The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 on November 30 . Analysis of past exam data reveals shifts in difficulty, question counts, and topic weightage. This information helps candidates understand the exam structure for IIM admissions.
CAT Exam Pattern and Difficulty Trends
The CAT exam pattern has remained consistent since 2020. The test features three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The total exam duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section.
Reading Comprehension consistently dominates the VARC section. DILR difficulty varies most, frequently affecting overall scores. QA maintains balance, with arithmetic-based questions forming the largest share. The table below outlines section-wise difficulty trends:
| Year | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
| 2024 | Moderate | Moderate–Difficult | Moderate | Moderate |
| 2023 | Moderate–Difficult | Easy–Moderate | Difficult | Difficult |
| 2022 | Moderate | Difficult | Moderate | Moderate–Difficult |
| 2021 | Moderate–Difficult | Difficult | Moderate | Moderate–Difficult |
Shift in Section-Wise Question Count
Reading Comprehension holds the highest weightage within VARC. DILR’s varying difficulty often influences overall percentile outcomes. QA shows a steady pattern. Arithmetic-based questions increased in recent years, accounting for 35–40% of the section. Algebra, geometry, and modern math follow.
CAT 2025 is expected to have 68 questions. These include both multiple-choice and non-MCQ types, distributed across the three sections. Each correct answer receives 3 marks. Incorrect MCQ responses incur a 1-mark penalty. Non-MCQs have no negative marking.
The CAT exam pattern underwent key structural changes over the past five years. In 2021, the paper had 66 questions: 24 for VARC, 20 for DILR, and 22 for QA. From 2023 onwards, the total count increased to 68. DILR questions rose to 22. The table below details these year-wise and section-wise changes:
| Details | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total Questions | 68 | 68 | 66 | 66 |
| VARC Questions | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
| DILR Questions | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| QA Questions | 22 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
| Duration (minutes) | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Notable Pattern Changes | DILR question increase, fixed section order | Slight increase in questions, stable time limit | Slight question redistribution, sectional limits | Major reduction in time and questions; sectional timing 40 mins |
Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis
From 2020 to 2024, the Reading Comprehension section formed approximately two-thirds of VARC. DILR evolved from data and reasoning sets to include more graph-based and Games and Tournaments questions.
Arithmetic remains the dominant area in QA, contributing around 40% of the section. Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Maths follow. The table below details section-wise and topic-wise CAT weightage:
| Year | VARC | DILR | QA |
| 2024 | RC 66.67%, Para Summary 12.5%, Para Completion 12.5%, Odd One Out 8.33% | Games & Tournaments 22.73%, Distribution 18.18%, Venn Diagrams 18.18%, Line & Bar Graphs 18.18% | Arithmetic 40.91%, Algebra 22.73%, Geometry 13.64%, Number System 9.09%, Modern Maths 9.09% |
| 2023 | RC 68%, Para Jumbles 12%, Para Summary 12%, Para Completion 4% | Tables/Graphs/Arrangements 100% | Arithmetic 41%, Algebra 32%, Geometry 18%, Number System 5%, Modern Maths 5% |
| 2022 | RC 67%, Para Jumbles 14%, Para Summary 13%, Para Completion 8% | Reasoning-based DI 47%, Tables/Graphs 53% | Arithmetic/Algebra 35–40%, Geometry 11%, Number Systems 18%, Modern Maths 8% |
| 2021 | RC 65%, Para Jumbles 15%, Para Summary 13%, Odd One Out 7% | DI 32%, Tables 35%, Games/Tournaments 7%, Ordering/Ranking 10%, Bar Graphs 13% | Arithmetic/Algebra 35–40%, Geometry 6–8%, Number Systems 14%, Modern Maths 5% |
| 2020 | RC 79%, Para Jumbles 11%, Para Summary 11%, Odd One Out 10% | Tables 47%, Reasoning DI 22%, Games/Tournaments 10%, Bar Graphs 8%, Venn 7% | Arithmetic 15%, Number Systems 26%, Geometry/Mensuration 9%, Modern Maths 8%, Algebra 12%, Time & Work 15% |
