CAT Previous Year Papers (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017): Download PDFs
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 exam
29 Nov '26
Practicing CAT question papers shoukd be your focus from October onwards. MBA aspirants can download PDFs of CAT previous year papers 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2022 2019, 2018, 2017 here to practice and get familiar with the pattern, difficulty levels, etc. Use the previous years CAT papers to prepare for CAT 2026.
With CAT 2026 preparation season getting started, aspirants may be looking for the best study material and prep resource Shiksha has collated CAT previous year papers for aspirants to practice and prepare for CAT exam 2026. They can download question papers of CAT 2025, CAT 2024, CAT 2023, CAT 2022, CAT 2021, CAT 2020, CAT 2019, CAT 2018 and CAT 2017, further below on this page. But one must know what is the role of previous years’ CAT question papers in exam preparation.
Previous year CAT question papers provide an overview of the difficulty level, topic wise distribution of questions and types of questions asked over the last few years. CAT exam is conducted in three slots, and each slot has a unique set of questions. Practicing CAT questions of all slots of past few years broadens the candidate’s area of experience. Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 must make sure that they practice CAT previous year question papers of last five years in the last month before the exam.
- CAT Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
- Benefits of Practicing Previous Years' CAT Question Papers
- Download CAT Question Paper PDFs of Last Seven Years
- Previous Years CAT Papers: Check Year Wise Highlights
- When to Start Practicing Previous Year CAT Papers and Sample Papers?
- CAT Mock Test for Practice
CAT Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
Let’s take a look at the latest CAT exam question paper pattern to understand the sectional break up. For each correct answer, three marks are allotted and for each wrong question, one mark is deducted. For unanswered questions and non-MCQs there is no negative marking.
| CAT question paper (sections) |
Number of questions |
Marks allotted |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
72 |
| DILR |
22 |
66 |
| QA |
22 |
66 |
| Total |
68 |
204 |
Benefits of Practicing Previous Years' CAT Question Papers
Previous years' CAT question papers are the best guide to the CAT exam syllabus. Listed below are some of the benefits of solving previous years CAT papers.
- Candidates can get to know the trend of types of questions asked in CAT exam
- Candidates will get to know the topic wise weightage which will be helpful in assessing strength and weakness.
- CAT question papers are the best resource of RC passages and parajumble questions.
- Practicimg actual CAT questions will help candidates to figure out how much time will be required to solve which type of questions.
- By solving last year CAT paper, candidates can get a better understanding of CAT exam pattern and marking scheme
- CAT previous year papers practice will improve speed and accuracy in solving questions
- It will help in CAT 2026 preparation by improving time management skills
Download CAT Question Paper PDFs of Last Seven Years
Candidates can download official CAT question paper PDFs of past five years. They can download and practice these CAT exam previous year question papers free.
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
Previous Years CAT Papers: Check Year Wise Highlights
CAT question paper is released online in the form of CAT answer key and response sheet. Take a look at the highlights of CAT exam previous year papers to understand the trend of types of questions asked.
CAT Previous Year Paper (2025)
CAT last year paper was moderately difficult. There was no change in the exam pattern and all the three slots were of same difficulty level. This year, Parajumble reappeared in CAT. CAT 2025 DILR and Quants sections had same composition as 2024.
Read more: CAT 2025 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Paper (2024)
CAT last year paper was moderately difficult. The second session of CAT 2024 was toughest of all three. In VARC section, there were no parajumbles and DILR had 22 questions. Both DI and LR had 11 questions each. As always, Quantitative Aptitude was dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra.
Read More: CAT 2024 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2023)
CAT 2023 question paper was overall slightly more difficult than previous years. However, can't be termed as too difficult. The CAT VARC section had more questions on RC than Verbal Ability. The DI and LR questions were of medium difficulty level and there was no surprise element. The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2023 was dominated by Arithmetic as usual.
Read more: CAT 2023 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2022)
CAT 2022 question paper was moderately difficult. The CAT VARC section was easy to moderate. The Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude sections were moderate to tough. Arithmetic, Algebra and Reading Comprehension dominated the CAT question paper 2022. There were a few parajumble questions and a few time and distance questions were there in CAT last year question paper.
Read more: CAT 2022 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2021)
The CAT question paper 2021 was of moderate to high difficulty level. The VARC and DILR sections had questions of moderate to high difficulty level with a good number of non-MCQs, where as Quantitative Aptitude section was easy in all the three slots.
Read More: CAT 2021 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2020)
CAT 2020 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. VARC section was dominated by RC questions. QA section had maximum questions from Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration and Modern Maths. DILR section had two DILR sets.
Read More: CAT 2020 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2019)
In CAT 2019, VARC was slightly trickier this year, with two passages on the difficult side. Both DILR and Quant were slightly easier than last year. The DILR section had easy sets. In Quant, There were a lot of questions from Arithmetic and none of them were tough. Overall, the paper was slightly less difficult, as compared to CAT 2018.
Read More: CAT 2019 question paper PDF with solutions
Commonly asked questions
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.
On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Yes, CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2018)
CAT 2018 question paper was of moderate difficult. The question paper of both the slots did not see any surprise question. The VARC section of CAT 2018 Slot I was easier than previous year. The DILR section was moderately difficult, while QA was difficult.
