CAT Exam Analysis 2025: Slot 1 & 2 Section-wise Difficulty Level and Good Attempts

The CAT exam analysis 2025 for all the slots has been shared here. The Slot 1 exam is analyzed to be of moderate level. The Slot 2 exam was moderate to difficult. The Slot 3 was also moderately difficult. It is important to remember that the conducting body does not disclose any official CAT exam analysis.

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The first slot began at 8:30 AM and ended at 10:30 AM. In our review of the first CAT 2025 exam analysis, we discovered that the question paper was classified as simple to moderate in complexity. The majority of the questions in the VARC part focused on reading comprehension (RC), whereas arithmetic ruled the Quantitative Ability (Quants) section.

The second time slot was deemed significantly more difficult than the first. The final time slot was considered moderately difficult.

Read This:

CAT 2025 Slot wise Live Updates on Question Paper and Answer Key

CAT 2025 Section-wise Analysis

The CAT Slot 1 section wise analysis has been shared below.

Sections	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
VARC	Moderate	17-18
DILR	Moderate but Time Consuming	9-10
QA	Moderate to Difficult	13-14

Also Read: CAT Quantitative Aptitude Analysis 2025: Slot 1, 2, 3 Analysis

The CAT Slot 2 section wise analysis has been shared below.

Section	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
VARC	24	Easy-Moderate	18-20
DILR	22	Difficult	8-9
QA	22	Moderate-Difficult	13-14

The CAT Slot 3 section wise analysis has been shared below.

Section	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
VARC	24	TBA	TBA
DILR	22	TBA	TBA
QA	22	TBA	TBA

Also Read: CAT VARC 2025 Question Paper Review

Good Attempts and Percentile Target for CAT Slot 1 Exam 2025

As per the reviews shared by the test takers and subject experts, a good CAT score is expected to be between 44-50. An attempt with 45+ questions with good accuracy will place the students in the 99+ percentile list. However, things may change a bit after the CAT normalization process.

CAT 2025 Section wise Difficulty Level

The CAT Exam 2025 was held on Nov 30, 2025. We have shared the CAT difficulty level 2025 for all the sections below for your reference. The given information is based on the test takers reviews and subject experts.

CAT Sections	CAT 2025 Difficulty Level
CAT VARC	Moderate
CAT DILR	Difficult
CAT QA	Moderate
Overall Exam	Moderate to Difficult

CAT 2025 Section wise Ideal Good Attempts

After you have known the overall difficulty level of the CAT exam 2025, you must also know what is a good cat score 2025 and what must be your ideal number of questions attempted in the exam to score good. The section wise ideal attempts for CAT 2025 have been shared below for your convenience.

You must prepare for each section accordingly. You are also advised to give your 100% to the section which is your most strongest to manage your marks there.

CAT Exam Sections	Total Questions	Ideal Attempts 2025
CAT VARC	24	18-20
CAT DILR	22	13-15
CAT QA	22	16-18

Also Read

CAT Last 5 Year Exam Analysis: Slot wise

You must also go through the CAT previous 5 years of exam analysis to get an idea of the CAT section wise difficulty level and ideal attempts. This will help you understand what to expect in the upcoming CAT exam.

CAT 2024 Paper Analysis

The CAT 2024 Exam was held on Nov 24, 2024 in three slots. The detailed CAT exam analysis for all the slots has been shared below.

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Analysis

CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis 2024
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	Moderate
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Difficulty Level	Moderate
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Difficulty Level	Moderate to Difficult
Quantitative Aptitude Difficulty Level	Moderate
Was Slot 1 Question Paper Lengthy?	Moderate
Total number of good attempts	VARC: 19-20 questions DILR: 8-10 questions Quant: 10-13 questions
List of Important Topics asked in the exam	QUANT : Arithmetic, Simple Interest, Geometry , Numbers , Area of graph VARC : Lengthy RC, Para summary, Odd one out, Fill in the blanks DILR : 1 Stock Market-based Set, 1 Games and Tournaments-Based Set, Candle stick, Formula-based questions, Table questions

CAT Exam Slot 1 2024 Section Wise Analysis

The exam had multiple choice questions from different sections such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

CAT Sections	Total Questions	Difficulty Level
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	Moderate to Difficult
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	Easy to Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	Easy to Moderate
Overall	66	Moderate

Cat Slot 2 Paper Analysis 2024

The CAT slot 2 exam 2024 has concluded and the candidates can check the paper analysis in the sections below.

CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis 2024
Overall Difficulty Level of CAT Slot 2 Examination 2024	Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 2 VARC Section	Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 2 QA Section	Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 2 DILR Section	Moderate to Difficult
Number of Good Attempts (VARC Section)	12-14 questions out of 24 questions
Number of Good Attempts (QA Section)	14-15 questions out of 22 questions
Number of Good Attempts (DILR Section)	10-12 questions out of 22 questions
Topic-wise questions in QA section	Geometry (3) Number System (1) Average (1) SI/CI (1) TDSC (1) Time and Work (1) Profit and Loss (1) Mixture (1) TDSC (1) Modern Maths (1)
Students' Remarks on the Exam	The Slot 2 exam pattern is similar to Slot 1. In the Slot 2 examination, only the DILR section was lengthy. The English section was easy to moderate in difficulty. The Logical reasoning questions under the DILR section were difficult and lengthy. The Algenra part in Slot 2 was similar in difficulty to Slot 1.
More Updates on the Questions Asked	Remainder questions were very easy. The SICI question was similar to the CAT 2023 question. In RC, questions on technology, human rights, and colonisation were asked. There was one question on 'h base' on the Ratio topic. A question on a right-angled triangle was asked in coordinate geometry. The question and the value questions were similar to the CAT 2023 question. There was one question asked on inverse proportionality (time is inversely proportional to speed) for the Speed, Distance and Time topic. In the VARC section, questions on colonisation, scientists, and physicists, and spices, states of India have been asked. In DILR, there was a question asked on '3 people named Dhiraj, Saman, Nitesh, visited 3 counties....'. A question was asked on 'Fill 10 numbers in a grid' in the DILR section. This was a very easy question for students. There was an arrangement question (10 players, 3 coaches) in LR. It is similar to PYQ. A bubble graph question in DI was asked.
Important Topics Asked in Slot 2	QUANT: Profit and Loss, Coordinate Geometry, Remainder, Logarithm, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Speed, Distance and Time, Number System, Ratios, Mixture, Time and work, Function, Ages VARC: Odd one out, Para completion, Para summary, RCs, True or false, Critical Reasoning DILR: Reading-based puzzle, Average based graph, Percentage, Taxes, Daily average. Mod bar graph, Bubble chart, Training schedule, Puzzle, Candlestick chart

CAT Slot 2 Paper Analysis 2024: Section Wise

The section-wise details of the CAT slot 2 Exam 2024 have been shared below for reference.

Section No.	Section Name	Duration	MCQs	TITA	Total
I	VARC	40 min	22	2	24
II	DI and LR	40 min	12	10	22
III	QA	40 min	14	8	22
Total		120 min	46	22	68

CAT Slot 3 Paper Analysis 2024

The CAT slot 3 Exam 2024 concluded at 6:30 p.m. The details for the candidates who took the exam are in the table below.

CAT Exam Slot 3 Paper Analysis 2024: Section-wise

The section-wise details of the CAT exam slot 3 2024 are shared below.

