Last 5-Year Question Papers of CAT Exam; PDF Download
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
Registration - To be notified
CAT previous year paper PDFs of last 5 years have been provided here for free download. CAT 2026 aspirants must download and practice these question papers as part of their preparation plan.
Download Last 5 Year Question Papers of CAT
Previous year CAT question paper PDFs are the best source of exam preparation. Candidates preparing for CAT 2026, must start with taking a look at a few previous years’ question papers to know what to expect in the exam. That can be the basis of their CAT 2026 preparation plan. Shiksha is providing here last 5 years’ CAT papers with solutions for free download.
CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29 and IIM Indore is expected to prepare the question paper. While no change in the difficulty level expected, there could be change in topic wise weightage. Irrespective of the convening IIM, CAT question paper has remained tough consistently over the years. So, by referring to older CAT question papers, you will know which topics are likely to dominate CAT exam this year. Solve CAT previous year papers optimize your preparation and performance in the exam.
- CAT Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
- CAT Previous Year Paper PDFs Free Download
- CAT 2025 Question Paper
- CAT 2024 Question Paper
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2026 preparation with Previous Year Question Papers
CAT Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
For the past two years, the total number of questions in CAT question paper have been 68. CAT 2026 question paper will also have the same number of questions, in most likelihood. Check the sectional break up of CAT question paper below:
| CAT question paper (sections) |
Number of questions |
Marks allotted |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
72 |
Moderate to High |
| DILR |
22 |
66 |
Moderate to High |
| QA |
22 |
66 |
Moderate |
| Total |
100 |
204 |
Moderate to High |
CAT Question Paper: Marking Scheme and Question Type
- Every CAT question will carry 3 marks.
- There will be negative marking of -1 for wrong attempts.
- Every section will have sectional time limit of 40 minutes.
- The format of questions will MCQ.
- A few non-MCQs are expected in QA and DI.
- There will be no negative marking for non-MCQs
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CAT Previous Year Paper PDFs Free Download
Find below last 5 years’ CAT question papers with solutions for free download. Use these previous year CAT question papers with solutions pdf to practice various types of questions.
By practicing these CAT previous year paper PDFs, you can measure the success of your CAT 2026 preparation. You can also figure out the exam strategy based on the topic wise weightage in CAT exam previous year question papers. So, download the CAT exam previous year paper PDFs uploaded above and improve your preparation.
CAT 2025 Question Paper
CAT 2025 question paper was prepared by IIM Kozhikode, the exam convening institute for that year. The paper was moderate to tough. Check section wise topics below.
| CAT Sections |
Number of questions |
Topics |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
RC passages (16 questions), Paragraph completion, Summary, Odd Sentence Questions |
| DILR |
22 |
DI and LR sets based on Performance rating of 6 employees, Import-Export data of 5 countries, Circular arrangement set involving 4 persons and 7 chairs, Five persons tapping yes and no, Train movement from stations A to E, Pollution Index – Weighted average, Authors and Number of Books (2 Bar Graphs), Scatter Plot (Index calculations of 3 years), Ranking (6 balls and 4 holes), Musicians, 6 friends calling each other, Four friends solving puzzles – chart, Circular Arrangement( 7 students), Currency Exchange – 4 countries, Trade Balance – Import & Export |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Numbers |
| Total |
68 |
- |
Also Read:
CAT 2024 Question Paper
CAT 2024 question paper was prepared by IIM Calcutta, the exam convening institute for that year. The paper was moderate to tough. Check section wise topics below.
| CAT Sections |
Number of questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
Reading Comprehension (16 questions), Paragraph completion, Summary, Odd Sentence Questions |
| DILR |
22 |
DI and LR sets based on Stock price set, 3 people visiting countries tournament of 6 teams split into two groups, group matches, Web surfer, election contest |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Numbers |
| Total |
68 |
- |
Also Read:
CAT 2023 Question Paper
CAT 2023 question paper was prepared by IIM Lucknow, the exam convening institute for that year. The papers of all three slots were moderate to tough. Check section wise topics below.
| CAT Sections |
Number of questions |
Topics |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
Reading Comprehension (16 questions), Odd One Out, Parasummary, Parajumbles, Paracompletion |
| DILR |
20 |
DI and LR sets on Professors and Departments, VISA Office, Routes, Statistics, Arrangement - Scores - two days average, Missing Values Based Table - Company Starting/ Closing Years, Rides & Timings, Grid Based - two 3*3 tables (Mean, Median, Mode), Routes and Network, Contradictory Conditions, 12 Months Students Subscribed, Grouping, Students, Project Scores, and Test Scores |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number System, Modern Math |
| Total |
66 |
- |
Also Read:
CAT 2022 Question Paper
CAT 2022 question paper was prepared by IIM Bangalore, the exam convening institute for that year. All the three sets of the question paper were moderate to tough. Check section wise topics below.
