The Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) concluded across all examination slots without major technical issues. Test takers reported Slot 3 as the most challenging overall, particularly its Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section. Slots 1 and 2 offered smoother examination experiences.
Approximately 2.58 lakh candidates appeared for CAT 2025. This figure represents 86% of the 2.95 lakh registered and eligible candidates for the prestigious management entrance examination.
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025. The examination comprised three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam featured a total of 68 questions . This question distribution pattern remained consistent with the previous year’s exam format.
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| VARC | 24 |
| DILR | 22 |
| QA | 22 |
The CAT 2025 marking scheme awarded 3 marks for each correct answer. One mark deducted for every incorrect answer, emphasizing accuracy for candidates.
CAT 2025 Slot Analysis
Slot 1: Easy to Moderate
The first slot of CAT 2025 ran from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Many test takers termed this slot as easy to moderate. Students found the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section quite doable. However, the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section proved tricky, with arithmetic questions presenting particular challenges.
Slot 2: Moderately Difficult
Slot 2 took place from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Students considered this slot moderately difficult overall. Candidates observed the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section was tougher compared to Slot 1. Test takers reported the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section as easy. DILR included longer questions, while QA, though complex, remained manageable for many participants.
Slot 3: Most Challenging Overall
The final CAT 2025 slot occurred from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Students rated this slot from moderately difficult to challenging overall. The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section was predominantly identified as the most difficult part of the exam. It included 8–9 arithmetic questions, many involving heavy calculations. These factors made Slot 3 considerably tougher for test takers than both Slot 1 and Slot 2.
Within Slot 3, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section comprised 24 questions. It featured four Reading Comprehension (RC) passages. Two of these RC passages were rated difficult, while one was manageable. Verbal ability questions covered parajumbles, para summaries, odd-one-out, and para-completion formats.
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section in Slot 3 was labeled easy to moderate. Students generally found it manageable. This section presented a mix of question sets. These included circular arrangements, scatter-plot Data Interpretation (DI), dual sets, and call-based reasoning problems, offering varied logical challenges.