CAT Slot 3 Paper Analysis 2024
Overall Difficulty Level of CAT Slot 3 Examination 2024	Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 3 VARC Section	Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 3 QA Section	Moderate to Difficult
Overall Difficulty Level of Slot 3 DILR Section	Easy to Moderate
Number of Good Attempts (VARC Section)	14-15 questions out of 24 questions
Number of Good Attempts (QA Section)	8-12 questions out of 22 questions
Number of Good Attempts (DILR Section)	13-14 questions out of 22 questions
Topic-wise questions in QA section	Algebra (7) Arithmetic (8) Geometry (3) Number System (4) Modern Math (1)
Students' Remarks on the Exam	For many candidates, the Quant section ranged from moderate to difficult. However, for students who were well-prepared in this area, they considered it to be the easiest set of Quant questions in recent years. In the slot 3 exam, only the Quant section was lengthy.
More Updates on the Questions Asked	For RC, 5 sets were there where the topics were based on languages, artificial intelligence (AI), literary culture, government policies related to liquor, and space exploration (NASA, Mars colonisation)
Important Topics Asked in Slot 3	QUANT: Trigonometry, Geometry, Logarith, SDT, Work, Profit and Loss VARC: Fill in the blanks, AI, ChatGPT, Para jumbles, Forecasting, Odd one out, Para summary, Para completion DILR: Varignon principle, Line chart, Bar chart,

CAT Slot 3 Ideal Attempts 2024

Based on the reviews and the unofficial exam analysis, the ideal CAT score for slot 3 is as follows:

Section	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
VARC	24	Moderate to Challenging	12-16
DILR	22	Moderate	12-14
QA	22	Moderate to Challenging	9-12
Total	66	Moderate to Challenging	32-36

CAT 2023 Exam Analysis

The CAT 2023 Exam was held on Nov 26, 2023. Based on the CAT review, the overall difficulty level of the CAT slot 1 exam was moderate. In comparison, CAT slots 2 and 3 were considered moderately difficult.

CAT 2023 Exam Analysis Slot 1

CAT 2023 slot 1 analysis was released after the exam is conducted. Candidates can find the in-depth exam analysis for CAT 2023 slot 1 paper.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Topics with High Weightage
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate	-
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Moderate to Easy	Passage Literature
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Moderate to Difficult	Mean, Median, Mode Arrangement Puzzle
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Moderate to Easy	Algebra (6-7 Questions) Coordinate Geometry Functions P&C Number System Time and Work Profit-Loss Arithmetic (8-9 Questions) Geometry (Triangle, Quad, Circle) Clock (Angle-Based)

CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 2

CAT 2023 slot 2 was conducted from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. The following table is updated with CAT 2023 slot 2 analysis.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Topics with High Weightage
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate to Difficult	-
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Moderate	Passage Literature
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Difficult	Mean Mediam Mode Percentage Arrangement Puzzle
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Moderate to Difficult	Algebra (5-6 Questions) Coordinate Geometry ( 2 Questions) Sequence ( 2-3 Questions) Number System (1 Question) Time and Work Profit-Loss Arithmetic (6-7 Questions) Geometry (Triangle, Quad, Circle) Clock (Angle-Based)

CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 3

Slot 3 CAT 2023 exam was held from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The following tabular entails a detailed CAT 2023 slot 3 analysis.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Topics with High Weightage
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate to Difficult	-
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Moderate	Colonialism and Pollution Rationalization Romanticism History Para jumbles Parasummary Para Completion
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Moderate to Difficult	Routes and Network Contradictory Conditions Grouping, Students, Project Scores, and Test Scores
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Moderate to Difficult, Lengthy	Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Numbers/Miscellaneous

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis

The CAT 2022 Exam was held on Nov 27, 2022. The slot wise exam analysis has been shared below for your convenience.

