CAT Exam Analysis 2025 (Slot-wise Exam Analysis Available) - Section-wise Difficulty Level, Student Reactions

CAT 2025 Exam Analysis Overview (Paper Analysis for all Slots Available)

The CAT 2025 exam was concluded on November 30, 2025, and the in-depth CAT 2025 exam analysis is now published for each slot. The CAT 2025 Slot 1 exam was concluded at 10:30 AM today, and as per initial reactions from examinees, the overall difficulty level was moderate. The Quantitative Aptitude section was lengthy and tricky, whereas the VARC section was relatively easier, and the passages were decodable. The DILR section had questions from typical areas like bar graphs, charts, etc. The CAT 2025 Slot 2 exam was concluded at 2:30 PM today, and as per the students' feedback, the exam was easier than last year's CAT Slot 2 question paper. The DILR section was moderately difficult. The CAT Slot 2 quant section was moderate to difficult, whereas the VARC section was doable. The CAT Slot 3 2025 was similar to the other two slots in terms of overall difficulty level, i.e. Moderate, as per initial student reactions. The major difference in Slot 3 was the LRDI section, which was relatively on the easier side. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for Slot 3 were almost identical to Slots 1 and 2 in terms of question paper and types. Slot 3 also had nearly 10 TITA questions in the CAT 2025 Slot 3 quantitative aptitude section, making it lengthy.

The analysis will include all you must know, such as the exam pattern, question types, important topics, difficulty level, good attempts, surprise changes, etc. Following this extensive analysis, information regarding CAT score vs percentile 2025 and the expected CAT 2025 cut-off for the top colleges will also be provided.

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CAT 2025 Slot-wise Paper Analysis Details

A comprehensive analysis covers the difficulty level, changes in paper pattern, number of good attempts, and sectional cutoffs. The Slot 1 exam was moderate, and the questions were doable for candidates, especially in the VARC section. The Slot 2 question for CAT 2025 was moderately difficult; DILR was moderate, whereas the QA section was moderate to difficult. The VARC section of CAT 2025 Slot 2 was easy and doable, similar to Slot 1. The Slot 3  question paper was also moderately difficult, with LRDI being on the easier side. VARC was doable, and the CAT Slot 3 2025 had a lengthy QA section. The detailed analysis and the detailed sectional and overall analyses for CAT 2025 have been made available here. 

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Section and Slot-wise CAT 2024 Exam Analysis

A comprehensive analysis will cover the difficulty level, changes in paper pattern, number of good attempts, and sectional cutoffs. Surprisingly, the Slot 1 exam was quite easy and maximum questions were doable for candidates who have mastered the basic concepts. Slot 2 was moderate in terms of difficulty with maximum questions from LRDI and Algebra. The difficulty level of slot 3 ranged from moderate to difficult. The detailed sectional, and overall analyses for CAT 2024 are being made available here. 

Slot 1

• A total of 68 questions were asked.
• The overall difficulty level of Slot 1 was very low to moderate.
• Quant was easier than last year. Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry questions were quite easy to answer.
• There was a pattern change in the LRDI section. There were 5 sets out of which 3 were DI-based (chart-based).
• No Parajumble questions were asked. Rather, there were 3 Para summaries and 3 Para Completion questions.
• 4 RCs were given: 1st one was based on Economics, 2nd one on some Netflix source, 3rd one on Arts & Crafts.

Slot 2

• The overall difficulty level of Slot 2 was moderate. Most of the questions were straightforward and simple and were framed in a pattern similar to that of Slot 1.
• No Parajumble and Modern Math questions were found.
• There were 5 sets in LRDI: 2 sets of 5 questions each and 3 sets of 4 questions each. The difficulty level of the LR sets was moderate to high, while that of the DI sets. 3 sets were doable from LRDI and other sets were situation-based.
• Odd one out, Sentence Insertion, Para Summary were of easy to moderate difficulty level.
• In Quant, 2 questions were from Geometry, 2 questions from Logarithm, 1 question from Number System, 1 from Permutation and Combination, 4-5 from Algebra, 3 questions on Time, Speed & Distance, 1 on Average, 1 on SI & CI, 1 on Ratio, 1 on Mixture & Alligation, and 3 questions from Time & Work. 7-8 questions were based on Arithmetic. 8-9 questions in the Quant section were doable.
• The VARC section was lengthy. Out of the 4 RCs, the first one was based on Spices and second one on Carnivores.
• 1 TITA question from CAT 2023 was repeated in CAT 2024.

