CAT Exam Analysis 2025 Slot 1, 2 and 3 by Career Launcher

CAT 2026 exam

29 Nov '26

Senior Manager - Content

Updated on Nov 30, 2025 18:47 IST

CAT 2025 Analysis for Slot 1, 2 and 3 is out. The exam was on the same lines as last year. IIM Kozhikode is conducting the CAT exam today in three shifts. Check here CAT exam analysis 2025 by Career Launcher for Slot 1, 2 and 3. Also know the number of good attempt and expected CAT cut off 2025.

CAT 2025 Analysis is out. Check here CAT exam analysis 2025 by Career Launcher for Slot 1, 2 and 3. Also know the number of good attempt and expected CAT cut off 2025.

CAT 2025 analysis reveals that the question paper was on the same lines as previous years with no change in the basic composition. IIM Kozhikode is conducting the CAT exam today in three shifts. CAT 2025 question paper of slot 1 and slot 2 were moderate. But Slot 2 was slightly tougher than Slot 1. Read here CAT 2025 analysis by Career Launcher for Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 to evaluate your performance and know the expected CAT cut off 2025.

Latest:CAT 2025 answer key soon @iimcat.ac.in - live updates

Table of contents

CAT 2025 Analysis by Career Launcher: Key Highlights Slot 1
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - VARC
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - DILR
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Analysis Slot 2: Key Highlights
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis - VARC
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis- DILR
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Analysis Slot 3: Key Highlights
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - VARC
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - DILR
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude

CAT 2025 Analysis by Career Launcher: Key Highlights Slot 1

Check the below table for section wise break up of CAT 2025 exam and difficulty level

CAT 2025 slot 1 sections	Number of questions	Questions	Difficulty level
VARC	24	4 passages with 4 questions 2 parasummary 2 parajumble 2 paracompletion 2 odd one out	Moderate
DILR	22	2 sets of 5 questions 3 sets of 4 questions	Moderate to Difficult
Quantitative Aptitude	22	Algebra - 8 Arithmetic - 7 Geometry - 2 Number System - 4 to 5 Modern Maths -1	Moderate
Total	68	90	Moderate

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the marking scheme of CAT?

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?

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.

Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?

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.

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - VARC

Check below topic wise break up and difficulty level of VARC section slot 1.

VARC sections	No. of questions	Type	Difficulty Level
Reading Comprehension	16	MCQ	Medium
RC-1: Income Inequality	4	MCQ
RC-2: Electronic Music	4	MCQ
RC-3: Mental Insanity	4	MCQ
RC-4: Complex System	4	MCQ
Paragraph completion	2	MCQ
Summary	2	MCQ
Odd one out	2	TITA

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - DILR

Check below topic wise break up and difficulty level of VARC section slot 1.

Set Description	No. of Questions	Doable	Difficulty Level
DILR - Ticket based	5	2	Moderate
Circular arrangement	4	1-2	Difficult
Radar graph- Import/Export	4	4	Easy
DILR - Taps	4	2	Moderate to Difficult
AR based arrangement	5	2-3	Moderate

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the structure of CAT mock test same as the actual exam?

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?

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?

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.

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CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude

Check below topic wise break up and difficulty level of VARC section slot 1.

Topics	Description	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level
Number System	Factors-1 Digits Based-1 Set Based -1	3	Easy to Moderate
Algebra	Log-1 Linear Equations-2 Functions-2 Inequality-1	6	Moderate
Arithmetic	TSD-1 T&W-1 SI CI-1 Percentage-1 Ratio-1 PLD-1 Mixture-1 Maxima/Minima -1	8	Moderate
Modern Math	P&C -1	1	Easy
Geometry & Mensuration	Circle- 1 Polygon-1 Coordinate Geometry - 2	4	Moderate

CAT 2025 Analysis Slot 2: Key Highlights

Check below key highlights of CAT 2025 slot 2. Overall difficulty level of second shift was slightly higher than first shift.

Section	No. of questions	Questions	Difficulty Level
VARC	24	4 Passages with 4 Questions each 2 Parajumbles 2 Parasummary 2 Paracompletion 2 Odd one out	Moderate
DILR	22	2 Sets with 5 Questions each 3 Sets with 4 Questions each	Moderate - Difficult
QA	22	Algebra – 7 Arithmetic- 8 Geometry- 3 Number System- 4 Modern Maths- 0	Moderate
Total	68		Moderate

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis - VARC

Check below key higlights of CAT VARC section of Slot 2 and difficulty level.

