CAT Exam Analysis 2025 (Available): Check Slot 1, 2 & 3 Paper Difficulty Level

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6 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26

Updated on Oct 30, 2026 18:05 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content

CAT 2025 exam analysis for slot 1, 2, and 3 is available below. CAT exam analysis includes a detailed discussion of overall exam difficulty, section wise difficulty, topic wise weightage, number of good attempts and more. Candidates also get to know about changes in CAT exam compared to previous sessions. In CAT 2025 exam, all three slots were considered easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level.

This article hosts previous year's CAT question paper analysis. Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 must go through the past analysis to improve chances of a better score.

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CAT 2025 Analysis

Check below sectional break up of CAT 2025 question paper (slot 1):

CAT 2025 slot 1 sections	Number of questions	Questions	Difficulty level
VARC	24	4 passages with 4 questions 2 parasummary 2 parajumble 2 paracompletion 2 odd one out	Moderate
DILR	22	2 sets of 5 questions 3 sets of 4 questions	Moderate to Difficult
Quantitative Aptitude	22	Algebra - 8 Arithmetic - 7 Geometry - 2 Number System - 4 to 5 Modern Maths -1	Moderate
Total	68	--	Moderate

CAT 2025 analysis has been shared below, slot wise. But first check overall number of good attempts.

CAT 2025 sections	Number of good attempts	Ideal score attempt
VARC	14-16	40
DILR	10-11	32
Quantitative Aptitude	10	35
Total	36	90

CAT 2025 Analysis: Section Wise

Check below section wise analysis of CAT 2025 question papers for slot 1, 2 and 3.

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2025: VARC

The VARC section had 4 RC passages. Parajumbles reappeared after a gap of one year. The RC passages were of 400-450 words. The passages pertained to Income Inequality, Electronic Music, Mental Insanity and Complex System. Parasummary questions were based on Zombie Cells, Inspiration. Paracompletion questions pertained to Silver, Guitar Making and Odd One Out questions were based on Bayeux Tap, Legalized Assisted

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2025: DILR

The DILR section of CAT 2025 slot 1, had sets on Candlestick - Ticket, Circular Arrangement, Radar Graph - Import Export, Taps and AR Based Arrangement. The DILR questions were tough

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2025: Quantitative Aptitude

Questions on Factors, Digits Based, Set Based, Log, Linear Equations, Functions, Inequality, Time Speed Distance, T&W, Simple Interest Compound Interest, Percentage-1, Ratio, PLD-1 Mixture, Maxima/Minima, P&C, Circle, Polygon, Coordinate Geometry, were asked in this section.

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2025: VARC

The VARC section had 4 RC passages with 4 questions each. Topics of passages were blind fish, importance of place in literature, use of language in AI and human being and ecology. There were para jumble, para summary, para completion and odd one out questions in VA. One or two RC passages came across as tough rest were easy and doable.

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2025: DILR

The DILR section of CAT 2025 slot 2, had sets on Point Graph (Sustainability Index), Bar Graph (Set Theory), Hoops and Balls (Arrangement Based), Training Based (Ordering & Scheduling) and Pollution Index (AQI Based). The questions can be considered moderate.

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2025: Quantitative Aptitude

In Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2025 Slot 2, the questions were based on Digit, Reminder, Divisors, Log, Linear Equations, Functions, Sequence & Series, Maxima/Minim, Quadratic Equation, TSD, T&W, SI CI, PLD, Mixture, Averages, Ratio, Circle/Tangent sndPolygon. This section was moderate to tough.

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2025: VARC

The VARC section of CAT 2025 slot 3 too had 4 RC passages with 4 questions each. Topics of passages were Artificial Intelligence (Ethics), Tribal Artists, Dams, Forest Officials. Parajumbles, paras ummary, odd one out and para completion questions were easy.

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2025: DILR

The DILR section of CAT 2025 slot 3, had sets on Export Import Trade Based(P,X,C Row ), Currency, Travel (4 Countries), Step Graph, Table Based (6 Friends - Calls in a Math), AR Circular Arrangement (Game Passing the Back). The questions were moderate.

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2025: Quantitative Aptitude

In Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2025 Slot 3, questions were based on Number system, Log, Function, Maxima-Minima, Exponent, Time speed distance, T&W, Ratio, PLD, Averages, Pipes & Cisterns, Set Theory, Triangle, Trapezium.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: How many question should I solve for 99 percentile in CAT exam?

To get 99 percentile and above, candidates must attempt 40-45 out of 68 questions in CAT, with maximum accuracy.

Q: What is the difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper?

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.

Q: What is the IIM selection criteria through CAT?

IM selection criteria includes Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Academic record and work experience are also taken into consideration for final selection.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2025

Aspirants know that MBA admission through CAT is based on percentile and not score. Which means their performance should not only be optimum but should also be better than others. This table will help you analyse CAT 2025 marks vs percentile.

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

Commonly asked questions

Q: How many candidates scored 99.99 percentile in CAT 2025?

In CAT 2025, 26 candidates scored 99.99 percentile. 14 are from engineering background and 12 are from non engineering background. And among them 4 are female candidates.

Q: How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2025?

In CAT 2025, the number of 100 percentilers was 12. Maximum toppers were from Delhi (3). IIM Kozhikode had released the state wise toppers data along with CAT 2025 result on December 24, 2025.

Q: What was the number of test takers in CAT 2025?

A total of 2.58 Lacs candidates appeared for CAT 2025. Check below gender wise break up.

