CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024: The CAT exam is a popular entrance exams for students seeking admission to MBA/PGP courses in IIM and other top B-schools in the country. The CAT exam has undergone several changes over the past years in terms of exam pattern and difficulty level. Candidates preparing for the upcoming CAT 2025 exam must stay updated with all the latest changes to perform well in the exam. Analysing the trends for CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 allows them to gain insights into the exam format and predict what changes might appear in CAT 2025. To help, we have provided below the detailed analysis of CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 for the reference of the candidates.
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CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024: Overview
Before understanding the paper analysis of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024, aspirants must check the number of participants, exam format, number of questions asked, and other factors of the exam. This analysis can help them understand all the aspects of the exam requirements and strategise for the upcoming exam accordingly. The key highlights of CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 are shared below to simplify the candidate’s preparation.
CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024- Key Highlights
| Parameters | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 |
| Registered Candidates | 3.28 lakh | 3.29 lakh |
| Appeared Candidates | 2.88 lakh | 2.93 lakh |
| Overall Attendance | 88% | 89% |
| Number of Questions | 66 | 68 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024: Section-Wise Questions Asked
The recent trends indicate that the CAT 2024 exam saw an increase in the number of questions compared to the prior year. The total number of questions increased from 66 to 68 in CAT 2024. There was also an increased number of questions in the DILR section No changes were reported in the marking scheme and exam duration. The complete analysis of CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 regarding section-wise number of questions shared below.
CAT 2023 Vs CAT 2024 Number of Questions Asked
| Section | No. of questions (2023) | No. of questions (2024) |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 24 |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 22 |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 22 |
| Total | 66 | 68 |
CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level
Aspirants must check the difficulty level of the CAT exam over the past years. This can help them refine their exam strategies and improve their time-management skills. The past trends and analysis reveal that the overall CAT exam difficulty level is typically moderate in nature. The detailed CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 exam analysis across all sections in terms of difficulty level is tabulated below:
CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 Difficulty Level
| Section | CAT 2023 Difficulty Level | CAT 2024 Difficulty Level |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | Difficult | Moderate |
| Overall | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate |
CAT 2025: What to Expect?
The official notification for CAT 2025 has not yet been released. Meanwhile, candidates can check the past trends and exam analysis to predict expected changes in the upcoming exam. We have compiled below some expected changes in CAT 2025 based on patterns of previous years.
- It is expected that the CAT 2025 exam pattern will be similar to that of CAT 2024.
- As per recent years’ exam trends, the CAT 2025 is expected to be moderately difficult.
Disclaimer: Aspirants must note that the information shared above is based on past trends and analysis. It does not reflect official data released by the exam authorities. It is shared just for reference purposes. Candidates must check the official notifications regularly for the most accurate and latest details regarding the CAT 2025 exam.
Preparation Strategies for CAT 2025
The CAT exam date is approaching. Thus, aspirants must incorporate robust strategy and resources to excel. They must start solving mock tests and previous year papers soon after completing half of the syllabus. Check the best CAT preparation strategies shared below to maximise your chances of success in the exam:
- Analyse the CAT exam pattern and syllabus to identify important topics and the structure for the exam. This will help you build a strategic timetable and cover the vast syllabus in the decided time.
- Join the best CAT online coaching like iQuanta to get personalised guidance and high-quality resources. They offer sectional modules, live interactive sessions with application classes, instant doubt-solving support, full-length and sectional CAT level mocks wit analysis, and many other features.
- Choose the best books to master all the fundamentals and advanced topics of the CAT exam. iQuanta excels in this area, as it offers 12 sets of CAT books to help you master all three sections.
- Practice unlimited full-length and sectional CAT mock tests to improve your speed, accuracy, and time management. iQuanta offers 35 full mocks & 45 sectional tests that replicate the actual exam standards and difficulty level.
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CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 FAQs
As per CAT 2023 vs CAT 2024 trend analysis, the overall difficulty level of the question paper was moderate.
CAT 2024 saw an increase in the number of questions compared to the prior year. The total number of questions increased from 66 to 68 in CAT 2024.
As per previous trends and analysis, the CAT 2025 exam is expected to be moderately difficult. However, the difficulty level of the question paper also depends on your exam readiness and subject knowledge.