RC Passage Topic/ Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Description/ Number of Doable Questions
Blind Fish	4	Moderate to Difficult	2
Literature	4	Moderate to Difficult	2
Use Of Language In AI	4	Moderate	2-3
Human being- Ecology	4	Moderate	2-3
Para Summary	2	Easy	2
Para Jumble	2	Easy-Moderate	1-2
Odd One Out	2	Moderate	1-2
Para Completion	2	Moderate - Difficult	1

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis- DILR

Check the table below for CAT 2025 Slot 2 DILR highlights. This section was overall moderate.

Set – Topic/ Area	No of Questions	Doable	Difficulty Level
Point Graph (Sustainability Index)	4	2-3	Easy -Moderate
LRDI: Bar Graph (Set Theory)	5	2	Difficult
Hoops and Balls (Arrangement Based)	4	2-3	Easy-Moderate
Training Based (Ordering & Scheduling)	4	1	Moderate-Difficult
Pollution Index (AQI Based)	5	1-2	Moderate-Difficult

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude

Check the table below for CAT 2025 Slot 2 Quantitative Aptitude highlights. This section was also overall moderate.

Topics	Description	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level
Number System	Digit -1 Reminder-1 Divisors - 1	3	Moderate
Algebra	Log-1 Linear Equations- 2 Functions -1 Sequence & Series-1 Maxima/Minima-1 Quadratic Equation -2	8	Moderate-Difficult
Arithmetic	TSD-1, T&W-1, SI CI-1, Percentage-0, PLD-2, Mixture-1, Averages -1, Ratio-1	8	Moderate
Geometry & Mensuration	Circle/Tangent- 1, Polygon (Hexagon Based)-1, Triangle-1 Coordinate Geo - 0	3	Moderate-Difficult
Total		22	Moderate-Difficult

CAT 2025 Analysis Slot 3: Key Highlights

Check below key highlights of CAT 2025 slot 3. Overall difficulty level of third shift was also moderate.

Section	No. of questions	Questions	Difficulty level
VARC	24	4 Passages with 4 Questions 2 Parajumbles 2 Parasummary 2 Paracompletion 2 Odd one out	Easy-Moderate
DILR	22	2 Sets with 5 Questions 3 Sets with 4 Questions	Moderate
QA	22	Algebra – 7 Arithmetic- 8 Geometry- 3 Number System- 4	Difficult
Total	68		Moderate-Difficult

CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - VARC

Check the table below for CAT 2025 Slot 3 VARC highlights. This slot also had 16 RC questions and 8 VARC questions.

Topic/ Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Doable
Artificial Intelligence (Ethics)	4	Easy-Moderate	2-3
Tribal Artists	4	Moderate-Difficult	2
Dams	4	Easy	2-3
Forest Officials	4	Moderate	2
Para Jumble (Photography, LGBTQ)	2	Moderate	1-2
Para Summary (Fashion, Memory Belief)	2	Moderate	1-2
Odd One Out (Music, Sea/Oxygen)	2	Moderate	1-2
Para Completion (Chromosome, Productivity)	2	Moderate	1-2

CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - DILR

Check the table below for CAT 2025 Slot 2 DILR highlights. This section was moderate.

Set – Topic/ Area	No of Questions	Doable	Difficulty Level
Export Import Trade Based(P,X,C Row )	5 (3 TITA)	2	Moderate - Difficult
Currency, Travel (4 Countries)	5 (3 TITA)	0	Difficult
Step Graph	4	2-3	Easy
Table Based (6 Friends - Calls in a Math)	4 TITA	2 -3	Moderate
AR Circular Arrangement (Game Passing the Back)	4	4	Easy

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CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude

Check the table below for CAT 2025 Slot 3 Quantitative Aptitude highlights. This section was also overall moderate.

Topics	Description	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level
Number System	Digit Based -2, Calculation Based-1,	3	Easy - Moderate
Algebra	Log-1, Functions-2 Max. Min. - 2, Exponent -1	6	Easy - Moderate
Arithmetic	TSD- 2, T&W-1, Ratio - 2, PLD-1, Mixture-1, Averages - 1, Pipes & Cisterns - 1	9	Moderate
Modern Math	Set Theory - 1	1	Moderate
Geometry & Mensuration	Triangle-2, Trapezium - 1	3	Moderate - Difficult

CAT Percentile predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to get their predicted CAT 2025 percentile on the basis of their expected exam score. So, predict your CAT 2025 score by clicking the link below:

CAT Percentile Predictor

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