CAT exam by IIM Kozhikode - What to expect and comparison from 2019 CAT exam

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

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.

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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)

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