The CAT 2025 exam was held on 30 November 2025 in 3 slots. Amongst all, the CAT previous year question papers PDF is the most important at this stage of preparation. These papers will help you to refine your preparation based on the types of questions asked in recent years. Understanding of the pattern, the difficulty level will help you to know about the topics you should focus on more. Additionally, candidates can attempt the CAT question paper with solutions as a practice resource to aid their preparation. Practising with previous year question papers helps candidates to develop problem-solving skills for tricky questions that could be asked in the CAT 2025. In this article, we have provided a set of previous year question papers, along with their benefits and other useful resources for CAT 2025. The CAT 2025 question paper PDF will be available along with the release of the CAT response sheet.
IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.
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Title | Download Link |
CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF Slot 1 (Memory-Based) | |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Question Paper PDF (Memory-Based) | Download Now |
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Question Paper PDF (Memory-Based) | |
CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF Download (All Slots) |
CAT aspirants can boost their preparation by practising with the CAT past 10-year question papers from 2015 to 2024. Download this PDF to understand exam trends, difficulty levels, and frequently asked question types in the last decade for CAT.
Download Now to practice Past 10 years CAT Question Papers with Solutions
Additionally, candidates can also use them as a study material for their exam preparation. A complete analysis of these papers also provides insight into how many questions to attempt for the 99 percentile in CAT, helping you plan your preparation effectively.
| Title | Download Now |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Official Question Paper with Solutions (Slot 1, 2 and 3) | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Official Question Paper and Answer Key (Slot 1) | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Official Question Paper and Answer Key (Slot 2) | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Official Question Paper and Answer Key (Slot 3) | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Slot 1 Question Paper (Memory Based) PDF | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Slot 2 Question paper (Memory-Based) PDF | Download Now |
| CAT 2023 Slot 3 Question Paper (Memory-Based) PDF | Download Now |
| CAT 2022 Question Papers With Solution PDF (Slot 1) | Download Now |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper (Slot 2) with Answer Keys | Download Now |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper (Slot 3) with Answer Keys | Download Now |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper (Slot 1) with Solutions | Download Now |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper (Slot 2) with Solutions | Download Now |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper (Slot 1) with Answers | Download Now |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper (Slot 1) with Answers | Download Now |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper (Slot 3) with Answers | Download Now |
| CAT 2019 (Slot 1) Question Paper with Solution | Download Now |
| CAT 2019 (Slot 2) Question Paper with Solution | Download Now |
| CAT 2018 Question Paper (Slot 1) with Answers | Download Now |
| CAT 2018 Question Paper (Slot 2) with Answers | Download Now |
| CAT 2017 (Slot 1) Question Paper PDF with Solutions | Download Now |
| CAT 2017 (Slot 2) Question Paper PDF with Solutions | Download Now |
Download CAT previous year question papers arranged section-wise to focus on specific sections like VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude for targeted practice.
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2022 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2022 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2022 VARC Section (slot 3) | |
CAT 2022 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2022 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2022 DILR (slot 3) | |
CAT 2022 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2022 Quant Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2022 Quant Section (slot 3) |
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2021 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2021 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2021 VARC Section (slot 3) | |
CAT 2021 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2021 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2021 DILR (slot 3) | |
CAT 2021 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2021 Quant Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2021 Quant Section (slot 3) |
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2020 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2020 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2020 VARC Section (slot 3) | |
CAT 2020 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2020 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2020 DILR (slot 3) | |
CAT 2020 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2020 Quant Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2020 Quant Section (slot 3) |
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2019 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2019 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2019 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2019 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2019 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2019 Quant Section (slot 2) |
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2018 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2018 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2018 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2018 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2018 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2018 Quant Section (slot 2) |
CAT previous year question papers PDF | Download Link |
CAT 2017 VARC Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2017 VARC Section (slot 2) | |
CAT 2017 DILR (Slot 1) | |
CAT 2017 DILR (Slot 2) | |
CAT 2017 Quant Section (slot 1) | |
CAT 2017 Quant Section (slot 2) |
Get detailed CAT 2024 exam analysis slot-wise to understand the difficulty level, question distribution, and section-wise trends. This breakdown will help you plan your preparation strategy smarter and more effectively. Additionally, one can also go through the CAT in-depth video analysis to get a better understanding of the CAT topic wise weightage.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Exam Analysis | |||
Section | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
VARC | 24 | Moderate to Difficult | 16 - 18 |
DILR | 22 | Difficult | 8 - 12 |
QA | 22 | Lengthy and Difficult | 10 - 12 |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 Exam Analysis | |||
Section | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
VARC | 24 | Moderate to Difficult | 16 - 18 |
DILR | 22 | Difficult | 8 - 9 |
QA | 22 | Moderate to Difficult | 12 - 13 |
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CAT 2025 Slot 3 Exam Analysis | |||
Section | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
VARC | 24 | Easy to Moderate | Will be updated |
DILR | 22 | Easy to Moderate | Will be updated |
QA | 22 | Moderate to Difficult | Will be updated |
Total | 68 | Easy to Moderate | Will be updated |
Here you can download the CAT previous year question papers year-wise in PDF format for free. These papers will help you analyse question trends and improve speed and accuracy.
