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CAT Exam Analysis 2025: The CAT 2025 exam will be held on November 30 in three slots. Once the exam is completed, we will update this article with the complete slot-wise analysis, including the overall difficulty level, section-wise trends, and key highlights from student reactions.
Along with the CAT 2025 review, we have also included the analysis of previous years' CATs 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, so you can easily compare changes in pattern and difficulty. This CAT 2025 Exam Analysis clearly highlights the key takeaways, unexpected changes, and important areas to focus on.
CAT Exam Analysis 2025
This section will cover the complete CAT 2025 Exam Analysis, including detailed slot-wise reviews, section-wise difficulty levels, total questions, good attempts, and the types of questions asked in VARC, DILR, and QA. As soon as the CAT 2025 exam begins, we will start updating this page with real-time Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 analysis so you can track the exact pattern, difficulty trend, and major changes on exam day.
Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | No of MCQ Questions | No of TITA Questions |
| Slot 1 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Slot 2 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Slot 3 | 68 | - | - | - |
CAT 2025 Slot-wise Exam Analysis
In this section, we have provided the complete slot-wise CAT 2025 exam analysis, covering all three sections VARC, DILR, and QA. You will find details on the total number of questions, sectional difficulty levels, TITA vs MCQ distribution, good attempts, and key highlights from each slot.
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Slot 1
The CAT 2025 Slot 1 Exam Analysis will be updated here as soon as the exam begins. This section will cover the slot-wise difficulty level, total number of questions, TITA vs MCQ distribution, good attempts, and any major changes from previous years.
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | No. of TITA Questions | No. of MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | – | – | – | – | – |
| DILR | – | – | – | – | – |
| QA | – | – | – | – | – |
| TOTAL | – | – | – | – | – |
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Slot 2
The CAT 2025 Slot 2 Exam Analysis will be updated here once the exam is conducted. This section will include the complete slot-wise details such as difficulty level, number of questions, TITA vs MCQ count, good attempts, and any changes compared to previous years.
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | No. of TITA Questions | No. of MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | – | – | – | – | – |
| DILR | – | – | – | – | – |
| QA | – | – | – | – | – |
| TOTAL | – | – | – | – | – |
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Slot 3
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Exam Analysis will be added here after the exam is completed. This update will provide the full slot-wise breakdown, including section difficulty, total questions, TITA vs MCQ numbers, good attempts, and important highlights from the last slot of the exam.
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | No. of TITA Questions | No. of MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | – | – | – | – | – |
| DILR | – | – | – | – | – |
| QA | – | – | – | – | – |
| TOTAL | – | – | – | – | – |
CAT Previous Year Exam Analysis Trends (5 Years)
Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the CAT exam trends from the past five years, covering important factors such as sectional patterns, topic-wise weightage, difficulty levels, and question types.
This CAT previous year analysis helps candidates understand the evolving nature of the exam and identify which topics are frequently asked. By reviewing these trends, aspirants can plan their preparation better and focus on high-weightage areas for upcoming CAT exams.
CAT Exam Analysis 2024
Here is the complete CAT 2024 Exam Analysis based on all three slots. This includes the section-wise difficulty level, total questions, number of TITA vs MCQ questions, and good attempts. These insights help candidates understand the trend of CAT 2024 and compare it with previous years.
CAT 2024 Paper Analysis Slot 1
The CAT 2024 Slot 1 paper was of moderate difficulty overall. VARC had a balanced mix of RC and VA questions, while DILR was easier than expected. QA remained moderate with a mix of arithmetic and algebra-based questions.
Below is the complete slot-wise breakdown:
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | TITA Questions | MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | 2 | 22 | 17–18 |
| DILR | 22 | Easy–Moderate | 10 | 12 | 12–13 |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | 8 | 14 | 13–14 |
| TOTAL | 68 | Moderate | 20 | 48 | 45–47 |
CAT 2024 Paper Analysis Slot 2
Slot 2 also had an overall moderate difficulty, with VARC easier than Slot 1. DILR was moderate and slightly trickier than Slot 1. QA had a similar pattern with a mix of arithmetic, algebra, and a few geometry-based questions.
Here is the detailed table:
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | TITA Questions | MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | Easy–Moderate | 2 | 22 | 17–18 |
| DILR | 22 | Moderate | 6–8 | 14–16 | 12–13 |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | 6–8 | 14–16 | 13–14 |
| TOTAL | 68 | Moderate | 16–18 | 50–52 | 45–47 |
CAT 2024 Paper Analysis Slot 3
CAT 2024 Slot 3 was slightly more challenging compared to the first two slots, especially in VARC which leaned towards moderate to difficult. DILR and QA remained moderate with a higher number of concept-based questions.