| CAT Sections |
Number of questions |
Topics |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
RC passages (12 questions), Para Jumble, Odd Sentence Out, Para Completion, Para Summary |
| DILR |
20 |
DI and LR sets on Token, University Team, 15 Girls Get Together, Metrolines, Revenue / cost, Cosmetic item sales, Diagram- 4 destination, Salesman & four colonies, Bar graph of death calculation, Reasoning city - 5 days COVID cases, Games tournaments, Scheduling |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number System, Modern Math |
| Total |
66 |
- |
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CAT 2021 Question Paper
CAT 2021 question paper was prepared by IIM Ahmedabad, the exam convening institute for that year. The exam was held in three sessions and difficulty level of the . Check section wise topics below.
| CAT Sections |
Number of questions |
Topics |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
Reading Comprehension (16 questions), Para Jumble, Odd Sentence Out, Para Summary |
| DILR |
20 |
Bar Graph on Sales (DI), Friends & Acquaintances (LR), Smoothies (DI), Journals (LR), Bar Graph on Delivery Times (DI), Games & Tournaments/Distribution (LR), Pizza Delivery Ratings (LR), Objects, Bundles & Values (DI), Bar Graph on Employee Schedules (DI), Purity of Solutions (LR), Javelin Throw (LR), Question Evaluation (DI) |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number System, Modern Math |
| Total |
66 |
- |
CAT 2026 preparation with Previous Year Question Papers
CAT 2026 preparation plan should include question paper practice in the last month before the exam. Candidates can practice CAT question papers of upto 10-15 years too, depending on the bandwith, but practice of a minimum of previous 5 years is a must. Ideal time to practice previou years' CAT question papers in in the last month before CAT 2026, but it is important to check them before starting the preparation. You can use the CAT question papers of previous years as reference point to make a topic-based preparation strategy.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Yes, CAT is a compulsory entrance exam for all candidates who are a resident of India to qualify for PGPM admissions at IIM Shillong. For NRI candidates, the GMAT is the mandatory entrance exam to qualify for IIM Shillong PGPM admissions. Candidates also need to fulfill the eligibilty criteria for P
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The CAT cutoff for IIM Shillong PGPM admissions 2026 ranges from 50 - 75%. The general and EWS category candidates are required to score at least 75% in CAT exam to qualify for the PI round for IIM Shillong admissions.
The SC category is required to score 60% while the remaining categories are only r
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, students can get into IIM Ahmedabad without appearing for CAT. However, this is applicable for courses other than flagship PGP/ MBA programme. Students seeking to join programmes, such as the BPGP or executive programmes. For those courses, students need valid scores of other accepted exams.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
LIBA Chennai does accept CAT scores for admission to PGDM courses. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also apply for PGDM with XAT scores. Candidates applying for PGDM (Gulf/ FN/ OCI) programme can also appear for LIBA Admission Test. Selected candidates also need to pass WAT followed by G
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
N.L. Dalmia offers scholarships based on entrance exam scores of the candidates. Below is the criteria for scholarship based on CAT scores:
| Category | Scholarship |
|---|---|
| >90 percentile | INR 6.50 lakh |
| 85 to 89.99 percentile | INR 4.06 lakh |
| 80 to 84.99 percentile | INR 3.25 lakh |
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
One should keep 9 months for CAT preparation, but it is possible to prepare in six months too provided the plan is focussed and exhaustive. For a six month preparation plan, one will need to dedicate 8 to 10 hours daily.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA at ISMR Pune. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with a score in CMAT, MAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc. can also get admission. Candidates selected based on their entrance exam scores also need to pass the personal interview round for admission
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at Chhatrapati Shahu Institute of Business Education and Research. The institute accepts other national/ state level management entrance exams too. The names of the accepted entrance examinations are: XAT/ MAT/ ATMA/ MAH MBA CET.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at GLA University, Mathura. The university also considers scores from other management entrance exam and one university level entrance exam too. The names of the other accepted entrance exams are: MAT/ XAT/ UPSEE.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, CAT scores are not important for enrollment into Masters of Business Administration course at Chitkara University. Because CAT is not the only scores which are considered by the university, it also accepts the scores of MAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ CMAT.
K
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
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