IMS CAT 2025 Paper Analysis Slot 1, 2 and 3 (DILR, VARC & QA)
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 Registration Window
3 Aug '26 - 15 Sep '26
Read here in-depth CAT 2025 analysis by IMS India for slot 1, 2 and 3. Also know slot wise difficulty level, topic wise weightage, expected cut offs and number of good attempts.
CAT 2025 analysis (slot 1, 2, 3)
CAT 2025 analysis by IMS– IIM Kozhikode is conducting CAT 2025 exam today in three session. It is expected that the question paper will be moderate to tough. Shiksha will share here CAT 2025 analysis for slot 1, 2 and 3. The first session is over and the initial reactions suggest that the exam was on expected lines. Check here CAT exam analysis 2025 by IMS.
Latest:CAT 2025 answer key soon @iimcat.ac.in - live updates
- CAT 2025 Exam Analysis Highlights
- IMS CAT 2025 Analysis - Slot Wise
- CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - VARC
- CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - DILR
- CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 1
- CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis – VARC
- CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis – DILR
- CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis – Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 2
- CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – VARC
- CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – DILR
- CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 3
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis Highlights
There was no change in the CAT test structure from last year. Check here the section-wise break-up of the CAT 2025 question paper:
| Section Name |
Duration |
Total |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
40 mins |
24 |
| DILR |
40 mins |
22 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
40 mins |
22 |
| Total |
120 mins |
68 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
IMS CAT 2025 Analysis - Slot Wise
Check below detailed CAT exam analysis 2025 for each section of the questions papers of Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. The sectional CAT analysis 2025 will in evaluating the exam and your own performance.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - VARC
VARC section of CAT 2025 Slot 1 had 16 RC based questions and 8 VA based question. One of the passage was vocabulary based question. For 95 percentile, an attempt of 16 to 17 questions with about 70% accuracy will be enough. Check the key highlights of VARC section of CAT 2025 and topic wise break up.
| Area / Questions |
No. of Qs. |
Type |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
|||
| RC-1: Alienists and the art of diagnosing mental disorders |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
| RC-2: Income inequality and economic growth |
4 |
MCQ |
Medium |
| RC-3: Objections to Electronic Music as a musical genre |
4 |
MCQ |
Medium |
| RC-4: Complex Systems and the dynamics of tail events |
4 |
MCQ |
Difficult |
| Verbal Ability |
|||
| Paragraph completion |
2 |
MCQ |
1 Easy, 1 Medium |
| Summary |
2 |
MCQ |
2 Medium |
| Odd Sentence Questions |
2 |
TITA |
2 Medium |
| Jumbled Paragraphs |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Medium |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - DILR
DILR section of CAT 2025 Slot 1 had 11 TITA questions and 11 MCQs. Overall, this section was medium t to difficult. About 12 attempts with 85% accuracy will fetch 95 percentile in this section. Check the key highlights of DILR section of CAT 2025 and topic wise break up.
| Area |
Set Description |
No. of Questions |
Question Type |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation |
Performance rating of 6 employees |
5 |
4 TITA |
Medium |
| Data Interpretation |
Import-Export data of 5 countries |
4 |
4 MCQ |
Easy to Medium |
| Logical Reasoning |
Circular arrangement set involving 4 persons and 7 chairs |
5 |
4 MCQ, 1 TITA |
Medium |
| Logical Reasoning |
Five persons tapping yes and no |
4 |
2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
Medium to Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning |
Train movement from stations A to E |
4 |
4 TITA |
Medium |
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis - Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude section had as usual maximum questions from Arithmetic and Algebra. Arithmetic questions were easy but Algebra questions were complex. There were 14 MCQs and 8 TITA. If a candidate has attempted 12-13 questions with the accuracy of approximately 85%, they can get 95 percentile in this section. Check the key highlights of Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2025 and topic wise break up.
| Area/Q Type |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
8 |
Medium |
| Algebra |
5 |
Medium |
| Geometry |
3 |
Medium |
| Modern Math |
3 |
Medium |
| Numbers |
3 |
Medium |
CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 1
Based on the CAT 2025 analysis of Slot 1, CAT 2025 scores vs percentile comparison has been tabulated below:
| Percentile |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 |
51 |
46 |
48 |
122 |
| 99.5 |
44 |
39 |
40 |
103 |
| 99 |
40 |
34 |
33 |
90 |
| 98 |
34 |
31 |
30 |
81 |
| 95 |
30 |
26 |
25 |
70 |
| 90 |
23 |
19 |
18 |
53 |
| 85 |
19 |
15 |
16 |
45 |
| 80 |
17 |
13 |
14 |
40 |
| 75 |
15 |
11 |
12 |
34 |
Also read:
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 Slot 2 Analysis – VARC
Like, Slot 1 of CAT 2025, Slot 2 also contained 16 RC questions and 8 va questions. The passages on tetrafish and biases of AI were easy, whereas passages on role of ‘place’ in literature and science and culture required careful reading. VA comprised parasummary, para-completion, odd sentence and parajumbles. About 17-18 attempts with 70% accuracy will fetch 95 + percentile in this section. Check below, key highlights of CAT 2025 Slot 2.
