CAT 2025 Slot-1 Analysis
Section Breakdown, Difficulty Level & Expected Percentiles
The CAT 2025 examination was conducted on 30 November 2025, in line with its traditional schedule on the last Sunday of November. The test was administered across three slots, and this year’s exam was conducted by IIM Kozhikode. In this post, we present a comprehensive CAT 2025 Exam Analysis, including the overall difficulty level, slot-wise comparison, section-wise breakdown, and expected percentiles. CAT 2025 followed the established structure of 120 minutes, divided into the three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA with a marking scheme of +3/–1 for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and +3/0 for Type in the Answer (TITA) questions. Notably, there were no changes in the exam pattern compared to CAT 2024. The exam was conducted in three sessions: Morning (Slot 1), Afternoon (Slot 2), and Evening (Slot 3). This analysis offers an in-depth evaluation of all three slots and is based on first-hand exam experience from GradSquare mentors Kushal Bohra, Richard and Ajay Zener, who appeared for Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 respectively.
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis: Table of Contents
CAT 2025 Slot -1 Analysis
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis: The CAT 2025 examination began with the morning session at 8:30 AM, marking the official start of this year’s testing cycle. GradSquare’s founders, Varun Krishnan and Kushal Bohra, took Slot-1 themselves, enabling a precise, ground-level assessment of the paper’s design and difficulty.
One of the most noticeable changes in the CAT 2025 paper structure appeared in the VARC section, where two TITA-based parajumble questions were introduced. This modification altered the internal composition of the Verbal Ability portion, making the distribution of question types different from previous years. The DILR section shifted more heavily toward Logical Reasoning compared to CAT 2024, with a reduced emphasis on Data Interpretation. Although the section was perceived as relatively tougher, all sets were reported to be solvable with a systematic approach. The QA section displayed a clear dominance of Arithmetic and Algebra, which together formed the bulk of the section. Geometry and the remaining quantitative topics accounted for fewer than seven questions, continuing the trend of CAT leaning toward fundamentals rather than niche chapters.
Overall, CAT 2025 Slot-1 was distinctly more challenging than the 2024 edition. For those scheduled to attempt Slot-2 and Slot-3, a strategic first scan of both the DILR and QA sections is strongly recommended to quickly identify the most accessible questions before committing time to any set or topic. Based on the difficulty observed and feedback from multiple GradSquare aspirants, a performance of 40–45 attempts across sections, with around 70% accuracy in VARC and approximately 90% accuracy in DILR and QA, would position a candidate comfortably above the 99th percentile.
This detailed CAT 2025 Slot-1 Analysis is intended to help afternoon and evening slot test-takers anticipate the structure and difficulty level of the paper.
| Section | Questions | MCQ | TITA | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 22 | 2 | 40 mins | 72 |
| DILR | 22 | 12 | 10 | 40 mins | 66 |
| QA | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 mins | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 48 | 20 | 120 mins | 204 |
CAT 2025 Slot -1 Analysis: Type of Questions
The CAT 2025 Slot-1 had a good mix of MCQs and TITA questions, with the paper containing 50 MCQs and 18 TITA questions overall. The rise in non-MCQ questions was primarily because of the VARC section, where the inclusion of two parajumble questions increased the TITA count.
In DILR, the time constraint played a major role; although the sets were approachable, most candidates found that realistically only two sets could be solved comfortably within the 40-minute window. Meanwhile, the QA section, though conceptually manageable, required significant computation. A large portion of the problems demanded extensive number-crunching, making the efficient use of the on-screen calculator essential for maintaining speed and accuracy.
Overall, Slot-1 presented a balanced but demanding mix across sections, with each area testing a different aspect of exam strategy, from precision in VARC, to selection in DILR, to calculation management in QA.
| Section | Questions | MCQ | TITA |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 20 | 4 |
| DILR | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| QA | 22 | 16 | 6 |
| Total | 68 | 50 | 18 |
CAT 2025 Slot - 1 Analysis - Section-Wise
CAT 2025 VARC Slot - 1 Analysis
The VARC section in CAT 2025 Slot-1 had a difficulty level largely in line with CAT 2024, though its distribution of questions changed. Unlike previous years, Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability questions were intermixed throughout the section, preventing candidates from attempting VA questions first before tackling the RCs, a strategy many typically rely on.
The Reading Comprehension component comprised four medium-length passages, each followed by four questions. Although the passages were accessible to read, the accompanying questions required high-order inference, critical-reasoning application, and careful option elimination. One question even tested pure vocabulary. Well-prepared candidates with strong reading skills reported being able to attempt most of the 16 RC questions.
