The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on
iimcat.ac.in
.
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.
CAT Sample Paper 2025 PDF: Download Section-wise Model Papers with Solutions
Upcoming Event
CAT Admit Card Date:05 Nov' 25 - 30 Nov' 25
Preparing for the CAT exam becomes easier when you practise with sample papers. These papers give you a clear picture of the exam format, question style, and difficulty level. Candidates must solve the CAT 2025 sample papers to test their readiness, improve speed. These mock sample paper for CAT also helps them to identify the areas in the CAT syllabus that need extra focus. They are one of the smartest ways to build confidence before the actual CAT 2025.
This Story also Contains
- CAT 2025 Sample Paper PDF
- Importance of CAT Sample Paper 2025
- Types of Questions in CAT Sample Paper 2025
- Benefits of Solving CAT 2025 Sample Papers
- Mistakes to Avoid While Solving CAT Sample Papers
- How Many CAT Sample Papers Should You Solve Weekly?
- CAT Sample Paper vs. Previous Year Papers
- Ideal Number of CAT Sample Papers to Solve Before the Exam
- How to Analyse CAT Sample Papers to Find Your Strong and Weak Areas
- CAT Coaching Institute Sample Papers vs Actual CAT Exam Papers
- CAT 2025 Ebooks by Careers360
In this article, we will discuss:
Different types of questions asked in CAT
Benefits of solving CAT sample paper with solutions
Ideal Number of CAT exam sample PDF
CAT 2025 Sample Paper PDF
A CAT 2025 Sample Paper PDF offers aspirants a realistic view of section-wise question distribution, difficulty levels, and time allocation. Unlike generic practice sets, it mirrors the latest trends in Arithmetic, Algebra, DILR, and VARC questions. Solving these PDFs helps identify recurring patterns, pinpoints weak areas, and reveals shortcut methods.
CAT Exam Year | CAT Sample Paper Download Link |
CAT 2025 | |
CAT 2021 |
Importance of CAT Sample Paper 2025
Solving the CAT Sample Paper 2025 is a crucial step in effective exam preparation for MBA aspirants. These papers closely mirror the actual CAT exam pattern, including the mix of MCQs and TITA questions, difficulty level, and section-wise weightage for Quantitative Aptitude, DILR, and VARC.
The students can use the cat sample paper with the solution and improve their accuracy and strategise for the examination.
These CAT practice paper 2025 also help in identifying weak areas and allow focused revision. Additionally, solving sample papers boosts confidence, reduces exam-day stress, and builds familiarity with commonly asked CAT question types.
Types of Questions in CAT Sample Paper 2025
The CAT sample paper 2025 includes a mix of question types that mirror the actual exam pattern. Practising these questions gives clarity on what to expect in the test. Solving CAT sample papers with solutions improves familiarity, speed, and accuracy.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
These form the bulk of the CAT exam. Each question comes with four options, out of which only one is correct. A negative marking scheme applies, 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. CAT 2025 sample papers include MCQs from all three sections: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Type In The Answer (TITA) Questions
These are non-MCQs where no options are given. Candidates must calculate and enter the final answer using the on-screen keyboard. TITA questions have no negative marking, making them crucial for risk-free scoring. Every CAT sample paper includes a few TITA problems to help students master this format and understand the CAT exam structure better.
Verbal Ability-Based Questions
CAT 2025 sample papers feature questions from Reading Comprehension, Para-jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, and Sentence Completion. These test comprehension skills and accuracy in interpretation. Candidates benefit by solving these in sample papers with solutions to learn ideal answering approaches.
Data Interpretation (DI) Sets
These appear in sets of four to five questions based on charts, tables, or graphs. CAT sample papers focus on DI sets to develop data analysis speed and improve section timing.
Logical Reasoning (LR) Puzzles
Common formats include arrangements, blood relations, condition-based puzzles, and logical sequences. Solving CAT sample papers regularly builds logical deduction skills.