| Area / Questions |
No of Qs. |
Question Type |
Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
|||
| RC-1: How tetrafish adapted and evolved |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
| RC-2: Biases of AI |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
| RC-3: The role of “Place” in literature |
4 |
MCQ |
Difficult |
| RC-4: Science and culture |
4 |
MCQ |
Difficult |
| Verbal Ability |
|||
| Paragraph completion |
2 |
MCQ |
1 Easy, 1 Medium |
| Summary |
2 |
MCQ |
2 Medium |
| Odd Sentence Questions |
2 |
TITA |
2 Easy |
| Jumbled Paragraphs |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Medium |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis – DILR
CAT 2025 Slot 2 DILR questions were slightly tougher than that of Slot 1. In this slot, there well 11 TITA questions, which is rare in CAT. 22 questions were spread over 5 sets- 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each. About 10-11 attempts with accuracy of 80-85 % will fetch 95+ percentile in this section.
| Area |
Set Description |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation |
Pollution Index – Weighted average |
5 |
Difficult |
| Data Interpretation |
Authors and Number of Books (2 Bar Graphs) |
4 |
Easy |
| Data Interpretation |
Scatter Plot (Index calculations of 3 years) |
4 |
Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning |
Ranking (6 balls and 4 holes) |
4 |
Easy |
| Logical Reasoning |
Musicians |
5 |
Difficult |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis – Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Quants questions were tougher than Slot 1. compared to CAT 2025 slot 1. Arithmetic questions were easy bit Algebra questions were tough. In Algebra, most questions were asked from Quadratic equations, Inequality with logarithms etc. In this section of According to CAT 2025 Slot 2 analysis of Quantitative Aptitude section, 9-10 attempts with 80-85% accuracy will fetch 95 %.
| Area/Q Type |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
8 |
Medium |
| Algebra |
5 |
Medium |
| Geometry |
3 |
Medium |
| Modern Math |
4 |
Medium |
| Numbers |
2 |
Medium |
CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 2
Based on the CAT 2025 analysis of Slot 2, CAT 2025 scores vs percentile comparison has been tabulated below:
| Percentile |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 |
52 |
42 |
43 |
115 |
| 99.5 |
45 |
35 |
35 |
97 |
| 99 |
41 |
30 |
28 |
83 |
| 98 |
36 |
27 |
25 |
75 |
| 95 |
32 |
23 |
20 |
65 |
| 90 |
25 |
17 |
15 |
51 |
| 85 |
20 |
13 |
13 |
41 |
| 80 |
18 |
11 |
12 |
37 |
| 75 |
17 |
10 |
10 |
33 |
Read More:
- CAT score vs percentile and marks vs percentile
- Understanding CAT normalization process
- How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
- Colleges Accepting CAT percentile above 90
- Colleges Accepting CAT percentile from 80-90
- Colleges Accepting CAT percentile from 70-80
- Colleges Accepting CAT percentile from 60-70
- Colleges Accepting CAT percentile from 50-60
- What After CAT result 2025?
- IIM shortlist and selection criteria 2026
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – VARC
In CAT 2025 Slot 3 too there were 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. The Reading Comprehension had a vocabulary-based application questions, like slot 1. This section was overall moderate. About 16 or 17 attempts with an accuracy of approximately 70% will fetch 95+ percentile in this section.
| Area / Questions |
No. of Qs. |
Type |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
|||
| RC-1: Ill-effects of dams |
4 |
MCQ |
Easy |
| RC-2: AI and ethical decision-making |
4 |
MCQ |
Medium |
| RC-3: The Forest Act 1982 |
4 |
MCQ |
Medium |
| RC-4: Tribal art |
4 |
MCQ |
Difficult |
| Verbal Ability |
|||
| Paragraph completion |
2 |
MCQ |
1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Summary |
2 |
MCQ |
1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Questions |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Jumbled Paragraphs |
2 |
TITA |
1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – DILR
DILR of Slot 3 was same as Slot 1 and Slot 2 - 22 questions spread over 5 sets- 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each. There were 11 TITA questions. Difficulty level was lower than slot 2 but higher than slot 1. About 10-11 attempts with an accuracy of approximately 80- 85% will fetch 95 + percentile in DILR.