Here is the slot-wise analysis:
| Sections | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | TITA Questions | MCQ Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | Moderate–Difficult | 2 | 22 | 17–18 |
| DILR | 22 | Moderate | 6–8 | 14–16 | 12–13 |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | 6 | 16 | 13–14 |
| TOTAL | 68 | Moderate | 14–16 | 48–52 | 45–47 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2023
Overall, the CAT 2023 paper structure and difficulty level were similar to CAT 2022. The VARC section had the same number of questions, but it included two new para-insertion questions. In Slot 3, the Quant section was noticeably tougher than Slots 1 and 2. Across all three slots, QA remained the most challenging section, followed by DILR.
The CAT 2023 exam conducted by IIM Lucknow was observed to be slightly more difficult compared to other years.
Below is the detailed CAT 2023 analysis for all three slots:
CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 1
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Moderate to Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 12–13 |
CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 2
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 17–19 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 10–12 |
CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 3
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Easy–Moderate | 24 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Moderate | 20 | 10–11 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 12–14 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2022
The CAT 2022 exam followed the same pattern as CAT 2021, with no major structural changes. A total of 66 questions were asked across three sections, and the overall difficulty level was moderate.
One major change was seen in DILR — instead of four sets of five questions each (as in 2021), CAT 2022 had two sets of 6 questions and two sets of 4 questions.
Below is the slot-wise analysis:
CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 1
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Moderate | 22 | 14–16 |
CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 2
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 24 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Moderate | 20 | 12–14 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 10–12 |
CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 3
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 24 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Moderate | 20 | 10–11 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 12–14 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2021
CAT 2021 had an overall moderate difficulty level, but the Reading Comprehension passages were challenging, making it hard for candidates to choose which ones to attempt. In the DILR section, four sets were given, but only one was relatively easy.
Interestingly, the Quantitative Aptitude section — usually the toughest — was more manageable and had simpler questions compared to previous years.
Here is the slot-wise CAT 2021 analysis:
CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 1
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 24 | 15–16 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 12–14 |
CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 2
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Moderate to Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 10–12 |
CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 3
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–11 |
| Quant | Moderate | 22 | 13–15 |
Also Read: CAT Exam Day Guidelines 2024 — Dress Code & Security Rules
CAT Exam Analysis 2020
IIM Indore conducted CAT 2020 with a reduced exam duration of 120 minutes and 76 questions, due to the pandemic. The difficulty level ranged from moderate to difficult.
Another major change was the shift from a 2-slot to a 3-slot exam pattern, starting in 2020.
Here is the detailed analysis:
CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 1
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 26 | 17–19 |
| DILR | Difficult | 24 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Moderate to Difficult | 26 | 12–14 |
CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 2
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 26 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Moderate | 24 | 11–13 |
| Quant | Difficult | 26 | 10–12 |
CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 3
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | 26 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Difficult | 24 | 12–14 |
| Quant | Moderate | 26 | 13–15 |
Important Topics Based on last 5-year CAT exam analysis
From the last five years of CAT exam analysis, some topics are seen again and again and are very important for preparation. In Quant, areas like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry are asked most often. In VARC, reading comprehension usually includes passages from subjects like philosophy and history. The DILR section commonly has puzzles and data interpretation sets.
To help you prepare, we have shared a table below with some of the key CAT syllabus topics and free study resources.
| VARC Section | DILR Section | Quantitative Aptitude Section |
| Philosophy | Arrangements | Arithmetic |
| Psychology | Puzzles | Algebra |
| History | Data Interpretation | Geometry |
| Science and Technology | Games and Tournaments | Number system |
Also Read, CAT Study Material 2025, Questions, Test Series, Formula PDF
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Conclusion
The CAT Exam Analysis 2025 will give students a clear idea of the exam’s overall difficulty, section-wise trends, and types of questions asked in all three slots. With real-time updates, you can easily understand how VARC, DILR, and QA performed and whether the paper was easier or tougher compared to previous years. The analysis will also explain the number of MCQ and TITA questions, topic-wise weightage, and student reactions to help you understand the complete exam pattern.
Looking at the last five years of CAT exams (2020–2024) helps you see which topics appear again and again and how the difficulty level changes every year. These insights are very helpful for future CAT aspirants, as they show which areas need more focus and practice. When you combine the updated 2025 analysis with previous year trends, you can plan better, prepare smarter, and improve your chances of scoring a high percentile.
