CAT 2024 question paper download and difficulty analysis

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Exam Date
30th November, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

The CAT question papers give an idea on the kind of questions that are asked in the exam, and also helps the candidates see through their preparation plan and get an idea of what can be expected. The CAT paper has undergone several changes in the past few years and therefore it is extremely beneficial to solve these past CAT papers to understand these changes and prepare a preparation strategy accordingly.

To help the candidates in their preparation we have curated the CAT previous year, CAT 2024 question papers along with their solutions. Candidates can download the CAT 2024 question papers PDF for VARC, DILR, and QA on this page. To download the PDF, simply click on the links for Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3. Scroll through the page to download the papers.

CAT Question Papers 2024

CAT Exam sections

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Question Paper with solutions

Question Paper with solutions

Unavailable

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Question Paper with solutions

Question Paper with solutions

Unavailable

Quantitative Ability (QA)

Question Paper with solutions

Question Paper with solutions

Unavailable

CAT 2024 Difficulty Level Analysis

In addition to downloading the CAT 2024 paper PDF, candidates can also get a difficulty analysis of the CAT 2024 exam. The CAT 2024 exam was difficult and the most challenging section was DILR slot 2. For a detailed section-wise breakdown and analysis, candidates can read the further sections.

Slot-Wise Overall Difficulty

Slot

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall Difficulty

Slot 1

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate-Hard

Moderate-High

Slot 2

Moderate-Hard

Tough

Moderate

High

Slot 3

Moderate

Moderate-Hard

Moderate

Moderate-High

VARC Section Analysis

Slot

RC Focus

VA Focus

Notable Difficulty Points

Overall Difficulty

Slot 1

Inference & reasoning RCs

Summary, Para Jumbles (TITA)

Balanced mix, moderate challenge

Moderate

Slot 2

Abstract RCs

Tricky para completions

Close answer choices, tough VA

Moderate-Hard

Slot 3

Diverse RC topics

Parajumbles & odd one out

Manageable but time-consuming

Moderate

DILR Section Analysis

Slot

Puzzle Sets Type

Tricky Elements

Good Attempt

Overall Difficulty

Slot 1

Logic + DI combos

Dense data, set selection important

2.5–3 sets

Moderate

Slot 2

Heavy logic-based reasoning puzzles

Lengthy setups, time-intensive

2 sets max

Tough

Slot 3

Mix of DI caselets + puzzles

Complex grouping + conditions

2–2.5 sets

Moderate-Hard

QA Section Analysis

Slot

Dominant Topics

Minor Topics

Notable Aspects

Overall Difficulty

Slot 1

Arithmetic-heavy

Algebra, Few Geometry Qs

Lengthy but solvable with basics

Moderate-Hard

Slot 2

Arithmetic + Algebra

Little geometry

Conceptual clarity helped

Moderate

Slot 3

Balanced Arithmetic/Algebra

Minimal Modern Math

Straightforward but calculative

Moderate

Key Takeaways for CAT 2024

The summary table for CAT 2024 difficult level analysis has been provided below.

Insight

Explanation

DILR was the game-changer

Slot 2 DILR especially tough, impacted scores more than other sections

RC was reasoning-heavy

Focus shifted from factual to inference-based reading comprehension

Arithmetic continues to dominate QA

Over half the QA section was arithmetic-based

Slot-wise normalization will matter

Slot 2 expected to benefit in scaling due to DILR difficulty

Strategy & selection were more important

Choosing the right sets/questions crucial across all sections

Top Colleges Accepting CAT

View All

Related Articles

Exam

19th September, 2025 , 4 min read

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more! By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

19th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

23rd September, 2025 , 4 min read

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
More Articles

Related News

Exam

21st September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT 2025 registration is now closed, Check Next Steps CAT 2025 registration closed? Learn about the CAT application form correction window & how to make changes. Get step-by-step guide to download your CAT admit card 2025. Find official links & image guidelines. By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

11th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration Deadline Tomorrow! Register Now & Apply CAT registration closes tomorrow! Don't miss your last chance to apply. Get step-by-step guidance, official website link (iimcat.ac.in), and essential document upload tips. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

13th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration 2025 Extended, Dates, How to Apply & Docs CAT 2025 registration date extended till September 2025! Get a step-by-step guide to fill the CAT application form, check all important dates & required documents. Apply online now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
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 >
More News

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get CAT 2024 question papers?

You can download the CAT 2024 question papers in PDF format for VARC, DILR, and QA from the provided links, separated by slots 1, 2, and 3. Solutions are included.

What is the difficulty level of CAT 2024?

The overall difficulty of CAT 2024 varied by slot. Slot 2 was considered the toughest, mainly due to the DILR section. Other slots had a moderate to high difficulty level.

Why does DILR seem so tough in CAT 2024?

Many students found the DILR section, especially in Slot 2, very challenging because of the complex logic puzzles and time constraints. It involved lengthy setups and required a lot of reasoning.

Can I download CAT 2024 papers section-wise?

Yes, you can download the papers section-wise. The links provided allow you to download VARC, DILR, and QA question papers separately for Slot 1 and Slot 2. Slot 3 papers are unavailable.

Is it possible to find CAT 2024 solutions?

Yes, solutions are available along with the question papers for Slot 1 and Slot 2. These solutions should help you understand the problem-solving approach.

How difficult was the VARC section in CAT 2024?

The VARC section difficulty varied across slots. Slot 2 was considered more difficult due to abstract reading comprehension passages and tricky vocabulary questions. Other slots had a moderate level.

What were the dominant topics in CAT 2024 QA?

Arithmetic was the main focus in the Quantitative Aptitude section across all slots. Algebra also featured prominently, while geometry questions were comparatively fewer.

Show More

Latest Articles on CAT 2025

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA

19th September, 2025

Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more!

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in

19th September, 2025

Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here.

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam

10th September, 2025

Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now!

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List

10th September, 2025

Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now!

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do

23rd September, 2025

CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now!

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