Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 19 Jun, 2025 08:15
The CAT previous year question papers are available for download on this page. Solving old papers is crucial as it helps you understand the exam pattern and the types of questions asked. Also, practising these papers within a time limit can significantly enhance time management skills, build confidence, and reduce exam anxiety, leading to better performance on the actual exam day.
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Predict My CollegeCAT previous year question papers are one of the vital sources of exam preparation that must be utilized by everyone. They give insight into the distribution of questions across sections, the number of questions, and the time allotted for each section, followed by the CAT question paper. They also help one clearly understand the CAT syllabus 2025 and exam pattern.
Regularly solving CAT question papers from previous years will help you know the sectional breakdown which will allow you to allocate your time and effort based on your strengths and weaknesses. Practising CAT previous year papers PDF under timed conditions can help you develop time management skills, ensuring you complete the entire paper within the given time. You can also identify trends in terms of topics and frequently asked questions by analyzing CAT previous year question papers. The difficulty level of the CAT exam varies from year to year; thus, you become adaptable to varying levels of difficulty by solving the CAT previous year question papers. If you are planning to take the CAT 2025 exam, find the CAT previous year question paper PDF free download links below on this page.
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Attempt nowHave a look at the major highlights of CAT previous year question papers provided in the table below. You must note that the CAT exam pattern has changed over the years, so the overview provided here is from the last two years.
Particulars | Details |
Mode of Exam | CBT (Computer-Based Test) |
CAT Sections |
|
Total Number of Questions | 66 |
Total Duration | 2 hours or 120 minutes |
Sectional Time-Limit | 40 Minutes |
Marking Scheme |
|
Also Read: What are the Standard Questions Asked in a CAT Exam?
CAT 2023 was conducted on November 26, 2023, in three slots. If you are preparing for this year's exam, you must download the CAT 2023 question paper PDF and solve it to boost your preparation.
Ques: Is solving CAT old papers useful?
Ans: Yes, solving old CAT papers is useful as it helps in understanding the exam pattern, managing time, and familiarizing oneself with the types of questions asked. It also aids in identifying strengths and weaknesses, improving problem-solving skills, and building confidence for the actual exam.
CAT question paper with solution PDF is released by the exam authority after the completion of the exam. If you are preparing for the CAT 2023, you must download the CAT previous year papers PDF to boost your preparation. CAT 2022 was conducted on November 27 in three slots. The CAT question papers 2022 for all three slots have been provided in the table below:
The CAT previous year papers are an indispensable tool for you if you are preparing for the exam. These papers offer a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern, enabling you to enhance your preparation effectively. Go through the CAT previous year question papers 2021 for all three slots.
Ques: Can I crack the CAT exam just by solving previous year papers?
Ans: Solving previous year papers is a helpful strategy, but it may not be sufficient to crack the CAT exam. It's also important to focus on understanding the concepts, practising regularly, and seeking guidance if needed. Additionally, staying updated with current exam patterns and preparing with mock tests can enhance your readiness for the CAT exam.
Ques: Which books contain CAT previous year papers?
Ans: The books that contain CAT previous year papers include CAT Previous Year Solved Papers" by Arihant Experts, How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma, CAT 2023: 15 Full-length Mock Tests with Solutions" by Disha Experts, The Pearson Guide to the CAT" by Nishit Sinha, and CAT: A Complete Study Package" by R.K. Gupta.
By solving CAT previous year papers, you can fine-tune your time management skills and identify crucial topics for focused study. With the availability of CAT previous year question papers, you can conveniently access and practice them as mock tests. Moreover, the inclusion of solutions in these papers facilitates learning and boosts your confidence. Click on the PDF links provided below to download the CAT question papers 2020 for all three slots.
CAT 2020 Question Paper | Question Paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
CAT 2020 Slot 1 VARC Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
CAT 2020 Slot 1 DILR Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
CAT 2020 Slot 1 Quant Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2020 Slot 2 VARC Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2020 Slot 2 DILR Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2020 Slot 2 Quant Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
CAT 2020 Slot 3 VARC Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2020 Slot 3 DILR Question Paper PDF with Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2020 Slot 3 Quant Question Paper PDF with Answer Key |
Solving CAT previous year papers has always proved to be helpful in boosting exam preparation. If you are able to solve the CAT previous year question papers, you will get the confidence to attempt the real question paper and improve your chances of scoring high. If you wish to access the CAT 2019 question paper with detailed solutions can find the same in the table below:
Ques: Do coaching institutes provide CAT past year question papers?
