• Updated on Aug 04, 2025 by Riya Khandelwal
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: With CAT 2025 scheduled for December, most aspirants are curious about how the paper might turn out this year. While no official updates on the structure have been released yet, the exam is expected to stick to its usual format, three slots in a day, timed sections, and the familiar mix of MCQs and TITA questions. This article gives a detailed look at what to expect based on recent trends, covering everything from the section-wise difficulty and safe attempt ranges to score vs percentile estimates and cutoff predictions for top IIMs. Insights from CAT 2024 have also been added to give readers a better idea of how each slot played out last year. Whether you're targeting a 99+ percentile or aiming for consistent sectionals, this breakdown is meant to help you prepare smarter. The goal here is simple: bring you the most relevant analysis, minus the guesswork.
CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Exam Pattern
CAT 2025 is likely to be held in three shifts on a single day, just like last year. The paper will be split into three sections, and each one will be timed separately. You won’t be able to move between sections during the exam.
The total number of questions is likely to stay 68, as seen in recent years of the CAT exam. All three sections (VARC, DILR & QA) are expected to have a mix of multiple choice questions and Type in the answer questions. Candidates will get 40 minutes per section, and will not be allowed to switch sections once the timer starts.
Candidates will be awarded +3 marks for each correct answer, and -1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer in Multiple choice section; there will be no negative marking for Type in the answer questions.
Based on the past trends, Type in the Answer questions in VARC and Quant may be on the tougher side. DILR is expected to remain time consuming, even if the number of sets stay the same.
Check: CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Slot-Wise CAT 2025 Exam Analysis
The CAT 2024 exam was held in three different time slots on the same day: morning, afternoon, and evening. While the basic structure of the test remained unchanged across these sessions, students pointed out noticeable differences in difficulty and the types of questions asked.
CAT 2024 came as a surprise for many. With para-jumbles missing entirely and a friendlier Quant section, the paper felt more balanced than the previous year. Slot 1 was clearly the most approachable overall. Slot 2 gave a middle-ground experience, while Slot 3 added some pressure, especially in reading comprehension.
The structure of the exam hasn’t changed drastically, but the tweaks in question difficulty across slots might have a subtle impact on normalisation. For serious test-takers, the 2024 edition of CAT rewarded smart prep, calm execution, and a sharp eye for detail.
Difficulty Level Comparison of the CAT 2025 Exam
The CAT 2024 exam was conducted in three separate slots, and while the overall structure remained consistent, many students noticed slight shifts in difficulty. This slot-wise comparison helps understand how each section performed across sessions, giving future aspirants a clearer picture of what to expect and how to plan their attempts accordingly.
Section-Wise CAT 2025 Analysis
The following table presents a structured analysis of each section in CAT 2024, including the number of questions, observed difficulty level, section-specific highlights, and the range of good attempts as reported across all three slots.
CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Estimate
Although CAT 2025 is yet to be conducted, previous year trends provide a helpful reference for estimating the raw scores required to achieve specific percentile brackets. These estimates serve as a benchmark for aspirants during preparation and mock tests, allowing them to set realistic performance goals.
These estimates assume that CAT 2025 will follow the same pattern as last year, 66 questions, 198 marks. Since the exam happens in multiple slots, raw scores are normalised to account for difficulty differences. Top IIMs also look at section-wise scores, so balanced performance across VARC, DILR, and QA is important. Lastly, accuracy matters more than high attempts, especially due to negative marking.
CAT 2025 Cutoff Expectations
Getting a call from an IIM depends on more than just your total score. Each IIM has its own cutoff based on category and past trends. Below is a rough idea of the expected overall percentile cutoffs for CAT 2025, based on how things looked in previous years.
Read: CAT Cutoff 2025
What Happens After CAT 2025?
After the CAT 2025 result is out, there is no single central counselling. Instead, each IIM and other top colleges carry out their own admission process. However, most of them follow similar steps, starting from shortlisting to final selection.