Benefits of Solving CAT 2025 Sample Papers
Solving the CAT 2025 sample papers is a smart and practical way to prepare for the exam. It helps you get comfortable with the actual test format, improves your speed, and shows you where you need to focus more.
1. Feels Like the Real Exam
CAT sample papers are designed to mimic the actual exam in every way, from the number of questions and sections to the time limit and difficulty level. Practising with them trains your brain to think clearly under pressure. It also helps reduce anxiety, as you become familiar with the entire exam experience. When the real day comes, it won’t feel like your first time.
2. Better Section-Wise Practice
The CAT exam is split into three major sections, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). Sample papers give you repeated practice across all three areas. This not only helps strengthen your understanding of each subject but also allows you to build strategies for attempting each section more effectively based on your strengths.
3. Learn to Manage Time
Managing time is one of the biggest challenges in the exam. Many students know how to solve the questions, but run out of time. Solving sample papers teaches you how to pace yourself, which types of questions to attempt first, and how to avoid wasting time on tougher problems. Therefore, candidates must follow effective CAT Time management strategies to maximise the marks.
4. Understand Your Mistakes
One of the most valuable parts of practising with sample papers is the ability to analyse your performance afterwards. Looking at your mistakes gives you a clear idea of where you're going wrong, be it silly calculation errors, weak concepts, or time mismanagement. This regular self-assessment helps you learn faster and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the actual CAT exam.
5. Know the Question Types and Patterns
While CAT never repeats exact questions, it often follows certain trends in how questions are framed. By solving a wide range of sample papers, you start recognising those patterns, whether it's a particular type of Reading Comprehension question or a tricky DI set. This familiarity allows you to approach the actual paper more confidently and make quicker decisions on which questions to attempt first.
CAT Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
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Mistakes to Avoid While Solving CAT Sample Papers
Solving the CAT 2025 sample papers is one of the best ways to prepare, but many aspirants lose out by making avoidable mistakes. Going through the papers also helps candidates to know how many questions to attempt to score CAT 99th percentile.
Ignoring the Timer
Many candidates solve sample papers casually without real exam conditions. This builds poor time management habits. Always set a timer for each section and stick to the actual duration as per the CAT exam pattern 2025.
Skipping the Analysis
Simply solving CAT sample papers without reviewing your mistakes wastes valuable learning opportunities. After every mock or sample test, analyse which questions you got wrong and why. It helps in improving both concepts and strategy and achieve a CAT score.
Guessing Answers Blindly
In a rush to finish, some aspirants randomly guess MCQ answers. This leads to unnecessary negative marking. It’s better to leave a question than to guess without logic. Focus especially on smart approaches to solve CAT TITA questions and MCQs.
Neglecting Sectional Balance
Candidates often focus too much on their strong areas and ignore weaker sections. CAT 2025 demands balanced performance across all three sections. Make sure your sample paper practice reflects that.
Overusing Calculators
The on-screen calculator is available in CAT, but over-reliance can slow you down. Practice mental maths during sample paper sessions to save time in the Quant and DI sections.
How Many CAT Sample Papers Should You Solve Weekly?
Solving 2 to 3 CAT practice paper 2025 sets weekly is ideal for building both speed and accuracy. A balanced mix of sample questions for CAT exam across all sections helps you get used to real exam patterns. Focused practice using a mock sample paper for CAT allows you to identify weak areas and improve steadily. You can also download a CAT exam sample PDF to solve offline without distractions. Regular weekly practice helps develop speed and ensures you stay consistent with your CAT 2025 preparation strategy.
CAT Sample Paper vs. Previous Year Papers
When preparing for CAT 2025, it’s important to understand the difference between CAT sample papers and previous year papers, as both serve unique and complementary purposes. CAT sample papers are mock versions designed by experts to reflect the current exam pattern, difficulty level, and section-wise structure.
They are ideal for practising time-bound tests, simulating the real exam environment, and improving your performance across Quantitative Ability, DILR, and VARC. These papers are especially useful when you're following a One-Year Study Plan for CAT 2025, as they can be scheduled weekly or monthly to track progress.
