CAT Exam Analysis 2025 – Slot 1 Question Paper was Easy – Check Detailed Analysis

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CAT exam analysis

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis for admission to various management programs whether it is MBA/ PGDM. Over the past years, the level of question paper has been moderately difficult as per the CAT exam analysis. There have also been changes in the respective CAT exam pattern which covers the number of questions, maximum marks and exam duration. According to last year’s CAT exam paper, there were a total of 68 questions, which needed to be attempted within 120 minutes or 2 hours. Candidates who are participating in the upcoming CAT 2025 exam must check last year’s CAT exam analysis properly to understand the exam trends and formulate their preparation strategy accordingly. A Very important update where the questions from the Para Jumble are there in Slot 1 paper of CAT 2025 which was not appeared last year.

This typically reveals the weightage of the section along with the changes in the difficulty level to encompass past decades. This article covers the CAT exam analysis of past year CAT papers along with additional information to simplify the candidate’s preparation journey.

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Table of Contents

CAT Exam Analysis Live for Slot 2 – Check Updates

CAT 2025: Slot 2 is slightly easier in comparison to Slot 1

According to the students and live analysis, slot 2 is slightly easier in comparison to the slot 1 in CAT 2025 exam paper.

CAT 2025: CAT exam pattern for Slot 1 and Slot 2 is same

Talking about the exam pattern of CAT exam, slot 1 and slot 2 is same. There is no change in that comparatively.

CAT 2025: In Slot 2 sets are easy but time consuming

Slot 2 sets in DILR sections are easy but still time consuming. This means sets are doable but still time-taken to solve.

CAT Exam Analysis Live for Slot 1 – Check Recent Updates

CAT 2025: Question from Para Jumbles is there in the Slot 1 of CAT 2025 Exam – 10:30 AM

It is confirmed that the questions are there from the Para Jumbles section of CAT 2025 slot 1 paper.

CAT 2025: Question from Games & Tournaments is there in the Slot 1 of CAT 2025 Exam – 10:49 AM

Questions in the DILR section from Games & Tournaments.

CAT 2025: Around 9 Questions from Arithmetic – 10:52 AM

Weightage of Arithmetic is more in the Quant section where around 9 questions have came in Slot 1 of CAT 2025 paper.

CAT 2025 Exam Analysis : One Question from Probability – 10:52 AM

Yes after a long time there is a question from probability is coming in CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 – No Pattern Change, Same Level As Last Year – 11:00 AM

It is observed from the students that there is no pattern change and same level as the last year.

CAT 2025 – Question from Rhombus in the Slot 1 Paper – 11:05 AM

Questions will be there from Rhombus in the slot 1 of CAT 2025 paper. This is a part of Geometry itself.

CAT 2025 – Question from Ratio to Compare Data in Slot 1 Paper – 11:09 AM

There is a question from Ration and SI/CI in the Slot 1 paper.

CAT 2025 – Check Complete CAT 2025 Slot 1 Paper Analysis – 11:48 AM

In the LRDI section, there are a total of 5 sets in the CAT 2025 exam where 22 questions were present and 2 sets of 5 questions and 3 sets of 4 questions, 1 from moving chair circular, 2 Quant-based questions, and  1 from Roots and Network.

In the next Quants section, there are 10-11 questions doable as confirmed from the students where 9 questions are from Arithmetic, 8-9 from Algebra, 4 from Geometry section, 1 from PNC and 1 from Probability (which is comparatively came after a long time).

In the VARC section, there are 4*4 RC, 2 Para jumbles, 2 from Para completion, 2 from the Fill in the Blanks. These are confirmed from the students who are live from the CAT exam centres.

The CAT exam paper consists of three sections, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Analysing the section-wise difficulty level of the CAT exam over the past years can help you understand topic-wise weightage and boost your preparation. To help, we have shared below last year’s CAT Exam Analysis from 2021 to 2024 for the guidance of the candidates.

