XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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CAT Sample Paper 2025 is an essential part of every MBA aspirant’s preparation journey as the exam date draws near. The CAT sample paper PDF helps candidates understand the format, question types, and difficulty level across all three sections: Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. Solving sample papers also helps you get a clear idea of the exam pattern and the CAT 2025 syllabus. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about accessing the CAT 2025 sample paper, so you can make the most of your preparation and increase your chances of success.
The CAT 2026 will consist of three sections:
The CAT Sample Paper 2025 is one of the smartest ways to prepare for the exam. It gives you a clear idea of the types of questions you can expect in Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and VARC sections. By practising regularly with these papers, you’ll not only get familiar with the latest CAT 2025 exam pattern but also learn how to manage time and handle pressure during the real test. Each sample paper helps you understand your strengths and identifies areas where you need improvement. Many of these practice sets also come with solutions, making it easier to learn from your mistakes.
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 CAT 2025 TITA questions, difficulty level, and section-wise weightage for Quantitative Aptitude, DILR, and VARC.
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By practising regularly, students can sharpen their problem-solving speed, improve accuracy, and develop a strategic approach to attempting the paper within the allotted time.
These CAT model papers 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. For serious aspirants aiming for top IIMs, adding CAT sample papers into their daily preparation routine is essential for achieving a high percentile.
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
CAT Time management 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.
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.
If you're preparing for the CAT 2025 exam, downloading the CAT sample paper PDF is a great way to start practising. These PDFs are easy to access and usually come with detailed solutions, making it simple to learn from your mistakes. You’ll get a clear idea of the latest exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. Regular practice with these papers can boost your confidence and overall performance.
CAT Exam Year | CAT Sample Paper Download Link |
CAT 2024 | |
CAT 2021 |
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.
Ideally, combine both: use CAT previous year papers to understand real exam expectations, and sample papers to fine-tune your test strategy. For focused practice, don’t miss our guide on CAT tips to crack quantitative ability questions to boost your prep even further
Particulars | CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus |
CAT exam time duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) & (160 Minutes for PwD) |
Name of the Section | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC); Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Section-wise CAT exam time duration | 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA) & 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section. |
CAT slot timings | - CAT slot 1 timing: 8:30 am - 10:30 am (Morning Session); CAT slot 2 timing: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session) & CAT slot 3 timing: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Evening Session) |
How many questions are in the CAT exam | 68 Questions |
Total marks of the CAT exam | 204 marks |
Mode of the CAT 2025 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
CAT Marking Scheme | - For every right answer, +3 will be awarded, & for every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted, & no negative marks for Non-MCQs |
CAT sample papers are most effective when they’re treated like mock exams, not just another set of practice questions. They help you sharpen your strategy, manage time better, and get comfortable with the pressure of the real exam. But the real benefit comes when you use them correctly and consistently. Here’s how to make your sample paper practice truly impactful.
1. Similar to the CAT Exam
Attempt the sample paper in a quiet space with a strict timer, just as you would in the actual CAT exam. Sit for the full duration, usually 120 minutes, without pausing or checking answers midway. This helps build exam stamina, trains your mind to stay focused for longer durations, and gets you mentally prepared for test-day pressure.
2. Set Sectional Time Limits
Follow the official CAT exam pattern by giving each section: Quantitative Aptitude, DILR, and VARC. This not only helps in time management but also trains your brain to switch between different skill sets. Practising under real-time improves speed and accuracy across all sections.
3. Review Every Attempt Thoroughly
Don’t just solve and forget. After completing a paper, review it in detail. Go over every question, especially the ones you got wrong, skipped, or guessed. Understand the concept behind the correct answer. This is where true learning happens and where you can close knowledge gaps.
4. Maintain an Error Log
Keep a dedicated notebook or digital sheet to record your mistakes. Note the type of error, conceptual, calculation, or time-related, and revisit it during revision. Over time, you’ll notice patterns in your errors that can be corrected with focused practice, especially in areas like Quantitative Ability or tricky DILR sets.
5. Analyse Time Spent Per Section
Use a stopwatch or app to track how long you’re taking in each section and on specific question types. If you’re consistently running out of time in VARC or spending too long on one LR set, you’ll know it’s time to tweak your strategy. Fine-tuning your timing can make a significant difference in your final score.
6. Use Them for Weekly Evaluation
Make it a habit to attempt at least one full-length CAT sample paper every week. Treat it like a progress report. Track your scores, accuracy, and improvements over time. This weekly checkpoint helps you evaluate what’s working in your CAT preparation and what needs to change, especially if you're following a study plan.
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 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 | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Boost your CAT preparation with a comprehensive 60-day study material by Experts | |
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 | |
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material |
To efficiently prepare for CAT 2025, start by understanding the exam pattern, going through all the concepts mentioned in the syllabus, referring to expert-recommended books for CAT, and then practising sample question papers as well as previous years’ questions.
Two to three months is enough time to go through the fundamental concepts mentioned in the syllabus if you are starting from scratch. On average, a dedicated preparation of 6 to 7 months is recommended to score well.
Even though the CAT exam does not directly repeat the questions, 20%-30% of the concepts, methodologies, and question types are inspired by previous year question papers. Therefore, it is impertinent to solve and practice previous years’ question papers.
Yes, negative marking is there for MCQ questions in CAT, where 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Thus, it becomes important to practice sample papers and give mock tests to become familiar with the question paper type and structure.
The 2025 CAT exam pattern is expected to remain the same as the previous years’ pattern, with the exam being a 120-minute-long Computer-Based Test divided into 3 sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
Yes, most sample papers are designed to closely follow the CAT exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. They help you get used to the real exam environment.
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.
You can download free CAT 2025 sample paper PDFs from Careers360. These usually include solutions, too, which help you learn better from your mistakes.
Absolutely. Regular practice with sample papers builds speed, accuracy, and confidence, all of which are key to performing well in the CAT exam.
Hi dear candidate,
The score of your CAT exam is valid for one year from the date of exam.
For example: If your CAT exam was held on 24th November 2024 then your score is valid till 31st December 2025 meaning that you can take admission in the academic year 2025 - 27.
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CAT ( Common Addmission Test ) is for those students who want to study MBA or other post-graduation program in mangement field. Who have Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% recognised university can apply for CAT .final year graduation students are also eligible to apply for CAT exam .
The CAT exam for mainly those students who want to study MBA or other business related courses.This exam is an entrance exam for getting admission into top mangement colleges.the exam tests skills like English,Maths and logical thinking. CAT exam is important because scoring well in CAT it's helps to students get into best college .
If there's a slight variation in your name between your government ID and school marksheets, it's best to use the name exactly as it appears on your 10th or 12th marksheet while filling out the CAT form, since academic records are the primary documents used for verification during admission. However, ensure that the variation isn’t too major if it is, you might consider getting an affidavit or correction done in the future. For now, stay consistent with your academic records to avoid any mismatch during document verification after the exam.
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