CAT 2025 Exam Analysis: Section-Wise Review, Difficulty Level, and Last Year’s Comparison

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has successfully conducted the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, with the exam held across three slots on the same day. Slot 1 began at 8:30 am and concluded at 10:30 am, followed by Slot 2 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and Slot 3 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Out of 2.95 lakh registered candidates, approximately 2.58 lakh appeared for the test, resulting in an overall attendance of around 86 per cent. CAT 2025 followed the standard marking scheme: three marks for a correct answer, minus one for an incorrect one, and no negative marking for unattempted questions.

The exam comprised 66–68 questions across three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Experts suggest that the exam’s increased difficulty, particularly in DILR and QA, is likely to produce tighter score ranges across percentiles compared to previous years.

Overall Difficulty Level: Tricky and Slightly Tougher Than Last Year

Initial analyses indicate that CAT 2025 was slightly tougher than its 2024 counterpart, particularly in Slot 1. Gautam Puri, Co-founder and MD of Career Launcher, described the first slot as “quite tricky,” with DILR emerging as the most challenging section. VARC and QA largely mirrored the previous year’s pattern, though careful question selection and time management were emphasized.

Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director at T.I.M.E., confirmed that no major changes were made to the exam pattern. The total number of questions remained at 68, divided evenly across the three sections, each allocated 40 minutes:

VARC Section Analysis: Manageable But Demanding

The VARC section consisted of 24 questions—4 Type In The Answer (TITA) and 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Experts observed that the section was similar in difficulty to last year. Reading Comprehension passages were dense but mostly centered on core ideas, making the questions solvable with careful reading.

The four RC passages in Slot 1 covered:

• Income Inequality & Economic Growth
• Electronic Music
• Law & Mental Health
• Noise & Social Order

Verbal Ability questions included:

• 2 Para Formation questions (returning after a gap)
• 2 Para Summary questions
• Sentence Placement questions
• Para Odd One Out questions, where candidates eliminated the odd statement and arranged the remaining logically

Experts rated the VA subsection as moderately difficult, with a few challenging items requiring extra thought. Overall, VARC was considered manageable for well-prepared candidates.

DILR Section Analysis: The Most Challenging Part of Slot 1

The DILR section contained 22 questions, 11–12 of which were TITA. Experts noted that attempting around 10 questions correctly would be considered a strong performance.

The section comprised five sets:

According to T.I.M.E., the Spider + Bar set was the most approachable, whereas the other sets were time-consuming and moderately difficult. Attempting multiple challenging sets in succession significantly increased time pressure. The section required strategic prioritization, making it the trickiest part of Slot 1.

QA Section Analysis: Balanced but Requires Accuracy

The QA section had 22 questions and was consistent with the previous year in terms of pattern and difficulty. Questions primarily focused on Arithmetic and Algebra, supplemented by Geometry, Numbers, and Modern Math. No unexpected topics appeared in the exam.

Experts recommended around 11–12 solid attempts as decisive for percentile outcomes. The section involved a mix of straightforward and multi-step questions, demanding careful calculation and accuracy under time constraints.

Slot 1 vs. Slot 2: Comparative Difficulty

Preliminary student feedback suggests that Slot 1 was “slightly more difficult” than last year’s corresponding slot, particularly in DILR. Experts anticipate that the elevated difficulty levels across slots may result in tighter score ranges for CAT 2025, particularly in DILR and QA.

The consistent pattern across slots ensures fairness, but subtle variations in question difficulty are expected to influence percentile calculations. Students attempting later slots may face equally challenging questions, keeping the overall competitive landscape intense.

Student Perspective: Slot 1 Experience

Kunal Roy, a candidate from eastern India, shared his experience:

• VARC: Passages appeared dense but were manageable; the return of Parajumbles was welcomed. Overall, the section was moderate in difficulty.
• QA: Mostly number-based, with Geometry being easier; multi-step problems required attention but were solvable.
• DILR: The most difficult section, demanding significant time. Logical Reasoning sets were tougher than Data Interpretation ones, aligning with expert opinions.

Roy’s observations mirror expert analyses, confirming that careful question selection and strategic time management were essential for success in Slot 1.

Implications for Percentiles and Result Trends

With the completion of Slot 3, experts expect tighter percentile bands in CAT 2025, particularly in DILR and QA. Candidates who manage accuracy and attempt the right number of questions in these sections are likely to secure higher percentiles.

VARC is expected to have a slightly wider scoring distribution, as its moderate difficulty allows for more consistent attempts. DILR and QA, with their elevated challenge levels, are likely to differentiate top performers more sharply.

Conclusion: CAT 2025 – A Competitive but Predictable Exam

CAT 2025 Slot 1 has been described as slightly tougher than last year, primarily due to a challenging DILR section. VARC and QA remained consistent with previous years, offering moderate difficulty with no surprises in pattern or topic.

Overall, the exam required a combination of speed, accuracy, and strategic question selection. With three slots now completed, experts predict that percentiles will reflect tight competition, rewarding candidates who approached the sections strategically.

For aspirants analyzing trends, CAT 2025 reinforces the importance of consistent preparation across all three sections, with DILR and QA being key differentiators for top percentiles.