CAT 2025 will take place on November 30! It’s known as one of the toughest management entrance exams. About 2.95 lakh candidates are eligible to appear in CAT. That’s quite a massive number. This means that the competition will be extreme. Those aiming for 99+%ile should focus on accuracy and time management. When you know the smart approach and exam format, your chances of scoring high marks increase. The CAT exam is not only about logic and understanding. It also tests your ability to stay calm under exam pressure. If you know what to expect in CAT 2025, you will be able to refine your strategy and avoid common errors. In this blog, we have shared what can be expected for the CAT 2025 based on past analysis and recent trends.
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Why 2.95 Lakh Eligible Candidates Matter in CAT 2025?
The recent notice revealed that 2.95 lakh candidates were eligible to download the CAT 2025. A higher number of registrations always leads to strong competition. But that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your target score. Remember, the competition increases for everyone- not just you. This is what 2.95 Lakh eligible candidates for CAT 2025 actually means:
- Seats in IIMs are limited. And nearly 2.95 lakh aspirants are competing, so high cutoff marks are expected. It means there will be intense competition for IIM seats. If your dream is IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, you must aim for a 99+ percentile.
- A large number of test-takers naturally creates pressure on accuracy. Even 2-3 mistakes can negatively affect your percentile. The CAT exam does not reward speed. It rewards smart selection of questions and calm thinking. In short, CAT values accuracy more than speed.
What Can be Expected for the CAT 2025 Exam?
The CAT exam is known for being unpredictable every year. So the real question is: Will CAT 2025 be tougher? Or will the exam pattern change? The concern is natural because unexpected changes may create panic. There has been no official announcement regarding changes in CAT 2025. But you should be well-prepared for any surprises. We have discussed below what can be expected for CAT 2025 based on past analysis and recent changes.
No Big Change in CAT Exam Pattern (Most Likely)
The CAT 2025 pattern is expected to remain the same as the previous year. Last year, the total number of questions increased from 66 to 68. So, the CAT 2025 is likely to carry the same number of questions. The CAT exam will cover three sections:
- Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Section III: Quantitative Ability
The overall exam duration will be 120 minutes. Candidates will get 40 minutes to answer questions in each section. They will not be permitted to switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section.
More Emphasis on RC Passages
RCs have dominated the VARC section in the last few CAT exams. You may expect 13-14 RC-based questions in CAT VARC 2025. The RC passages are expected to be asked from areas like:
- Science & Technology
- Philosophy & Psychology
- Business & Economics
- History & Politics
- Arts, Society & Culture
You can expect the passages to be challenging. But the questions still focus on logic rather than rote memorisation. Spend at least 1-2 minutes scanning RC passages before attempting questions. Pick the easy ones first and move to the tougher ones later. This will save your time and maximise your accuracy.
Tricky and Lengthy DILR Sets
DILR is one of the toughest sections in CAT 2025. In recent years, it has been observed that DILR sets have become moderately difficult. You can expect questions from:
- Puzzle-based sets
- Games and tournaments
- Graphs and tables
- Number-Based Arrangement
If you solve 2-3 DILR sets accurately, you have a strong chance to secure the top percentile. But you need the ability to recognise patterns and pick the right questions.
Expect Basic Quant Sections
Many aspirants are afraid of the Quant section. The good news is that clear concepts and formulas can help you solve most questions accurately. You should not rely only on shortcut tricks. Prioritise clear thinking and solve easy questions first. Most questions in Quant are expected to be based on topics like:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Number Systems
Difficulty Levels May Vary
The CAT exam is usually moderately difficult. You may find one section easy while others require extra effort. The difficulty level is expected to be like previous years. You may expect the following challenges in the CAT exam:
- There might be an RC passage difficult than the rest.
- Expect at least one DILR set to be time-consuming and tricky.
- A few challenging arithmetic questions.
Avoid stress when you notice this type of variation. Remember, questions are tough for everyone. You are not alone. A calm approach can help you score better than other test-takers.