In contrast, previous year CAT papers, though unofficial and memory-based, provide valuable insight into the actual types of questions that have appeared in the exam. They help you analyse trends, difficulty shifts, and the style of questions over time. For instance, if you're focusing on how to prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability, previous year papers can highlight frequently asked question formats, while sample papers help you sharpen speed and accuracy.
Ideal Number of CAT Sample Papers to Solve Before the Exam
Many aspirants often ask how many CAT sample paper sets should be solved before the exam. The answer depends on your preparation stage, but consistency is more important than volume. Attempting too few won’t give you the exposure needed, while overdoing it without proper analysis wastes valuable time.
Begin by solving at least 1–2 papers every week in the early months.
Gradually increase to 3–4 once you are comfortable with the exam pattern.
Always analyse each attempt in detail instead of rushing to the next test.
Working with a cat sample paper with solution can be very useful. Detailed explanations help you understand shortcuts, alternative approaches, and common traps. This is especially important for quantitative aptitude and DILR, where time management is critical.
For better practice, mix in sample questions for cat exam alongside full-length papers. Topic-wise drills sharpen weak areas and make you more confident in applying concepts.
In the last two months, focus on taking a cat practice paper 2025 every alternate day under timed conditions.
How to Analyse CAT Sample Papers to Find Your Strong and Weak Areas
Analysing practice tests is the real key to improving performance in the CAT exam. Attempting a CAT sample paper is just the first step; the real progress comes when you break down your attempts to understand what went right and what went wrong. Instead of rushing to the next test, take time to study your approach, accuracy, and time spent per section.
Review Solutions After Attempting a CAT Sample Paper
After finishing a paper, go through a cat sample paper with solution. Compare your approach with the provided explanations. This will show you faster methods and highlight careless errors that can be avoided next time.
Focus on Weak Topics with Targeted Practice
Focus on weak topics by solving sample questions for cat exam separately. This helps you strengthen concepts in areas where you repeatedly make mistakes, such as Quant speed or DILR interpretation.
Attempt a CAT Practice Paper Similar to Latest Pattern
Attempt a cat practice paper 2025 that reflects the latest pattern. This ensures you are not preparing on outdated formats and helps you get comfortable with the evolving difficulty levels.
Track CAT Sample Paper Performance
Keep a folder of every cat exam sample pdf you attempt. Comparing your performance over time will give you a clear picture of improvement and areas that still need work.
Practice CAT Mock Papers
Finally, practice with a mock sample paper for the CAT before the exam. This builds stamina, reduces panic, and ensures you can apply strategies effectively during the actual exam.
CAT Coaching Institute Sample Papers vs Actual CAT Exam Papers
Many aspirants rely heavily on coaching material, but it is important to understand the differences between institute-made tests and the real exam. While a CAT sample paper from coaching can help with practice, it may not always reflect the exact difficulty balance or exam-day pressure. Analysing both sources is necessary for a well-rounded preparation.
Coaching Institute Sample Papers | Actual CAT Exam Papers |
A CAT sample paper designed by institutes is often tougher to push students beyond comfort zones. | The real CAT maintains a balanced mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. |
Most coaching sets include a cat sample paper with solution, giving step-by-step approaches. | Official papers don’t provide direct solutions; you need external help or discussions. |
Institutes may add experimental or unusual sample questions for cat exam that haven’t appeared before. | Actual CAT sticks to tested formats, though patterns may vary slightly each year. |
A cat practice paper 2025 from reputed institutes may follow the latest style but not always perfectly. | The real exam sets the trend, making official cat exam sample pdf resources more reliable. |
Attempting a mock sample paper for cat in coaching helps build exam stamina but may feel artificial. | Real CAT papers provide the most authentic simulation in terms of timing and pressure. |
CAT 2025 Ebooks by Careers360
The CAT 2025 eBooks by Careers360 are a great resource for serious aspirants. These free PDFs cover everything from the updated CAT syllabus and high-scoring topics to CAT previous year papers and important formulas. Each eBook is designed to simplify your preparation and help you focus on what matters. Whether you’re revising concepts or practising question patterns, these downloadable PDFs are a smart addition to your CAT 2025 study plan.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
CAT Mock Test Series - 20 Sets, Questions with Solutions By Experts | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many CAT sample paper sets should I solve before the exam?