Ans: Yes, coaching institutes provide CAT past year questions papers to boost the preparation of candidates. They also offer mock tests and study materials to help candidates prepare thoroughly for the CAT exam. These resources are designed to familiarise test-takers with the exam pattern and help them assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Ques: Will solving CAT previous year papers help me get a 99 percentile?
Ans: Solving CAT previous year papers can definitely help you improve your preparation and familiarity with the exam pattern. However, achieving a 99 percentile also requires consistent practice, strong conceptual understanding, and effective time management. Using previous papers as part of your preparation strategy can certainly contribute to achieving your goal.
You should download the previous year papers of CAT and solve them, as it can help you keep track of the time taken to solve the entire paper. You can also practice solving the paper section-wise to determine the time taken for each section, which can improve your time management skills for the main examination. To download the CAT past year papers from 2018, you can click on the link provided below.
CAT previous year papers can help you convert your weaknesses into your strengths. Tricky questions can be conquered once they are identified. Download the CAT previous year papers 2017 with solutions by clicking on the links given below.
Ques: Will CAT 2024 questions paper resemble old papers?
Ans: The CAT 2024 question paper will resemble the old papers in terms of exam pattern. However, the types of questions and topics covered will be different. It is essential to thoroughly review all relevant material to ensure comprehensive preparation.
Ques: Are questions repeated in CAT papers?
Ans: Questions in the CAT papers are not repeated. The exam aims to assess a candidate's problem-solving abilities, so it's designed to have fresh questions each year. However, the format and difficulty level of the questions may be similar.
You must familiarize yourself with the previous year CAT question papers to enhance your preparation. This practice enables you to comprehend the paper pattern, improve your time management skills, and identify your weak areas. You can click on the link given below to access the CAT previous year question paper with solution 2016.
Here's the CAT 2015 question paper PDF with solutions that you can download and solve to boost your exam preparation.
Ques: Are CAT previous year papers and sample papers the same?
Ans: CAT previous year papers and sample papers are not the same. Previous year papers are actual exam papers from past years, while sample papers are practice papers created to simulate the actual exam. Both are helpful for preparation, but they serve different purposes.
Ques: Was CAT 2015 tough?
Ans: The overall difficulty level of CAT 2015 was moderate to difficult. The majority of the questions were in the form of Reading Comprehension, with 24 out of 24 questions on RC. Many students expressed that the DILR section was the toughest.
If you are preparing for CAT 2025 must solve CAT previous year papers after completing the syllabus to improve your chances of getting a good percentile. You can easily download CAT previous year question papers by following the steps given below.

Click on any of the above-mentioned links for CAT previous year question papers.
A new page displaying the CAT Question Paper in PDF format.
Download the CAT question papers with solutions and start practising.
Related Links:
| How to Approach CAT 2025 Question Paper? | |
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The benefits of solving the CAT previous year question papers are enlisted here.

It's best to begin practicing CAT previous year papers well ahead of time, preferably after finishing the syllabus and understanding the concepts clearly.
CAT sample papers help understand the type and nature of questions that might be asked in the CAT exam 2025. Check out the CAT sample papers provided in the table below.
CAT Sample Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
CAT Sample Paper 1 | |
CAT Sample Paper 2 | |
CAT Sample Paper 3 | |
CAT Sample Paper 4 | |
CAT Sample Paper 5 |
CAT 2025 mock test are an essential aspect of exam preparation since they help one understand the exam pattern, syllabus, types of questions, etc. By taking mock tests, candidates can check their preparation level and work on their weaknesses. If you are preparing for CAT 2025, then click on the links below to attempt mock tests and boost your preparation.
CAT Mock Test | CAT Mock Test Link |
|---|---|
CAT Mock Test 1 | |
CAT Mock Test 2 | |
CAT Mock Test 3 |
Check the section-wise CAT exam pattern 2025 provided below.
