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The CAT 2025 Slot 1 analysis covers section-wise difficulty levels, topic-wise question distribution, and memory-based questions across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Explore the detailed analysis below to understand important question trends and prepare effectively for CAT 2026, scheduled for November 29, 2026.
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CAT 2025 Slot 1 featured 68 questions across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Check the section-wise analysis below for difficulty levels, important topics, and question distribution.
Particulars | Details |
Exam date | November 30, 2025 |
Exam timing | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
Total questions | 68 |
VARC questions | 24 |
DILR questions | 22 |
QA questions | 22 |
Total duration | 120 minutes |
Conducting IIM | IIM Kozhikode |
CAT 2026 exam date | November 29, 2026 |
The Quantitative Aptitude section featured 22 questions across Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Mathematics. The overall difficulty level was moderate, with most questions testing conceptual understanding rather than lengthy calculations. Arithmetic and Algebra were relatively balanced, making the section manageable for candidates with strong fundamentals. In Geometry, one question focused on the difference between the diagonals of a rhombus.
The topic-wise distribution of questions was as follows:
Surds and Indices: 1 question
Coordinate Geometry: 2 questions
Quadratic Equations: 1 question
Logarithms: 1 question
Profit and Loss: 2 questions, covering Marked Price and Investment
Mixtures and Alligation: 1 question
Permutation and Combination: 1 question
Time and Work: 1 question
Time, Speed, and Distance (TSD): 1 question
Linear Equations: 2 questions
The major section was arithmetic, followed by algebra. The other questions were from number system, modern mathematics and geometry.
Total Questions: 24 questions.
Reading Comprehension (RC): 16 questions across four RC passages.
Verbal Ability (VA): 8 questions, including:
2 Para Jumbles
2 Para Summary questions
2 Para Completion questions
2 Odd Sentence Out questions
Difficulty Level: Moderate.
RC Difficulty: Passages focused on inference-based reading and comprehension rather than dense or complex language.
VA Difficulty: Questions were relatively direct and manageable for candidates familiar with paragraph structure, logical flow, and sentence cohesion.
Total Questions: 22 questions across five sets.
Set-wise Distribution: Three sets had four questions each, while two sets had five questions each.
Most Challenging Set: A combination of radar chart and bar chart questions requiring multi-layer data interpretation.
Comparatively Easier Set: A spider or radar chart-based set.
Circular Arrangement: One set involved six rounds and five questions, testing logical sequencing and arrangement skills.
Other Topics Covered: Percentage changes, import taxes, ratios, and train ticketing data.
Question Types: The sets combined arithmetic calculations, data interpretation, and logical reasoning.
Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult, with set selection, time management, and data interpretation skills playing a crucial role.
Analyse slot-wise question distribution and topic weightage from CAT 2025 to identify important topics and plan a focused CAT 2026 preparation strategy.
After the CAT 2024 Slot 1 exam wrapped up, students noticed a few clear shifts compared to the previous year’s Slot 1 paper. While the overall schedule followed the usual pattern, the question paper itself showed some changes in structure and distribution. These tweaks made the CAT 2024 Slot 1 exam notably different from 2023, setting the stage for an interesting and insightful analysis.
There were 68 questions in the CAT 2024 slot 1 examination, as compared to 66 in the CAT 2023 slot 1 question paper.
There were 5 sets of questions in the DILR section, as compared to 4 sets in the CAT 2023 slot 1 question paper.
The quantitative aptitude section was observed to be easier than the slot 1 CAT 2023 question paper.
The RC passages were lengthy but doable for most of the students.
There were no questions on para jumbles in the VARC section of the CAT exam.
The level of the TITA questions had increased slightly.
In VARC, the questions were in jumbled order.
The CAT 2024 slot 1 analysis helps the candidates to understand the overall picture of the CAT 2024 slot 1 examination. The CAT 2024 slot 1 question paper highlights key trends and patterns observed during the morning session. Given below is the CAT sectional analysis based on the initial data available from both the students and the faculty. Insights into the CAT 2024 slot 1 paper provide valuable input for candidates appearing in the upcoming slots.
