CAT 2019 Vs. CAT CAT 2025 Analysis, What to expect from IIM Kozhikode?

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Last Date to Apply
13th September, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

IIM Kozhikode conducted the CAT exam in 2019, which was the beginning of a COVID year, and the CAT exam pattern was different at that time. Ever since 2019, the CAT exam has observed several significant changes and has also varied in difficulty. The 2019 CAT exam conducted by IIMK was moderately difficult.

During the 2019 CAT exam, the VARC and QA sections had 34 questions, and DILR had 32 questions. The paper had 100 questions in all. Going by this trend, candidates can expect the 2025 CAT exam to be of moderate difficulty or a tough test. In this article, candidates can check the IIM Kozhikode 2019 CAT paper analysis and the expected analysis and questions for CAT 2025 exam.

What's new in CAT 2025? → CAT exam fees 2025 increased

CAT 2019 Paper Analysis - IIM Kozhikode

Candidates can check the 2019 CAT exam analysis tabulated below. The exam had 100 questions in all, and the exam was considered to be moderately difficult.

Section

Total Questions

Question Type & Topics

Difficulty Level

Ideal Attempts

Estimated Marks for 99%ile

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

34

5 reading comprehension passages (24 MCQs), para-jumbles (TITA), para-summary, odd-one-out

Moderate to Difficult

23 to 26

55 to 60

DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

32

8 sets of 4 questions each, included radar charts, coding sets, table-based puzzles, maps

Moderate to Difficult

20 to 22

45 to 50

QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

34

Arithmetic (around 14 questions), algebra (around 13), geometry, numbers, modern math

Easy to Moderate

22 to 24

60 to 65

Download CAT 2019 question paper PDF here

CAT 2025 Paper Analysis (Expected) - IIM Kozhikode

Candidates can check the expected 2025 CAT exam analysis tabulated below. The exam has66 questions in all, and the exam is expected to be moderately difficult.

Section

Expected Questions

Question Type & Focus Areas

Expected Difficulty

Ideal Attempts

Estimated Marks for 99%ile

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

24

4 RCs (18–20 MCQs), para-jumbles, para-summary, odd-one-out (TITA)

Moderate to Difficult

18 to 20

45 to 50

DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

20

4 to 5 sets, likely including puzzles, matrix arrangements, tables, graphs

Difficult

12 to 14

35 to 40

QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

22

Arithmetic-heavy with mix of algebra, geometry, numbers (8–10 TITA questions)

Moderate

15 to 17

40 to 45

Read more about the CAT exam difficulty level here

How to Prepare for a Kozhikode-Style CAT?

Based on the past trends, given below are a few pointers and tricks to be able to crack the CAT exam by IIM Kozhikode.

  • VARC: Practice dense RCs, inference-heavy questions, and challenging TITA formats. Use POE for tricky options.
  • DILR: Train on new formats—radar graphs, maps, coding puzzles. Focus on set selection and timed solving.
  • QA: Build speed and accuracy in Arithmetic and Algebra. Stick to fundamental techniques; avoid over-complex strategies.
  • Mocks & Review: Simulate 40-min sectional and full-length timed mocks. Maintain a mistake-analysis log.
  • Adaptive Strategy: Prioritize high-return questions based on your strengths; don’t overcommit to ambiguous or time-intensive sets.

CAT Sample Papers PDF download → absolutely free of cost

CAT Exam Pattern → A comparison (2019 & 2025) | IIM Kozhikode

After 2019, this is the first time that the exam is being conducted by IIM Kozhikode. The 2019 pattern was very different as compared to the recent years (2022 - 2025). Candidates in the below table can check the changes that had been made in the CAT exam pattern and what is the latest pattern.

Feature

CAT 2019 (Actual)

CAT 2025

Conducting IIM

IIM Kozhikode

IIM Kozhikode

Exam Date

24 November 2019

30 November 2025

Exam Duration

180 minutes (3 hours)

120 minutes (2 hours)

Total Questions

100

66

Sections

3 (VARC, DILR, QA)

3 (VARC, DILR, QA)

Sectional Time Limit

60 minutes per section

40 minutes per section

VARC Questions

34

24

DILR Questions

32

20

QA Questions

34

22

Total Marks

300

198

MCQ & TITA Breakdown

~70 MCQs, ~30 TITA

~48 MCQs, ~18 TITA

Marking Scheme

+3 for correct, –1 for wrong MCQ

+3 for correct, –1 for wrong MCQ

Negative Marking in TITA

No

No

Difficulty Level (Overall)

Moderate to Difficult

Moderate to Difficult (Expected)