CAT Exam Analysis 2025

TopicsSlot 1Slot 2Slot 3
VARCTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
DILRTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
QATo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
OverallTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced

CAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Quantitative Ability (QA)

TopicSlot 1Slot 2Slot 3
ArithmeticTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
Modern MathTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
AlgebraTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
NumbersTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced
GeometryTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced

CAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

CAT VARC TopicsNumber of Questions
Reading ComprehensionTo Be Announced
Para SummaryTo Be Announced
Para JumblesTo Be Announced
Odd One Out/Para CompletionTo Be Announced

CAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

CAT DILR TopicsNumber of Questions
Matrix and GridTo Be Announced
Misc.To Be Announced
Matrix ArrangementTo Be Announced
Reasoning-based DITo Be Announced
Order and rankingTo Be Announced
Arithmetic CaseletsTo Be Announced
Venn DiagramTo Be Announced
Scheduling and MatrixTo Be Announced
Logic Based TableTo Be Announced
Mathematical ARTo Be Announced

CAT Exam Analysis 2025 Live Now

CAT Exam Analysis 2024

As per the feedback of students, the difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam was moderate across all the slots. Most of the questions in the Quant section were asked from Arithmetic and Algebra. The sets asked in LRDI were moderately difficult. On the other hand, reading comprehension questions asked in VARC were moderate to tough level. 

CAT Exam Analysis 2024 for Quantitative Ability (QA)

This section covers the detailed analysis about the Quantitative Ability section of CAT 2024 paper pattern where arithmetic and algebra covers the high-weightage and quite important to cover. Talking about the exact number of questions, Arithmetic covers 7-8 questions in slot1, 7-8 in slot 2 as well as 7-8 in slot 3. Similarly, detailed analysis across Arithmetic, Modern maths, Algebra, Number System and Geometry is mentioned in the table given below.

TopicSlot 1Slot 2Slot 3
Arithmetic7-87-87-8
Modern Math2-32-3
Algebra6-74-56-7
Numbers1-22-31-2
Geometry2-32-32-3

CAT Exam Analysis 2023

According to the review collected from the candidates, the questions asked in the CAT 2023 exam were difficult in nature. In summary, the VARC exam level ranged from moderate to difficult, questions in DILR were easy to moderate, while the Quantitative Ability section was challenging. Check the section-wise CAT exam analysis 2023 shared below for reference purposes.

CAT Exam Analysis 2023 for Quantitative Ability

Quantitative Ability is one of the important sections of Common Admission Test where the number of questions asked mostly from the Arithmetic & Algebra. It is advisable for the candidates to have a proper eye on the pattern and given below is the detailed CAT exam analysis for 2023 in Quant section.

CAT QA TopicsNumber of Questions
Arithmetic7-9
Geometry & Mensuration2-4
Algebra5-9
Moderate Math1-3
Number System2-3

CAT Exam Analysis 2023 for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

VARC is widely categorized into Reading Comprehensions and Verbal Ability section where RCs covering approx. 15-16 questions along with 2-3 Para Summary and 2-3 para jumbles with less weightage given to odd one out in the respective year. Candidates should practice in a different manner by adjusting their style for practicing good number of RCs with several genres. The detailed table for the CAT exam analysis 2023 for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension is mentioned in the table given below.

CAT VARC TopicsNumber of Questions
Reading Comprehension15-16
Para Summary2-3
Para Jumbles2-3
Odd One Out/Para Completion1-2

CAT Exam Analysis 2023 for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

As per the analysis, many aspirants found Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation as the complex portion of the CAT exam where the sets are coming with a challenging problem-solving approach. The complete information about the important topics with respective weightage is mentioned in the table given below.

CAT DILR TopicsNumber of Questions
Matrix and Grid6-7
Misc.10-11
Matrix Arrangement6-7
Reasoning-based DI9-10
Order and ranking2-3
Arithmetic Caselets2-3
Venn Diagram6-7
Scheduling and Matrix5-6
Logic Based Table2-3
Mathematical AR3-4

CAT Exam Analysis 2022

As per the feedback of students who participated in the exam, the CAT 2022 exam level was moderately difficult. In brief, the VARC section was moderate, questions in DILR were difficult, and the Quantitative Ability section was moderate. Learn about the section-wise CAT exam analysis 2022 discussed below for reference purposes.

CAT Exam Analysis 2022 for Quantitative Ability

TopicsSlot 1Slot 2Slot 3
Arithmetic7-87-87-8
Geometry3-43-44-5
Algebra5-66-75-6
Numbers3-21-22-3
Modern Math3-44-53-4

CAT Exam Analysis 2021

Based on expert analysis and feedback received from test-takers, the CAT 2021 exam level was moderately difficult. In brief, the VARC section was moderate to difficult, questions in DILR were difficult, and the Quantitative Ability section was moderate. Here is the section-wise CAT exam analysis 2021 for different sections tabulated below for reference purposes.