The CAT 2024 VARC section featured four Reading Comprehension passages, covering diverse subjects with varying difficulty levels. The table below highlights the passage topics, question distribution, and difficulty level.
Passage | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
RC 1: Digital Rights (DVD vs Blu-ray) | 4 | Easy |
RC 2: Craftsmanship | 4 | Easy to Medium |
RC 3: Bandicoots & Australia | 4 | Medium |
RC 4: Economics-Based Passage | 4 | Medium |
All four passages carried equal weightage, with four questions each. Candidates could prioritize easier passages first and manage their time based on their reading speed and comprehension skills.
The Verbal Ability section consisted of eight questions across three question types: Paragraph Completion, Summary, and Odd Sentence Out. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the question types and their difficulty levels.
Question Type | No. of Questions | Type | Difficulty Level |
Verbal Ability (Overall) | 8 | MCQ & TITA | Overall: Medium |
Paragraph Completion | 3 | MCQ | Easy to Difficult |
Summary | 3 | MCQ | Moderate to Difficult |
Odd Sentence Out | 2 | TITA | Easy to Moderate |
The VARC section in CAT 2024 Slot 1 brought a few unexpected changes. Notably, there were no Para Jumble questions this year, which caught many students by surprise. Instead, the section focused on areas like fill-in-the-blanks, summary-based questions, and paragraph completion. According to student feedback, the overall difficulty ranged from easy to medium, making the section fairly manageable. The Slot 1 analysis also sheds light on how these tweaks shaped the test-taking experience for candidates.
The first RC, centred on digital rights and the shift from DVDs to Blu-rays, was considered quite simple and easy to follow.
RC 2 and RC 3 fell into the medium-difficulty zone, requiring a bit more careful reading and understanding.
Paragraph completion included a mix of easy and tricky questions, while summary and odd-sentence-out items leaned toward moderate difficulty.
Overall, the absence of Para Jumbles stood out as a key change in this year's VARC section.
The CAT 2024 Slot 1 DILR section featured five sets covering Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR), with questions ranging from easy to difficult. The table below presents the topic-wise distribution, question formats, and difficulty levels.
Topic | Question Title | Number of Questions | Question Type | Level of Difficulty |
DI | The stock price of 7 different stocks | 4 | 3 MCQs, 1 TITA | Easy |
DI | 3 people travelling to different countries | 4 | 2MCQs,2 TITA | Moderate |
DI | DI based on two candidates contesting in an election | 5 | 4MCQs,1 TITA | Difficult |
LR | LR on Tournaments and Teams | 5 | 5 TITA | Moderate |
LR | Web surfers had to assign thirty stars | 4 | 3 MCQs, 1 TITA | Easy-Moderate |
In the DILR section, the candidates were asked 3 questions from the Data Interpretation section, followed by 2 questions from the Logical Reasoning section. The difficulty, as per the responses, is medium. There was a sum-based Logical Reasoning question. As highlighted in the CAT 2024 slot 1 analysis, these questions were part of the CAT 2024 slot 1 question paper, adding a balanced challenge to the CAT 2024 slot 1 paper for candidates in the morning session.
The easiest among all the Data Interpretation questions was the stock price of seven different companies. Per day price movement of the companies was given, and the computations had to be made based on it. The formula given in the question had to be used to find the answer.
The DI question based on three people travelling to different countries was of moderate level difficulty. Some data was given in the form of a bar graph and points. Number handling was involved in this question.
The DILR question on the election was observed to be the one with the highest difficulty because it was lengthier. It had 5 questions.
The LR question was based on games and tournaments. It had incomplete information which had to be identified by the candidate. It was a pure TITA set.
The question Web surfers had to assign thirty stars was again of easy to moderate level. This was also a pure TITA set.
