CAT Paper Analysis 2025 - Difficulty Level, Changes Introduced, Important Topics

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CAT exam last year was conducted by IIM Kozhikode. The difficulty pattern and format of the paper did not see much variation from last year. There was a mixed response from the students in terms of the difficulty level of the paper. All the 20 CAT toppers last year emerged to be engineers.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension	34
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	32
Quantitative Ability	34
Total	100

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There was a slight discrepancy in the marking scheme mentioned in the direction of the exam. The marks mentioned in the question paper were +3 for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer. However, the marks mentioned in the consolidated window mentioned +1 for a correct answer and -0.33 for an incorrect one. This did not make a difference to the final merit since the negative marking ratio is the same in both the cases.

In 2018, for the Verbal Ability section was along the same lines as last year. It can be termed as a moderate section. The subjective jumbling questions were a little tricky in nature. There were no questions on vocabulary and phrasal verbs this year. Students with good reading skills had an upper hand in this section.
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section like every year were the toughest part of the question paper. It was lengthy and time-consuming. The views were same for this section for students attempting this exam in any of the two sessions.
Quantitative Aptitude section was reported to be at a moderate level with questions evenly distributed from all the topics. Commercial maths, algebra, Geometry, Probability and all basics of mathematics held equal weightage.

Exam Pattern Analysis - 2019

Earlier the exam consisted of two sections- Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. With the introduction of three sections, candidates had to focus on all the sections equally as compensating the sectional scores through either of the topics was not possible anymore.

The sectional time constraint was not happily welcomed by the aspirants. One couldn't move on to the next section until the time was over for that section. This meant that even if one finishes one of the sections before time, they cannot move on to the next.

The Subjective type questions were introduced in order to test the basic theoretical knowledge of the candidate and one's ability to execute it. These questions had no negative marking if incorrect. Also, a screen calculator was provided in order to help the candidates to fasten the calculations in these questions.

The DI and LR section was very tricky and time-consuming. In particular, the LR questions were more time consuming and difficult. This section was certainly the toughest

Quant Section was easy with the focus on the Geometry and Arithmetic based questions. There were no questions based on the number system. Most of the questions in this section tested elementary concepts.The DI and LR section was very tricky and time-consuming. In particular, the LR questions were more time consuming and difficult. This section was certainly the toughest

Quant Section was easy with the focus on the Geometry and Arithmetic based questions. There were no questions based on the number system. Most of the questions in this section tested elementary concepts.According to the Candidates, the RC was easier than expected and the pattern of the paper was very much similar to that of the official mock test. There were 24 RC questions and 10 Verbal Ability/ Reasoning Questions. All the Verbal Ability questions were TITA, and there were no grammar questions in the VA section.

The DI and LR section was very tricky and time-consuming. In particular, the LR questions were more time consuming and difficult. This section was certainly the toughest

The CAT Exam Pattern has consistently changed for the last 8 years.

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Below is the analysis of Previous years CAT Question Paper:

Exam Year	No. Of Questions	Verbal Ability	Data Interpretation-Logical Reasoning	Quantitative Ability	Difficulty Level
CAT 2017	100	Reading Comprehension: 24 Verbal: 10 (3 MCQs & 7 non-MCQs)	DI: 16 LR: 16 MCQs: 24 Non-MCQs: 8	MCQs: 23 Non- MCQs: 11	Moderately Difficult
CAT 2016	100	Reading Comprehension: 24 Verbal: 10- All MCQs	-	MCQs: 27 Non- MCQs: 7	Between Moderate to Difficult
CAT 2015	100	Reading Comprehension: 24 Verbal: 10 (all non-MCQs)	-	MCQs: 24 Non- MCQs: 10	Between Moderate to Difficult
CAT 2014	100	VARC: 34 LR: 16	-	Quant: 34 DI: 16	Between Moderate to Difficult
CAT 2013	60	30 10 Verbal RC: 10 LR: 10	-	DI: 10	Between Moderate to Difficult

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