CAT Exam Analysis 2021 for Quantitative Ability

CAT Quant SectionNumber of Questions (Slot 1)
Arithmetic10
Algebra5-6
Modern Maths4-5
Geometry3-4

CAT Exam Analysis 2021 for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

CAT VARC SectionNumber of Questions (Slot 1)
Reading Comprehension16
Out of Context sentence2-3
Para Jumbles3-4
Summary3-4

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CAT Exam Analysis: Important Topics & Weightage (VARC, DILR & QA)

Apart from just checking about the CAT exam pattern, detailed analysis of important topics across VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Ability) is also important to maintained a detailed study plan about the CAT exam. This section is really crucial for the serious CAT aspirants who are targeting 99+ CAT percentile.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension – CAT Exam Analysis

VARC Topics for CAT ExamNo. of Questions in CAT ExamDifficulty Level
Reading Comprehension16Moderate to Difficult
Odd Sentence2Easy to Moderate
Parajumbles3-4Moderate to Difficult
Summary2-3Easy to Moderate
Overall24Moderate to Difficult

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – CAT Past Years Analysis

CAT 2017-CAT 2024 DILR Topic-Wise Set Analysis
Topic Count % of Total 
Caselets1815.79%
Reasoning-Based Data Interpretation 1614.04%
Quant-Based Reasoning1311.40%
Venn Diagrams108.77%
Special Charts97.89%
Scheduling-Based Puzzle97.89%
Distribution-Based Puzzles87.02%
Tables76.14%
Games and Tournaments76.14%
Bar Graphs65.26%
Network & Routes54.39%
Ranking and Ordering 32.63%
Arrangement 32.63%
Grand Total 114100.00%

CAT Exam Analysis – Quantitative Ability

CAT Exam Analysis – Quants (QA)CAT 2024CAT 2023CAT 2022
Average, Ratio, Mixture and Alligation 3-5 Questions4-6 Questions3-5 Questions
Profit and Loss, SI, CI Percentages 2-3  Questions2-3 Questions1-3 Questions
TSD & Time and Work  (Very Very Important Topic) 2-3  Questions2-3 Questions3-5 Questions
Geometry 2-3 Questions3 Questions3 Questions
Quadratic, Polynomials, Simple Equations1-2  Questions3-4 Questions1-3 Questions
Progression and Series1-2  Questions2  Questions1-3 Questions
Inequalities, Modulus and Functions1-2  Questions1-2 Questions3-4 Questions
Logarithm, Surds and Indices 2  Questions1-3 Questions0-1 Questions
Probability, PnC 0-1  Questions1 Question1 Question
Number System 2-3 Questions1-2 Questions1 Question

CAT Exam Analysis – Slot Timings

Checking the slot timings is again a part of CAT exam analysis because this exam itself covers the three shifts – morning, afternoon and evening. Check the detailed information for the same mentioned below.

CAT Exam Timings

SlotSessionReporting TimeGate ClosureExam Time
Slot 1Morning7:00 AM8:15 AM8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Slot 2Afternoon11:00 AM12:15 PM12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Slot 3Evening3:00 PM4:15 PM4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Last Year CAT Exam Analysis – Overview

Understanding the last year CAT exam analysis help candidates to gain insights into subject-wise difficulty level, number of questions asked, and overall exam toughness. This allows them to establish realistic targets and improve their strategy for achieving a 99+ percentile in the exam. Check the overview of last year CAT Exam Analysis shared below for reference purposes:

CAT Exam Analysis – Number of Questions

Well as a CAT aspirant it is very important to cover the trend regarding the number of questions appearing across sections in Common Admission Test. The detailed information for the same is mentioned in the table given below.

YearVerbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)Quantitative Ability (QA)Total
202424222268
202324202266
202224202266
202124202266
202026242676

CAT Exam Analysis – Difficulty Level (Overall)

As per the detailed analysis, last year CAT exam paper covers the overall moderate difficulty where VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) possess moderate level along with other sections too. But there is a slight changes in the VARC section when we are looking to the CAT 2023 paper that tends to be moderate to difficult level whereas the DILR section refers to the easy to moderate level. Simultaneously, candidates will check the detailed analysis of the CAT exam paper of previous years as mentioned in a table below in a detailed manner.