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 1

CAT 2022 slot 1 was conducted on Nov 27, 2022, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, by IIM Bangalore. Here is the in-depth CAT 2022 exam slot-by-slot analysis.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Topics with High Weightage	Ideal CAT Score
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate	-	98 (An ideal score of 99%ile)110 (An ideal score of 99.5%ile)
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Easy to Moderate	RC passages, Summary based questions	40-42
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Easy to Moderate	No questions on bar graphs and pie charts, Logical Reasoning had a higher weightage	28-30
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Moderate to Difficult	Arithmetic	36-38

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 2

CAT 2022 slot 2 was conducted on Nov 27, 2022, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, by IIM Bangalore. Here is the in-depth CAT 2022 exam slot-by-slot analysis.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Ideal CAT Score
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate to Difficult	97-99
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Moderate	37-39
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Easy to Moderate	27-30
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Difficult	40-42

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 3

CAT 2022 slot 3 was conducted on Nov 27, 2022, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, by IIM Bangalore. Here is the in-depth CAT 2022 exam slot-by-slot analysis.

CAT Features	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Topics with High Weightage	Ideal CAT Score
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam	66	Moderate to Difficult	-	93-95
Difficulty Level of VARC	24	Moderate to Difficult	Para jumbles Summary Para completion	40-42
Difficulty Level of DILR	20	Moderate to Difficult	Computer Science-Ratios Covid Cases Blue & pink- male female-graph	26-27
Difficulty Level of QA	22	Moderate	Arithmetic Algebra	30-33

CAT 2021 Exam Analysis

The CAT 2021 Exam was held on Nov 28, 2021 by IIM Indore. COVID guidelines were followed strictly during the examination.

Section-Wise Breakdown Of The CAT 2021 Slot 1 Exam

Below is a breakdown of the number of questions asked concerning the time given for the three sections of CAT slot 1 exam 2021.

Sections	No. of questions	Difficulty level	Marking Scheme	Score for 99%ile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	Moderate	+3/-1 (For MCQs) +3/-0 (For Non-MCQs)	37-39
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	Easy		40-42
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	Moderate to Difficult		27-30
Sections (Total)	66	Moderate to Difficult		Approximately: 96-99

Section-Wise Breakdown Of The CAT 2021 Slot 2 Exam

Below is a breakdown of the number of questions asked to the time given for the three sections of CAT slot 2 exams 2021.

Sections	No. of questions	Difficulty level	Marking Scheme	Score for 99%ile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	Easy	+3/-1 (For MCQs) +3/-0 (For Non-MCQs)	37-39
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	Moderate		39-42
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	Difficult to Moderate		29-32
Sections (Total)	76	Moderate		Approximately: 96-99

Section-Wise Breakdown Of The CAT 2021 Slot 3 Exam

Below is a breakdown of the number of questions asked with respect to the time given for the three sections of CAT Slot 3 Exam 2021.

Sections	No. of questions	Difficulty level	Marking Scheme	Score for 99%ile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	26	Moderate	+3/-1 (For MCQs) +3/-0 (For Non-MCQs)	36-39
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	Moderate		34-37
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	Easy-Moderate		30-33
Sections (Total)	76	Moderately Difficult		Approximately: 93-97

CAT 2020 Paper Analysis

The CAT 2020 Exam was held Nov 29, 2020. CAT Paper Analysis 2020 states that the exam had a 120 minutes total time restriction and was divided into 40 minutes for each section. The CAT marking scheme was not changed.

Some of the important points related to the CAT paper analysis of 2020 are as follows.

The VARC portion had 26 questions
The DILR section contained 24 questions
The QA section of CAT 2020 had 26 questions
The RC questions dominated the VARC segment. There were two DILR sets in the DILR section.

According to CAT Paper Analysis 2020, the questions in the QA part were mostly from Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, and Modern Math.

CAT Sections	Time Duration	Total Questions	Ideal Attempts
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	40 Minutes	40-42	26
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	40 Minutes	32-34	24
Quantitative Ability (QA)	40 Minutes	46-48	26
Total	120 Minutes	105-110	76

Related Links:

CAT Mock Tests 2025	CAT Exam Preparation Tips 2025
CAT Admit Card 2025	CAT Exam Pattern 2025

Conclusion

The CAT exam analysis will help you understand the paper pattern and the expected difficulty level of each section. It is one of the best ways to prepare for the exam to score better.