A:
Ideally, you should attempt at least 20–25 CAT sample paper sets before the exam. This ensures enough practice across different difficulty levels and sections.
Q: How many CAT sample papers should I solve before the exam?
A:
Try to solve at least 2–3 sample papers weekly. This keeps your practice consistent and prepares you for exam pressure.
Q: Where can I get CAT sample papers with solutions?
A:
You can download CAT sample papers with solutions from trusted sources like Careers360, official CAT websites, and top coaching platforms.
Q: What is a CAT sample paper?
A:
A CAT sample paper is a practice set that includes questions similar to the actual CAT exam. It helps students understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
Q: How can CAT sample papers help in preparation?
A:
Solving sample papers boosts your speed, accuracy, and time management. They also help identify your strong and weak areas, making preparation more focused.
Q: Are CAT sample papers similar to the actual exam?
A:
Yes, most sample papers follow the real CAT exam pattern. They cover Quant, DILR, and VARC sections with both MCQs and TITA questions.
Q: How many sample papers should I solve before the exam?
A:
Try to solve at least 10–12 full-length sample papers before CAT 2025. It’s even better if you solve one every week and review your performance in detail.
Q: Where can I download the CAT 2025 sample paper PDF?
A:
You can download free CAT 2025 sample paper PDFs from Careers360. These usually include solutions, too, which help you learn better from your mistakes.
Q: Can solving sample papers improve my CAT score?
A:
Absolutely. Regular practice with sample papers builds speed, accuracy, and confidence, all of which are key to performing well in the CAT exam.
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Hello Aspirant,
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For more exam guidance, visit Careers360 CAT Guide
Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.
Eligibility Criteria:
-
Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.
-
Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.
Admission Process:
-
Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.
-
Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.
-
Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.
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Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.
-
Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.
Course Details:
-
Duration: 2 years (full-time).
-
Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.
Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.
For more details and to apply, visit the official BBAU MBA admission page
Hello Amgothu
With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects
Popular CAT Questions
Directions for question :
M/s Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, one of the top four audit and accounting firms in the world with headquarters at London, UK, and with an operational presence in 153 countries, hires Management Trainees (MT) from all the premier management institutes of India thrice every year, in the months of January, May and September.
Each new group of Management Trainees (MT) have to go through a four month rigorous training schedule, after which they have to pass through a test consisting of a written assessment and a case-analysis. The top hundred ranked Management Trainees (MT) based on the performance in the test are confirmed as Management Executives (ME). The rest are given the opportunity of undergoing the training for four months one more time along with the next batch of Management Trainees (MT) and then passing through the subsequent test consisting of the written assessment and case-analysis. The Management Trainee (MT) who fails to get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the second time is fired.
The scatter-graph below depicts the number of Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte taking the tests from January 2020 till May 2022, and the vis-à-vis hired Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte who were fired :
It is also known that for the month of September 2019 at Deloitte, 96 hired Management Trainees (MT) failed to be confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the first time, and that 36 hired Management Trainees (MT) were fired.
Question :
In which test did the minimum number of Management Trainees (MT) get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) in the second attempt ?
Option: 1
September 2020
Option: 2
May 2021
Option: 3
January 2021
Option: 4
January 2022
Directions for question:
The bar-graph given below shows the foreign exchange reserves of Nepal (in million Rupees) from 2014 to 2021. Answer the following questions based on the graph :
Question:
What was the percentage increase (rounded to the nearest integer, if deemed necessary) in the foreign exchange reserves in 2020 over 2016 ?
Option: 1 None
Option: 2 None
Option: 3 None
Option: 4 None
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