Here’s a clear breakdown of how it generally works:
1. Shortlisting for WAT/PI
Based on the CAT score, academic background, work experience, and diversity, institutes prepare a list of shortlisted candidates. Some newer IIMs take part in the Common Admission Process (CAP), where WAT and PI are held together for all such IIMs. CAP 2025 was led by IIM Bodh Gaya.
2. Written Ability Test (WAT)
This is a short essay round. Candidates are asked to write on general or abstract topics. Some IIMs may skip this step and directly go for interviews.
3. Personal Interview (PI)
In this round, candidates speak with a panel. The interview tests confidence, goals, speaking ability, and clarity of thought. It plays a big role in the final selection.
4. Final Score Calculation
Every institute uses its own formula. They give different weight to CAT marks, WAT/PI scores, academics, and profile (like work experience or gender diversity). All of this adds up to a final score.
5. Offer Letter Announcement
After checking everyone’s final scores, institutes release their admission list. Selected candidates receive emails or can check the result on the official website.
6. Accepting a Seat
Those who get an offer must confirm it by paying a seat acceptance fee. If they got offers from CAP IIMs, they can use the CAP portal to pick one. Only one seat can be accepted.
7. Admission and Document Check
After accepting a seat, students need to submit their original documents and pay the course fee. Once everything is verified, the admission is confirmed. Some colleges allow refund or withdrawals under fixed deadlines.
Check: CAT Counselling 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis FAQs
What was the total number of questions in CAT 2024?
CAT 2024 had a total of 66 questions spread across three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section was timed separately, and candidates were not allowed to switch between sections during the exam.
Were there any major changes in the CAT 2024 paper pattern?
The overall structure of CAT 2024 was similar to previous years, but a key change was the complete absence of para-jumble questions in the VARC section. This caught many test-takers by surprise.
Which slot of CAT 2024 was considered the easiest?
Slot 1 was widely reported to be the most manageable. The Quant section felt easier than expected, and many found the DILR sets familiar, which helped in saving time and increasing accuracy.
Was Slot 3 really the toughest in CAT 2024?
Yes, most students who appeared for Slot 3 said it was the most challenging. VARC had longer and more abstract passages, and DILR required deeper reasoning, making time management harder.
Did all slots in CAT 2024 have the same number of questions?
Yes, the number of questions remained consistent across all three slots. However, the difficulty level and type of questions varied slightly, which was later balanced through normalization.
What type of questions were asked in CAT 2024?
A mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions were asked. While MCQs had negative marking, TITA questions carried no penalty for wrong answers.
How difficult was the Quant section in CAT 2024?
Quantitative Aptitude was generally considered easier than the previous year. Most questions focused on arithmetic and basic algebra, which gave well-prepared candidates an edge in scoring.
How was the DILR section across the three slots?
DILR was time-consuming in all slots. Slot 1 and 2 had relatively doable sets, but Slot 3 had more complex structures that required extra time to understand and solve.
What kind of reading passages appeared in VARC?
The RC passages were based on topics like philosophy, behavioral economics, and cultural studies. Slot 3 passages were slightly more abstract, requiring closer reading and inference.
How is the CAT score converted to percentile?
Since CAT is conducted in multiple shifts, the raw scores are normalized to account for differences in difficulty. This ensures fairness and is how the final percentile is calculated for each candidate.
What raw score is needed for 99 percentile in CAT?
Based on past trends, a raw score between 95 to 100 marks out of 198 is usually required for the 99 percentile. However, this can change depending on the slot and overall performance of candidates.
Do IIMs only consider overall CAT scores?
No, IIMs look at both overall and sectional scores. Failing to clear the cutoff in even one section may lead to disqualification, so balanced performance across all three sections is very important.
What happens after the CAT exam is over?
After CAT, the official answer key and response sheet are released. Then, results are declared, followed by WAT-PI rounds for shortlisted candidates, depending on the institute's admission process.
Which IIMs had the highest expected cutoffs for CAT 2024?
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta had the highest cutoffs. For general category students, a percentile of 98.5 or above was usually expected to receive a call from these top IIMs.