Slot 3

• The overall difficulty level ranged from easy to moderate.
• There were no questions from Parajumbles in Slot 3 as well. Rather, 3 questions were asked from Para summary.
• 2 questions were asked from Odd One Out.
• A Reading Comprehension was based on some Japanese language which was little tricky. Rest of the RCs were doable.
• 5 questions from Verbal Ability were doable out of 8.
• In DILR, 3 DIs and 2 LR questions were given: one was bar graph and another was line graph which was calculation intensive. One DI was based on missing values.
• 7-8 questions were from Arithmetic; Time, Speed & Distance- 1; Time & Work- 1; Percentages- 2; Mixture & Alligation- 1; Ratio & Proportion- 2.
• 6-7 questions were from Algebra; Equations- 2; Functions- 2 that were easy to  moderate in difficulty.

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CAT 2023 Overall Exam Analysis

Since the CAT 2023 exam is officially concluded, an in-depth analysis of the overall exam can be made for aspirants who wish to know more about the exam in terms of overall difficulty level, number of good attempts, section-wise topics, and more. Take a look at the major highlights and overall exam analysis for CAT 2023 mentioned below:

• The CAT 2023 exam was deemed to be a notch higher in terms of difficulty level according to many students and CAT experts.
• There were no major changes introduced in the CAT 2023 question paper for all three slots.
• The most significant change for CAT 2023 was that there was a compulsory question of Odd sentences out in the Verbal Ability portion of the CAT 2023 Slot 2 question paper. This was the first time that a question was mandatory in the CAT exam.
• The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty across all three slots of CAT 2023, although it was slightly tougher for Slot 2 as compared to Slots 1 and 3.
• The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level across all three slots of the CAT exam.
• The Quantitative Aptitude section for CAT 2023 had mixed reactions with some students finding it moderately difficult while others finding it challenging.
• Many students and CAT experts believe that this year’s paper was in favor of students with an engineering background due to the abundance of Algebra questions in the QA sections of all three slots.
• There are also speculations that one of the DILR sets for CAT 2023 Slot 3 was incorrect and the MCQ options for the same were not matching with the correct answer.
• It is expected that CAT Normalization will be followed due to the variations in difficulty levels of the CAT 2023 slot-wise question papers. CAT 2023 Slot 3 was considered to be the most difficult slot out of all three.
• It is also expected that CAT cutoffs will also be lowered this year due to the increased difficulty level of the exam.
• An overall score of 98-99 is expected to fetch students a 99 percentile for CAT 2023.

Catch all the latest updates related to the CAT 2023 question paper, answer key, analysis below:

Slot-wise CAT Exam Analysis 2023

The CAT exam analysis 2023 is available here since the exam has been concluded for all three shifts of the exam. Candidates will find the overall difficulty level, section-wise difficulty level, number of good attempts, and other important aspects of the exam in the CAT 2023 exam analysis provided right here. 

CAT Exam Analysis 2023: Slot 1

The CAT 2023 exam analysis for slot 1 has been updated here along with the sectional analysis, overall difficulty level, number of good attempts, and other aspects of the exam since the exam is conducted successfully.

CAT Exam Analysis 2023: Slot 2

The CAT 2023 exam analysis for slot 2 has been updated here along with the sectional analysis, overall difficulty level, number of good attempts, and other aspects about the exam since the exam is conducted successfully.

CAT Exam Analysis 2023: Slot 3

The CAT 2023 exam analysis for slot 3 has been updated here along with the sectional analysis, overall difficulty level, number of good attempts, and other aspects of the exam once the exam is conducted successfully.

CAT Exam Analysis 2023 by Top Coaching Institutes

Some of the best CAT 2024 coaching institutes such as T.I.M.E, IMS, CL, and Bulls Eye have released their CAT exam analysis 2023. The exam analysis of CAT is prepared after analyzing the sectional difficulty as well as the number of questions asked in the exam. The CAT 2023 Analysis by top coaching Institutes has been provided here. Candidates can click on the links provided below to learn the CAT exam analysis provided by CAT, IMS, TIME, and Bulls Eye.

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis (Slot 1, 2 & 3)

The expected CAT exam analysis 2023 is done on the basis of previous years' trends. The CAT 2022 was conducted on November 27 in three slots, and the slot-wise CAT exam analysis has been updated on this page. CAT 2022 exam analysis involves section-wise difficulty level, weightage, the expected number of good attempts, and expected cutoff. Click on the video below to learn all about CAT 2022 question paper.

