CAT 2025 Exam Analysis LIVE: Check Slot 1, 2 and 3 Good Attempts, Difficulty Level and More

CAT results are typically announced in the first week of January 2025, about six weeks after the exam date.

CAT uses a normalisation process to ensure fairness across different slots of the exam. Scores are adjusted based on the difficulty level of the paper in each slot.

The expected cutoff for top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta is typically:

• General Category: 99+ percentile

• OBC/NC-OBC: 97-98 percentile

• SC/ST/PwD: 90-95 percentile

The actual cutoff may vary slightly depending on the institute and competition.

The QA section in Slot 3 was moderate with a mix of easy, medium, and a few difficult questions. While some questions in arithmetic and algebra were easy, there were tougher questions in geometry and number systems.

The overall difficulty level of the CAT 2025 slot 3 is the same as the previous two slots, moderate to difficult.

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Moderate
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Moderate to Difficult
• Quantitative Ability (QA): Moderate

No significant changes were reported in Slot 2. The exam followed the usual structure with three sections, 40 minutes per section, and the same number of questions as in Slot 1.

The QA section was moderate in difficulty with a good mix of easy to medium-level questions. The section had a strong focus on arithmetic and algebra, with a few challenging geometry and modern math questions.

Like the previous year, CAT 2025 also has 66 questions divided into three sections.

To enter the exam hall, candidates were required to carry the following essential documents:

• CAT 2025 Admit Card
• Valid photo ID proof
• One recent passport-size photograph

The CAT 2025 Slot 3 exam will start from 4:30 PM. The detailed schedule is provided below:

The overall difficulty level of the CAT 2025 slot 2 is also moderate to difficult.

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Moderate
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Moderate to Difficult
• Quantitative Ability (QA): Moderate

The DILR section in Slot 2 was considered moderate in difficulty. The sets were less complex than those in Slot 1, and many candidates found it easier to solve more questions within the given time frame.

The VARC section in Slot 2 was relatively easier compared to Slot 1. The RC passages were shorter, and the verbal ability questions were slightly more straightforward, making it a bit more manageable.

The overall difficulty of Slot 2 was moderate, similar to Slot 1, but slightly easier in terms of DILR and VARC. The QA section was considered manageable, but candidates still faced time pressure.

No major changes were reported in Slot 1 & 2 compared to previous years. The structure remained the same, with three sections and the same number of questions. The sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section was enforced.

Slot 1 had around 4-6 TITA questions across the three sections, mainly in VARC and DILR. There were no TITA questions in the QA section.

DILR was challenging in Slot 1. The sets were more complex, requiring multiple steps and involving both data interpretation and logical reasoning. Many candidates found it time-consuming, and some sets were considered difficult to complete in the allotted 40 minutes.

In the CAT 2025 Slot 1 exam, the most challenging section for many candidates was the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section. This section was noted for its moderate to difficult level of complexity, featuring tricky sets that required deep logical reasoning and data interpretation skills. Some questions involved complex relationships or intricate patterns that made it harder to find the right solutions quickly.

The CAT 2025 Shift 1 exam has started at 12:30 PM at all designated test centres across the country. At exactly 12:30 PM, the system displayed the exam instructions on the screens, followed by the automatic start of the test timer.

To enter the exam hall, candidates were required to carry the following essential documents:

• Printed CAT 2025 Admit Card containing the candidate’s photograph and exam centre details.

• Valid government-issued photo ID proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence.

• One recent passport-size photograph (the same as uploaded in the CAT application) to be handed over if required for verification.
  Candidates were also instructed not to bring prohibited items like electronic gadgets, calculators, stationery, or metal accessories.

The overall difficulty level of CAT 2025 Slot 1 is moderate to difficult.

The CAT 2025 exam will have three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 20 questions

• Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 questions

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Exam Timings

• Exam Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
• Reporting Time: 11:00 AM
• Entry Allowed: 12:15 PM

As per the initial feedback, the DILR section is the most difficult due to its complex nature. Candidates often find it time-consuming to solve logical puzzles and data sets under pressure.

As per the initial feedback, the overall difficulty level of the CAT 2025 slot 1 is moderate to difficult, similar to previous years. Typically, the DILR section is the most challenging, while QA tends to be more manageable, focusing heavily on Arithmetic and Algebra.

CAT 2025 Shift 1 has officially concluded, with the exam being conducted from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM across India. Keep checking this space for updates on the CAT 2025 Slot 1 Exam Analysis.

• Correct Answer: +3 marks
• Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (only for MCQs)
• No penalty for unanswered questions or TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.

The total duration is 120 minutes (40 minutes per section), with no option to switch between sections.

The CAT 2025 Shift 1 exam officially began at 8:30 AM across all exam centres in India. Candidates were allowed to start the test only after the on-screen instructions were displayed and the invigilators completed the final verification. The exam started simultaneously at all centres to maintain uniformity and fairness in the testing process.