CAT question papers are renowned for their high level of difficulty. Despite alterations in the exam pattern over the years, CAT question papers have consistently maintained their challenging nature. As part of their CAT exam preparation, candidates are advised to consult official CAT previous year papers to familiarize themselves with the complexity of the questions.
Engaging in regular practice with CAT previous year question papers should be a primary focus in the exam preparation schedule. This activity is best undertaken during the final month leading up to the CAT 2025 exam.
CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions – PDF Download | |
CAT 2025 Question Paper Pattern
The CAT 2025 question paper pattern will be the same as last year because no change has been announced in the CAT exam pattern 2025. Check the overview of the CAT expected question paper for 2025.
CAT Sections | Number of questions | Marks |
VARC | 24 | 72 |
DILR | 20 | 60 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 66 |
CAT Previous Year Question Paper – Quick Highlights
The CAT question paper in 2024 remained consistent with the previous year and did not undergo any changes. In all three slots, the CAT papers from the preceding year exhibited a moderate to high level of difficulty. We have provided here the CAT paper analysis for the previous years' to help the candidates get an understanding about the CAT question paper and exam.
CAT 2024 Question Paper
There were 66 questions in the CAT 2024 exam. The CAT VARC section had 24 questions, the CAT DILR section had 20 questions and the CAT QA section had 22 questions. No surprise questions were asked and the composition was the same as in earlier years. The difficulty level was moderate to tough for all test sessions. The Reading Comprehension passages were moderately tough. Check the table below for key highlights of CAT Question Paper 2024.
Slot | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall Difficulty |
Slot 1 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate-Hard | Moderate-High |
Slot 2 | Moderate-Hard | Tough | Moderate | High |
Slot 3 | Moderate | Moderate-Hard | Moderate | Moderate-High |
CAT 2023 Question Paper
There were 66 questions in the CAT 2023 exam. The CAT VARC section had 24 questions, the CAT DILR section had 20 questions and the CAT QA section had 22 questions. No surprise questions were asked and the composition was the same as in earlier years. The difficulty level was moderate to tough for all test sessions. The Reading Comprehension passages were moderately tough. Check the table below for key highlights of CAT Question Paper 2023.
CAT Sections | Number of questions | Break up | Difficulty level |
VARC | 24 | 4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 parajumble questions, 2 parasummary questions, 2 paracompletion questions and 2 odd one out questions | Moderate |
DILR | 20 | 4 sets of 5 questions each | Moderate to difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 7 Algebra questions,7 Arithmetic questions, 3 Geometry questions, 4 Number System questions, 1 Modern Maths questions | Difficult |
Total | 66 | -- | -- |
Why Solve CAT Previous Year Question Papers?
To comprehend the CAT pattern thoroughly, candidates should tackle CAT's previous year question papers from the last five years in the month leading up to the exam. Engaging with these papers, along with CAT sample papers, allows candidates to acquaint themselves with the exam's difficulty level, marking scheme, and the various question types that might appear in CAT 2025. The significant advantage of solving CAT's previous year questions lies in gaining familiarity with a wide array of question styles, including tough, easy, lengthy, tricky, and unexpected questions.
Individuals intending to take the CAT 2025 exam must incorporate the practice of CAT previous year question papers into their preparation strategy. This is especially crucial because the CAT exam has undergone some changes in the past two years. It is advisable to intensify practicing CAT question papers in October-November, once the syllabus is covered, and candidates are transitioning into the practice and revision phase of their preparation.
CAT toppers and mentors highly recommend solving a minimum of 30-40 mock tests during CAT preparation in 2025. Some high-achieving candidates have even attempted up to 80 mock tests. The following are the advantages of engaging with CAT previous year papers, sample papers, and mock tests:
- Understanding the latest CAT exam pattern and the marking scheme of each question.
- Enhancing speed and accuracy through regular practice with CAT question papers.
- Improving time management skills, a crucial aspect of CAT examination success.
- Preparing candidates for a wide range of question types encountered in the exam.
- Uncovering useful tricks and shortcuts for solving questions more efficiently.
When is the Right Time to Begin Practicing CAT Question Papers?
Begin working on CAT question papers and sample papers only after you have finished studying the CAT syllabus. Attempting CAT sample papers or previous year question papers without a solid grasp of the syllabus would be ineffective, as you may struggle to answer the questions accurately. Therefore, it is essential to first cover the entire syllabus thoroughly, understanding all the formulas and theorems, before moving on to CAT's previous year question papers or CAT sample papers.
The optimal time to start practicing them is about three months before the exam. Given that CAT 2025 is scheduled is always scheduled in November, it is advisable to start practicing CAT exam question papers in September. If you have previously taken the CAT exam, you can work on practice questions and sample papers concurrently with your syllabus coverage.
This is possible because you already possess a good understanding of the concepts, and your fundamental knowledge across all subjects is clear. After completing a set of chapters, attempting a CAT sample paper can help you assess whether you are progressing in the right direction or not.