CAT 2022 Overall Exam Analysis

There were 66 total questions in CAT 2022, distributed among the 3 sections for all the slots. With a few questions at a higher difficulty level, CAT 2022 was rated as having a moderate level of difficulty according to the CAT exam analysis 2022. The Quantitative Aptitude section was moderately difficult in CAT 2022, however, all three slots' VARC and DILR sections were easy to moderate. In VARC, RC passages dominated, whereas Arithmetic and Algebra dominated Quantitative Aptitude. In each of the three slots in the DILR portion, there were four sets of five questions. Check out the major highlights of CAT exam analysis 2022:

• The exam pattern and format were the same as last year for CAT 2022.
• Comparatively speaking to other IIMs, IIM Bangalore created a more challenging CAT exam.
• The duration of CAT 2022 was 120 minutes and the sectional time limit was 40 minutes.
• The examination was carried out in accordance with COVID-19 procedures and standards.
• The total number of questions in the CAT 2022 question paper was 66.
• There were 24 questions in the VARC segment. There were the most RC questions in this section.
• 20 questions from tables and charts, games and tournaments, and other topics were in the DILR section.
• There were 22 questions in the QA portion, mostly from arithmetic and algebra.
• The VARC section was easy to moderate.
• DILR and QA sections were as usual, moderate in terms of difficulty level
• Expected number of successful attempts: In the CAT 2022, a total raw score of 98 to 99 should earn a 99 percentile.

Check out the detailed slot-wise CAT exam analysis 2022 along with the answer keys for each slot:

CAT Slot 1 Exam Analysis 2022

The overall degree of difficulty was just a little bit higher for CAT 2022 slot 1 than it was for CAT 2021. According to the CAT exam analysis, VARC was easy to moderately difficult in terms of sectional difficulty. The odd-sentence-out questions were replaced with a para completion question. 4 sets of 5 questions each made up DILR. This component was a tiny bit more challenging than CAT 2021. QA was a little bit simpler than the CAT 2021 portion. In the CAT 2022 slot 1, a total raw score of 97 to 99 should qualify for the 99 percentile. Check out the sectional CAT exam analysis 2022 slot 1 in the table below:

CAT Slot 2 Exam Analysis 2022

CAT 2022 Slot 2 did not present any significant surprises in comparison to CAT 2022 Slot 1. The questionable aspect of the number of questions was clarified in CAT 2022 Slot 1 itself. CAT 2022 Slot 2's overall level of difficulty was comparable to Slot 1's according to the CAT exam analysis. The VARC for slot 2 was easy to moderate in terms of section-by-section difficulty. The difficulty level was a challenge for DILR in slot 2. Slot 2's QA was comparable to last year's and had a medium degree of difficulty. It is anticipated that the overall raw score for a 99+ percentile in CAT 2022 slot 2 will fall between 98 and 100. Check out the sectional CAT exam analysis 2022 slot 2 in the table below:

CAT Slot 3 Exam Analysis 2022

As anticipated, CAT 2022 Slot 3 proceeded in the same manner as Slots 1 and 2. The VARC and DILR sections of slots 1 and 2 were the only parts of the paper pattern that differed from CAT 2021. Compared to CAT 2022 Slot 1 and Slot 2, CAT 2022 Slot 3 had a higher overall level of difficulty. As a result, the LOD varied slightly between the three portions and the three slots:

• CAT 2022 VARC Slot 1 > CAT 2022 VARC Slot 2  > CAT 2022 VARC Slot 3
• CAT 2022 DILR Slot 3 > CAT 2022 DILR Slot 1 > CAT 2022 DILR Slot 2
• CAT 2022 QA Slot 3 > CAT 2022 QA Slot 2 > CAT 2022 QA Slot 1

An overall raw score of around 93-95 should fetch a 99 percentile in CAT 2022 Slot 3. Check out the sectional CAT exam analysis 2022 slot 3 in the table below:

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CAT 2021 Exam Analysis

CAT 2021 was conducted on November 28 in three slots, and the slot-wise exam analysis can be checked on this page. CAT 2021 Exam analysis involves section-wise difficulty level, weightage, the expected number of good attempts, and expected cutoff. 

CAT 2021 Slot-wise Analysis

Check the detailed CAT analysis of each slot of the CAT 2021 exam by Collegedekho experts. Click on the links given below.

