First Impressions from CAT 2025 Test-Takers: Section-Wise Reaction, Difficulty Level & Pattern

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Update on 30 Nov, 2025, 12:06 PM IST

As thousands of candidates walk out of exam centres, the most searched question today is: "How was CAT 2025 today?"

 

Based on live feedback and early student reactions after the shift 1, here are the first impressions from CAT 2025 test-takers, including section-wise difficulty, exam pattern insights, and expected impact on cut-offs.

 

Also Read: CAT 2025 Live Updates

 

Table of Contents

  1. CAT 2025 Overall Difficulty Level (Student Reactions)
  2. Section-Wise First Impressions from CAT 2025 Test-Takers
  3. CAT 2025 vs Previous Years Comparison Table
  4. Live Reactions from CAT 2025 Test-Takers (Shift 1)
  5. Expected Impact on CAT 2025 Cut-Offs
  6. Final Verdict from CAT 2025 Test-Takers

 

CAT 2025 Overall Difficulty Level (Student Reactions)

As per the response from shift 1 test-takers, most CAT 2025 candidates found the paper moderate to slightly tough, with emphasis on logic, comprehension, and time management rather than direct formulas. The CAT 2025 difficulty level depends on the number of candidates who appeared for the exam.

 

CAT 2025 Overall Difficulty – Student Feedback Table

CAT 2025 overall difficulty includes several factors, like question level and candidate volume. The table below represents the factors and students' responses.

Factor

Student Response

Overall Difficulty Level

Moderate to Tough

Time Pressure

High

Question Pattern

Analytical Focus

Surprise Elements

Application-based questions

Best Section Attempted

VARC

Most Difficult Section

DILR

Also read: CAT Exam Difficulty

 

Section-Wise First Impressions from CAT 2025 Test-Takers

 

VARC: CAT 2025 Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Analysis

In shift 1 of CAT 2025, VARC was described as lengthy but manageable for regular readers. RC questions required deeper comprehension and inference-based selection.

Parameter

Student Reaction

RC Complexity

Moderate

Vocabulary Level

Standard

Para-jumbles

Tricky

Overall Score Potential

High

Time Required

High

 

DILR: CAT 2025 Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Review

DILR turned out to be the most challenging section for many CAT 2025 test-takers after shift 1. Sets were multi-layered and required selection skills.

 

DILR Student Experience Table

CAT 2025 shift 1 received mixed reviews. But, DILR section was tough as per most of the test-takers. Candidates can check the students' experience table below for a better understanding.

Factor

Observations

Set Length

Long

Calculations

Moderate

Puzzle Type

Analytical

Accuracy Demand

Very High

Difficulty Level

Tough

 

Quantitative Ability: CAT 2025 Quant Review

In shift 1 of CAT 2025, Quant was reported as easy with more weightage on arithmetic. However, the candidates conveyed that the tougher one was DILR.

 

CAT 2025 Quant Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the quick analysis table of the CAT 2025 Quant topic-wise weightage:

Topic

Student Feedback

Arithmetic

High

Algebra

Moderate

Geometry

Low

Number System

Low

Modern Math

Mixed

 

CAT 2025 vs Previous Years Comparison Table

As per the students' response, Shift 1 was easier compared to previous years. Students noticed conceptual shifts in CAT 2025 compared to previous years.

Factor

CAT 2024

CAT 2025

Question Pattern

Logic-based

Application-driven

Paper Balance

Moderate

High

Difficulty

Moderate

Moderate-Tough

Tricky Questions

Average

Higher

Calculation Work

Medium

Medium

Also Read: CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy: Section-Wise Study Plan, Timeline, and Resources

 

Live Reactions from CAT 2025 Test-Takers (Shift 1)

As the first shift 1 of CAT 2025 concluded, test-takers shared their opinions on the difficulty level of the exam. Most of the common students said that DILR was time-consuming and tough to do.

 

Common Student Statements Table

Candidates can check the common students' statement table below for a better understanding.

Reaction Type

Comment Summary

VARC

Lengthy but doable

DILR

Time-consuming and tough

Quant

Easy

Overall

Strategy-dependent

Cut-off Expectation

Slight variation expected

 

Expected Impact on CAT 2025 Cut-Offs

Experts believe DILR difficulty will slightly affect percentile mapping. VARC and Quant remain stable. Also, the overall impact will experience minor fluctuations.

Factor

Predicted Impact

VARC

Stable

DILR

Slight drop

Quant

Stable

Overall Percentile

Minor fluctuation

Also read: CAT 2025 Cutoff

 

Final Verdict from CAT 2025 Test-Takers

The first impressions from CAT 2025 test-takers after the shift 1 indicate that calmness, accuracy, and smart attempts matter more than attempting maximum questions. Candidates who effectively balance speed and selection are expected to score high.

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