CAT 2025 Exam Analysis & Papers with Answer Key and Explanations – Predict Your CAT Score & Percentile
MBA Entrance | IIM Admission | CAT 2025 Preparation | Slot-wise Analysis | Score Predictor | Expected Percentile | B-school Admission Strategy
Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, conducted for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and top MBA colleges in India, has concluded across three slots. Every year, CAT sets the benchmark for management entrance exams, assessing candidates’ ability in VARC, DILR, and QA through a time-bound and high-pressure testing format.
With the completion of all three slots, MBA aspirants are now eagerly looking for:
- CAT 2025 overall & slot-wise exam analysis
- Difficulty level breakdown
- Sectional trends
- Memory-based question papers
- Answer key & explanations
- Expected score vs percentile prediction
- Cut-off expectations for IIMs and top B-schools
This detailed article by The Prayas India provides the most comprehensive and student-friendly breakdown of CAT 2025 to help aspirants evaluate their performance and plan the next steps in their MBA journey.
CAT 2025 Exam Overview
The CAT 2025 exam was conducted in three slots across India in a computer-based format. While the format remained unchanged from the previous year, the difficulty distribution varied across slots, particularly in DILR and QA.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern Overview
| Section | Total Questions | MCQs | TITA | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 20 | 4 | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 11 | 11 | 40 minutes |
| QA | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 45 | 23 | 120 minutes |
The structure followed the standard pattern of:
- No negative marking for TITA
- Strict sectional time limits
- Moderate to high difficulty in DILR & QA
CAT 2025 Score Scaling
CAT 2025 Overall Difficulty — Summary
Overall Difficulty Level (All Slots)
| Slot | Difficulty Level | Key Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | Moderate | Balanced paper; QA calculation-heavy; DILR tricky in parts |
| Slot 2 | Moderate–Difficult | QA tougher; DILR time-consuming; VARC slightly dense |
| Slot 3 | Moderate | Similar to Slot 1; DILR relatively balanced |
Key conclusion:
CAT 2025 was moderately difficult, with QA and DILR determining the overall score percentile conversion.
4. Slot-Wise Exam Analysis (VARC | DILR | QA)
Slot 1 Analysis
VARC – Moderate
- RC passages were readable but required careful inference.
- VA questions included:
- Parajumbles
- Paragraph completion
- Summary
- Odd sentence out
- TITA questions were tricky due to ambiguity.
DILR – Moderate to Difficult
- 5 sets total
- 2 sets were manageable; others were calculation-heavy
- Many students struggled with:
- Circular arrangement
- Mixed puzzles
- Multi-step DI computation
QA – Moderately Difficult
- Algebra and Arithmetic dominated
- Calculation intensity was high
- Geometry questions required strong conceptual clarity
Slot 2 Analysis
VARC – Moderate to Slightly Difficult
- Passages were dense; higher reading load
- Inference-based questions dominated
- VA section had tricky sentence arrangement tasks
DILR – Time-Consuming
- While sets were structured, they required time to decode
- Students with strong conceptual approach had advantage
- Bar graphs and scheduling sets were doable
QA – Difficult
- Most students reported QA as the toughest section of the slot
- Heavy arithmetic + algebra
- TITA questions increased exam pressure
Slot 3 Analysis
VARC – Moderate
- Balanced difficulty
- Paragraph jumbles returned
- RC questions were direct but options were close
DILR – Moderate
- Slightly easier than Slot 2
- Logical puzzles solvable with time management
QA – Moderate to Difficult
- Similar to Slot 1
- Algebraic simplification & arithmetic series questions
- Modern math questions were unexpectedly tricky
Section-Wise Detailed Analysis
VARC Section Breakdown
Reading Comprehension
- 4 passages × 4 questions each
- Themes included:
- Social psychology
- Technology & society
- Economic behaviour
- Literature / philosophy
- Question types:
- Inference
- Author’s tone
- Central idea
- Strengthen/weaken
Verbal Ability
- Focus on logical coherence
- Parajumbles (TITA) again proved difficult
- Summary questions were moderate
DILR Section Breakdown
Structure
- 5 sets
- 2 sets had 5 questions
- 3 sets had 4 questions
Common themes across slots
- Bar graph with constraints
- Seating arrangement
- Currency exchange puzzle
- Clustering data reasoning
- Multi-step DI
- Combination of logical + numerical patterns
Trend: DILR continues to be the “deciding section” for CAT rankers.
