CAT 2024-25 Question Paper PDF (Official): Download Previous 5 Years CAT Question Papers
Practicing CAT's previous year's question papers is crucial for achieving a high percentile. Familiarity with past CAT question papers can significantly enhance a candidate's performance. While preparing for CAT 2024-25, it is essential to refer to the previous year’s papers to gain insights into the types of questions asked and the topic-wise distribution of marks. This understanding can help candidates devise an effective exam strategy to maximize their scores. With CAT 2024-25 scheduled for November 24, 2024-25, now is the ideal time to incorporate practice with the previous year's question papers into the preparation plan.
CAT 2024-25 Question Paper
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is renowned for its high difficulty level compared to other MBA entrance exams. Over the years, despite changes in the exam pattern, the CAT has consistently presented challenging questions. To effectively prepare for the CAT 2024-25 exam, candidates should thoroughly review the official CAT previous year papers. This practice provides insights into the types of questions asked and the distribution of topics, enabling candidates to strategize their preparation by focusing on high-priority and high-scoring areas.
Importance of Solving Previous Year Papers
One of the key strategies for excelling in the CAT is solving the previous year's question papers. These papers help candidates become acquainted with the exam pattern and the various types of questions they might encounter, ranging from straightforward to complex and even unexpected ones. The optimal time for this practice is about a month before the exam, once candidates have completed their syllabus and a few mock tests. It is recommended that candidates solve at least the last five years' worth of CAT papers.
Recommended Practice for CAT Preparation
CAT toppers and mentors suggest solving a substantial number of mock tests during preparation. While some candidates may attempt 30-40 mock tests, others might go up to 80, depending on their preparation level and personal strategy.
Benefits of Solving CAT Previous Year Papers
- Understanding Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme: Previous year papers provide a clear understanding of the latest exam pattern and marking scheme.
- Improving Speed and Accuracy: Regular practice helps improve both speed and accuracy in answering questions.
- Enhancing Time Management Skills: Practicing under timed conditions helps candidates manage their exam time more effectively.
- Preparing for Various Question Types: Exposure to a variety of question types ensures candidates are well-prepared for any surprises in the exam.
- Resource for Reading Comprehension Practice: Previous year papers are excellent resources for practicing reading comprehension, a critical component of the CAT exam.
CAT Previous Year Question Papers PDFs
Below are links to the CAT question papers from various years, which can be extremely beneficial for practice:
- CAT 2023 Question Paper - Slot 1 (Official)
- CAT 2023 Question Paper - Slot 3 (Official)
- CAT 2022 Question Paper - Slot 1 (Official)
- CAT 2022 Question Paper - Slot 3 (Official)
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2020 Question Paper
- CAT 2019 Question Paper
- CAT 2018 Question Paper
- CAT 2017 Question Paper
When to Start Practicing Previous Year CAT Question Papers?
The ideal time to begin solving previous years' CAT papers is about a month before the exam date. With CAT 2024 scheduled for November 24, you should start practising these papers in October. By then, your CAT syllabus should be mostly covered, making it the perfect time to assess your readiness with real exam-style questions.
If you’re a repeat CAT taker, you can incorporate past papers and sample questions into your study routine while covering the syllabus. Since you’re already familiar with the core concepts, practising early can help you identify any areas that need improvement. After finishing a set of topics, attempt a CAT sample paper or mock test to gauge your progress.
Section-wise Breakdown of CAT 2024 Question Paper
- VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension): This section is expected to include about 12-14 questions based on Reading Comprehension (RC), while the rest will cover parajumbles and para summaries.
- DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning): In this section, there will likely be 10 questions on Data Interpretation and 10 questions on Logical Reasoning, often presented in sets of 3-4 questions each.
- Quantitative Aptitude: This section will probably have 8-10 questions from Arithmetic, with 2-3 questions from Algebra, and 1-2 questions from each of the remaining topics.
CAT 2023 Question Paper Overview
The CAT 2023 exam consisted of a total of 66 questions. The distribution across sections was consistent with prior years, with 24 questions in VARC, 20 questions in DILR, and 22 questions in Quantitative Aptitude. The overall difficulty level ranged from moderate to tough across different sessions. Reading Comprehension passages were moderately challenging, while some of the para summary questions were tricky. Below is a table summarizing the key aspects of the CAT 2023 paper:
CAT Sections | No. of Questions | Breakdown | Difficulty Level |
VARC | 24 | 4 passages (4 questions each), 2 parajumbles, 2 para summaries, 2 para completions, 2 odd-one-out questions | Moderate |
DILR | 20 | 4 sets (5 questions each) | Moderate to Difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 7 Algebra, 7 Arithmetic, 3 Geometry, 4 Number System, 1 Modern Maths | Difficult |
Total | 66 | -- | -- |
CAT Question Paper Pattern
The pattern of the CAT exam has seen several changes over the years. From 2014 to 2019, the paper consisted of 100 questions. This reduced to 76 questions in CAT 2020 and then to 66 questions in CAT 2021 and CAT 2022. CAT 2023 followed the same pattern as the previous year, and it is expected that CAT 2024 will also follow this structure.
The marking scheme, however, has remained constant over the past six years. Each correct answer is awarded 3 marks, while each incorrect multiple-choice question (MCQ) incurs a penalty of 1 mark. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions or Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. It is worth noting that before 2009, the CAT exam was conducted in an offline (pen-paper) format.
