Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Jun 10, 2026 13:22 IST
CAT 2025 question paper PDF was released officially with the issuance of response sheet and provisional answer keys. Candidates preparing for the upcoming session of CAT can use CAT 2025 question paper for slot 1, 2, and 3 available here. CAT previous year question papers help candidates analyse different question types that appeared in the past.

CAT 2025 question paper PDF was released officially with the issuance of response sheet and provisional answer keys. Candidates preparing for upcoming session of CAT can use CAT 2025 papers for slot 1, 2, and 3 available here.

CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF

Download CAT 2025 Papers with Answers for Slot 1, 2, and 3

CAT 2025 question paper PDF is available now. Candidates preparing for CAT exam can access the CAT 2025 question paper pdfs to know the difficulty level, exam structure, and important topics. Candidates also get to know the CAT syllabus weightage using the previous year's question papers. CAT response sheet hosts all questions, answer options, and correct answer as per the provisional answer key. Find CAT question paper PDF 2025 below. Download CAT 2025 slot 1, 2, and 3 question papers.

Table of contents
  • Download CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF with Answers
  • CAT Question Paper Pattern 2025
  • CAT 2025 Slot-Wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution
  • CAT 2025 Analysis by Experts
  • Previous Year's CAT Question Paper

Download CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF with Answers

CAT question papers have a mix of MCQs and TITA questions. Candidates must use CAT previous year question papers to practice as many questions as possible. As per the CAT 2023 exam analysis, candidates found the exam to be moderately difficult. Download slot 1, 2 and 3 PDFs for CAT paper 2025 from the table below:

CAT 2025 Question Papers PDF Download
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 1 Question Paper PDF
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 2 Question Paper PDF
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Paper CAT 2025 Slot 3 Question Paper PDF
⬇️ FREE PDF DOWNLOAD

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
A: 

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:   From where can I download CAT question papers?
A: 

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 is the marking scheme of CAT?
A: 

CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.

Q:   What is the sectional time limit in CAT?
A: 

In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.

CAT Question Paper Pattern 2025

The table below indicates the CAT question paper pattern 2025:

Parameter Exam Specifications
CAT 2025 Exam Date 30-Nov-2025
Which IIM Conducted CAT 2025 Exam? IIM Kozhikode
CAT 2025 slot time

3 exam slots as mentioned below

  • Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Total Questions 68 Questions (48 MCQs + 20 TITA)
CAT Total Marks 204
Total Marks 204 Marks (+3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQs)
Sectional Breakdown

VARC (24)

DILR (22)

QA (22)

CAT 2025 Slot-Wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution

CAT 2025 exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level. Candidates can check slot wise CAT 2025 question paper analysis for VARC, DILR, and QA below:

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Moderate (Comparable to CAT 2023, easier, if compared with CAT 2024). Check section wise CAT 2025 Slot 1 exam analysis below:

1. VARC (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Income Inequality & Growth Economics (4 Questions)

    • The Evolution and Aesthetics of Electronic Music (4 Questions)

    • Systemic Complexity and Pandemic Responses (4 Questions)

    • Evolutionary Psychology & Mental Health (4 Questions)

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Para Summary (2), Para Completion (2), Paragraph Jumbles (2), and Odd One Out (2).

  • Expert Take: The RC passages appeared dense at first glance, but the option choices were highly distinct, allowing for straightforward elimination.

2. DILR (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions | Mix of 4-and-5-question sets):

    • Set 1 (5 Qs): LR-Based Ticketing and Revenue Distribution (Moderate)

    • Set 2 (4 Qs): Circular Arrangement with variable conditions (Difficult)

    • Set 3 (4 Qs): Radar Graph on Import-Export Data (Easy-DI)

    • Set 4 (4 Qs): Quant-Based Puzzle involving Taps/Flow (Moderate-Difficult)

    • Set 5 (5 Qs): Analytical Reasoning based Employee Matrix (Moderate)

  • Expert Take: Crackable if you avoided the Circular Arrangement time-sink. Securing 2 complete sets (~8-9 questions) with high accuracy was the 99th percentile differentiator.

