CAT 2023 Question Paper (Available): Download CAT Question Paper with Solutions PDF

The CAT Exam 2023 was conducted on November 26, 2023, in three slots across India. It followed the same structure as previous years but included a few surprises in question types and difficulty levels. CAT exam question paper 2023 comprised 66 questions with a total of 198 marks. 

To get all the relevant information regarding the CAT 2023 exam question paper, let’s dive into the blog.

In this blog, you will find:

• CAT exam question paper 2023 PDF (slot-wise)
• CAT 2023 answer key and solutions for all slots
• Section-wise paper pattern
• Comparison with previous year
• Tips on how to use the paper for your CAT preparation

CAT Exam 2023 Paper Insights

Before getting into the CAT exam question paper 2023, it is important to understand why the exam is conducted, who conducts it, what are the eligibility criteria, and other key details.

CAT is a premier national-level entrance exam for admissions into graduate management programs (MBA/PGDM) in the top business schools across India. The exam is conducted by an IIM on a rotational basis by all its 20 institutions. CAT exam 2023 is conducted by IIM Lucknow. 

You can check the given table for a clear understanding of all the essential features of CAT exam 2023.

CAT Exam Question Paper 2023: Download PDF with Solution

This section provides slot-wise downloadable PDFs of the CAT 2023 question papers with solutions for all three sections.

Download CAT 2023 QA Question Paper PDF With Solution

Download CAT 2023 VARC Question Paper PDF With Solution

Download CAT 2023 DILR Question Paper PDF With Solution

CAT Question Paper 2023: Exam Pattern

CAT exam 2023 followed the same format as previous years, with three main sections:

1. VARC
2. DILR 
3. QA 

Each section was timed for 40 minutes, with no option to switch between sections during the exam. There were a total of 66 questions in the CAT 2023 exam question paper, including 24 for VARC, 22 for QA, and 20 for DILR.

Below we have specified the CAT exam details based on the question paper pattern of 2023.

Note: The exam structure mentioned above is followed in CAT 2023 exam. It is subject to change. Candidates must be updated with the latest exam pattern for better preparation.

CAT Exam Question Paper 2023: Section-Wise Breakdown

The CAT question paper 2023 was structured into three sections. Each section has its own difficulty level, mix of question types, topics, and scoring pattern. Here we have mentioned the detailed section-wise breakdown of CAT exam question paper 2023.

CAT 2023 VARC Section: Exam Pattern

The table below displays the paper structure of the VARC section in CAT 2023.

CAT 2023 QA Section: Exam Pattern

The table below outlines the format and question distribution of the QA section in CAT 2023 exam.

CAT 2023 DILR Section: Exam Pattern

The table below highlights the structure and key details of the DILR section in CAT exam question paper 2023.

CAT Exam Question Paper 2023 vs 2022: Key Differences

The table below presents a detailed CAT 2023 vs CAT 2022 paper difficulty comparison.

How to Use CAT Exam 2023 Question Paper for Preparation?

If you are planning for CAT examination, solving the previous 5 years' question papers is highly beneficial. The CAT exam question paper 2023 is one of them. Here are step-by-step strategies to make the most out of it for your CAT preparation.

1. Take It as a Full Mock Test

This will give you an honest idea of your current preparation level and time management.

• Before looking at any answers or solutions, treat the CAT exam question paper 2023 paper like a real exam.
• Set a 2-hour timer and attempt the paper with full focus.
• Make sure to stick to the sectional time limit (40 minutes for each section)just like the actual exam.

2. Check Answers and Calculate Your Score

This helps you understand where you stand and which section needs more attention.

• Once you finish the paper, compare your responses with the official answer key.
• Mark the correct and incorrect answers, and then calculate your score section-wise.

3. Analyze Your Mistakes

Do not just stop at checking your score. You need to note down the questions you got wrong or left unattempted. Try to figure out why you made those mistakes, was it a 

• Conceptual error
• Silly mistake
• Lack of time

4. Reflect on Your Time Management

Think about how you managed your time during each section.  Understanding these patterns will help you strategize better for future mocks and the actual exam. You can check on these criteria:

• Did you rush through VARC?
• Did you get stuck on a DILR set for too long?
• Or, did you take too much time to solve QA?

5. Build a Mistake Log

Create a separate notebook or digital file where you record your mistakes. Review this log regularly to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

For each tricky question, write down:

• The question type and topic
• What went wrong in your approach
• The correct solution and method

Key Takeaways

The CAT exam question paper 2023 is a valuable resource for every MBA aspirant.. If you appeared in the exam or are likely to appear in the future, solving and breaking down the original paper assists you in:

• Understanding actual exam difficulty
• Becoming accustomed to question patterns
• Enhancing time management
• Detecting and rectifying your weak points

Ensure to download the three slot papers and solve them under exam conditions. Utilize the question papers wisely; not only to solve but to learn.

CAT Exam Question Paper 2023: FAQs

Ques: Is solving the CAT 2023 paper helpful for CAT 2025 preparation?

Ans: Absolutely. Solving previous year papers like CAT 2023 helps you understand real exam patterns, question framing, time pressure, and your own weak areas. It's one of the best ways to prepare effectively for CAT 2025.

Ques: How many questions were there in each section of CAT exam question paper 2023?

Ans: CAT 2023 exam had a total of 66 questions, including

• VARC - 24 questions
• DILR - 20 questions
• QA - 22 questions

Ques: What is the eligibility criteria for appearing in the CAT exam?

Ans: To be eligible for CAT, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories) from a recognized university. Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply.

Ques: How to use CAT 2023 paper for my preparation?

Ans: You can use the CAT 2023 paper as a timed mock test and analyze your mistakes. It helps improve accuracy, time management, and boosts your overall preparation strategy.

Ques: What are the top participating colleges in CAT?

Ans:  The CAT exam is primarily used for admission into the 20 IIMs. Apart from IIMs, CAT scores are also accepted by 100+ other top B-schools. 

The CAT accepting colleges includes:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore
• FMS Delhi
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• MDI Gurgaon
• XIM Bhubaneswar