CAT 2021 Section-Wise Analysis

Check the detailed CAT analysis of each section of the CAT 2021 exam by Collegedekho experts. Click on the links given below.

CAT 2021 Student Reactions: Slot-wise

The CAT 2021 exam presented a varied level of difficulty. According to student feedback, the VARC section emerged as particularly challenging. It included intricate RC sets that posed some difficulty for the students. The DILR section's difficulty was on par with CAT 2020, while the QA section was perceived to be moderately challenging, with a dominance of Arithmetic questions.

CAT 2021 Student Reactions: Slot 1

• In the morning slot, there were 66 questions instead of the usual 76.
• The overall difficulty was easy to moderate.
• Students found the VARC section tough, especially the reading comprehension (RC) but okay in vocabulary and grammar (VA).
• The DILR section was easier compared to the previous year.
• The VARC section had tough RCs but manageable VA questions.
• The expert recommendations for good attempts with a minimum 85% accuracy.

CAT 2021 Student Reactions: Slot 2

• The afternoon slot was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty.
• The VARC section had challenging and long RC passages.
• The DILR section was considered relatively easier compared to the previous year.
• The QA section was assessed to be of medium difficulty level.

CAT 2021 Student Reactions: Slot 3

• The VARC section in the third slot featured challenging Reading Comprehension (RC) passages.
• Overall, the difficulty level of the VARC section was easy to moderate.
• In the DILR section, questions were relatively easier compared to the previous year's exam.
• The QA section, with a medium difficulty level, was characterized by a prevalence of Arithmetic questions.

CAT 2020 Exam Analysis

CAT 2020 Slot 3 concluded at 6:30 pm. CAT 2020 Slot 2 was conducted between 12:30 - 2:30 pm and CAT 2020 Slot 1 was conducted from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. The biggest news from CAT analysis 2020 was that there were 76 questions in the exam. VARC and QA sections had 26 questions each while DILR had 24 questions. The overall difficulty level of the exam was reported to be around Moderate to Difficult. The VARC section was the toughest as reported by the candidates but DILR and QA were a bit easier as compared to last year. The detailed slot-wise CAT analysis of 2020 Slot 1, 2 and 3 can be checked below.

The three slots in which CAT 2020 was conducted are Forenoon (8:30 am to 10:30 am), Afternoon (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm), and Evening (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm). PwD candidates were provided 40 minutes extra in each shift. The number of slots was increased due to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Candidates also had to get their temperature checked at the gate and consent to contactless frisking before they were allowed to enter the premises.

CAT Exam Analysis 2020: Slot-wise

CAT 2020 had three slots, each consisting of 76 questions: 26 in VARC, 26 in QA, and 24 in DILR. In Slot 1, VARC posed a slightly higher level of difficulty, while QA and DILR were relatively easier to moderate. Slot 2 mirrored Slot 1 in VARC and QA, but DILR in Slot 2 was tougher compared to Slot 1. Slot 3 maintained the same pattern as Slots 1 and 2, with VARC having 26 questions, DILR having 24 questions, and QA comprising 26 questions.

CAT Exam Analysis 2020: Slot 1 

• The verbal section of CAT Slot 1 presented a moderate to difficult level of difficulty.
• The Reading Comprehension (RC) component included four passages, each ranging from 450 to 500 words. Among these, two passages featured four questions each, while the other two had five questions.
• The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section was the most challenging. There were five sets, comprising two sets with six questions each and three sets with four questions each.
• In the Quantitative Aptitude section, the level of difficulty was moderately easier. Commercial maths and ratio-based topics, including percentage and profit & loss, dominated the question distribution.

CAT Exam Analysis 2020: Slot 2

• Both the VARC and Quant sections were challenging.
• This slot featured a total of 76 questions distributed among the three standard sections.
• In terms of difficulty levels relative to Slot 1, VARC was moderate, DILR was difficult, and Quant ranged from moderate to difficult.

CAT Exam Analysis 2020: Slot 3

• In terms of difficulty level compared to Slot 1 and Slot 2, the analysis revealed that VARC was of moderate difficulty,
• DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) posed a challenge with a difficult rating
• Quant exhibited a difficulty level ranging from moderate to difficult. 

CAT Previous Years' Question Paper Analysis (2011 - 2019)

Check the table below for the detailed question CAT paper analysis of the previous years' CAT exam.

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