CAT 2025 Section | Total Questions | Total MCQs | Total Non-MCQs | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VARC | 24 | 19 | 5 | 40 Minutes |
DILR | 20 | 15 | 5 | 40 Minutes |
QA | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 Minutes |
Total | 66 | 48 | 18 | 120 Minutes |
Take a look at the changes introduced in the CAT exam pattern over the years.
Parameters | CAT 2023 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exam Mode | Online | Online | Online | Online | Online |
Number of Shifts | 3 Shifts | 3 Shifts | 3 Shifts | 3 Shifts | 2 Shifts |
Time Duration | 40 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
Types of Questions | MCQ & TITA | MCQ & TITA | MCQ & TITA | MCQ & TITA | MCQ & TITA |
Sections | VARC, DILR & QA | VARC, DILR & QA | VARC, DILR & QA | VARC, DILR & QA | VARC, DILR & QA |
Number of Questions | 66 | 66 | 66 | 76 | 100 |
Total Marks | 198 | 198 | 198 | 228 | 300 |
A combination of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and time management is required to solve CAT questions. Here are some strategies to help you answer CAT questions effectively:
Want to know more about CAT
Yes, previous year questions are repeated in CAT. Although such instances are rare, there have been cases where questions from previous year question papers of CAT have been repeated. This is one of the reasons why CAT previous year papers are such an important resource while preparing for the CAT exam.
Yes, CAT previous year papers can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing your performance in these papers, which are conveniently available in downloadable PDF format, aids in pinpointing specific areas that require improvement for a more targeted and effective preparation.
Yes, you should solve CAT previous year papers in a systematic manner during your preparation. Analyzing questions from these papers, available in PDF format along with solutions, provides valuable insights into the exam pattern and enhances problem-solving skills, contributing to a more comprehensive CAT preparation.
Yes, CAT previous year papers are available in PDF format. Aspirants can access CAT previous year question papers with solutions, CAT exam previous year question paper, and CAT question paper with solution PDF. They can download CAT previous year paper PDF from above mentioned links for practice and preparation.
No, you don’t need to download CAT previous year question papers. They are completely free of charge. You can access and download the papers in PDF format from the CollegeDekho website under the "CAT previous year question papers" section, saving them for your future reference.
The medium of the CAT 2025 question paper will be set in English. It is important for candidates to note that the paper will not be available in regional languages. Therefore, a strong command of the English language is essential for successfully taking the CAT exam.
No, just solving the previous year question papers won't be enough for the preparation of CAT. You need to ensure that you have covered all the topics which are included in the CAT syllabus 2023 and also practice other mock papers before the exam.
Students must try to practice at least the last ten papers of the previous year's CAT question papers. It is necessary to attempt maximum question papers in the last month before the exam. However, if you have more time, you can start solving the papers two months before the CAT.
18-20 MCQ Questions and 6-8 Non-MCQ questions were asked in the QA section of CAT 2023. There was a total of 24-26 questions from the five main sections that are Basic Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Geometry & Mensuration and Modern Maths. The weightage given to arithmetic is generally the highest.
There were 17-18 MCQs and 6-7 Non-MCQs in the DILR section of CAT 2023. In the Logical Reasoning section, questions ranged from symbol operations, direction tests, etc. The questions were easy to solve. The Data Interpretation questions were complex and time-consuming.
There were 18-21 MCQs and 5-8 Non-MCQs in the VARC section of CAT 2023. The total number of questions from this section was around 25-26. The main areas from where questions were asked are para jumbles, sentence correction and completion and summary based.
One of the benefits of solving CAT previous years’ question papers is that it helps in knowing the exam pattern of CAT. The question papers also help the candidates in knowing the time taken to solve the entire paper. Candidates can also solve the paper section-wise to estimate the time taken in each section. It will also help the candidates in knowing their strength and weaknesses in CAT.
According to experts, you should start solving CAT previous year question papers at least 30 days before the exam date. This strategic timing not only helps reduce anxiety for students appearing in the test but also significantly boosts their confidence by familiarizing them with the exam format and structure.
Yes, IIMs release the CAT question paper PDFs when they release the CAT answer key and response sheet. The CAT question paper for an academic year is available on the official website of CAT when the CAT response sheet is released, which contains the CAT question paper, the official solutions to all the questions in the question paper and the candidate responses.
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