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Do questions get repeated in CAT: Many candidates often wonder whether questions are repeated in the CAT exam. As one of the most competitive management entrance tests, the CAT sees participation from over 2 lakh aspirants every year. While the exact questions may not be repeated, similar types of questions from certain sections and topics do appear frequently. Although the wording or numbers may change, the underlying concept or pattern often remains the same. According to the CAT 2025 exam pattern, the paper will consist of MCQs, but some non-MCQ (TITA) questions may also be included. This article explores the trend of repeated question types in the CAT exam, including examples and frequently recurring topics.
Many candidates have questions about whether previous CAT questions are repeated in the actual exam. While exact repetition is rare, there are instances where similar questions reappear. Typically, these questions are not repeated word-for-word but are asked in an indirect or slightly altered manner, testing the same underlying concepts.
For example, A function f(n+2) = f(n+1) - f(n) appears twice in CAT and is represented differently both times.
So, candidates should practice more on previous year CAT question papers to know the difficulty level of the exam and prepare for it.
Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 can expect around 10 to 15 repeated or similar questions in the exam. These questions may not appear in the exact same form but often follow the same concept, pattern, or application as seen in previous year CAT question papers. Practising these past papers helps candidates become familiar with frequently asked question types and enhances problem-solving speed. Therefore, solving previous year CAT papers is a crucial part of preparation, giving candidates a clear advantage and helping improve their overall CAT 2025 score.
The topics that are most expected to have a repeated set of questions are arithmetic and TITA (type in the answer). Due to the limited number of questionable concepts, the questions formulated for the CAT exam tend to remain mostly similar. Even if the candidates practice the most asked type of questions from these concepts, they can expect to find a few questions to be the same.
CAT 2025 VARC Recommended Ebooks
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CAT VARC: 3000+ Most Important English Words | |
300+ Phrasal Verbs List for CAT Exam, Types With Examples & Practice Questions (PDF) | |
500+ Idioms And Phrases List With Meanings & Examples For MBA Entrance Exams |
In the CAT exam, questions are generally of two types: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and TITA (Type In The Answer). Among the questions that are repeated or follow similar patterns, TITA-type questions are more frequently observed compared to MCQs. Based on feedback from previous CAT aspirants, both MCQ and TITA questions have shown a tendency to recur in different forms in the upcoming CAT 2025 exam.
A significant portion of these repeated question types is found in the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section. In CAT, every Reading Comprehension (RC) question is linked to a passage that can range from 3 to 7 paragraphs. The VARC section comprises 24 questions, with around 6 passages—most being 3-4 paragraphs long, and one or two slightly longer.
These RC passages in CAT are selected from diverse sources, including biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, business, and general topics, often adapted from academic or non-academic texts and periodicals.
To tackle RC questions effectively, candidates must develop skills like:
Identifying the main idea or summary of a passage
Differentiating between major and minor points
Analysing the structure of the text and how the parts relate
Drawing inferences and conclusions
Evaluating the author’s assumptions and perspective
Interpreting word meanings and sentence implications
Considering alternative explanations and identifying strengths and weaknesses in arguments
These are the key reading comprehension abilities assessed in CAT 2025. Mastering these can significantly enhance performance, especially since repeated RC question types are often built around such critical reading skills.
To plan your CAT 2025 preparation effectively, it’s important to understand the complete CAT 2025 syllabus for all three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. The CAT 2025 syllabus for VARC includes topics such as reading comprehension passages, para jumbles, para summaries, odd-sentence out, and grammar-based questions. The CAT DILR syllabus 2025 focuses on data interpretation through tables, charts, and graphs, as well as logical reasoning topics like seating arrangement, puzzles, blood relations, and syllogisms. The CAT syllabus 2025 for Quantitative Aptitude covers arithmetic (percentages, profit and loss, time and work), algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern math topics like permutations and combinations and probability. Understanding these topics well will help candidates prepare strategically and boost their chances of scoring high.
Explore the past 15 years of CAT question papers in the table below. Click on the PDF links provided for each year and slot to download the CAT exam question paper PDFs. Save these CAT previous year papers and begin practising to strengthen your preparation.
Previous Year CAT Question Paper PDF | |
Do questions get repeated in the CAT exam after being asked once? While exact repetition is rare, similar question types often reappear. This is why solving the CAT previous year question papers is a key part of effective preparation. Practising past year CAT papers offers multiple benefits that can enhance a candidate’s performance in CAT 2025. Here are the key advantages:
Boosts confidence by familiarising candidates with the CAT exam pattern and question types
Aids in performance analysis, helping identify strengths and weaknesses
Improves speed and time management through regular timed practice
By working through previous year CAT papers, candidates gain a clear understanding of the difficulty level, question formats, and commonly tested concepts, ultimately giving them a competitive edge in the exam.
According to the latest marking scheme of the CAT exam, 1 mark is deducted for the questions that are marked incorrectly by the candidate. The CAT exam involves negative markings. For the right answer, 3 marks are awarded.
Candidates can switch between questions for one section at a time only. Switching between sections of the CAT exam is not allowed. The candidates are given 40 minutes to attempt each section. Once the given time limit has passed the system will automatically switch to the next section.
A good score in CAT can vary as per the exa goals of a candidate. For a candidate aiming to get into an IIM, a good CAT score would be between 98-99.9 percentile (it may vary depending on the category). For candidates wishing to go for non-IIMs, a good CAT score would be anything above the 90 percentile.
Not exactly. The CAT exam rarely repeats questions word-for-word, but similar types and concepts often reappear. The language and numbers may change, but the core idea of the question can remain the same.
Topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, and Reading Comprehension (RC) frequently have repeated or familiar question types. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions also tend to follow common patterns.
Candidates can expect around 10 to 15 questions in CAT 2025 to be similar in concept or pattern to questions from previous years. These are often found in topics like Arithmetic and TITA-type questions.
Not exactly. The CAT exam rarely repeats questions word-for-word, but similar types and concepts often reappear. The language and numbers may change, but the core idea of the question can remain the same.
Topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, and Reading Comprehension (RC) frequently have repeated or familiar question types. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions also tend to follow common patterns.
Candidates can expect around 10 to 15 questions in CAT 2025 to be similar in concept or pattern to questions from previous years. These are often found in topics like Arithmetic and TITA-type questions.
Hello,
Thank you for your question!
KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).
CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.
CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.
Hello it will clear your doubt!
Hello Aspirant,
I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.
Here's why:
"a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.
"The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.
"an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."
"a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.
"the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."
Hello Kapish
You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.
Here's the link:
CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR:
CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360
Thank You!!!
Hello Divya,
Yes, candidates with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT provided that the degree is from a recognized (UGC approved in India or accredited abroad) institution. The leading B-schools in both India and abroad do not look down upon online degrees as long as the degree is from a recognized body, they will mostly be looking at your test scores, academic performance, work experience, and profile holistically. What matters is the legitimacy of the institution and how you showcase your abilities, not whether your degree was obtained online or in-person.
Yes, someone with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT, provided the degree is from a UGC recognized university. Top B-schools in India (like IIMs) and abroad generally accept online degrees if they are valid, and you won’t be marked down just because it’s online. What matters more is your entrance exam score, academic record, work experience, and overall profile.
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Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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