Area | Number of Qs |
Arithmetic | 8 |
Algebra | 8 |
Geometry | 2 |
Modern Maths | 3 |
Numbers | 1 |
In the quantitative aptitude section, the majority of questions were asked from the algebra and arithmetic sections. The difficulty level of the section has reduced considerably when compared with the CAT 2023 slot 1 question paper. There were 2 questions from geometry and one from sets. The candidates also received one question from Arithmetic Progression.
There were no lengthier questions, and it was very balanced when compared to the 2023 slot 1 question paper.
The maximum questions were asked from arithmetic and algebra alone.
There were 2 questions from Geometry, 1 from sets and permutations and combinations.
1 question each from mixture and allegations, time and work, time, speed and distance were asked.
The CAT 2023 slot 1 question paper had one question from ratio and proportion quantitative aptitude topic.
This year, a few major changes were observed in the CAT 2024 exam. There was an addition of two questions in the DILR section and there were a total of 5 DILR sets in the CAT 2024 Question Paper and earlier it used to be 4 DILR Sets in total. So from this year, the CAT exam pattern 2024 has been changed.
Section as per IIM CAT Exam Pattern 2024 | Total Questions | Allotted Time | Allotted Time for PwD Students |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 Minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 Minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Total | 68 | 120 Minutes | 160 minutes |
If the candidate requires more detailed insights into the CAT 2024 slot 1 examination, they can further download the detailed ebook curated by the experts of Careers360. It has in-depth analysis and more detailed information on the CAT 2024 slot 1 examination and can be really helpful for the candidates.
TITLE | DOWNLOAD LINK |
CAT SLOT 1 ANALYSIS |
This section provides direct access to the CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF, allowing aspirants to review previous year questions, analyze patterns, and practice effectively for upcoming CAT exams. It includes all sections with answers for comprehensive preparation.
TITLE | DOWNLOAD LINK |
CAT 2024 QUESTION PAPER |
Prepare smarter for CAT 2026 with carefully selected eBooks covering important topics, practice questions, shortcuts, and revision strategies.
eBook Title | Download Link |
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15 CAT Myths That Waste Months of Preparation | |
8 Expert-Curated Philosophy Editorials with CAT-Style Questions | |
CAT Quant PYQs- Complete 5-Year Question Bank (2021 - 2025) PDF | |
CAT 2026: AI VS Coaching - Which is Better | |
CAT DILR PYQs Complete 5-Year Question Bank (2021 - 2025) | |
CAT VARC PYQs- Complete 5-Year Question Bank (2021 - 2025) PDF | |
CAT RC 2026: 12 Tones That Can Change Your Answer | |
CAT 2026: 10 Most Repeated Concepts in Quant | |
CAT Time & Work: Top 30 Practice Questions with Answer Key & Detailed Solutions | |
CAT Quadratic Equations: Top 30 Practice Questions with Answer Key & Detailed Solutions | |
Top 25 Reading Comprehension Passages to Practice for CAT 2026 | |
CAT 2026 VARC SAMPLE PAPER | |
CAT 2026 DILR SAMPLE PAPER | |
CAT 2026 Quant SAMPLE PAPER | |
CAT 2026 Last 2 Months Revision Plan PDF |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CAT 2026 is the Common Admission Test conducted by the IIMs for admission to top MBA and management programmes across India. It’s the most widely accepted exam for Tier-1 and Tier-2 B-schools.
CAT is conducted by one of the IIMs every year on a rotational basis. The organising IIM for 2026 will be IIM Indore with the official notification.
The paper has three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section has a fixed time limit, and the total duration is 2 hours. The number of questions may vary slightly each year.
A mix of MCQs and TITA (non-MCQ) questions across all three sections. The difficulty level typically ranges from moderate to high.
As per students, the CAT 2023 paper was the toughest one. IIM Lucknow has set the CAT 2023 question paper.
As per the CAT 2024 student's reaction, CAT slot 3 was moderately difficult.
Candidates can crack CAT 2026 on the first attempt if they have analysed the CAT exam pattern, have a determination and covered all the important topics of the CAT exam. Practising sample papers and CAT mock tests are also important.
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