The range of topics was broad, covering:
Statistics – deviation from normal distribution during COVID and its economic consequences
Economics – benefits and drawbacks of income inequality
Law – legal perspectives related to mental illness
Music – the evolution and nature of electronic music
In the Verbal Ability section, a notable shift from last year was the inclusion of two TITA parajumble questions, increasing the TITA count and redistributing the VA question mix to two each from Parajumbles, Para Completion, Para Summary, and Odd Sentence Parajumbles. This made the VA portion moderate to difficult, demanding accuracy and strong comprehension.
Overall, CAT 2025 Slot-1 delivered a moderately challenging VARC section, with the VA component tipping toward the tougher side. A candidate attempting around 22 questions with approximately 75% accuracy would position themselves comfortably around the 99th percentile in this section.
| Topic | Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 (4 x 4) | Moderate |
| Para Completion | 2 | Moderate |
| Summary Based Questions | 2 | Moderate |
| Parajumbles | 2 | Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Parajumbles | 2 | Moderate |
| Passages | Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Music | 4 | Moderate |
| Statistics - Complex Systems | 4 | Moderate |
| Income Inequality | 4 | Moderate |
| Legal System & Mental Illness | 4 | Moderate |
| Overall | 16 | Moderate |
CAT 2025 DILR Slot - 1 Analysis
The Quantitative Aptitude section in CAT 2025 Slot-1 presented a higher level of challenge compared to the previous year’s exam. The distribution of questions was heavily concentrated in the familiar areas of Arithmetic and Algebra, which together accounted for 17 of the 22 questions, approximately 10 from Arithmetic and seven from Algebra. This ensured that most of the section was drawn from topics that candidates typically prioritize during preparation.
In contrast, Geometry contributed only three questions, while the remaining two were sourced from Modern Mathematics and other miscellaneous areas. The Arithmetic problems—covering chapters such as Profit & Loss, Ratios, Time–Speed–Distance, Mixtures, Time & Work, Averages, and Simple & Compound Interest—were conceptually easier but often computation heavy. These questions primarily assessed conceptual understanding and the ability to apply fundamental concepts across diverse scenarios. The Algebra portion included questions on linear equations, inequalities, logarithms, quadratic functions, and sequences & series. Topics usually seen in previous CAT papers, such as remainders, cyclicity, HCF & LCM, and other number-system–based concepts were completely absent this year.
Given that nearly half the section was built around Arithmetic, students with a solid foundation in this domain found the QA portion comparatively manageable. There were no difficult questions, making the overall section moderate in difficulty. Many well-prepared candidates comfortably attempted 8–10 questions, while stronger test-takers reported achieving 12–13 attempts. Success in QA this year depended heavily on question selection. Aspirants appearing for Slot-2 and Slot-3 are advised to prioritize solvable problems, refrain from spending more than four minutes on any single question and make use of the on-screen calculator for longer computations. Additionally, it is crucial to scan the entire section, as few “sitter” questions were located toward the end.
Considering the difficulty profile of the paper, an attempt of 12–13 questions with roughly 90% accuracy is expected to yield 30–33 marks, a score strong enough to secure 99 percentiles in the CAT 2025 Slot-1 QA section.
| Topic | Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Tarriff Percentage Graph (DI) | 4 | Easy |
| People Asking Questions (LR) | 4 | Moderate |
| Circular Arrangement (LR) | 4 | Tough |
| Rating of Employees (LR) | 5 | Moderate |
| Train Ticket (LR) | 5 | Moderate |
CAT 2025 QA Slot - 1 Analysis
In the CAT Slot-1 Analysis for 2025, the Quantitative Aptitude section emerged as noticeably easier than the previous year, offering a greater number of approachable questions across topics. Arithmetic dominated the section, contributing more than ten questions. These were largely straightforward yet calculation-heavy, covering familiar areas such as Ratios, Profit and Loss, Time–Speed–Distance, Mixtures and Solutions, Time & Work, Averages, and Simple & Compound Interest. Students widely reported that most of these could be solved efficiently using the calculator along with clear conceptual understanding.
The Algebra portion included questions on linear equations, inequalities, logarithms, quadratic functions, and sequences & series. Geometry had fewer questions this year, and pure number-system questions were entirely absent. There was also only one question from Permutation and Combination.
Thanks to this favourable distribution, overall attempts in QA were higher than in recent years, with many candidates managing 10–12 quality attempts. This once again highlighted how crucial it is to master core arithmetic concepts, which continue to serve as the backbone of CAT’s quantitative reasoning.
