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 2026 Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
- CAT previous year paper PDFs of last 5 years
- CAT 2025 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
- CAT 2024 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
- CAT 2026 preparation with Previous Year Question Papers
CAT 2026 Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
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
Also Read:
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
CAT previous year paper PDFs of last 5 years
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.
| Exam Slot and Year |
PDF Link |
|---|---|
| CAT Question Paper 2025 Slot 1 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2025 Slot 2 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2024 Slot 2 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2024 Slot 3 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 1 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 3 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2022 Slot 1 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2022 Slot 3 |
|
| CAT Question Paper 2021 Slot 1 |
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: No. of Questions and Topics
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:
No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.
Data Interpretation or DI is a sub part of CAT's second section DILR. This section has 20 -22 questions (until 2023, the totla number of DILR questions was 20, and in 2024 the number of questions was 22). Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions have equal number of questions. Candidates must make sure that they prepare for both topics well as the weightage is equal and if they are ill prepared for either of the two, their score will get affected.
There are no straight forward vocabulary questions in CAT. Out of the total of 24 questions in VARC section, 12-14 questions are Reading Comprehension based and rest of them comprise parajumbles, para completion and odd sentence. CAT is the only MBA entrance exam, which does not have direct vocabulary and grammar questions. However, one needs to have strong vocabulary and grammar to be able to solve RC, parajumble, para completion and odd sentence questions.
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CAT 2024 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
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: No. of Questions and Topics
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 Total Marks and Number of Questions
- CAT VARC: Strategy to Improve VARC Accuracy
- How Many CAT Mock Tests to Take and When to Start
CAT 2022 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
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 |
- |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: No. of Questions and Topics
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 |
- |
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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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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 20 hours ago
Yes, FIIB Delhi accepts admissions to its FPM courses through CAT. Students having a valid score in CAT can apply for admission. After applying, they have to appear for an interview before final selection. The college also accepts the scores of JRF/ NET XAT, CMAT, GMAT and ATMA. Students who does n
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
EIILM-Kolkata Centre for Leadership and Ethics accepts CAT scores for admission to MBA programme. Candidates can also get into MBA via MAT, ATMA or VUMAT scores. Aspirants must also meet eligibility to apply for MBA programme.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA programme at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. Aspirants can also get into MBA via their scores in MAT, CMAT, etc. Candidates can also appear for KIITEE Management conducted by KIIT.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, IIRM Hyderabad does consider CAT marks for admissions. Students can submit national or state-level entrance tests for selection. CAT is one of the accepted tests. The other exams are MAT/ CMAT/ ATMA/ XAT/ GMAT/ IIRMCET.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
At GIBS Business School Bangalore, students are trained for interviews and corporate readiness through:
Regular mock interviews and group discussions to practice real-life scenarios.
Focus on developing soft skills, like communication and leadership.
Exposure to the corporate world through guest lectur
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
There isn't a fixed official cutoff number for PGDM admission at GIBS Business School Bangalore, but generally they consider your entrance exam score (CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT) along with academics and interview performance. GIBS is one of the business schools with admission open in Bangalore, and they look
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The following steps are involved in filling CAT application form:
· Registration and creating a login
· Filling basic details
· Filling academic details
· Filling work experience
· Uploading image and signature
· Selecting IIMs and courses
· Selecting test cities
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
There is no option to pay the fee of CAT 2026 application form in cash. The only mode of fee payment is online which includes debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI.
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
CAT 2026 registration and application link will be available at iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates will have to apply for the exam by visiting the exam website.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
CAT 2026 application form will be released in the first week of August 2026. CAT 2026 registration dates will be announced in the last week of July through an official notification.
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Contributor-Level 7
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.