As the CAT 2025 Slot 1 has been concluded today, early reactions from some students suggest that this year’s paper, set by IIM Kozhikode, felt comparatively easier than the CAT 2024.
While others reported that the exam was tricky, unpredictable, and difficult to interpret in several places. Let’s discuss what students told us.
Know more about: CAT 2025 Slot 1 Review
Table of Contents
What Students Said After Slot 1
According to multiple candidates interviewed immediately after the exam:
- VARC was manageable, with most students finding the reading comprehension sets straightforward.
- LRDI was still challenging, but not as intense or unpredictable as CAT 2024.
- Quant was easier, especially for students strong in basics and arithmetic.
- Some students said the paper was overall easier than the CAT 2024.
- Others felt the exam was harder because the questions were short but difficult to understand.
- Many reported that the exam required careful reading and strong interpretation skills.
Many students credited IIM Kozhikode’s design this year for being “logical but fair,” with fewer experimental twists compared to what was rumoured before the exam.
CAT 2025 Overall Difficulty? Mixed Reviews
Early CAT 2025 Slot 1 analysis indicates a split opinion:
- Some students said the paper was overall easier than CAT 2024.
- Others felt the exam was harder because questions were short but difficult to understand.
- Many reported that the exam required careful reading and strong interpretation skills.
This variation in feedback has made Slot 1’s difficulty level one of the most discussed topics today.
Section-Wise CAT 2025 Review
Check out CAT 2025 exam section-wise review:
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- Several students found VARC difficult, especially because options were close and confusing.
- Others said it was manageable or even easy compared to last year.
- Reading Comprehension questions were short but “conceptually heavy,” according to many test takers.
LRDI (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation)
Students mentioned LRDI consisted of 22 questions
- A good number of candidates reported LRDI was easier than 2024, with sets being clearer and less time-consuming.
- Some still found certain DI sets tricky, but overall, students felt more in control this year.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
In this CAT 2025 exam, the QA section had 22 questions, and the reactions were again mixed for Quant:
- Many students said Quant was easy, especially arithmetic-based questions.
- However, some candidates struggled with short but conceptually tricky problems.
- A parallelogram-based geometry question was mentioned repeatedly as confusing and difficult, catching several students off guard.
Also check: CAT Question Paper 2025
Comparison With CAT 2024
Students noted noticeable differences:
- Some felt CAT 2025 was easier and more balanced.
- Others felt the difficulty was similar, but the exam required sharper interpretation.
- Many pointed out that “short questions did not mean simple questions.”
Early Verdict
Based on student feedback, CAT 2025 Slot 1 difficulty level is mixed, with no clear consensus:
- For some, it was easier than last year.
- For others, it was harder due to tricky interpretations and close answer choices.
A clearer picture will emerge as Slot 2 and Slot 3 conclude.
Read about: CAT 2025 First Impression
