CAT 2024 Slot-wise Detailed Analysis (Slots 1, 2, 3), Paper Pattern, Difficulty Level, & Good Attempts

CAT 2024-25 Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

• The CAT 2024-25 question paper was rated as moderate in difficulty. Traditionally, the second session is the toughest, but this year’s paper was slightly easier than previous years.
• The VARC section was dominated by Reading Comprehension (RC) questions.
• The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section featured a majority of questions from Arithmetic and Algebra.
• The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section included questions in structured sets.

CAT 2024-25 Sectional Breakdown

CAT 2024-25 Exam Pattern: Overview

Slot-Wise CAT 2024-25 Analysis

Slot 1: Sectional Breakdown

• VARC: Topics included Utility & Human Economics, Entertainment/Netflix, Australian Spices, and Craftsmanship. The RC passages were easy, with 4 questions per passage. Additional questions in Parasummary, Odd Sentence, and Sentence Completion were also straightforward.
• DILR: Sets included Candlestick-Shares Based, Games and Tournament, Bar Graph-Blogger Based, and Caselet-Percentage Based.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Topics covered Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Modern Math, and geometry-related concepts like Circle and Coordinate Geometry.

Slot 2: Sectional Breakdown

• VARC: Four passages on Spice Trade, Unintended Consequences of Technology, Peer Review of Research, and Carnivore-Human Conflict were present, each with 4 questions. VA included 2 Parasummary, 2 Odd Sentence, and 3 Para Completion questions.
• DILR: Sets included Bar Graph - Frequency Distribution, Scatter Plot, Grid Based Arrangements, Roots and Network, and Data Arrangement. These questions were moderately difficult.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Key topics included Remainder, Logarithms, Sequence & Series, Functions, Inequalities, and time-and-work-based problems.

Slot 3: Sectional Breakdown

• VARC: Topics in RCs included Impact of AI, Languages, Chinese Moutai, and Outer Space Exploration. VA questions were similar to Slot 2 but had slightly tougher passages.
• DILR: Sets included Bar Graph-Nutrient–Food Grain, GDP, AC Temperature, OTT, and ATM Network. This section had 22 questions in total and was moderately difficult.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Topics covered were similar to earlier slots, including Maxima Minima, Polygon, and Integer Solutions.

CAT 2024-25 Score vs Percentile Table

CAT 2023 Exam Comparison

In 2023, the overall paper structure was consistent with CAT 2022, though Slot 3 was tougher than Slots 1 and 2. Across all three slots, the QA section was notably the most challenging.

CAT 2024-25 Slot 3 Detailed Analysis

The following table provides a section-wise breakdown of the CAT 2024-25 Slot 3 exam, highlighting the number of questions, difficulty levels, and good attempts:

Key Highlights of CAT 2024-25 Slot 3

• The pattern of Slot 3 mirrored that of Slot 1, with both being easier than CAT 2023.
• The VARC section lacked para jumbles, consistent with earlier slots, but was slightly more challenging than Slot 1 and 2.
• Difficulty levels across sections were ranked as follows:
  • VARC: Slot 3 < Slot 2 = Slot 1
  • DILR: Slot 3 = Slot 2 < Slot 1
  • QA: Slot 3 < Slot 2 = Slot 1
• The QA section, surprisingly, was the easiest, a departure from previous years.

CAT 2024-25 Slot 2 Detailed Analysis

Key Highlights of CAT 2024-25 Slot 2

• Slot 2 followed a pattern similar to Slot 1 and was easier than the CAT 2023 paper.
• VARC in Slot 2 lacked para jumbles, maintaining consistency with Slot 1.
• DILR featured 3-4 doable sets and was easier than Slot 1.
• QA was straightforward and comparable to Slot 1 but easier than CAT 2023.

CAT 2024-25 Slot 1 Detailed Analysis

Key Highlights of CAT 2024-25 Slot 1

• Slot 1 was straightforward compared to CAT 2023, especially in VARC and DILR.
• VARC and DILR sections were easy to moderate, with most questions being manageable.
• QA had slightly more challenging questions but was still accessible with good preparation.

CAT 2024-25 Expected Cut Off

• An applicant has to meet specific minimum CAT cut-off scores; otherwise, he/she will not be considered for an MBA. 

• A candidate must also clear the sectional cut-off in CAT to be selected for the WAT-PI round of MBA Institutes. 

•  Each IIM has fixed its benchmark, and the standard CAT cut-offs for top IIMs are as follows: General Category – 98-100 percentile. 

•  Thus, IIM cut-offs for reserved category students are comparatively lower, ranging from 95 to 98 percentiles. 

