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While preparing for the CAT 2025 examination, one of the most effective preparation methodologies is to use previous year's question papers. Analysing the CAT previous year question papers helps candidates understand the CAT exam trends and restructure their CAT preparation accordingly, based on the latest syllabus and examination structure. Due to the rapid increase in the number of CAT aspirants each year, the competition level of the CAT exam has also increased. In recent years, changes in the CAT 2025 exam pattern have also been observed. Hence, using the previous year's question papers, the candidates will be able to build their essential exam familiarity to ensure a good CAT score. But, having access to the CAT previous year question papers is solely not enough; the candidates should also ensure that they follow the best practices to ensure a higher CAT percentile using the CAT previous year question paper, which we will be discussing in this article.
When it comes to CAT 2025 preparation, both the CAT toppers and experts have suggested that the candidates solve the CAT previous year question papers as soon as they complete the CAT syllabus. A few of the benefits that the candidates can acquire while attempting the CAT previous year question papers are listed below for the reference of the candidates.
The CAT exam pattern is dynamic and is susceptible to changes each year. In 2024, 2 additional questions were added under the CAT DILR section, which resulted in the total number of questions being 68 instead of 66. By solving the CAT previous year question papers, the candidates will be able to gain an understanding of the exam pattern of the CAT examination. Having a good understanding of the CAT exam pattern is one of the crucial steps towards the success of the candidates. As per the CAT 2024 question paper, the expected CAT exam pattern for 2025 is provided below.
Section Details | Information |
Total Questions | 22 |
Types | MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) |
Sectional time limit | 40 minutes |
Marking Scheme | +3 for the correct answer No mark awarded or deducted for unattempted questions. |
Sub-sectional question arrangements | Jumbled. |
Though the CAT examination does not repeat the exact questions, solving the CAT previous year question papers will help the candidates to identify the topics from which the most number of questions are asked in the examination. Prioritising these sections will help the candidates to gain an upper hand in the CAT examination. Each section of the CAT examination contains a list of topics from which the candidates can expect the maximum number of questions. The candidates are strongly advised to study all the concepts under these important CAT topics to ensure to strengthen their CAT preparation. This is one of the most important CAT preparation strategies. The set of most important CAT topics is listed below.
QA | Arithmetic | Averages, Ratios & Proportions, Percentages, Mixtures and Alligations, Profit & Loss, Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work, SI and CI, Pipes & Cisterns, Races, Trains & Boats |
Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms, Surds & Indices, Modulus Functions & Graphs, Sequence & Series, and Polynomials. | |
Geometry | Lines & Angles, Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Quadrilaterals, Coordinate Geometry, and Mensuration (2D & 3D) | |
Number System | Properties of Integers, Divisibility, Factors, HCF & LCM, Remainders, Trailing Zeroes and Base System Conversions. | |
Modern Maths | Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory, and Venn Diagrams. |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Line & Bar Graphs |
Circular Arrangements | |
Linear Arrangements | |
Pie Charts | |
Venn Diagrams | |
Binary Logics | |
DI Tables | |
Distribution | |
Games & Tournaments | |
Cubes | |
Selection | |
Network Flow Diagrams | |
QUANT Based DI | |
QUANT Based LR | |
Caselets |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comphrehension | Reading Comprehension |
Para-jumbles | |
Sentence Completion | |
Inferences | |
Odd One Out | |
Syllogism and Analogies | |
One-word Substitution | |
Sentence Correction | |
Para Summary | |
Para Completion |
Solving the CAT previous year question papers under timed environments will help the candidates to enhance their time management skills. CAT time management is an important attribute that decides the CAT success of the candidates. Both speed and accuracy are essential when it comes to the CAT success of a candidate. Without either of these skills, the CAT score of the candidate may decrease drastically. Hence, solving a minimum of the previous five years' CAT question papers is essential for the candidates to perform well on the CAT exam day.
The CAT examination in the previous years has exhibited the following the previous year. This means that having a good understanding of the CAT's previous year question papers will help candidates gain an understanding of the CAT exam trends, which will give them a good understanding of what to expect on the CAT exam day. This is essential for the candidates as a good understanding of the CAT examination trends will help the candidates to avoid any surprises that they might come across while attempting the CAT 2025 examination.
