CAT Question Paper 2025 with Answer Key; Download Solutions PDF
CAT Question Paper 2025 with Answer Key and Detailed Solutions is available here for all three slots in PDF format. CAT 2025 was conducted on Nov 30, 2025, in three slots: Slot 1 (8:30 AM–10:30 AM), Slot 2 (12:30 PM–2:30 PM), and Slot 3 (4:30 PM–6:30 PM).
CAT 2025 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
CAT Slot 1 Question Paper 2025 and Answer Key PDFs (VARC, DILR & QA)
CAT Slot 2 Question Paper 2025 and Answer Key PDFs (VARC, DILR & QA)
CAT Slot 3 Question Paper 2025 and Answer Key PDFs (VARC, DILR & QA)
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
CAT 2025 focused on speed, reasoning accuracy, and reading comprehension depth. The three-section in CAT exam pattern and marking scheme with structure remained similar to previous years, with TITA (non-MCQ) questions present across all sections.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | CBT mode |
| Question Type | MCQ + TITA (Type In The Answer) |
| Duration | 120 Minutes (40 Minutes per Section) |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Total Marks | 198 |
| Negative Marking | -1 for wrong MCQ answers; No negative for TITA |
CAT 2025 Subject-wise Distribution
CAT 2025 exam structure includes three primary sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. CAT 2025 Subject-wise Distribution In detail is listed in the table below:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 60 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 66 | 198 | 120 Minutes |
Note: VARC carries the highest weightage and is typically the most decisive section for top percentile achievers.
CAT 2025 Paper Analysis
CAT 2025 paper analysis varied across all three slots. In terms of overall difficulty, the paper was moderate to tough, with DILR being the most unpredictable section this year. Slot-wise difficulty was not entirely uniform.
| Section | Paper Analysis |
|---|---|
| VARC | RC-heavy; 4 passages with 16 questions; VA had sentence rearrangement and odd sentence out; reading depth was key |
| DILR | Toughest section this year: 4 sets each in DI and LR; 2 sets were very time-consuming and required careful selection strategy |
| QA | Moderate; Arithmetic and Algebra dominated; number theory and geometry appeared; TITA questions were calculation-heavy |
CAT 2025 Shift-wise Analysis & Difficulty Level
CAT 2025 was conducted for MBA admissions, and difficulty varied slot-wise, with DILR being the most challenging across all three windows.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 (Morning)
CAT 2025 Slot 1 was relatively balanced and aligned with a moderate difficulty level across sections. Candidates found the paper stable, with no extreme surprises in question patterns.
| Section | Difficulty | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | RC + sentence placement, balanced structure |
| DILR | Moderate | LR-heavy sets, predictable structure |
| QA | Moderate–Difficult | Arithmetic + Algebra, slightly calculation-heavy |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 (Afternoon)
CAT 2025 Slot 2 introduced slightly higher execution pressure, especially in DILR and QA. The paper required a more careful selection of questions to maintain accuracy.
| Section | Difficulty | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | RC + inference-based questions, close options |
| DILR | Moderate | Mixed logical sets, selection mattered |
| QA | Moderate–Difficult | Geometry + equations, time-consuming |
CAT 2025 Slot 3 (Evening)
CAT 2025 Slot 3 was comparatively more time-intensive, especially in DILR, where sets demanded higher logical depth. QA also required longer calculation steps.
| Section | Difficulty | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | RC-heavy, stable difficulty |
| DILR | Difficult | Multi-variable sets, toughest section |
| QA | Difficult | Multi-step calculations, reduced attempts |
CAT 2025 Important Topics & Weightage
CAT 2025 questions were largely concept-heavy and application-driven. The table below reflects the expected distribution of high-yield topics across all three sections.
| Section | Expected Weightage | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 Questions | Reading Comprehension (inference, tone, structure), Para-jumbles, Para-summary, Odd Sentence Out |
| DILR | 20 Questions | Arrangements, Grouping, Games & Tournaments, Bar Graphs, Tables, Caselets, Network Diagrams |
| QA | 22 Questions | Arithmetic (percentages, profit-loss, TSD, work), Algebra, Number System, Geometry, Progressions, Probability |
CAT 2025 Most Repeated Topics: Section-Wise
After reviewing CAT 2025 papers across all three slots, clear patterns emerge in question frequency. Preparing these high-repeat topics will give aspirants the highest return on study time.
| Section | Most Repeated Topics |
|---|---|
| VARC | RC Inference Questions, Paragraph Summary, Sentence Rearrangement (TITA), Odd Sentence Out |
| DILR | Seating Arrangement, Game Theory Sets, Bar/Line Chart Combinations, Binary Logic, Team Selection |
| QA | Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss, Quadratic Equations, Geometry (Circles & Triangles), Number System (Remainders), Permutation & Combination |
Candidates can also check CAT Syllabus: Check Section-Wise Curriculum & Mock Tests.
CAT 2025 Topper Approach
CAT 2025 toppers Vinayak Agarwal who crossed 99.9 percentile emphasised a preparation style built on mock test discipline, section-wise accuracy targets, and smart question selection during the exam. Their consistent approach to high-difficulty sets and time-bound practice defined their edge over others.
CAT 2025 Toppers’ Tips & Preparation Strategy
- Solved 50+ full-length mock tests under timed conditions; analysed every mock thoroughly
- Prioritised Reading Comprehension heavily: read 2–3 long-form articles daily for 6 months
- Used a strict set-selection strategy in DILR, skipped difficult sets in the first 5 minutes rather than wasting time
- Revised formula sheets for QA daily in the final 3 months
- Targeted 90%+ accuracy over maximising total attempts with practice of CAT Previous year question paper and Mock Tests.
CAT Question Paper 2025 FAQs
Ques: How does IIM Calcutta resolve ties if two candidates score the same percentile?
Ans: IIM Calcutta uses a composite score formula that factors in academic performance (10th and 12th marks), graduation score, gender diversity, and work experience to break percentile ties during shortlisting.
Ques: Is there a sectional cut-off required to qualify for IIM calls in CAT 2025?
Ans: Yes. Almost all IIMs have minimum sectional percentile requirements in addition to the overall percentile cut-off. Candidates must clear both the overall and section-wise thresholds to receive interview calls.
Ques: Can candidates freely switch between sections during the 2-hour CAT 2025 exam?
Ans: No. CAT 2025 has a strict sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. Candidates cannot move to another section before the allotted time for the current section expires.
Ques: How does IIM Calcutta normalise scores across three slots to calculate the percentile?
Ans: IIM Calcutta uses an equi-percentile normalisation method to account for variation in difficulty across slots, ensuring a fair comparison of raw scores before the final percentile is computed.
Ques: I appeared in both CAT 2024 and CAT 2025. Which score will be considered for admissions?
Ans: Each IIM uses only the most recent valid CAT score for shortlisting. Your CAT 2025 score will be considered for the 2025 admission cycle, and it does not carry forward to future cycles.
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