•  Top MBA colleges such as FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and others have their cut-offs for admission ranging between 90 to 99 percentiles. 

•  There are two types of CAT cut-offs for IIM admissions: There are two processes that are commonly embraced: the qualifying cut-off and the final cut-off. 

•  The preliminary qualifying cut-off is published before the CAT result; the final cut-off is released during short-listing for PIs. 

•  The final cut-offs of CAT are not disclosed by IIMs and are restricted to the candidate login interface. 

•  Other institutes admitting the candidates based on CAT scores also have minimum standards below which the candidates are not selected. 

Factors Influencing CAT 2024-25 Cut-Off Scores

The CAT 2024-25 cut-offs are set by various IIMs and business schools, considering multiple predetermined factors. Here are the primary factors:

1. Exam Difficulty Level - Whether the exam is easy, moderate, or difficult.
2. Total Number of Test Takers - For CAT 2024-25, there are 1,90,143 registered candidates.
3. Reputation of Institutes and Seat Availability - Demand for admission at prestigious IIMs and the seats available.
4. Previous Year’s Cut-Off Trends - Prior year cut-off scores are considered as a reference for setting the current year’s cut-off.

Tips for Time Management in CAT 2025

Time management is one of the most crucial skills required to crack the CAT exam, especially with the 40-minute sectional time limit for each of the three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Effective time allocation and strategic question selection can significantly boost your performance. Here are some actionable tips to master time management for CAT 2025:

1. Prioritize Easier Questions First

Within each section, all questions carry equal marks, but not all questions require equal effort. Identifying and attempting the easier questions first can maximize your score without wasting valuable time on complex problems. Here's how:

• Read All Questions Quickly: Spend 2-3 minutes scanning through the questions to identify the ones you're confident about.
• Flag the Tricky Ones: Mark challenging or time-consuming questions to revisit later if time permits.
• Don't Get Stuck: If you're stuck on a question for more than 2 minutes, move on. You can always come back later.

2. Practice Regularly with Mock Tests

Mock tests are the backbone of your CAT preparation. They simulate the actual exam environment, helping you build speed, accuracy, and confidence. Here’s how you can use them effectively:

• Analyze Performance: After every mock test, thoroughly analyze your performance. Focus on identifying patterns in mistakes and improving weak areas.
• Time Yourself: Practice solving sectional tests within the 40-minute limit to develop a natural sense of pacing.
• Recreate Exam Scenarios: Take mock tests at the same time as your actual CAT exam slot to train your body and mind for peak performance during that window.

3. Tailor Time Allocation to Your Strengths

Not every aspirant has the same strengths and weaknesses. Customize your approach based on where you excel and where you need improvement:

• VARC: Focus on comprehension passages that are easy to understand first. Allocate extra time for critical reasoning questions if they are your strength.
• DILR: Choose the sets that appear the most straightforward and solve them first. Avoid sets that seem too convoluted on the first read.
• QA: Identify your strong topics, such as arithmetic or algebra, and attempt these questions first before moving on to less familiar topics.

4. Master Shortcuts and Tricks

Time management often boils down to efficiency. Learning shortcuts and tricks for Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning can save precious seconds. Some tips include:

• Quantitative Ability: Familiarize yourself with Vedic math techniques and approximation methods for faster calculations.
• DILR: Practice visualizing data and using elimination techniques for logical reasoning questions.
• VARC: Develop skimming strategies to quickly understand the gist of reading comprehension passages.

5. Maintain a Steady Rhythm

Time pressure can often lead to panic, causing you to rush through questions or skip important details. To maintain a steady rhythm:

• Use the On-Screen Timer Wisely: Divide the 40 minutes into smaller time slots. For instance, allocate 20 minutes for solving your top-priority questions and 15 minutes for medium-difficulty questions. Use the remaining time to revisit flagged questions.
• Practice Deep Focus: Train yourself to stay calm and concentrated through consistent practice, even under time constraints.

6. Leverage Previous Year Question Papers

Previous CAT papers provide invaluable insights into the exam's structure and level of difficulty. Here’s why you should prioritize them:

• Identify Trends: Understand which topics are frequently tested and focus your preparation accordingly.
• Refine Strategy: Practice past papers under timed conditions to refine your time management approach.
• Boost Confidence: Familiarity with question patterns can reduce surprises on exam day.

7. Avoid Burnout

Effective time management during preparation is as important as during the exam. Here's how to ensure your efforts are sustainable:

• Plan Study Sessions: Create a realistic daily schedule that balances study time with breaks.
• Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise can improve focus and reduce stress.
• Sleep Well: Adequate sleep is essential for memory retention and peak mental performance.