CAT 2025 Slot 1, 2 and 3 Analysis by IMS: Difficulty Level, Section-Wise Review & Expected Good Attempts

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis by IMS:  Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode has officially concluded the Common Admission Test CAT exam today, Sunday, November 30, 2025. The CAT 2025 Slot 1, 2, 3 exams were conducted in the morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Students who have appeared for CAT 2025 in the various slots can check the CAT exam slots 1, 2, and 3 analysis by IMS, along with a panel discussion by experts on the exam. 

With the successful completion of the CAT examination, candidates now eagerly await the release of the CAT 2025 answer key, response sheets. IT must be noted that the CAT answer key and response sheets will be available by next week. Students must keep visiting the official website for the latest updates. 

CAT 2025 Slot Timings

Candidates can check here the CAT exam timings, reporting time and status of the exam.

CAT 2025 Overall Analysis: Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3

Check expert analysis and comparison of all three slots for the CAT 2025 exams, overall difficulty level, number of good attempts, expected cutoff and sectional cutoff details here.

CAT 2025 Slot 3 Expert Analysis by IMS

The analysis will be provided by experts soon. Candidates can also check this video for an early understanding of the exam

CAT 2025: Detailed Slot 3 Analysis

The third slot of CAT 2025 (4:30 to 6:30 pm) had the same pattern as Slots 1 and 2. The structure of the CAT 2025 had no major changes compared to that of the 2024 CAT, with a total of 68 questions.

Section-wise details:

Verbal Ability (VA)

• Segmentation and question-type distribution were adjusted.

• Paragraph Jumbles were reintroduced, marking their return after 2023.

• Breakdown of non-RC questions: 2 Summary questions (MCQ), 2 Paragraph Completion questions (MCQ), 2 Odd Sentence Out questions (TITA), 2 Paragraph Jumbles (TITA)

DILR

The section also showed refinements in segmentation and the MCQ vs TITA mix

• The overall structure of the section remained unchanged: 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each.

• Total 11 TITA questions and 11 MCQ questions

QA

• The number of questions remained unchanged at 22

• Total 8 TITA questions and 14 MCQ questions

The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Qs.

Based on the feedback received from several candidates who have appeared in the third slot, our initial estimate of the percentiles and scores is as follows. These estimates will be suitably revised soon after the CAT releases the response sheets. 

Students are advised not to make any B-School application decision based on these initial estimates. They serve only as the first indicator of likely performance.  

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

The VA-RC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. The Reading Comprehension section featured the addition of vocabulary-based application questions — a question type which appeared in CAT 2025 Slot 1 as well.  The passage on ill effects of dams was easy. The passages on AI and ethical decision-making and The Forest Act 1982 were of moderate difficulty and featured some tricky questions and lengthy options. The passage on tribal art was dense and challenging, with some tough questions.  About 10 to 12 RC questions could be attempted with high accuracy. Parajumbles were reintroduced in verbal ability after the gap of a year. So, the section had 2 questions of Summary (MCQ), Paragraph Completion(MCQ), Odd Sentence questions (TITA), and Jumbled Paragraphs (TITA). In VA, 5 or 6 attempts with high accuracy were possible. Overall, the VARC section was moderate in difficulty, at par with Slots 1 and 2. The LOD of the VARC section, especially the RCs, was comparable to the VARC of several SimCATs.  

An attempt of 12 or 13 questions with an accuracy of approximately 60% will fetch around an 85%-ile score in VARC.  

An attempt of 16 or 17 questions with an accuracy of approximately 70% will fetch 95+ percentiles in VARC.  

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

The overall structure of the section remained unchanged, with 22 questions spread over 5 sets- 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each. However, one important deviation was that half the section (11 questions) was TITA.   

Overall, the Level of difficulty of the section was higher than slot 1 but less than slot 2 of CAT 2025.

An attempt of about 7-8 questions with an accuracy of approximately 75- 80% will fetch around  85 %ile score in DILR.  

An attempt of about 10-11 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80- 85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in DILR. 

Quantitative Ability

This section was slightly more difficult in terms of level of difficulty as compared to CAT-2024. This section was dominated by Arithmetic (7 questions), followed by Algebra (4 questions), Modern Math (4 questions), Geometry(3 questions) and Numbers (4 questions). The questions on Arithmetic were relatively on an easier side. The questions on Algebra were somewhat complex.   In Arithmetic, the questions were from different topics such as Averages, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, and Profit & Loss. In Algebra, the questions were on Quadratic Equations and Linear Equations. In Modern Math, the questions were on Progressions, Functions, Set Theory and Logarithms. In Geometry, the questions were on Trapezium - Circle and Triangles. 

Overall, there were 8 Easy, 8 Medium and 6 Difficult questions. Some questions were highly calculation-intensive and time-consuming.

Number of TITA (8 questions) and MCQ (14 questions) in this section.

Attempting the right questions was the key. In general, it would be relatively easier to score about 15-17 marks, but slightly tougher to score 30+ in this section. 