Read More: CAT 2018 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2017)
In CAT 2017, the first slot was towards higher difficulty level as compared to the second slot. DILR section was most difficult and time consuming. QA was of easy to moderate, while VARC was of easy to moderate difficulty level.
Read More: CAT 2017 question paper PDF with solutions
When to Start Practicing Previous Year CAT Papers and Sample Papers?
The ideal time to start practicing previous year CAT question papers and CAT mock tests is September onwards, as it will give you three full months of practicing these before the CAT exam. Many toppers have shared that they start solving sample questions from the early stages of CAT preparation as they want to assess their grip on Mathematics and DI topics. However, it is recommended not to start solving full length CAT mock tests and sample papers until one has completed the CAT syllabus. After that, they should dedicate the last month to solving previous years CAT papers to gauge the upcoming exam. One can solve previous year question paper for CAT earlier too, but they must make it a point to practice last 5 years' CAT question papers in the last few days before the exam. This is to have fresh memory of type of questions asked, so that you can quickly identify questions of your strength area in the CAT 2025 exam.
CAT Questions for Practice with Solutions
Check out CAT questions for practice with solutions for VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude.
Commonly asked questions
CAT Mock Test for Practice
Shiksha has prepared free CAT mock tests for candidates to practice and prepare for the exam. These mock tests are free and based on actual previous year CAT question papers.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26
28 Jun '26
1 Dec '25 - 30 Jun '26
APICET
16 May '26 - 23 May '26
23 May '26
11 Apr '26 - 24 May '26
29 May '26
23 Apr '26 - 30 May '26
8 May '26 - 11 Jul '26
Apart from referring above study material, candidates can check the following links for CAT questions for practice along with solution and process. Candidates will get CAT DILR questions, CAT VARC questions as well as logical reasoning questions for CAT.
Commonly asked questions
CAT exam is held in about 170 cities across India. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred test location. The list of test cities for CAT is available in application form. Candidates should choose the test city carefully as the request to change the test city later may or may not be accepted due to non-availability of seats at the centres in that particular city. Given below are the cities where CAT exam is usually held.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is the third and the last section of the question paper. It has 22 questions and the total marks is 66. This section of the CAT exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Most of the questions out of 22 are asked from these two topics. There are about 7-9 Algebra questions and 7-9 Arithmetic questions (the exact number varied for all three slots). Apart from these two topics, there are questions from Mensuration Modern Math and Number System in the Quantitative Aptitude section CAT. Some of the important sub topics in this section include: Arithmetic topics: Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations Averages, Percentages, Mean Median Mode, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance Algebra topics: Basics Algebraic Formulae, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minimal, Higher Degree Equations, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The smallest Value in a Maximum Function Number System topics: Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, the highest Common Factor and the lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Fermat's Theorem, Euler's Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson's Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition/Subtraction/ Multiplication in different bases Geometry Topics: Lines and Angles, Triangles Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry Modern Math topics: Sequence and Series Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability.
The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20.
There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.
For further CAT preparation, candidates can refer to the following articles:
| CAT Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jul '26 | XAT 2027 registration dates |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
Aug '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
28 Nov '26 | SNAP 2026 admit card session 1... |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration PBT |
1 Apr '26 - 8 Jun '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration CBT |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
Oct '26 | CMAT 2027 registration and app... |
Jan '27 | CMAT 2027 exam |
13 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 Final Answer ... |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 (2nd Attempt) |
May '26 | TANCET 2026 result declaration |
May '26 | Release of TANCET provisional ... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, you can crack SNAP 2026 basis CAT 2026 preparation, but make sure you practice enough number of SNAP mocks and practice tests to score high.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, CAT books can be used for Alliance AMAT exam preparation as both are MBA entrance exams. Candidates can use same books for preparing for topics such as Quantitative Aptitude and General English. However, the difficulty level of Alliance AMAT exam is much easier as compared to that of CAT exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can check below the minimum percentile/eligibility based on CAT-2025 score:
Category | CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
General | 97 |
EWS | 93 |
NC-OBC | 83 |
SC | 60 |
ST | 50 |
DAP General | 87 |
DAP EWS | 83 |
DAP SC | 50 |
DAP ST | 40 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
SECAB Institute MBA admissions are entrance-based and the institute does not give direct admissions. Students have to appear for the selection rounds regardless even if they have CAT score. However, such students may be eligible for state-level scholarships in some cases. To know more, students can
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
CAT is widely accepted across most the top-tier private MBA colleges in India besides all the top IIMs, but the scores alone are not enough, especially in institutes like Management Development Institute, SPJIMR, MICA, etc. There are interview rounds and candidate profile selections to go through af
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get a seat at Bennett University for the MBA/PGDM programme, students have to first attempt the CAT entrance examination, attain the qualifying percentile, and then proceed to the 2nd round of admissions, which may involve GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
Based on old data, Gene
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, students can get admission in Netaji Subhas University MBA without CAT. The university also accepts scores of other national-level management exams, such as MAT/ XAT, etc. Hence, CAT is not mandatory for NSU MBA admission.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.
Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham CAT Cutoff 2026 was only available to students who had attempted the exam and could log in with their registered login ID and password. But, based on the previous years' trends, a CAT percentile of at least 40 would be required to proceed to the next round of admission.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Empire College of Science MBA admissions are merit-based and generally do not require any entrance exams. Hence, having CAT score will not make much of a difference on admission chances. However, students may check with the college to know more.
V
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