CAT 2017 question paper PDF with answer key & solution is provided here to help the candidates understand the test structure and analyse the types of questions asked in the CAT exam.
CAT 2017 Question Paper can be considers moderately difficult. The first slot of CAT question paper IS however, a bit more difficult than the question paper of second slot. CAT 2017 question paper with solutions is provided in this article below for candidates to practice and analyses their hold over various CAT topics.
The structure of CAT 2017 question paper is same as that of CAT previous year papers, i.e. there are three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Given below is the overall structure of CAT question paper.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Also Read:
- How Scaled CAT Score will be calculated for three slots
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
- Changes in CAT question papers in last 10 years
- CAT exam: 10 popular myths busted
CAT Question Paper 2017
CAT question paper 2017 has 100 questions. Given below is the table indicating section wise difficulty level and number of good attempts.
Section |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
---|---|---|---|
VARC |
34 |
Easy-moderate |
26-27 |
DILR |
32 |
Difficult |
12-14 |
QA |
34 |
Easy-Moderate |
25-26 |
Total |
100 |
Moderate |
63-67 |
CAT 2017 Question Paper: Slot 1
The first slot of CAT question paper 2017 is of a higher difficulty level. Among the three sections, DILR section was the toughest and most time consuming. Discussed below are all three sections of CAT 2017 question paper slot 1.
Q: What is the structure of CAT question paper?
Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
Q: What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
Section wise break up of CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
---|---|
No. of Questions |
34 |
No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
Good Attempts |
26-27 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
No. of Questions |
32 |
No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
Good Attempts |
12-14 |
Quantitative Ability |
|
No. of Questions |
34 |
No. of MCQ questions |
22 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
12 |
Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
Good Attempts |
25-26 |
Download CAT previous year question paper PDFs
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2020 Question Paper
- CAT 2018 question paper
- CAT 2017 question paper
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: VARC section
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1 has five RC passages; three passages of 539-600 words and two passages of 299 and 363 words each. Out of five RC passages have six questions and two passages have three questions, each. Three questions are information based and three other are inferential in nature. Overall, six RC questions are easy; and six questions are difficult as there are close choices for answer. The remaining 18 questions are easy to moderate.
CAT Sections |
CAT VARC Topics |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension |
24 |
Verbal Ability |
Para-jumble |
4 |
Summary |
3 |
|
Para-jumble (Odd sentence out) |
3 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: DILR section
The questions of DILR section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1 range from sets on survey of students, burgers & fries, routes between two cities, flight operations and square matrix of pillar heights. DI questions do not require much calculation; however, one question is difficult to crack. Logical Reasoning questions are of easy to moderate level.
CAT Sections |
CAT DI Topics |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Data Interpretation |
Happiness index- difficult |
4 |
Matrix- moderate |
4 |
|
Routes - moderate |
4 |
|
Flight operation - Moderate |
4 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Projects - Difficult |
4 |
Burgers/Fries - Easy |
4 |
|
Children survey - Easy |
4 |
|
PCM - difficult |
4 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: QA section
In the third and final section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1, there are 34 questions. The questions of this section are easier than the ones of 2016 and 2015 papers. Most of the questions test the fundamentals of maths. Algebra questions were on Inequalities and Quadratic equations and Arithmetic questions on Profit Loss and TSD.
Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?
Q: How many RC questions does CAT have?
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. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. 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 Sections |
CAT Quants Topics |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Quantitative Ability |
Number System |
4 |
Algebra |
10-11 |
|
Arithmetic |
11 |
|
Modern Math |
2 |
|
Geometry and Mensuration |
6-7 |
Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT 2017 Question Paper, Slot 2
The difficulty level of CAT question paper 2017, Slot 2 is a bit more difficult than the slot 1 question paper. Overall, the question paper can be considered moderate in terms of difficulty level with VARC on the easier side but with close options, DILR tricky and QA easy. Take a look at the overall break-up of the question paper.
Also Read:
CAT Sections |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
---|---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension |
34 |
Easy-moderate |
25-27 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
32 |
Difficult |
12-14 |
Quantitative Ability |
34 |
Easy-Moderate |
25-26 |
Total |
100 |
Moderate |
64-68 |
CAT 2017 Question Paper, Slot 2: Section-wise break-up
Take a look at the section wise break up of CAT question paper 2017 of second slot.
CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
---|---|
No. of Questions |
34 |
No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
Good Attempts |
25-27 |
CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
No. of Questions |
32 |
No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
Good Attempts |
12-14 |
CAT Quantitative Ability |
|
No. of Questions |
34 |
No. of MCQ questions |
26 |
No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
Good Attempts |
25-26 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: VARC section
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2 is on the easier side. The Reading Comprehension (RC) passages are easy to read but the questions carry close options that may deceive candidates. There are five passages and 24 questions. Three passages are of 500-550 words and two are of 25-350 words. Out of 24 questions, around 16 are inference based and the rest are fact based. Check the table below for more details.
