CAT 2025 Slot 1, 2, 3 Analysis by T.I.M.E: Difficulty Level, Section-Wise Review & Expected Good Attempts

CAT 2025 Slot Analysis: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode held the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 today, November 30, 2025. The exams were conducted in three slots across all exam centres. According to the schedule, CAT 2025 Slot 3 was held from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, while Slot 2 was held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and Slot 1 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. After each slot, candidates will receive detailed sectional and overall analysis by T.I.M.E. Candidates can check the difficulty level, sectional details, and estimated cutoff here.

IIM CAT 2025 Latest Notification

CAT 2025 Exam Slot Timings

Candidates can check the CAT 2025 slot timings and reporting time here:

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Below is the exam pattern:

Also Read: CAT 2025 Slot Analysis by IMS

IIM CAT Slot 2 Analysis by T.I.M.E Institute

Candidates can check the preliminary analysis of the first slot of the examination as formulated by Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director, T.I.M.E. The exam pattern wasn’t too different from CAT 2024 exam. There were no major pattern or question-type surprises this year.

Highlight of CAT 2025 exam: 

The Morning Slot of the CAT '25 exam was slightly more difficult than CAT '24, mainly due to the DILR section and the lengthy calculations in the Quant section.

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

• Mixed sequencing of RC and VA questions, similar to CAT '24.
• 4 RC passages (16 questions total) of moderate difficulty, with one difficult set. Topics included Tech tools, Mexican cavefish, Books and literary spaces, and Scientific instruments.
• VA section (Moderate difficulty) included 2 questions each from Para Formation (which returned), Para Summary, Sentence Placement, and Para Odd One Out.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

• 22 questions across 5 sets, matching the previous year's pattern.
• Sets covered LR (Balls and hoops, Music Gurus - Students) and DI (Bar chart - Venn Diagram, Sustainability Index scatter chart, Pollution Index).
• The "Balls and hoops" set was the recommended 'must attempt.' The other sets were tricky, with two being difficult, leading to higher time consumption.

Quantitative Ability (QA):

• 22 questions with no surprises in topics.
• A majority of questions were from Arithmetic and Algebra.
• Numbers and Modern Math had only one question each, and Geometry had 3 questions.
• The section was manageable for adequately prepared students.

IIM CAT Slot 1 Analysis by T.I.M.E Institute

Candidates can check the preliminary analysis of the morning slot by Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director, T.I.M.E. The pattern was similar to CAT 2024 with no major surprises.

Highlights of CAT 2025 Exam

The CAT 2025 Morning Slot was slightly more difficult than CAT 2024, mainly due to the DILR section and lengthy calculations in Quant.

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Four RC passages (4 questions each). Topics: Income Inequality, Electronic Music, Law & Mental Health, Noise & Social Order. VA included Para Formation, Para Summary, Sentence Placement, Odd One Out (2 question types).
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 22 questions across 5 sets: Spider + Bar (DI), Seating Arrangement, Train Tickets (Quant Reasoning), Feet Tapping (Quant Reasoning), Employee Rating (Distribution Puzzle + Rank Arrangement). Spider+Bar was must-attempt; two sets were difficult.
• Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 questions focusing primarily on Arithmetic and Algebra. Numbers and Modern Math had one question each; Geometry had 3 questions.