→ Good or Bad for Europe? (400 -450 words) |
4 |
Easy to moderate |
Liberalism is Dying (400 words) |
4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Facts & Interpretation in History (450 words) |
4 |
Easy |
CAT 2023 Analysis slot 2 DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2023 slot 2 was same as slot 1. It had 4 sets with 5 questions each. There were TITAs and test takers could attempt 8-9 questions.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Arrangement → Scores → two days average |
5 |
Moderate - Difficult |
Missing Values Based Table→ Company Starting/ Closing Years |
5 |
Easy - Moderate |
Rides & Timings |
5 |
Moderate - Difficult |
Grid Based→two 3*3 tables (Mean, Median, Mode) |
5 |
Difficult |
|
20 |
Moderate - Difficult |
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 2 Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2023 slot 2 had 7 non-MCQs questions. And like slot 1, Arithmetic dominated the section followed by Algebra.
Topic |
Total Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Number System Factors-2 Divisibility -1 |
3 |
Easy |
Algebra Log-1 Equations-1 Maxima Minima-2 Sequence & Series-2 Inequalities - 1 |
7 |
Moderate- Difficult |
Arithmetic TSD-2 T&W-1 Ratio- 2 SI CI-1 PLD-2 Mixture-1 Average-1 |
9 |
Easy- Moderate |
Geometry & Mensuration Rectangle-1 Circle- 1 Coordinate Geo - 1 |
3 |
Moderate |
Total |
22 |
Difficult |
CAT 2023: Expected Cut Off Percentiles, slot 2
Given below is the expected percentile for CAT 2023, slot 2 as estimated by Career Launcher.
Percentile |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
Overall |
---|---|---|---|---|
99 |
40-42 |
25-26 |
28-30 |
82-83 |
95 |
30-33 |
18-20 |
20-22 |
57-58 |
90 |
24-26 |
14-15 |
15-17 |
46-48 |
85 |
20-22 |
12-13 |
12-14 |
40-43 |
80 |
18-20 |
10-11 |
10-12 |
36-39 |
CAT 2023 Analysis Slot 3
The question paper of CAT 2023 Slot 3 was same as CAT 2023 slot 1 in terms of structure. Unlike slot 2, this slot did not have any mandatory VA question. At the same time, CAT 2023 slot 3 was the only slot which had a Trigonometry question. The overall cutoff for a 99 percentile in CAT 2023 Slot 3 is expected to be nearly 94-95.
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 VARC
The CAT 2023 Slot 3 VARC was difficult in slot 3 as compared to the previous slots. There were 4 questions were Non-MCQs or TITA questions. In VA subsection there were 2 questions each from para summary, para completion, para jumbles and odd sentence out.
RC Passage |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Romantic Aesthetics/ Philosophy (400-450 words) |
4 |
Difficult to comprehend/read |
Cultural Property Law → Exploration of Sites (400-450 words) |
4 |
Easy to Moderate |
Nutmeg Curse→ Environment Degradation (400-450 words) |
4 |
Moderate |
Rational Thinking (400-450 words) |
4 |
Moderate |
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2023 slot 3 was similar to slot 1 and slot 2. Out of 20 questions, there were 6 MCQs. About 8-10 questions were doable in this section.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Girls / Boys (LR Caselet) Tests |
5 |
Moderate- Difficult |
Caselet→ Window/ Split AC |
5 |
Difficult |
Route Based Diagram |
5 |
Easy |
Online Sites (Mean, Median, Mode, Max/Min) |
5 |
Easy- Moderate |
CAT 2023 Analysis, Slot 3 Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2023 Slot 3 was same as slot 1 and slot 2 in composition, but more difficult. There were 8 non-MCQs or TITA questions.
Topic |
Description/ Doable |
Total Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|---|
Number System |
Factors-1 Indices-1 Integral Values-1 |
4 |
Easy - Moderate |
Algebra |
Log-1 Equations- 2 Functions-1 Sequence & Series-2 Algebraic Expression-1 |
7 |
Moderate |
Arithmetic |
TSD-1 T&W-2 SI CI-1 Percentage-1 PLD-1 Mixture-1 Averages - 1 |
8 |
Easy- Moderate |
Geometry & Mensuration |
Circle- 1 Polygon-1 Triangle-1 Coordinate Geo - 0 |
3 |
Moderate |
CAT 2023 Slot 3: Expected Percentile
Based on the overall and section-wise scores, level of difficulty and good attempts, given below are the score required for various percentiles:
Percentile |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
Overall |
---|---|---|---|---|
99 |
38-40 |
27-28 |
27-28 |
78-80 |
95 |
28-30 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
57-58 |
90 |
24-25 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
46-48 |
85 |
20-22 |
12-14 |
12-14 |
40-41 |
80 |
18-20 |
10-11 |
10-11 |
36-37 |
CAT 2023 Analysis by T.I.M.E.
