IMS CAT 2025 Paper Analysis Slot 1, 2 and 3 (DILR, VARC & QA)
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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:
There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.
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.
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 |
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.
As per the latest CAT exam pattern, there will be 68 questions. The format will be MCQ and non-MCQ. VARC will have 24 questions, DILR will have 22 questions and QA will have 22 questions. Each question will carry 3 marks and there will be negative marking of -1 for incorrect answer. Sectional time limit will be 40 minutes.
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Contributor-Level 10
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.