Slot 3 plays an important role in determining the overall CAT 2025 cut-off trends because it influences the final percentile distribution across all three shifts. If Slot 3 matches Slot 2 in difficulty, especially in Quant, cut-offs may drop slightly. Since Slot 3 is the last session and often unpredictable, its difficulty level can significantly shape normalization and score trends. If Slot 3 turns out easier, candidates may need 3 to 5 fewer marks for the same percentile. If it is tougher, higher marks will be required. The normalization process will balance these differences, and understanding Slot 3 performance helps students plan their preparation and exam strategy effectively.
Expected CAT 2025 Overall Cut-Off Trends
The expected CAT 2025 overall cut-off trends are shaped by the performance in Slot 1 and Slot 2. VARC and DILR remained moderate, while Quant in Slot 2 was slightly tough. If Slot 3 follows a similar pattern, overall difficulty is likely to stay balanced.
Also Check: CAT 2025 Number of Correct Answers Needed for 97 Percentile
Factors Affecting CAT 2025 Cut-Off
The CAT 2025 Cut-off is influenced by section difficulty, number of TITA questions, normalization across slots, and overall performance distribution. Quant is expected to play a major role due to its varying difficulty this year.
- Section difficulty: Higher difficulty may lower cut-offs, easier sections may raise them.
- TITA count: More TITA questions can impact accuracy and scoring patterns.
- Normalization across slots: Ensures fairness despite different difficulty levels.
- Performance distribution: Overall candidate performance affects percentile and cut-off.
- Quant difficulty: Key factor this year, significantly influencing overall cut-offs.
Slot-Wise Percentile Insights for CAT 2025
Slot-wise insights show CAT 2025 percentiles depend on Quant and DILR difficulty, with Slot 3 potentially shifting cut-offs. VARC remains moderate but inference questions may affect top scorers.
- Slot 1 & Slot 2 Trends: Based on candidate feedback, VARC and DILR remained moderate across both slots, while Quant in Slot 2 was slightly tougher, making it the main differentiator for high percentiles.
- Expected Slot 3 Impact: Slot 3 can influence overall percentile trends significantly. If the difficulty aligns with Slot 2, cut-offs may drop slightly, while an easier Slot 3 could allow candidates to secure the same percentile with 3–5 fewer marks.
- Sectional Differentiators: Quant is expected to play a key role in distinguishing top percentile scorers, followed by tricky DILR sets. VARC is moderate but inference-heavy questions could impact accuracy and final percentile.
Also Check: CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer Key & Question Paper Analysis: VARC, DILR, Quant Section Insights
Key Takeaway
The CAT 2025 cut-offs and percentiles are largely shaped by Quant and DILR difficulty, with Slot 3 playing a crucial role in final trends. Understanding section-wise challenges, normalization, and performance patterns helps candidates estimate scores accurately and plan their MBA admission strategy effectively.




