CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Slot 1, 2, 3 Difficulty Level, Question Paper & Expected Cutoff

The CAT 2025 exam, held on November 30, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, introduced several modifications in the 2025 CAT exam pattern and difficulty levels compared to previous years. This analysis provides a detailed comparison of Slot 1 with Slot 2 and Slot 3, focusing on section-wise difficulty, question distribution, and expected cutoffs.

The IIMs and best B-schools have different CAT eligibility requirements for admission. In most cases, the candidates should have a minimum of 50% in bachelors degree (45% in reserved categories). Other colleges might give attention to work experience, and others may have sectional cutoff and academic prerequisites to make final selection.

CAT Exam Analysis: Quick Highlights 

Some important information related to CAT exam analysis mentioned below table with test had a total of 68 questions divided into three parts; Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Time was limited to 40 minutes per section, and 120 minutes on the whole test:

CAT Exam Analysis: Section-Wise Analysis

The CAT test consists of three major parts which are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension ( VARC ), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning( DILR ) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each part evaluates distinct skills such as language comprehension, critical thinking and solving mathematical problems, which puts candidates to the challenge of time management, accuracy and speed to perform with the maximum score.

Section 1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Evaluating comprehension, critical reasoning, and verbal skills, VARC contains different passages, para-summary and reasoning-based questions, which assess the ability of candidates to interpret, analyze and use language effectively within the time limits more information mentioned below table:

Section 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

DILR is an evaluation of problem-solving and analytical thinking in the form of tables, charts, and logical puzzles, which puts candidates to test their ability to interpret the data and use reasoning effectively within the limited time more information mentioned below table: 

Section 3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

QA involves mathematical reasoning and problem solving skill over such areas as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems, and it involves accuracy, speed and strategy to solve numerical problems within time limits more information mentioned below table: 

CAT Exam Analysis: Expected Percentile and Scores

The anticipated CAT Exam result percentile and scores analysis of CAT Slot 1 assists the applicants to understand their performance and anticipate the results. It gives an idea of section-based performance, accuracy, and global scoring patterns, allowing the aspirants to determine the approximate percentile ranks and how to prepare to take future slots or admissions.

CAT Exam Analysis: Year-on-Year Comparison

The comparison of CAT Slot 1 in terms of years shows that there are differences in terms of exam pattern, levels of difficulty, and a distribution of questions in the various sections. This examination assists the aspirants in appreciating emerging trends, determining changes in scoring patterns, and planning preparation on the basis of past data so that they can perform better in the future CAT examinations.

CAT exam analysis: Key Changes in CAT 2025 Slot 1

Slot 1 in CAT 2025 featured significant changes in question distribution, section patterns and difficulty. Changes in VARC, DILR, and QA section, and revised TITA/MCQ ratios altered the strategy of the exam and meant that aspirants had to adjust the way they prepare and on the exam to achieve high accuracy and percentile scores.

CAT Exam Analysis: Important Date Highlights 

The CAT exam summarises some  important information such as general level of difficulty, sectional distribution, significant changes in trends, and predictable good attempts, which gives the aspirants a fast insight into the performance level and strategy and CAT Exam related important dates mentioned below table:

Conclusion

The difficulty in CAT 2025 Slot 1 was moderate in comparison to the past years, and the exam pattern, as well as subsections difficulty levels, differ significantly. Those aspirants that were able to adjust to these changes and concentrate on their strengths in each part were better placed to attain competitive percentiles. Such nuances are important to understand in order to be prepared and be ready to go with future slots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ques: What was the overall challenge of the general level of CAT 2025 Slot 1?

Ans: It was a general difficulty of easy to moderate with differences in sections.

Ques: In what number of sections were the questions?

Ans: There were 24 questions in each part, which made up 68 questions in the exam.

Ques: Did the number of questions differ to CAT 2024?

Ans: Yes, this number of questions is higher in CAT 2024 and in 2025; it is 66 and 68, respectively.

Ques: What part had been the most difficult?

Ans: The most difficult section in Slot 1 was found to be the VARC section.

Ques: What was the percentile of 120 to expect?

Ans: The result of 120 was supposed to result in 99.9 percentile.

Ques: Did the pattern of the DILR section change?

Ans: Yes, the DILR part was modified with 4 sets of five questions modified to two sets of five questions and three sets of four questions.

Ques: Was there more emphasis on arithmetic in the QA section?

Ans: Yes, the QA section was greatly inclined towards arithmetic questions.

Ques: Which was the comparison between Slot 1 and the rest of the slots?

Ans: Slot 1 was regarded as a relatively easier one compared to Slot 2 but more difficult compared to Slot 3.

Ques: How much was IIMs supposed to be cut at?

Ans: IIMs was expected to have a higher cutoff because of the medium level of difficulty of the test.

Ques: Did the pattern of the VARC section change?

Ans: Yes paragraph jumble questions were eliminated and paragraph completion questions and summary questions were introduced.