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 1)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate (Trap-heavy but manageable)

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (8 Questions): Dominant force; focused on Time-Speed-Distance, SICI, and Mixtures.

    • Algebra (6 Questions): Linear Equations, Logarithms, and Modulus Inequalities.

    • Number System (3 Questions): Highly focused on factors and digit properties.

    • Geometry & Modern Math (5 Questions): Standard coordinate geometry and basic progressions.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the structure of CAT mock test same as the actual exam?
A: 
CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual CAT exam. It is so because the purpose of the mock test is to prepare the candidate for a speed based test which requires quick decision making and quick calculation with 100 per cent accuracy. This can be achieved only if the candidates has been in such an environment multiple times. In the CAT mock test, candidate has to solve equal number of questions as the CAT exam, in the same time limit. This, helps them in mastering the art of solving 66 questions in 120 minutes with much ease and confidence. The CAT mock tests have questions of same or higher difficulty level than the actual exam. In many unofficial mock tests, the questions are of previous CAT exams. Candidates must solve a variety of mock tests so that they are well versed with CAT questions of all types and varieties.
Q:   What's new in CAT exam?
A: 

In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:

  • The fee amount increased from INR 2,500 to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and from INR 1,250 to INR 1300 for Reserved category candidates. 
  • In DILR section, number of questions increased from 20 to 22. 
  • Total marks of CAT DILR section increased from 60 to 66. 
  • Total marks of CAT exam increased from 198 to 204. 
  • Candidates can select five cities instead of six.
Q:   What is the best time to practice CAT mock test?
A: 

Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (slightly tougher than Slot 1). Check section wise CAT Slot 2 exam analysis 2025 below:

1. VARC (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Biological Adaptation: How Tetrafish Evolved in Caves

    • Data Biases and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence Systems

    • The Architectural Concept of "Place" in Modern Literature

    • The Friction Between Empirical Science and Tribal Culture

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Followed the strict standard split (2 Summary, 2 Completion, 2 Jumbles, 2 Odd Sentence).

  • Expert Take: The AI and Tetrafish passages were highly accessible. The literature passage was abstract, featuring long, tricky question stems that required multiple readings.

2. DILR (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Difficult

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions | Noteworthy 11 TITA Questions):

    • Set 1 (5 Qs): Pollution Index Calculation via Weighted Averages (Medium-DI)

    • Set 2 (4 Qs): Double Bar Graph analyzing Authors and Books (Easy-DI)

    • Set 3 (4 Qs): Scatter Plot Tracking Index Calculations across 3 Years (Difficult-DI)

    • Set 4 (4 Qs): Numerical Logical Ranking with 6 balls and 4 holes (Easy-LR)

    • Set 5 (5 Qs): Grid Puzzle based on Musicians and Instruments (Difficult-LR)

  • Expert Take: A massive deviation occurred here—exactly half the section consisted of non-MCQ (TITA) questions, with one entire set strictly requiring typed entries. Choosing the Bar Graph and Ball-Hole Ranking sets was crucial for a competitive score.

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 2)

  • Difficulty Level: Difficult

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (8 Questions): Relied heavily on complex weighted averages and successive replacement rules.

    • Algebra (5 Questions): Highly abstract quadratic formations and Logarithmic inequalities.

    • Modern Math (4 Questions): Marked increase in Progressions, Permutations, and Functions.

    • Geometry & Numbers (5 Questions): Focused on properties of regular hexagons and divisor counts.

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CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis

Overall Difficulty: Challenging (Toughest among all three slots). Check section wise CAT Slot 3 exam analysis 2025 below:

1. VARC (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Challenging / Hard

  • RC Passage Themes (16 Questions):

    • Autonomous Decision-Making and Moral Agency in AI & Robotics

    • Art, Representation, and Tribalism in Historical Contexts

    • The Forest Rights Act and Ecological Policy Shifts Since Independence

    • The Direct Impact of River Dams on Local Riparian Ecology

  • Verbal Ability Breakdown (8 Questions): Maintained the uniform pattern, though Paragraph Completion questions featured highly technical terminology.

