IIM Kozhikode conducted the CAT exam in 2019, which was the beginning of a COVID year, and the CAT exam pattern was different at that time. Ever since 2019, the CAT exam has observed several significant changes and has also varied in difficulty. The 2019 CAT exam conducted by IIMK was moderately difficult.
During the 2019 CAT exam, the VARC and QA sections had 34 questions, and DILR had 32 questions. The paper had 100 questions in all. Going by this trend, candidates can expect the 2025 CAT exam to be of moderate difficulty or a tough test. In this article, candidates can check the IIM Kozhikode 2019 CAT paper analysis and the expected analysis and questions for CAT 2025 exam.
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CAT 2019 Paper Analysis - IIM Kozhikode
Candidates can check the 2019 CAT exam analysis tabulated below. The exam had 100 questions in all, and the exam was considered to be moderately difficult.
Section | Total Questions | Question Type & Topics | Difficulty Level | Ideal Attempts | Estimated Marks for 99%ile |
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 34 | 5 reading comprehension passages (24 MCQs), para-jumbles (TITA), para-summary, odd-one-out | Moderate to Difficult | 23 to 26 | 55 to 60 |
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 32 | 8 sets of 4 questions each, included radar charts, coding sets, table-based puzzles, maps | Moderate to Difficult | 20 to 22 | 45 to 50 |
QA (Quantitative Aptitude) | 34 | Arithmetic (around 14 questions), algebra (around 13), geometry, numbers, modern math | Easy to Moderate | 22 to 24 | 60 to 65 |
CAT 2025 Paper Analysis (Expected) - IIM Kozhikode
Candidates can check the expected 2025 CAT exam analysis tabulated below. The exam has66 questions in all, and the exam is expected to be moderately difficult.
Section | Expected Questions | Question Type & Focus Areas | Expected Difficulty | Ideal Attempts | Estimated Marks for 99%ile |
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 24 | 4 RCs (18–20 MCQs), para-jumbles, para-summary, odd-one-out (TITA) | Moderate to Difficult | 18 to 20 | 45 to 50 |
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 20 | 4 to 5 sets, likely including puzzles, matrix arrangements, tables, graphs | Difficult | 12 to 14 | 35 to 40 |
QA (Quantitative Aptitude) | 22 | Arithmetic-heavy with mix of algebra, geometry, numbers (8–10 TITA questions) | Moderate | 15 to 17 | 40 to 45 |
Read more about the CAT exam difficulty level here
How to Prepare for a Kozhikode-Style CAT
Based on the past trends, given below are a few pointers and tricks to be able to crack the CAT exam by IIM Kozhikode.
- VARC: Practice dense RCs, inference-heavy questions, and challenging TITA formats. Use POE for tricky options.
- DILR: Train on new formats—radar graphs, maps, coding puzzles. Focus on set selection and timed solving.
- QA: Build speed and accuracy in Arithmetic and Algebra. Stick to fundamental techniques; avoid over-complex strategies.
- Mocks & Review: Simulate 40-min sectional and full-length timed mocks. Maintain a mistake-analysis log.
- Adaptive Strategy: Prioritize high-return questions based on your strengths; don’t overcommit to ambiguous or time-intensive sets.
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CAT Exam Pattern → A comparison (2019 & 2025) | IIM Kozhikode
After 2019, this is the first time that the exam is being conducted by IIM Kozhikode. The 2019 pattern was very different as compared to the recent years (2022 - 2025). Candidates in the below table can check the changes that had been made in the CAT exam pattern and what is the latest pattern.
Feature | CAT 2019 (Actual) | CAT 2025 |
Conducting IIM | IIM Kozhikode | IIM Kozhikode |
Exam Date | 24 November 2019 | 30 November 2025 |
Exam Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
Total Questions | 100 | 66 |
Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
Sectional Time Limit | 60 minutes per section | 40 minutes per section |
VARC Questions | 34 | 24 |
DILR Questions | 32 | 20 |
QA Questions | 34 | 22 |
Total Marks | 300 | 198 |
MCQ & TITA Breakdown | ~70 MCQs, ~30 TITA | ~48 MCQs, ~18 TITA |
Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, –1 for wrong MCQ | +3 for correct, –1 for wrong MCQ |
Negative Marking in TITA | No | No |
Difficulty Level (Overall) | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult (Expected) |