An attempt of 7 - 8  questions with an accuracy of approximately 75- 80% will fetch around 85 %ile score in QA.  

An attempt of 10-11 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80- 85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in QA. 

The scores and percentiles mentioned in this analysis are indicators based on the feedback from students and IMS experts. They are in no way related to the results that IIMs are expected to declare in January 2026. You are advised to wait for the results.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Expert Analysis by IMS

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Detailed Analysis

The second slot of CAT 2025 (12.30 pm and 2:30 pm) had the same pattern as Slot 1. The structure of the CAT 2025 had no major changes compared to that of the 2024 CAT, with a total of 68 questions.

Section-wise details

Verbal Ability (VA)

• Segmentation and question-type distribution remained the same as in Slot 1.

• Paragraph Jumbles were reintroduced, marking their return after 2023.

• Breakdown of non-RC questions: 2 Summary questions (MCQ), 2 Paragraph Completion questions (MCQ), 2 Odd Sentence Out questions (TITA), 2 Paragraph Jumbles (TITA)

DILR

The section also showed refinements in segmentation and the MCQ vs TITA mix

• The overall structure of the section remained unchanged: 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each.

• Total 11 TITA questions and 11 MCQs

QA

• The number of questions remained unchanged at 22

• Total 8 TITA questions and 14 MCQs

The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Qs.

Based on the feedback received from several candidates who have appeared in the second slot, our initial estimate of the percentiles and scores*** is as follows. These estimates will be suitably revised soon after the CAT releases the response sheets. 

Students are advised not to make any B-School application decision based on these initial estimates. They serve only as the first indicator of likely performance.  

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

The VA-RC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions.  The passages on how tetrafish adapted and evolved, and the biases of AI were easier. The passages on the role of ‘place’ in literature and science, and culture were difficult and required careful reading. Some of the RC questions tested critical reasoning, and others featured complex question stems.  About 10 to 12 RC questions could be attempted with high accuracy. Verbal Ability questions were easier. The section had 2 questions of Summary (MCQ), Paragraph Completion(MCQ), Odd Sentence questions (TITA), and Jumbled Paragraphs (TITA). In VA, 5 to 7 attempts with high accuracy were possible. Overall, the VARC section was moderate, similar to that of CAT 2025 Slot 1. The LOD of the VARC section, in both the slots, was comparable to the VARC of several SimCATs.  

An attempt of 13 or 14 questions with an accuracy of approximately 60% will fetch around an 85%-ile score in VARC.  

An attempt of 17 or 18 questions with an accuracy of approximately 70% will fetch 95+ percentiles in VARC.  

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

The overall structure of the section remained unchanged, with 22 questions spread over 5 sets- 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each. However, one important deviation was that half the section (11 questions) was TITA.   

Overall, the Level of difficulty of the section was Medium to Difficult, and it was slightly more difficult in comparison with the DILR Section of CAT 2025 slot 1.

An attempt of about 10-11 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80-85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in DILR. 

Quantitative Ability

This section was more difficult in terms of level of difficulty as compared to the CAT 2025 slot 1 and was dominated by Arithmetic (8 questions), followed by Algebra (5 questions), Modern Math (4 questions), Geometry(3 questions) and Numbers(2). The questions on Arithmetic were relatively on an easier side. The questions on Algebra were somewhat complex.   In Arithmetic, the questions were from different topics such as Average, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, and Profit & Loss. In Algebra, the questions were dominated by Quadratic equations, inequalities with logarithms, etc. In Modern Math, the questions were on Progressions, logarithms etc. In Geometry, the questions were on Circles-Tangents, Hexagon and Triangles.  

Number of TITA (8 questions) and MCQ (14 questions) in this section.

Attempting the right questions was the key.

An attempt of 7 - 8  questions with an accuracy of approximately 75-80% will fetch around 85 %ile score in QA.  

An attempt of 9-10 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80-85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in QA. 

The scores and percentiles mentioned in this analysis are indicators based on the feedback from students and IMS experts. They are in no way related to the results that IIMs are expected to declare in January 2026. You are advised to wait for the results.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis: Initial Response

The CAT 2025 slot 2 exams concluded at 2:30 PM. According to the initial response given by students, the VARC section was moderate in difficulty level for the CAT 2025 slot 2, while the quants section was Moderate to Difficult, and DILR was Difficult. According to students who appeared for the second slot exam, the DILR section had longer questions, and the Quant section had tricky but manageable questions. As per reports, the CAT 2025 slot 2 exam contained 11 Arithmetic and 7 Algebra questions, while the VARC section had 4 RC passages of 16 questions, along with 2 para-summaries, 2 para-jumbles, 2 missing sentences. The DILR section featured 5 sets.

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis

The first slot of CAT 2025 took place today between 8.30 am and 10:30 am. The structure of the CAT 2025 had no major changes compared to that of the 2024 CAT, with a total of 68 questions.

Section-wise details:

Verbal Ability (VA)

• Segmentation and question-type distribution were adjusted.

• Paragraph Jumbles were reintroduced, marking their return after a gap.

