The CAT 2025 exam was conducted on November 30, 2025, in three slots across the country. Approximately 86% of the 2.95 lakh registered candidates appeared. The overall structure remained unchanged from 2024:
| Total questions: 68 |
| Total marks: 204 |
| Section-wise: VARC – 24 Qs | DILR – 22 Qs | QA – 22 Qs |
| Time per section: 40 minutes |
| Negative marking: –1 for MCQs, no negative for TITA questions |
| TITA questions: ~34% of the paper (23/24 questions) |
CAT Exam Overall Difficulty & Slot Comparison
| Slot | Overall Difficulty | Key Observation |
| Slot 1 | Moderate | Balanced, slightly lengthy RC, manageable DILR |
| Slot 2 | Moderate to Difficult | Toughest slot – time-consuming DILR & complex QA |
| Slot 3 | Moderate | Calculation-heavy QA, relatively easier VARC |
The paper was marginally tougher than CAT 2024. Slot 2 is expected to benefit the most from normalization.
Section-Wise Detailed Analysis of CAT 2025
VARC (24 Questions)
Structure across all slots:
- 4 Reading Comprehension passages → 16 questions
- 8 Verbal Ability questions (2 Para Jumbles TITA, 2 Odd Sentence TITA, 2 Para Summary MCQ, 2 Para Completion MCQ)
RC Passage Topics
| Slot | Passage 1 | Passage 2 | Passage 3 | Passage 4 | Difficulty |
| Slot 1 | complex systems | economic growth | mental disorders | Electronic music | Moderate-Difficult |
| Slot 2 | Unintended consequences of tech | Tribal art & cultural loss | AI ethics | Indian Forest Act 1982 | Moderate |
| Slot 3 | Ethics in AI | Socio-cultural evolution | Philosophy of history | Environmental policy | Easy-Moderate |
Key takeaways from VARC:
- Passages were 450–550 words, inference-heavy
- Direct vocabulary questions absent
- Para Jumbles returned after two years
- Good attempt: 14–17 questions (85%+ accuracy) for 90+ percentile
DILR (22 Questions – 5 Sets)
All slots had 5 sets: two sets of 5 questions each, three sets of 4 questions each. Around 11 questions were TITA which contributes around 50% of the section appeared as TITA.
Major DILR Sets
| Slot | Set Description | Questions | Difficulty | Doable |
| Slot 1 | Circular arrangement with conditions | 5 | Easy-Moderate | Yes |
| Scatter plot + table (data trends) | 4 | Moderate | Yes | |
| Incoming/outgoing calls matrix | 4 | Tricky | Partial | |
| Two interconnected puzzle sets | 5+4 | Moderate-Difficult | Yes | |
| Slot 2 | Network graph + scheduling | 5 | Difficult | No |
| Mixed DI-LR hybrid (multiple variables) | 4 | Very time-consuming | Partial | |
| Double puzzle set | 5+4 | Difficult | Partial | |
| Slot 3 | Spider chart + bar graph arrangement | 5 | Easy-Moderate | Yes |
| Circular arrangement | 4 | Easy | Yes | |
| Scatter plot based | 4 | Moderate | Yes |
Key DILR insights:
- Set selection was critical – 2–3 sets were clearly solvable in 40 minutes
- Logical Reasoning dominated over pure Data Interpretation
- Good attempt range: 9–13 questions (90% accuracy) for 95+ percentile
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
(22 Questions) Topic distribution across slots (average):
Arithmetic and algebra dominated this section in all slots, with moderate-to-high calculation loads and few surprises.
- Slot 1: 10 Arithmetic, 7 Algebra, 3 Geometry, 1 Modern Math, 1 Miscellaneous; most questions were moderate.
- Slot 2: Arithmetic ruled (>10 questions), Ratios, Profit & Loss, TSD, SI/CI; direct, highly accessible for those with strong basics.
- Slot 3: Calculation-heavy, dense algebra, largely arithmetic; benchmarks for good attempts (8–9) reflect the tougher difficulty.
Specific question themes observed: Arithmetic: Time-Speed-Distance, Work-Time, Mixtures, Percentages, Profit & Loss Algebra: Quadratic equations, functions, inequalities, logs Geometry: Triangles, circles, coordinate geometry Modern Math: Permutations, probability, set theory Numbers: Factors, remainders, HCF-LCM
Good attempt: 11–15 questions (80–85% accuracy) for 95+ percentile
CAT Expected Score vs Percentile (After Normalization)
| Percentile | Slot 1 Raw Score | Slot 2 Raw Score | Slot 3 Raw Score | Overall Good Attempts (85% accuracy) |
| 99.5+ | 102–108 | 97–103 | 100–106 | 50–54 |
| 99 | 95–100 | 90–95 | 93–98 | 46–50 |
| 95 | 78–85 | 73–80 | 76–82 | 40–45 |
| 90 | 65–72 | 60–67 | 63–70 | 35–40 |
| 85 | 55–62 | 50–57 | 53–60 | 30–35 |
Sectional 95+ percentile benchmarks: VARC: 42–48 marks DILR: 36–42 marks QA: 40–48 marks
What Should You Do After The CAT Exam?
Immediate Steps (December 2025)
- Use response sheet (released Dec 2–3) + official answer key (Dec 4–6) to calculate exact score
- Submit objections if any (window usually 2–3 days)
- Start filling application forms for non-IIM institutes (deadlines begin mid-December)
XAT: Free Mock
CMAT: Free Mock
MHCET: Free Mock
January – March 2026
- Prepare for Written Ability Test (WAT) & Group Discussion / Personal Interview (GD/PI)
- Common WAT topics expected: AI regulation, Climate change policies, Startup ecosystem, Work-from-home culture
- Build a strong 2-minute introduction and stay updated with current affairs
Expected Call Cut-offs for CAT Aspirants (General Category)
| Institute | Expected Overall Percentile | Sectional Requirement |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5+ | 80+ each |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ | 85+ VARC/DILR |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ | 85+ QA |
| IIM Lucknow | 97–98 | 85+ each |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97–98 | Balanced |
| FMS Delhi | 97–98 | No sectional |
| SPJIMR, MDI | 95–96 | Profile-based |
| IIM New Gen | 92–95 | Varies |
If You Score Below Expectations
| Score Range | Options Available |
| 80–90 percentile | Strong Tier-2 colleges (IMT, XIMB, new IIMs) |
| 70–85 percentile | Great Lakes, , GIM, FORE, KJ Somaiya |
| Below 70 | Consider XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT or retake CAT 2026 |
Final Thoughts About CAT Exam Analysis
CAT 2025 rewarded candidates who maintained speed with accuracy and avoided getting stuck on difficult sets or questions. The return of Para Jumbles, heavy reliance on logical reasoning in DILR, and calculation-intensive QA were the defining features this year.
Whether you are expecting 99+ percentile calls or planning a comeback next year, remember that one exam does not define your potential. Stay focused on the next phase — be it interview preparation or strengthening your profile for the following attempt.
Wishing every aspirant the very best for results and admissions ahead!