Category	Number of registrations	Number of test takers
Female	1.10 lakh	0.97 lakh
Male	1.85 lakh	1.61 lakh
Transgender	9	9

CAT 2024 Exam Analysis

Check below key highlights of CAT 2024:

CAT 2024 question paper was moderate. Question paper of CAT second session was the toughest.
VARC section was dominated by Reading Comprehension questions.
Quantitative Aptitude section had maximum questions from Arithmetic and Algebra
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions were in sets and of moderate difficulty level.

CAT 2024 Analysis: Sectional Break Up

Sectional composition of CAT 2024 was different from CAT 2023. There were 2 extra questions. The total marks of CAT 2024 was 204. However, the question type was same as previous years. Check below sectional break up of the CAT 2024 question paper:

CAT section	Number of Questions	Total Marks
VARC	24	72
DILR	20 22	60 66
Quantitative Aptitude	22	66
Total	66 68	198 204

Commonly asked questions

Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

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.

Q: What is the difference between qualifying CAT cut off and final CAT cut off?

Qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of an IIM is the minimum percentile (sectional as well as overall) required by candidates to be eligible for the Written Ability Test (What) and Personal Interview PI round. These are only eligibility score and not the score for selection. The final CAT cut off percentiles are the scores on the basis of which a candidate is actually selected for the What-PI round. The qualifying CAT cut offs are released publically before the CAT exam and result as a part of selection criteria for the MBA/PGP batch of that year. The qualifying cut offs for CAT are release category wise - General, NC/OBC. General-EWS, SC/ST, PwD. The qualifying cut offs percentiles of General category candidate is higher than then rest. The final CAT cut offs are not released publically. The cut offs are estimate on the basis of candidate's selection for What-PI. The final CAT cut offs for General category candidate is also higher than then rest.

CAT Exam Analysis 2023

CAT 2023 question paper and difficulty level was same as CAT 2022 for all slots. Slot 3 of CAT 2023 was tougher than slot 1 and 2. In all three slots, QA section was tougher than VARC and DILR. IIM Lucknow prepared a tough CAT question paper compared to rest of IIMs. Given exam's difficulty level, a overall 98 to 99 raw score should convert 99%ile. Check CAT 2023 highlights

CAT sections

Number of questions

Break up

Difficulty level

VARC

4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 parajumble qestions, 2 parasummary questions, 2 paracompletion questions and 2 odd one out questions

Moderate

DILR

4 sets of 5 questions each

Moderate to difficult

Quantitative Aptitude

7 Algebra questions,7 Arithmetic questions, 3 Geometry questions, 4 Number System questions, 1 Modern Maths questions

Difficult

Commonly asked questions

Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?

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.

Q: What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences

Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences
Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency
Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions
Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration

The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

Previous Years' CAT Paper Analysis

The CAT exam has been on the tougher side over the years. The pattern has changed multiple times but not the difficulty level. Given below are the links for detailed CAT analyses of past few years for candidates to read and understand the past trends of CAT exam:

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

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Commonly asked questions

Q: What makes CAT tougher than other MBA entrance exams?

India's premiere b-schools accept CAT for MBA admissions. More than 2.5 lakh candidates fighting for limited seats at these institutes make the exam tough to crack.

Q: What is the sectional time limit in CAT?

In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections, all three sections have a fixed sectional time limit of 40 minutes.

FAQs on CAT Exam Analysis

Find some important FAQs related to CAT exam analysis below:

Q: Which MBA colleges are available with 80 percentile in CAT?

There are quite a few MBA colleges who accept CAT score of 80 percentile and above for admission. The admission process for these colleges include group discussion and Personal Interview . Fore School of Management Goa Institute of Management International Management Institute, Delhi Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli Praxis Business School, Kolkata Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management development & Research, Bangalore Shiva Institute of Management Studies, Ghaziabad Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research TA Pai Management Institute Trinity College for Management and Technology, Ghaziabad Click on this link for more: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/colleges-accepting-cat-scores-range-80-to-90-percentile-blogId-11981.

Q: Which MBA colleges are available with 70 percentile in CAT?

A good number of private MBA colleges accept CAT score of 70 percentile in CAT. We have listed some of the colleges in which admission is possible with 70 percentile. Amity University AIMS Institutes (AIMS), Bangalore Amrita School of Business - Bangalore Acharya Bangalore B-School Asian Business School (ABS), Noida Amrita School of Business, Kochi Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS), Kolkata Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Christ Institute of Management, Pune Doon Business School (DBS), Dehradun Eastern Institute For Integrated Learning In Management, Kolkata FOSTIIMA Business School, Delhi International Institute of Business Studies, Noida International School of Business and Media (ISB&M) Bangalore JK Lakshmipat University-Institute of Management, Jaipur National University (JNU), Jaipur JRE Group of Institutions (JRE), Greater Noida Lotus Business School, Pune Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar MATS University, Raipur IIKM Business School, Calicut IILM Institute for Higher Education, Delhi For full list, click here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/colleges-accepting-cat-scores-range-70-to-80-percentile-blogId-11956.

Q: Which MBA colleges are available with 60 percentile in CAT?

There are a number of private MBA colleges that accept CAT score of 60+ percentile for admission. We have listed some of the colleges below: AIMS Institutes (AIMS), Bangalore Amrita School of Business - Bangalore Acharya Bangalore B-School Asian Business School (ABS), Noida Amrita School of Business, Kochi Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS), Kolkata Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Christ Institute of Management, Pune Doon Business School (DBS), Dehradun Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata FOSTIIMA Business School, Delhi International Institute of Business Studies, Noida International School of Business and Media (ISB&M) Bangalore International School of Business & Media, Kolkata IIKM Business School, Calicut IILM Institute for Higher Education, Delhi For full list, click here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/colleges-accepting-cat-scores-range-60-to-70-percentile-blogId-11984.