• Breakdown of non-RC questions: 2 Summary questions (MCQ), 2 Paragraph Completion questions (MCQ), 2 Odd Sentence Out questions (TITA), 2 Paragraph Jumbles (TITA)

DILR

The section also showed refinements in segmentation and the MCQ vs TITA mix

• Overall structure of the section remained unchanged: 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each.

• Total 11 TITA questions and 11 MCQ questions

QA

• The number of questions remained unchanged at 22

• Total 8 TITA questions and 14 MCQ questions

The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Qs.

Based on the feedback received from several candidates who have appeared in the first slot, our initial estimate of the percentiles and scores*** is as follows. These estimates will be suitably revised soon after the CAT releases the response sheets. 

Students are advised not to take any B-School application decision based on these initial estimates. They serve only as the first indicator of likely performance.  

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension 

The VA-RC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. The Reading Comprehension section featured the addition of vocabulary-based application questions — a question type not previously seen in the CAT. The passage on “Alienists and the art of diagnosing mental disorders” was easier. The passages on “Income inequality and economic growth” and “Objections to Electronic Music as a musical genre” were of moderate difficulty and required careful reading. The passage on “Complex Systems and the dynamics of tail events” was tough to read, had difficult questions and lengthy options. About 10 to 12 RC questions could be attempted with high accuracy. Verbal Ability questions reintroduced parajumbles after the gap of a year. So, the section had 2 questions each of Summary (MCQ), Paragraph Completion (MCQ), Odd Sentence questions (TITA), and Jumbled Paragraphs (TITA). In VA, 5 or 6 attempts with high accuracy were possible. Overall, the VARC section was more difficult than that of CAT 2024 Slot 1. The LOD of the VARC section, especially the RCs, was comparable to the VARC of several SimCATs. 

An attempt of 12 or 13 questions with an accuracy of approximately 60% will fetch around an 85%ile score in VARC.  

An attempt of 16 or 17 questions with an accuracy of approximately 70% will fetch 95+ percentiles in VARC.  

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

Overall structure of the section remained unchanged with 22 questions spread over 5 sets- 2 sets with 5 questions each and 3 sets with 4 questions each. However, one important deviation was that half the section (11 questions) was TITA.   

Overall, the Level of difficulty of the section was Medium to Difficult and it was one notch more difficult in comparison with the DILR Section of CAT 2024.

An attempt of about 8 questions with an accuracy of approximately 80% will fetch around  85 %ile score in DILR.  

An attempt of about 12 questions with an accuracy of approximately 85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in DILR . 

Quantitative Ability

This section was similar in terms of level of difficulty as compared to CAT-2024 and was dominated by Arithmetic (8 questions), followed by Algebra (4 questions) and Numbers (4 questions). There were 3 questions each on Geometry and Modern Math. The questions on Arithmetic were relatively on an easier side. The questions on Algebra were somewhat complex.   In Arithmetic, the questions were from different topics such as SICI, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, and Profit & Loss. In Algebra, the questions were dominated by Quadratic equations, Inequality with logarithms etc. In Modern Math, the questions were on Progressions, Permutations etc. In Geometry, the questions were on Circles-Quadrilaterals, and Coordinate Geometry. 

Number of TITA (8 questions) and MCQ (14 questions) in this section

Attempting the right questions was the key. In general, it would be relatively easier to score about 16-18 marks, but slightly tougher to score 30+ in this section. 

An attempt of 7 - 8  questions with an accuracy of approximately 80% will fetch around 85 %ile score in QA.  

An attempt of 12-13 questions with an accuracy of approximately 85% will fetch 95 + percentiles in QA. 

The scores and percentiles mentioned in this analysis are indicators based on the feedback from students and IMS experts. They are in no way related to the results that IIMs are expected to declare in January 2026. You are advised to wait for the results.

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis IMS

The CAT 2025 slot 1 examination will conclude at 10:30 AM. Candidates can check here the immediate reaction of students after the exams conclude and the detailed analysis of the CAT 2025 slot 1 exam from IMS below. Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates.

Check here the CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis and discussion by experts from IMS

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis: Initial Response

According to reports, those who have appeared for the CAT 2025 exams in the first slot have mentioned that the CAT 2025 slot 1 was moderate to tough in terms of the difficulty level. Candidates have mentioned that the VARC, DILR sections were easy, while the Quants section was moderate. No change has been seen in the exam pattern as compared to last year.

As per responses from candidates, there were a total of 66 questions in three sections. The exam pattern was similar to CAT 2024, with VARC sections containing 24 questions - four reaching comprehension. Quants in the Arithmetic section were tricky, while DLRI was doable.

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 Answer Key and Response Sheets

According to the details provided, the CAT 2025 response sheet and answer key are expected to be released by December 5, 2025. Candidates who have appeared for the exams can check the CAT 2025 answer key and compare it to their individual response sheet, which will be available for download on the candidate login. Candidates will also be provided with a window to raise objections to the answer key. Based on the objections raised, IIM Kozhikode will issue the CAT 2025 final answer key and CAT Results. 

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