Accuracy remained the key differentiator. Since CAT consistently rewards precision over mere speed, candidates with strong fundamentals and disciplined accuracy were best positioned to maximize their scores. An attempt of 12–13 questions with around 90% accuracy would likely yield 30–33 marks and secure a 99 percentile in CAT 2025 Slot-1.
| Topic | Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 10 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 7 | Moderate |
| Geometry | 3 | Moderate |
| Others | 1 | Easy |
| Modern Mathematics | 1 | Easy |
CAT 2025 Slot - 1: Overall Analysis
CAT 2025 Slot-1 presented a moderately challenging paper that clearly favoured candidates who had prepared consistently and developed strong fundamentals across all three sections. The exam maintained a balanced structure, with no section containing unusually difficult or unmanageable questions. Among the three areas, Quantitative Aptitude was marginally more approachable, owing to a higher proportion of Arithmetic problems—an area that typically benefits well-practiced test-takers.
Based on the section-wise difficulty and extensive student feedback collected across centres, the estimated score requirements for achieving the 99th percentile in each section are as follows:
VARC: Approximately 40–42 marks
DILR: Approximately 26–28 marks
QA: Approximately 30–33 marks
Taking the overall difficulty into account, a total score of around 91 marks or higher is expected to place a candidate at or above the 99th percentile in CAT 2025 Slot-1.
CAT 2025 Slot -1: Score Vs Percentile
| Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9%ile | 54 | 42 | 42 | 120 |
| 99.5%ile | 45 | 36 | 33 | 99 |
| 99%ile | 41 | 28 | 30 | 88 |
| 98%ile | 36 | 24 | 27 | 73 |
| 95%ile | 30 | 21 | 21 | 63 |
| 90%ile | 25 | 18 | 18 | 51 |
| 85%ile | 21 | 15 | 15 | 43 |
| 80%ile | 18 | 12 | 12 | 38 |
| 75%ile | 15 | 9 | 9 | 30 |
CAT 2025 Slot - 1 Video Analysis
Watch the CAT 2025 Slot-1 Analysis video by GradSquare Mentor Kushal Bohra, who appeared for the first slot of CAT 2025 at the Chennai test centre. In this detailed breakdown, Kushal shares exclusive insights drawn from his own test-taking experience, offering a clear and structured CAT 2025 Exam Analysis. The video covers section-wise difficulty levels, question patterns, smart attempt strategies, and key takeaways that will help aspirants understand the depth and nuances of the CAT 2025 Slot-1 paper.
FAQ's About CAT 2025 Exam Analysis
How difficult was CAT 2025 compared to CAT 2024?
CAT 2025 was similar to that of CAT 2024 across most slots. VARC in particular was a bit more difficult, while DILR was more LR based and solvable, and QA ranged from moderate to easy depending on the slot.
Were there any major changes in the CAT 2025 exam pattern?
CAT 2025 followed the same pattern as CAT 2024—three sections (VARC, DILR, QA), 120 minutes, +3/–1 marking for MCQs and +3/0 for TITA. However, there were two parajubles question in the VARC section. The DILR section was LR heavy as compared to last year.
How many attempts are needed for 99 percentile in CAT 2025?
Based on student feedback and slot-wise analysis, approximately:
Slot-1: 40–45 attempts
Slot-2: Awaited
Slot-3: Awaited
Final percentile may slightly vary due to normalization across slots.
What was the difficulty level of the sections in CAT 2025?
VARC and DILR sections were moderate, and QA section was moderate to easy.
What was the ideal number of attempts in DILR for 99 percentile?
Across slots, 9–10 questions with 90% accuracy was considered sufficient for the 99th percentile.
How many questions came from Arithmetic in QA?
More than 10 questions were from Arithmetic in CAT 2025, making it the dominant area.
Is CAT 2025 normalization expected to be strict?
Yes. Because the difficulty varied across slots, especially in VARC, normalization will play a major role in adjusting final percentiles.
What score corresponds to 85 percentile in CAT 2025?
Using a normal distribution fit from the score vs percentile table, 85 percentile ≈ 50+ marks.
What score corresponds to 75 percentile in CAT 2025?
A score of 37+ marks should be 75 percentile in CAT 2025.
Where can I watch the CAT 2025 video analysis?
Each slot breakdown is covered by GradSquare mentors:
Slot-1 – Kushal Bohra
Slot-2 – Richard
Slot-3 – Ajay Zener
Videos are linked in the respective sections of this page.
How reliable is this CAT 2025 analysis?
This analysis is based on first-hand exam experience from mentors who took all three slots and aggregated feedback from multiple test-takers, making it one of the most accurate breakdowns available.