  • Expert Take: The toughest Verbal section of CAT 2025. The passages on AI Morality and the Forest Rights Act required deep contextual comprehension, with extremely close options that penalized hasty readers.

2. DILR (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

  • Set Configurations (22 Questions):

    • Featured highly structured, grid-based logical arrangements and clean matrix structures. Unlike the afternoon slot, the data sets were less computation-heavy and heavily rewarded systematic deduction and process of elimination.

  • Expert Take: This slot offered minor relief compared to the brutal DILR sections of Slots 1 and 2. Candidates who accurately mapped out their grid systems easily cleared 2.5 sets.

3. Quantitative Ability (Slot 3)

  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

  • Topic-Wise Distribution:

    • Arithmetic (9 Questions): Dominated by time, work, and distance variations, including multi-variable time constraints.

    • Algebra (4 Questions): Heavy use of higher-order roots, log properties, and simultaneous linear equations.

    • Geometry (3 Questions): Purely application-based theorems involving inscribed circles inside trapeziums and isosceles triangle altitudes.

    • Modern Math & Numbers (6 Questions): Standard arithmetic progressions and geometric progressions.

CAT 2025 Analysis by Experts

Several coaching institutes like CATKing, Career Launcher, TIME, and IMS share CAT exam analysis soon after the exam. Check CAT exam analysis by experts here:

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Previous Year's CAT Question Paper

Candidates preparing for the upcoming exam can use CAT question paper PDFs to analyse difficulty standards, important topics and more.

Download CAT Paper PDF

Overall Question Paper Difficulty

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an

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Answered 13 hours ago

The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.

R

Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 17 hours ago

No, you cannot use the CAT exam result for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at AIMS Institutes, Bangalore.

The college accepts the CAT, XAT and MAT exam results for admission to the management programme. Students have to first attain the qualifying cutoff percentiles and then sit in the select

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Candidates applying for admission in MBA at IIM Raipur should have qualified the CAT exam. Check below the application fee of CAT:

  • INR 2,300 for general category students
  • INR 1,150 for SC/ST/PwD students

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

To get a seat in the FLAME University of the MBA/PGDM course, you have to appear for any one of the accepted exams, like CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. After clearing the exam, you have to get shortlisted for further admission round, which involves PI or GD.

The FLAME University CAT cutoff 2025 was 75 for the

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, candidates can get into MBA courses offered by IILM, Lodhi without appear in CAT. In addition to CAT, this institute also accepts MAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT and GMAT exam scores as well.

However, candidates must appear in any of these exams mandatorily for IILM, Lodhi MBA eligibility criteria.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

No the Sai University CAT exam is not compulsory for admission to BA courses. Students who have valid marks in other national level exams can also apply. The university considers exams such as CUET/ SAT India/ ACT, etc. Moreover, students can take admission based on merit also.

A

Anjali Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

No the Sai University CAT exam is not compulsory for admission to BSc courses. Students who have valid marks in other national level exams can also apply. The university considers exams such as CUET/ SAT India/ ACT, etc. 

A

Anjali Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, students can take admissions to BITS Law School without appearing from CLAT exam. BITS Law School admissions also conducts its own entrance exam called BITS Law Admission Test. Shortlisted candidates need to appear for Personal Interview rounds for admissions.

P

Puhup Kumari

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

VGIM Cutoff 2025 is not available yet. However, according to the VGIM MBA/PGDM cutoff 2024, the overall MAT percentile required for admission to PGDM course is 70 for the students belonging to the General AI category

I

Ishita B

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has not mentioned that it accepts CAT score for MBA admissions on their portals. Candidates are instead required to appear for an in-house entrance exam that is conducted by GNDU itself.

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Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10