| Set Description |
No. of Questions |
Question Type |
Difficulty level |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning |
6 friends calling each other |
4 |
1 MCQ and 3 TITA |
Easy to Medium |
| Data Interpretation |
Four friends solving puzzles – chart |
4 |
2 MCQ and 2 TITA |
Easy |
| Logical Reasoning |
Circular Arrangement( 7 students) |
4 |
4 MCQ |
Easy to Medium |
| Data Interpretation |
Currency Exchange – 4 countries |
5 |
2 MCQ and 3 TITA |
Medium to Difficult |
| Data Interpretation |
Trade Balance – Import & Export |
5 |
2 MCQ and 3 TITA |
Difficult |
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis – Quantitative Aptitude
Quantitative Aptitude of CAT 2025 slot 3 had similar composition as Slot 1 and Slot 2. There were 8 easy, 8 medium and 6 difficult questions. Some questions were highly calculation intensive and time consuming. About 10-11 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80- 85% will fetch 95 + percentile.
| Area/Q Type |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
7 |
Easy to Medium |
| Algebra |
4 |
Medium to Difficult |
| Geometry |
3 |
Easy to Medium |
| Modern Math |
4 |
Medium to Difficult |
| Numbers |
4 |
Medium to Difficult |
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
MAT
26 Sep '26
20 Aug '26 - 10 Oct '26
14 Oct '26 - 17 Oct '26
30 Sep '26 - 20 Nov '26
21 Aug '26 - 25 Nov '26
24 Oct '26 - 28 Nov '26
12 Dec '26
30 Sep '26 - 31 Dec '26
10 Oct '26 - 11 Jan '27
CAT 2025 scores vs CAT Percentile: Slot 3
Based on the CAT 2025 analysis of Slot 3, CAT 2025 scores vs percentile comparison has been tabulated below:
| Percentile |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 |
53 |
44 |
45 |
119 |
| 99.5 |
46 |
37 |
37 |
101 |
| 99 |
41 |
32 |
30 |
87 |
| 98 |
34 |
29 |
27 |
77 |
| 95 |
30 |
24 |
23 |
66 |
| 90 |
23 |
18 |
17 |
52 |
| 85 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
43 |
| 80 |
17 |
12 |
12 |
37 |
| 75 |
15 |
11 |
11 |
33 |
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
15 Jul '26 - 6 Dec '26 | XAT 2027 Registration |
Oct '26 | XAT 2027 Form Correction |
21 Aug '26 - 25 Nov '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
7 Dec '26 | SNAP 2026 admit card session 1... |
20 Aug '26 - 10 Oct '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
20 Aug '26 - 22 Oct '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
22 Jun '26 - 14 Sep '26 | MAT September 2026 Registratio... |
10 Sep '26 - 13 Sep '26 | MAT September 2026 PBT Admit C... |
26 Sep '26 | IBSAT 2026 Mock Test |
24 Oct '26 | IBSAT 2026 Mock Test |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 22 hours ago
Students pursuing PGDM from Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur and having 65% CAT score can get scholarship of INR 1.50 lakh. Students must have documents proving their eligibility to avail the scholarship benefit.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can strongly aim for interview calls from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta if you have a stellar high school profile and a high CAT score. Top IIMs calculate interview shortlists using strict mathematical formulas. These formulas evaluate your CAT score, Class 10 marks, Class 12 marks
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can and should attempt previous year papers and mock tests as part of your preparation for CAT 2026. You can attempt it on official CAT website.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Students interested in MBA at any of the Symbiosis Institutes need to take the Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Computer Based Test which will be conducted at designated test centres.
However, the institute does offer special pathways to Indian students allowing them to register for classes even i
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes. Candidates can apply for Executive MBA course at IIM Kashipur Dehradun campus, without CAT or GMAT score, because the institute also accepts candidates score in EMAT exam, which is conducted directly by IIM Kashipur.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
T.I.M.E., Career Launcher, Bulls Eye and Kautilya Academy offer weekend coaching in Bilaspur.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To choose the best CAT Coaching institute in Bilaspur, candidates must consider the following points:
- Final fee structure and refund/installment policy.
- Compare classroom vs. online/hybrid formats
- Ask about batch size, number of full-length mocks, recorded sessions/notes
- Success Rate of the centre
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The average fee ranges in Bilaspur from ₹50,000 to ₹65,000 for offline classroom courses and ₹18,000 to ₹35,000 for online courses.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Coaching centres in Bareilly, like Career Launcher, BIGS ADDA Education and TF Classes, have not specifically mentioned their weekend classes. Candidates must visit these coaching centres or contact them to know about the classes.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To choose the best CAT Coaching institute in Bareilly, candidates must consider the following points:
- Success Rate of the centre
- Compare classroom vs. online/hybrid formats
- Ask about batch size, number of full-length mocks, recorded sessions/notes
- Final fee structure and refund/installment policy.
S
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