SectionCAT 2024 Difficulty LevelCAT 2023 Difficulty LevelCAT 2022 Difficulty LevelCAT 2021 Difficulty LevelCAT 2020 Difficulty Level
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)ModerateModerate to DifficultModerateModerate to DifficultModerate to Difficult
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)ModerateEasy to ModerateDifficultDifficultDifficult
Quantitative Ability (QA)ModerateDifficultModerateModerateModerate
OverallModerateDifficultModerate-DifficultModerate-DifficultModerate-Difficult

Last Year CAT Exam Analysis- Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 (Scaled Score & Percentile)

Let’s change our point of view a little regarding the CAT exam analysis because the competition level of the CAT exam paper is slightly more due to lakhs of candidates appeared to sit in the Common Admission Test. Now a common question that most of the candidates worried about is – Do slots varies according to the difficulty level?

The answer for the same is yes – the CAT exam slots generally varies according to the difficulty level. But to maintain or ensures the transparency in CAT, exam authority introduced a new term “Normalisation Process” which eradicates all discrimination and discrepancy that might occur due to different questions in different slots. But the overall difficulty of the CAT exam is based on the performance of candidates rather directly pointing out the slots, so it is advisable to the candidates that they should work on streamlining their CAT exam preparation strategy and stop anticipating the stress about CAT exam slots. The detailed analysis of the CAT exam paper is mentioned below that varies according to the slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3.

CAT Exam Analysis – Difficulty & Normalisation Process (Slot 1)
Slot 1Scaled ScoreCAT Percentile
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)3239.2499.05
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)2833.2199.55
QA (Quantitative Ability)2422.7695.49
Overall95.2199.58
CAT Exam Analysis– Difficulty & Normalisation Process (Slot 2)
Slot 2Scaled ScoreCAT Percentile
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)3234.4197.93
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)2825.8198.29
QA (Quantitative Ability)2425.6696.94
Overall85.8899.15
CAT Exam Analysis – Difficulty & Normalisation Process (Slot 3)
Slot 3Scaled ScoreCAT Percentile
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)3227.8194.21
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)2835.7399.79
QA (Quantitative Ability)2424.3496.25
Overall87.8899.27

This section covers the detailed information about the important topics across VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Ability). These topics are covered here by the proper analysis of past year CAT exam papers. Candidates should get a clear idea about what all types of questions they will handle on the basis of these synopsis.

CAT Exam RC Topics Analysis (2021-2024)

This section covers important RC topics across Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. VARC is a way too important part of the Common Admission Test which covers the large portion of Reading Comprehensions of various genres, if candidates will able to perform the analysis of important questions and able to cover all with a detailed solution & understanding, then they will definitely score amazing percentile in the CAT exam. Please find the detailed table of important RCs mentioned below.

CAT Year-WiseImportant RC Topics
Slot 1Slot 2Slot 3
CAT 2024The Western Barred Bandicoot RevivalThe Ethics and Transparency of Peer Review in AcademiaPlanetary Protection and Human Exploration of Mars
Economics, Human Behaviour, and Interdisciplinary BorrowingMedieval Spice Trade and European Colonial ExpansionLanguage Extinction and Liberal Arts Education
Crafts, Creativity, and the Modern Labour MarketUnintended Consequences of Technological InnovationMoutai’s Marketing and Chinese Nationalism
Streaming, Cultural Memory, and Digital OwnershipDrivers of Carnivore–Human ConflictsAI, Language, and the Future of Democracy
CAT 2023Geographic Determinism and Human PhenomenaSecond-Hand Fashion and SustainabilityThe Nutmeg’s Curse – Amitav Ghosh
Indian Ocean Novels and Postcolonial LiteratureWhy Liberalism Failed – Patrick DeneenRationality – Steven Pinker
The Original Affluent Society – Marshall SahlinsPositivism and the Nature of Historical FactsCultural Property Laws and Archaeology
Return of Wolves in FranceNetflix and the Cultural Integration of EuropeRomantic Aesthetics and the Problem of Definition
CAT 2022The Idea of the Copy in China and the WestCamouflage in CephalopodsHuman-Centered Automation
Stoicism, Epicureanism, and EmotionPhilosophy of Social SciencesLogic of Bios and Technos
Critical Theory of TechnologyEngineering Ethics and Social JusticeOrientalism and the Indian Past
The Undead and Human ImaginationEvolution of MusickingChicago School and Crime
CAT 2021A Thirst for Empire (History of Tea)The Scandal of KnowledgeHistory of the Unconscious
Maya PersonhoodLinguistic Diversity and MonolingualismAccuracy, Entropy, and Time
Utopia and DystopiaNationalism and Gender Roles in Colonial IndiaThe Language Instinct (Chomsky–Pinker)
Cuttlefish and Self-ControlTruth and PowerNano-Sentinels and Soft Robots