Given below is the overall analysis of the CAT 2023 question paper by T.I.M.E. Read to know the key highlights of the exam this year.
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Analysis: VARC
The VARC section of CAT 2023 slot 1 was easy. About 12 RC questions could be attempted with high accuracy. In VA sub section, 6 or 7 attempts with high accuracy were possible. Overall, an attempt of 16 to 18 questions with 70 % accuracy will be considered good performance in VARC.
Area / Questions |
No. of Questions |
Question Type |
Difficulty level |
---|---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension |
16 |
MCQ |
Overall: Easy to Moderate |
RC-1: Return of wolves’ predation in a French region |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
RC-2: Current economies of North and South Korea. |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
RC-3: Indian Ocean Literature |
4 |
MCQ |
Moderate |
RC-4: Modern materialism versus ancient societies |
4 |
MCQ |
Difficult |
Verbal Ability |
08 |
MCQ & TITA |
Overall: Easy |
Para jumbles (4 sentences) |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Moderate |
Para-completion |
2 |
MCQ |
2 Easy |
Summary |
2 |
MCQ |
1 Easy, 1 Moderate |
Odd Sentence Questions |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Moderate |
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Analysis: DILR
The composition of DILR section of CAT 2023 was same as last year. There were 4 sets with 5 questions each. And the difficulty level was moderate to high and there were TITA questions as well. Overall, 9 to 11 questions with 75-80% accuracy will be considered a good performance in this section.
Area |
Set Description |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|---|
LR |
(Arrangements) |
5 (MCQ) |
Easy to Moderate |
DI |
(Reasoning based DI) |
5 (1 MCQ, 4 TITA) |
Moderate to Difficult |
LR |
Houses on sale |
5 (3 MCQ, 2 TITA) |
Moderate to Difficult |
DI |
Visa Office |
5 (3 MCQ, 2 TITA) |
Moderate to Difficult |
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Analysis: Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2023, slot 1 quantitative analysis was moderate in terms of difficulty level but tougher than last year’s exam. It was dominated by Algebra (8 questions), followed by Arithmetic (7 questions). Out of 22 questions, 7 were TITA type. An an attempt of 9 to 11 questions with 75-80% accuracy will be considered a good performance.
Area/Q Type |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Arithmetic |
7 |
Moderate |
Algebra |
8 |
Moderate |
Geometry |
4 |
Moderate |
Modern Math |
2 |
Moderate |
Numbers |
1 |
Moderate |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: VARC
The VARC section of CAT 2023 slot 2 had 24 questions in the afternoon slot, 16 from Reading Comprehension and 8 from Verbal Ability. There was an odd one out question which was mandatory. The Passage on Liberalism was quite abstract and difficult to read. In VA subsection, there were two questions each on Para Formation, Para odd man out, Para Summary, and Sentence Placement. Overall, the VA part was of moderate difficulty level.
RC Passage |
No. of Questions |
Overall Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Fast Fashion |
4 |
Moderate |
History – Interpretation of Facts |
4 |
Difficult |
Netflix and European Culture |
4 |
Moderate |
Liberalism |
4 |
Difficult |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2023 slot 2 was slightly easier than slot 1. There were four sets of five questions each. A net score of 11–13 would be considered good in this section.
DILR |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty level |
---|---|---|
3 People drawing numbers |
5 |
Moderate |
5 Firms raising money – founded and closed in different years |
5 |
Moderate-Difficult |
9 Boxes in 3 x 3 tray |
5 |
Difficult |
Theme Park – 3 friends – 4 rides |
5 |
Difficult |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: Quantitative Ability
In CAT 2023 slot 2, there were no questions from Modern Maths. Most questions in this section, required the student to go beyond simply substituting values in formulae, like it was in slot 1. Overall the section was more difficult than previous slots.
QA Topic |
No. of Questions |
---|---|
ERPV |
2 |
Percentages, Profit & Loss |
2 |
SI-CI |
1 |
Time & Distance |
1 |
Numbers |
3 |
Geometry |
2 |
Progressions/Series |
2 |
Quadratic Equations |
2 |
Averages Mixtures & Alligations |
2 |
Coordinate Geometry |
1 |
Special Equations |
1 |
Logarithms |
1 |
Inequalities |
2 |
Time and Work |
1 |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: VARC
The VARC section of CAT 2023 slot 3 was same as slot 1 and 2 in terms of difficulty level. In VA subsection, there were two questions each on Para Formation, Para odd man out, Para Summary, and Sentence Placement. Overall, the VA part was of moderate difficulty level.