Having access to the CAT previous year question papers is not just sufficient. The candidates should also be aware of the various best CAT strategies for solving the CAT previous year question papers, which will help the candidates to make the best out of their CAT preparation using the previous year question papers. Given below are the best practices that the candidates can follow to enhance their CAT preparation.
Solve the CAT previous year question papers in a very silent place that resembles the CAT environment. The candidates should also use a timer and set it to 2 hours before starting to attempt the questions. This will help them to analyse their speed and time management, which are benchmarks for the CAT success.
Each time a candidate attempts a CAT mock test or attempts the CAT previous year question paper, they must note down the time taken and the number of questions solved. They should progressively analyse their performance and take notes of their progress.
If there is a dip in the performance, then the candidates should stop attending the CAT previous year question papers and instead focus on enhancing their sectional conceptual clarity.
While solving the CAT previous year questions, the candidates should ensure that they maintain a notebook to list the questions which they did not answer correctly or made silly mistakes in. This book should be referred to daily during the CAT revision of the candidates.
The candidates should attempt the questions again and ensure that they are able to solve them now with better precision than before.
While checking their answers, the candidates should compare their answers with the official CAT answer keys released by the official CAT exam conducting authorities.
This will give them precise answers to the questions.
The candidates are also encouraged to check how IIMs frame solutions or accepted answers.
The candidates who are preparing for the CAT examination and are in search of the CAT previous year question papers and download them using the links provided below. A set of the CAT previous year question papers is provided below. The candidates are encouraged to download and solve at least five CAT previous year question papers using the links provided below.
CAT previous year question papers PDF free download - Year Wise | |
A few of the important tips that the candidates can follow to enhance their CAT preparation using the available CAT previous year question papers are provided below for the reference of the candidates.
The candidates are strongly advised to solve a minimum of one CAT previous year question in a week, as soon as they are done with their CAT syllabus. The number should increase progressively.
Solving the CAT previous year question papers is not just enough. The candidates should also put efforts into analysing the question papers deeply. They should find the areas where they have made mistakes, find the total time taken by them in solving the questions and which section they find the maximum issues under. This will help them to improve while attempting the next question papers.
Each time the candidate solves the question papers, they should also note their improvement. This is by comparing their performance with the previous attempts.
The candidates are advised to refrain from solving the question papers by keeping the answer keys open. This defeats the purpose of attempting the CAT previous year question papers. They can refer to the solutions and answer keys after the examination is completed.
The CAT aspirants can download the various CAT resources for preparation curated by Careers360 using the links given below.
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 | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
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 |
The CAT aspirants can download the various CAT resources for preparation designed by Careers360 using the links given below.
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 | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
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 |
Solving previous CAT papers helps aspirants understand the exam pattern, marking scheme, and the kind of questions asked. It also reveals the changing trends and helps build familiarity with the exam structure.
Key topics include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Number System under Quantitative Aptitude; Line Graphs, Arrangements, Venn Diagrams, and Caselets for DILR; and Reading Comprehension, Para-jumbles, and Sentence Correction in VARC.
Attempting these papers under timed conditions improves speed and accuracy, two essential factors for scoring well in CAT. It also helps candidates strategise their approach for each section.
Candidates should maintain an error log to track mistakes and compare answers with official answer keys. Regular analysis of performance after each mock attempt helps identify weak areas and improve accuracy.
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.
In situations like yours, where the CAT 2025 payment has been successfully debited from your bank account but the portal shows the transaction as failed, it is usually due to a technical delay in updating the system. Such discrepancies can sometimes take more than 48 hours to be resolved automatically. It is important to retain all proof of payment, including bank statements, transaction IDs, and any receipts. You should contact the CAT helpdesk again, providing full details of your application and payment. Additionally, keep checking your email for any automated confirmation or ticket numbers. If there is no response within a few days, you can escalate the issue by contacting the IIM Kozhikode admissions office directly through official contact details.
Important topics for NIFT CAT are mostly based on your creativity, observation, design thinking, and visual communication skills. So here's list of important topics you should focus on:
- Observation and drawing skills: Human figures & gestures, nature & Scene drawing are important
- Creative Visualisation: In this you'll have to convert 2d shapes into 3d, making imaginary scenes from a theme, and story illustration from given situations.
- Design & Concept Development: You'll be making logo, posters with creative slogans, book cover design and many more designs.
- Color theory, creative use of texture & patterns.
- Imagination & Innovation: merging two object to make new thing, designing eco friendly or festive based products
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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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In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
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