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CAT Exam DILR Topics Analysis (2022-2024)

DILR stands for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning which is considered as the complex part to be practically intensive towards DI & LR sets. This part is majorly intrusive towards problem-solving skills, mathematical aptitude and speed. Important topics across Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning to be found here (slot-wise) which are taken as an important part of CAT exam analysis.

2024 Slot 1Six web surfers
Visiting Country
Game of QUITE
Candle chart
Election & Voting
2024 Slot 2schematic diagram of walkways
Rows Column 10 Slots
Eight gymnastics players
online e-commerce firm
two plots six firm
2024 slot 3Food grain nutrients
OTT subs
AC
Population
Roads ATM
2023 Slot 1Faculty members
Restaurants (Means Median Mode)
Visa Process
12 Rectangular house
2023 Slot 29 box 3 sacks
ball picking (3 participants)
odsvile 5 firms
Entertainment park rides
2023 Slot 3Koli scores (Weighted Avg)
coaching class registration
AC Company Dealers
Six Police Stations
2022 Slot 1Get together event
Metro Line
Hockey Match
Awards funding tokens
2022 Slot 2Triccek
Widhget supllier
Super market products
4 company (Revenue Employee strength, scater plaots)
2022 Slot 3CS non SC
Money tournament
Morality rate Desease
4 neighbourhoods city

CAT Exam Quant Topics Analysis (2021-2024)

Next is the Quantitative Ability which defines the consistency in solving questions across topics like Average, Ratio, Mixture and Alligation, Profit and Loss, SI, CI, Percentages, TSD, Time & Work, Geometry, Quadratic, Polynomials, Simple Equations, Progression and Series, Inequalities, Modulus and Functions, Logarithms, Surds and Indices, Probability, PnC and Number System. Check the overall analysis according to the number of questions that came in the CAT past year papers.

CAT QA Chapter Name CAT 2024CAT 2023CAT 2022
Average, Ratio, Mixture and Alligation 3-5 Questions4-6 Questions3-5 Questions
Profit and Loss, SI, CI, Percentages 2-3  Questions2-3 Questions1-3 Questions
TSD & Time and Work  (Very Very Important Topic) 2-3  Questions2-3 Questions3-5 Questions
Geometry 2-3 Questions3 Questions3 Questions
Quadratic, Polynomials, Simple Equations1-2  Questions3-4 Questions1-3 Questions
Progression and Series1-2  Questions2  Questions1-3 Questions
Inequalities, Modulus and Functions1-2  Questions1-2 Questions3-4 Questions
Logarithm, Surds and Indices 2  Questions1-3 Questions0-1 Questions
Probability, P & C 0-1  Questions1 Question1 Question
Number System 2-3 Questions1-2 Questions1 Question

Conclusion: CAT Exam Analysis

So the detailed analysis for the Common Admission Test is just not remain for analyzing the number of questions asked in the exam, the difficulty level of questions, but also the important topics that need to cover the for streamlining the CAT preparation strategy.

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CAT Exam Analysis – FAQs

Which year was the CAT toughest?

According to the sources, the questions asked in the CAT 2021 and CAT 2023 exams were the toughest.

Is the CAT Exam Tough?

Yes, the overall level of the CAT question paper has been moderately tough in recent years.

Why should I check last year CAT Exam Analysis?

Candidates must check last year CAT Exam Analysis to gain insights into past exam trends, set realistic targets and refine their strategy accordingly.

What are the major topics that covers high-weightage in QA?

Both Algebra and Arithmetic are important sections in the Quantitative Ability which covers high-weightage in the CAT exam and can’t afford to leave during preparation.

How many sections are there in the CAT exam?

There are three major sections in CAT 2025 – VARC, DILR & QA.

What will be the difficulty level of CAT 2025?

According to the past year analysis, IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025 and the overall difficulty level of the exam expected to be moderate.

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