RC Passage |
No.of Questions |
Overall Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Pinker’s Rationality |
4 |
Difficult |
Museum Artifacts and Patrimony Laws |
4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Romanticism |
4 |
Very Difficult |
Climate Change and Nutmeg’s Curse |
4 |
Difficult |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2023 slot 3 was tougher than slot 1 and slot 2. There were four sets of five questions each. But three out of the four Reasoning sets were Quant based. And there were no sets that can be considered purely LR based. A net score of 12-14 would be considered good in this section.
DILR |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty level |
---|---|---|
A/C Split Window |
5 |
Moderate-Difficult |
Offline and Online Test Takers |
5 |
Moderate-Difficult |
Patrolling Routes |
5 |
Difficult |
Scores and Weightages |
5 |
Difficult |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: Quantitative Ability
The CAT 2023 slot 3, Quantitative Ability questions were slightly tougher than slot 1 and slot 2. Overall, 7-9 questions with maximum accuracy will fetch 85 percentile (sectional cut off). Check topic wise break up below:
QA Topic |
No. of Questions |
---|---|
ERPV |
2 |
Percentages, Profit & Loss |
3 |
Functions |
1 |
Time & Distance |
1 |
Numbers |
1 |
Geometry |
3 |
Progressions/Series |
2 |
Quadratic Equations |
1 |
Averages Mixtures & Alligations |
2 |
Coordinate Geometry |
1 |
Permutations & Combinations |
1 |
Logarithms |
1 |
Time and Work |
2 |
Indices |
3 |

News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25 | XAT 2026 Exam registration |
20 Dec '25 | XAT 2026 admit card download s... |
1 Aug '25 - 20 Nov '25 | SNAP 2025 Registration Process |
28 Nov '25 - 6 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 admit card session 1... |
1 Aug '25 - 10 Oct '25 | NMAT 2025 Registration Window |
1 Aug '25 - 14 Oct '25 | NMAT 2025 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
28 Sep '25 | MAT CBT Exam 2025 (Sept ) |
25 Sep '25 - 28 Sep '25 | MAT CBT Admit Card 2025 (Sept ... |
1 Jul '25 - 23 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Registration |
27 Dec '25 - 28 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Exam Date |
13 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Result |
31 Jan '25 - 2 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Answer Key Release a... |
Dec '25 | MAH MBA CET 2026 registration ... |
2 Sep '25 - 4 Sep '25 | MAH MBA CAP 2025: Reporting to... |
6 Aug '25 - 7 Aug '25 | In-person supplementary counse... |
5 Aug '25 | In-person supplementary counse... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
With a 300 SC category rank in CAT, your chances for NIT Trichy MBA are relatively high. Based on 2025 data, NIT Trichy generally shortlists SC candidates with CAT percentiles around 60-65. To achieve a 300 rank under SC category, you would need about a 65-70 percentile, or a score of roughly 60-65
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
PGCET and CAT serve distinct purposes. The PGCET is primarily conducted for MBA admissions in colleges in the state of Karnataka, specifically for government colleges and private universities with lower fees. CAT is a national level exam for top-ranking B-schools and colleges such as the IIMs that h
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
That's a wonderful goal to push your son toward right at the start. To obtain previous CAT model papers, you can check many available popular exam preparation books in any bookstore or online store. Coaching interest such as TIME, IMS, Career Launcher, etc., usually have mock tests and sample papers
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can get admission to Jaypee Business School (JBS), Noida for MBA even if you don't have CAT. JBS accepts scores from several other exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, ATMA, and also CUET-PG. Just make sure you have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks, then apply with any of those va
Answered 2 weeks ago
I
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
For candidates pursuing MBA, the eligibility criteria includes merit and entrance based selection. Whereas, for BBA, candidates must qualify Class 12 with a minimum aggregate. JIIT CDOE MBA on the other hand, is offered based on the minimum aggregate of graduation. However, for the final admission,
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, students can get MBA admission into Galgotia University without CAT. The university accepts other national entrance exams for MBA programme. The university accepts entrance exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, SAT, and other. It is mandatory to qualify one of the entrance exams.
K
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, students can get admission in Greater Noida Institute of Technology without CAT. CAT is one of the accepted entrance exams at Greater Noida Institute of Technology. The other accepted entrance exams are MAT, NMAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. If a student's CAT score is not good, worry not other acce
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi offers various programmes and specilisations across various streams. For obtaining IIFT Delhi admission, candidates are required to appear for the prescribed entrance tests. Students can visit the official website of the IIFT Delhi to learn more regarding the
U
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, candidates can not get into Management Development Institute, Gurgaon without CAT as the college offers admissions to students on the basis of their entrance exam scores. The college accepts various national level exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, etc. for admission to its PGDM programmes, foll
A
Contributor-Level 8