QA Section Breakdown
Topic Distribution (Combined across all slots)
| Topic | Expected Qs |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 7–8 |
| Algebra | 4–5 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 |
| Number System | 2–4 |
| Modern Math | 3–4 |
Trend: QA was tougher than CAT 2024, with a clear shift toward calculation-heavy questions.
Expected Score vs Percentile (All Slots Combined)
(Based on comparative difficulty & normalisation trends)
Overall CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Predictor
| Percentile | Expected Score Range |
|---|---|
| 99.9% | 118 – 124 |
| 99.5% | 100 – 106 |
| 99% | 86 – 92 |
| 98% | 75 – 82 |
| 95% | 63 – 70 |
| 90% | 50 – 54 |
| 80% | 37 – 40 |
| 70% | 28 – 32 |
Section-Wise Score vs Percentile Prediction
VARC
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 99% | 48–51 |
| 95% | 36–38 |
| 90% | 27–30 |
DILR
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 99% | 34–36 |
| 95% | 26–28 |
| 90% | 20–22 |
QA
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 99% | 38–41 |
| 95% | 30–32 |
| 90% | 22–24 |
9. Expected Cut-Offs for IIMs & Top MBA Colleges
IIMs (General Category – Expected Percentile)
| Institute | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 98.5+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 98.5+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 97+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97+ |
| IIM Indore | 97.5+ |
Tier-1 Non-IIMs
| Institute | Expected Cut-off |
|---|---|
| FMS Delhi | 98–99 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 96–97 |
| SPJIMR (Profile-based) | 92–95 |
| IIT Bombay SJMSOM | 96+ |
| NITIE | 96–98 |
How to Use CAT 2025 Analysis to Predict Your MBA Admissions
Step-by-Step Guide
- Calculate expected raw score using answer key
- Estimate percentile using tables given above
- Check sectional percentiles
- Match with college eligibility criteria
- Prepare your B-school list (Dream + Target + Safe)
- Start preparing for GD–PI–WAT immediately
The earlier you begin your admission strategy, the better your outcomes.
Why The Prayas India is the Most Trusted Platform for CAT Aspirants
The Prayas India provides:
✔ Expert-Led CAT 2025 Analysis
Accurate, data-backed slot-wise breakdown.
✔ Question Paper + Answer Key Solutions
High-quality explanations prepared by domain experts.
✔ Score & Percentile Predictor Tools
Student-friendly prediction based on real-time difficulty mapping.
✔ GD–PI–WAT Training for IIM Calls
Structured sessions to help you convert top B-school interviews.
✔ CAT 2026 Preparation Programs
Special batches for retakers or fresh aspirants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will the official CAT 2025 answer key be released?
Usually within 7–10 days after the exam.
Q2. Can I challenge the CAT 2025 answer key?
Yes. IIMs allow objections with a fee during the official challenge window.
Q3. How accurate are memory-based answer keys?
They are useful for score estimation but official keys should be considered final.
Q4. Does CAT normalization affect my score?
Yes. Percentile is calculated after adjusting slot-wise difficulty.
Q5. What is a safe score for 99 percentile in CAT 2025?
Around 86–92 marks (depending on normalization).
Q6. What should I do after checking my expected percentile?
Begin preparing for GD–PI–WAT and shortlist colleges accordingly.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 was a moderately difficult exam, with DILR and QA emerging as the most decisive sections. While all three slots maintained a consistent pattern, subtle differences will influence percentile normalization.
Whether you are targeting IIMs, FMS, MDI, or IITs, the next step is planning your admission strategy and preparing for GD–PI–WAT.
For personalized counseling, mock interviews, and expert guidance —
The Prayas India is here to help you every step of the way.