CAT doesn’t test everything; it tests what matters. Analysing past year papers reveals a clear pattern of frequently asked topics across QA, VARC and DILR. Here are the most important areas you should master first for a high score in CAT 2025.
Topic | Important Subtopics |
Arithmetic | |
Algebra | Inequalities |
Geometry | Circles Mensuration Coordinate Geometry |
Number System | Divisibility Sequences |
Modern Math | Set Theory |
Topic | Important Subtopics |
Linear Arrangements | |
Selection & Distribution | Group Allocation Team Formation |
Graphs | Line Graphs Bar Graphs Mixed Graphs |
Tables | Tabular Data Interpretation |
Quant-Based Reasoning | Caselet Problems Data + Calculation Sets |
Topic | Important Subtopics |
Reading Comprehension | Passages Inference Main Idea Tone |
Para Jumbles | Sentence Rearrangement Coherence |
Sentence Correction | Grammar Syntax Error Detection |
Vocabulary | Synonyms Antonyms Word Usage |
Critical Reasoning | Assumptions Conclusions Strengthen/Weaken Arguments |
Solving the CAT question paper PDF effectively requires a smart strategy that balances speed, accuracy, and question selection. Practising with the CAT previous year papers PDF develops problem-solving approaches
Start each mock or CAT previous year paper by attempting the section you are most comfortable with. This boosts confidence and ensures early accuracy. Insights from CAT question papers with solutions show that a strong sectional approach helps maximise attempts in VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude strategically.
Time is the biggest challenge in the CAT exam. Allocate a fixed time per question and avoid spending more than 2 minutes on a single question. Use timers while solving CAT question paper PDFs to build exam-level stamina and speed. This technique prevents panic and allows better control during sectional time limits.
High accuracy matters more than high attempts in CAT. Begin with questions you can solve quickly and correctly. Analysis of CAT previous year question papers shows that toppers avoid trap questions and focus on high-scoring and moderate-difficulty questions first. Skip difficult questions initially and return only if time permits.
Shortcuts save time only when basics are clear. Use CAT 2025 important formulas, approximation tricks, and percentage shortcuts only after understanding concepts. Regular practice with CAT previous year papers PDF with solutions improves speed and helps identify where shortcuts are most effective.
Reviewing each attempt is more important than just solving more papers. After completing a CAT question paper PDF, analyze:
Consistent error tracking and revision help improve scores faster for CAT 2025 preparation.
CAT experts recommend solving at least 8–10 previous year CAT question papers along with sectional tests and full-length mocks. Start with recent papers (CAT 2024, 2023, 2022) to understand the current trend and then move to older papers to gain exposure to a variety of question types.
In addition to the CAT previous year papers, aspirants must use standard CAT study materials for conceptual clarity. Books and online resources help strengthen fundamentals while PYQs build exam temperament and strategy.