Top Colleges Accepting CAT

View All

Related Articles

Exam

22nd August, 2025 , 10 min read

Practice Questions for Logical Reasoning for CAT preparation Solved Practice challenging Logical Reasoning questions for CAT here. Understand exam patterns & question types. Prepare for 22 DILR questions. Start solving today! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

11th August, 2025 , 3 min read

CAT 2020 Exam Analysis: Difficulty, Topics & Score Insights Get detailed CAT 2020 exam analysis: slot-wise difficulty, section-wise topics, and scores vs. percentile. Prepare for CAT 2025 with key insights. Explore now! By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

11th August, 2025 , 6 min read

Slot-Wise CAT 2021 Exam Analysis Get the complete CAT 2021 exam analysis for all 3 slots. Dive into section-wise difficulty, good attempts, and detailed paper review for VARC, DILR, and QA. Read now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

10th August, 2025 , 4 min read

CAT 2025 Preparation: Verbal Ability Questions Prepare for CAT 2025 Verbal Ability with our guide. Get detailed syllabus, practice sample questions, and expert tips to ace the 22-24 question section. Start your prep now! By - Nirek Rishi Read More >
Exam

10th August, 2025 , 3 min read

CAT 2025 Preparation: Geometry Formulas and Guide Master essential CAT 2025 Geometry formulas for the Quantitative Aptitude section. Learn key mensuration, coordinate, and solid figure formulas to tackle this 10-20% weighted topic. Boost your CAT score! By - Nirek Rishi Read More >
More Articles

Related News

Exam

31st July, 2025 , 3 min read

CAT Registration 2025 LIVE Now: How to Fill IIM CAT Application Form? he CAT registration for 2025 has now been officially launched, and thus the window to submit the application for one of India's most sought-after MBA entrance exams has also opened. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

31st December, 2024 , 2 min read

CAT 2024 Result Controversy - Petition Filed in Delhi High Court, CAT Final Answer Key To Be Released Again? Delhi High Court has received a petition filed against CAT 2024 Result. Candidates claim that IIM Calcutta has released the answer key without considering the objections raised by them. By - Avantika Bhardwaj Read More >
Exam

05th December, 2024 , 2 min read

CAT 2024 Result Date. Check Complete Details Here CAT 2024 Results When? This news contains complete details for the same. Students can check their result from the official website. By - Nawal Read More >
Exam

28th November, 2024 , 4 min read

CAT Normalization Process. Know How is CAT Score Calculated, CAT Percentile Predictor In this news, we will help the candidates understand the meaning of CAT normalization process, CAT Scaled Score, CAT Final Score, and how to calculate the CAT scores. CAT Normalization is a process that is followed by the Indian Institutes of Management to ensure fairness in the scoring process. By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

29th November, 2024 , 2 min read

CAT Answer Key 2024 Out at iimcat.ac.in, Check Expected Marks The CAT answer key is expected to release soon on the IIM Calcutta website. The answer key will be provisional and the candidates will be able to raise objections to the CAT response sheet during a window of 2 days. The authorities will examine the objections and then based on the responses the final CAT answer key will be released along with the CAT Results 2024. By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
More News

Latest Articles on CAT 2025

Practice Questions for Logical Reasoning for CAT preparation Solved

22nd August, 2025

Practice challenging Logical Reasoning questions for CAT here. Understand exam patterns & question types. Prepare for 22 DILR questions. Start solving today!

CAT 2020 Exam Analysis: Difficulty, Topics & Score Insights

11th August, 2025

Get detailed CAT 2020 exam analysis: slot-wise difficulty, section-wise topics, and scores vs. percentile. Prepare for CAT 2025 with key insights. Explore now!

Slot-Wise CAT 2021 Exam Analysis

11th August, 2025

Get the complete CAT 2021 exam analysis for all 3 slots. Dive into section-wise difficulty, good attempts, and detailed paper review for VARC, DILR, and QA. Read now!

CAT 2025 Preparation: Verbal Ability Questions

10th August, 2025

Prepare for CAT 2025 Verbal Ability with our guide. Get detailed syllabus, practice sample questions, and expert tips to ace the 22-24 question section. Start your prep now!

CAT 2025 Preparation: Geometry Formulas and Guide

10th August, 2025

Master essential CAT 2025 Geometry formulas for the Quantitative Aptitude section. Learn key mensuration, coordinate, and solid figure formulas to tackle this 10-20% weighted topic. Boost your CAT score!

More Articles

Other MBA / PGDM Exams

CAT logo
CAT CAT | 30th November, 2025
XAT logo
XAT XAT | 04th January, 2026
MAT logo
MAT MAT | 28th September, 2025
TS ICET logo
TS ICET TS ICET | 08th June, 2025
GMAT logo
GMAT GMAT | Date not available
View All