CAT Sections |
CAT VARC Topics |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension |
24 |
Verbal Ability |
Para-jumble |
4 |
Summary |
3 |
|
Para-jumble (Odd sentence out) |
3 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: DILR section
The DILR section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2, has questions in the form of sets. Two sets are easy and one is lengthy. Rest of the sets are solvable but requires concentration. Check the table below for topic wise weightage of questions.
CAT Sections |
CAT DILR TopicS |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Data Interpretation |
Chess |
4 |
Pizza |
4 |
|
Dorms |
4 |
|
Asset Management |
4 |
|
Airplane |
4 |
|
Biometric |
4 |
|
Tea |
4 |
|
Elective |
4 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: QA section
The QA section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2 comprises questions, which test the candidate’s grasp of fundamentals of Mathematics. Arithmetic and Algebra dominate this section with 22 questions. Geometry and Mensuration together have 4-5 questions.
CAT Sections |
CAT Quants Topics |
No. of Questions |
---|---|---|
Quantitative Ability |
Number System |
4 |
Algebra |
12 |
|
Arithmetic |
12 |
|
Modern Math |
2 |
|
Geometry and Mensuration |
4 |
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 Cut Offs Release |
17 Jan '25 | XAT 2025 result |
8 Jan '25 | SNAP 2024 result announcement |
21 Dec '24 | SNAP 2024 session 3 |
13 Jan '25 - 17 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Exam Window (second ... |
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Scheduling Window (s... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
24 Dec '24 - 2 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
24 Dec '24 - 9 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
Feb '25 | IBSAT 2024 Selection Process (... |
28 Dec '24 - 29 Dec '24 | IBSAT 2024 Exam |
31 Jan '25 - 2 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Answer Key Release a... |
25 Jan '25 | CMAT 2025 exam date |
25 Dec '24 - 10 Feb '25 | MAH CET 20245 registration pro... |
Mar '25 | MAH MBA CET 2025 |
24 Jan '25 - 21 Feb '25 | TANCET 2025 Registration |
Feb '25 | TANCET Admit Card Download |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
No, meeting the CAT cutoff percentile is not the only criteria for admission. IIM Lucknow admission is a two-stage process. In the first stage, candidates are shortlisted for the WAT and PI round on the basis of their performance in the CAT, scholastic achievement, and relevant work experience. In t
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The IIM Lucknow CAT qualifying cutoff 2024 has been released for admission to PGP, PGP-ABM, and PGP-SM courses for different categories. For 2025 admission, the IIM Lucknow PGP-ABM qualifying CAT cutoff is 85 percentile (overall) for the students belonging to the general category in the AI quota. Fo
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Hey! I've been in your shoes, so I totally get how you're feeling right now. Scoring the 78 percentile in CAT is a solid achievement, and you might be wondering whether it's enough to get into PIBM Pune. Let me tell you, PIBM looks beyond just numbers—they focus on your overall profile rather than j
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered Yesterday
MBA in Human Resources Admission is based on either numerous admission tests such as the CAT, MAT, SNAP, CMAT, and others, or on merit. After passing the entrance tests, the student must go through a Group Discussion and Personal Interview Round to be further screened. Students need to hold their b
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
No, your CAT 2026 attempt will not be considerd a gap year because you will be in your final year when you take the exam in November 2026.
- The CAT exam is usually held in November every year.
- Since you graduate in November 2026, you will still be a student at the time of the exam.
- A gap year is counted
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The admission threshold at top IIMs based on CAT scores stands higher than 50 percent hence students with this percentile will have access to other acclaimed B-schools. These colleges form a list of institutions that could accept your application for admission:
- University Business School (UBS), Chand
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
It is mandatory to clear CAT examination to seek admission at IIM Ahmedabad. The Institute considers CAT percentile for the admission to MBA, along with the understanding of the CAT percentile for IIM Ahmedabad that reached up to 99.6 in the past years which shows how challenging it is for a candida
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing gui
C
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates can get into the Vidyasagar University MBA course with the CAT percentile. As per the admission guidelines of the university, candidates are shortlisted for the MBA course based on multiple national-level exams such as MAT/XAT/ ATMA/ CMAT. Candidates must make sure to apply for the e
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for admission to AIMS Mumbai. Aspirants with a valid score in any of the accepted entrance exam such as XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAH CET, etc. can get admission provided they also fulfil the eligibility requirements. Candidates need to provide the entrance exam score in the applica
N
Contributor-Level 10