Avoiding common mistakes while solving CAT question paper PDFs is crucial for improving accuracy and overall exam performance. Identifying these errors early helps CAT 2025 aspirants build a smarter preparation strategy and avoid losing marks due to avoidable pitfalls. Avoid these frequently made mistakes during CAT preparation:
Just solving papers isn’t enough. Without reviewing mistakes, learning remains incomplete. Always analyze incorrect answers to improve accuracy over time.
Ignoring time per question leads to slow attempts and low sectional scores. Always use a timer while solving CAT question papers with solutions.
Comfort-zone practice doesn’t improve percentile. Balance your practice across easy, moderate, and advanced-level questions to match CAT difficulty.
CAT papers often include high-frequency topics such as Arithmetic (Quant), Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Logical Puzzles (DILR). Focus on these for faster score improvement.
Shortcut tricks without concept clarity fail in CAT due to tricky variations. Focus on concept clarity + application practice for consistent improvement.
Solving previous year CAT papers matters more than relying solely on CAT mocks because it exposes aspirants to real question patterns, difficulty levels, and examiner trends.
CAT previous year papers show the exact questions that have been asked in the examination. Unlike CAT mocks, these questions help you to also analyze the difficulty level. These papers also highlight the level of difficulty that one could expect in CAT 2025 and are beneficial for cracking the logic behind the tricky questions.
Solving the CAT question paper PDF is a great way to know the actual difficulty level in the exam. These papers are real ones that IIMs draft for a particular session. Thus, it is the gold standard for CAT study material. Candidates can attempt these and also understand where they stand in terms of their CAT 2025 exam preparation. They can easily mark strong and weak zones and work on them accordingly before the exam.
A proper analysis of the CAT question paper with solutions for the last ten years helps to get a strong hold of the repeated CAT questions. Although, CAT exam does not repeat questions however sometimes there is a similarity in the pattern or the logic. It is beneficial for the Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning sections as these sections account for the maximum tricky questions in the exam.
Question: How many times do I solve questions of CAT previous year?
Answer: There is no specific number of attempts to answer the CAT previous year. However, solving as many CAT previous year papers as possible, preferably multiple times, will help one with the exam pattern and improve their problem-solving skills.
Question: Did last year CAT papers have solutions?
Answers: Yes, the CAT last year's question papers and solutions are available, and can assist you in answering every question correctly. This will be analysed using the solutions to enable you to identify a problem and learn to solve a problem in the most effective way when it comes to various questions.
CAT 2025 preparation resources help the candidates’ preparation by providing them with the right study material. These resources include sample papers, mock tests, books, and practice papers. Candidates who use these resources along with the CAT previous year question papers are found to have a competitive edge in the exam. Read on to know more about the preparation resources for the CAT 2025 exam below.
CAT 2025 Sample Papers give aspirants real practice with the type of questions they encounter in the CAT exam. They help students apply concepts from books and improve problem-solving speed and accuracy. Practicing these sample papers alongside the CAT previous year papers builds familiarity with question patterns. Referring to the CAT question paper PDF resources further strengthens preparation.
CAT 2025 Sample Paper with Solutions |
CAT Books are essential resources for aspirants preparing for the exam. It covers Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning. Using these books alongside the CAT previous year papers helps students understand question patterns and practise effectively. Many CAT 2025 books also provide solved examples similar to the CAT question paper PDF format, making it easier to grasp concepts and shortcuts.
Subject | CAT Book Name | Author / Publisher |
Quantitative Aptitude | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | |
Quantum CAT | Sarvesh K. Verma | |
Data Interpretation & LR | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Arun Sharma |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation | Nishit K. Sinha | |
Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | |
Verbal Ability & RC | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Arun Sharma |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
CAT Mock Test 2025 is a full-length practice exam designed to help aspirants assess their preparation under exam-like conditions. It tracks speed, accuracy, and question-solving patterns while highlighting strengths and weak areas. Regular mock tests help refine strategies, manage time effectively, and improve decision-making on different question types. It is different from the CAT question paper PDF, but they both serve the same purpose.
CAT Mock Test 2025 |
CAT 2025 MCQs are multiple-choice questions in the CAT exam, covering Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR sections. Each question has four options, with only one correct answer. These CAT questions test understanding, accuracy, and logical thinking. Practising CAT MCQs helps students recognize common patterns, improve problem-solving speed.
CAT Chapter Wise MCQ for DILR, Quant, VARC |
The CAT Formula Sheet PDF is a revision sheet that includes the Quantitative Aptitude important formulas all in one place. Candidates must use these formulas while solving mock tests and during revision as well. It helps aspirants revise frequently tested concepts like Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Number System without flipping through multiple books. The high-frequency CAT formulas and shortcuts in one sheet help you boost mental recall and cut down the solution time per question.
The CAT 2025 eBooks help candidates to get conceptual clarity for different subjects. These ebooks are prepared for different topics and subjects. One can use these ebooks along with the CAT previous year question papers to maximise their marks. Go through the table below to get the download links of CAT ebooks 2025.
CAT eBook Title | Download Link |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material | |
Boost your CAT preparation with a comprehensive 60-day study material by Experts | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
Ultimate DILR CAT 2025 Guide: Concepts, Practice Sets and Detailed Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant | |
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Reviewing multiple previous year papers reveals topics that appear frequently across exams. Focusing on these high-weightage areas ensures efficient preparation and better marks in the CAT 2025.
Generally, the CAT exam does not repeat questions from previous years. The test aims to assess your understanding and application of concepts rather than memorization of specific questions. However, practicing past questions can still be beneficial as they give you a sense of the exam's style and difficulty, which can help you prepare effectively.
The CAT previous question papers with solutions can be found on this page with pdf links. Candidates can download past CAT question papers using the links given therein.
The past ten year's CAT question papers with solutions in pdf format are available on this page By visiting the appropriate link, you can easily download the CAT exam question papers with the answer key.
Solving previous year papers alone might not be enough to crack the CAT. While they are helpful for familiarizing yourself with the exam format and types of questions, they don’t cover all the topics and strategies you need. It's important to also study the core concepts, work on your weaknesses, and practice a variety of problems to build a strong foundation and improve your overall test-taking skills.
The CAT exam asks questions from three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
The CAT exam includes questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. It features both MCQs and non-MCQs, testing speed, logic, and comprehension.
CAT exam is seemingly tough only because of the many applicants and limited IIM seats. The entrance exam to IIT admissions for MBA is through CAT while engineering admissions are through JEE Advanced which is a tough as it requires subject knowledge. A comparison between the two would be futile because of the lack of similarities in course or admissions.
There are basically questions from three major sections in CAT exam paper:
CAT is having questions that are MCQs along with TITA questions.
On Question asked by student community
With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.
It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.
Hello,
With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.
For more details access mentioned link below:
Hope it helps.
Hello
The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.
I hope it will help you.
Thank you.
With a CAT score of around 80 percentile and about 2 years of work experience, getting a call from the top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) is extremely difficult, as their cutoff percentiles are usually much higher, even for reserved categories. These institutes typically shortlist candidates above 95–99 percentile depending on category, academic profile, and diversity factors.
However, you may still have some chances at a few of the newer or baby IIMs, especially if you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and have a decent academic background. IIMs such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Nagaland, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Vizag have historically called candidates in the 75–85 percentile range for certain categories. Your 2 years of work experience can also work in your favour, as most IIMs give weightage to professional experience during shortlisting and final selection.
That said, selection does not depend on CAT percentile alone. Factors like your 10th and 12th marks, graduation score, academic consistency, gender and academic diversity, work experience quality, and performance in the personal interview play a very important role. Even with an 80 percentile, a strong interview and profile can improve your chances at newer IIMs.
You should also keep strong non-IIM options open. At this percentile, good colleges like newer IIT MBA programs, some NITs, and reputed private B-schools can offer better and more realistic opportunities. Applying broadly and preparing seriously for the interview stage is very important.
In summary, while top IIMs are unlikely at 80 percentile, you may still have a realistic chance at some of the newer IIMs depending on your category and overall profile.
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