Student reactions given to Collegedunia immediately after the CAT 2025 Slot 1 exam suggest that the paper was "moderate to difficult" with DILR being the toughest section.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode conducted slot 1 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.
Based on Collegedunia's analysis of on-ground feedback collected from test centres, the paper had 68 questions across three sections. Quant was relatively easier, while DILR was significantly challenging. VARC was moderate.
- VARC: Moderate difficulty level
- DILR: Reported as difficult by most students
- Quant: Easier compared to previous years, moderate overall
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Our analysis suggests most candidates are expecting percentiles in the 90-95 range.
Read on for a detailed section-wise analysis based on our student feedback data.
The CAT 2025 Question Paper with Solutions PDF (Memory-based) for slot 1 is available here for the candidates.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis
The overall structure of CAT 2025 Slot 1 maintained the traditional distribution between Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. Here's the comprehensive breakdown:
| CAT Sections | Number of Questions | Number of MCQ | Number of TITA Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 22 | 2 | Moderate & doable (lengthy RC options) | 10–12 (for average), 15+ for strong candidates |
| DILR | 22 | 14 | 8 | Moderate; 1 set easy, 1 moderate, 1 tough | 8–10 (average), 10–12 strong |
| QA | 22 | 16 | 6 | Moderate; Arithmetic-dominated | 11–12 (average), 15–16 strong |
| Total | 68 | 52 | 16 | Moderate (between 2023 & 2024) | — |
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Section-Wise Analysis
CAT 2025 Slot 1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- RC themes were NOT provided: keep topics as-is
- Difficulty: RC moderate/lengthy; VA very doable
- Para-Based Qs: 8 VA questions (para-jumble, summary, OOO)
| Passage Topic/Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| RC on Behavioural Economics | 6 (approx) | Moderate |
| RC on Streaming Culture | 6 (approx) | Moderate (lengthy options) |
| RC on Wildlife/Ecology | 6 (approx) | Moderate |
| RC on Art and Craftsmanship | 6 (approx) | Moderate |
| Para Completion | 0 (Not in CAT) | — |
| Para Summary | 2 | Doable |
| Odd One Out | 1 | Moderate |
| Para Jumble | 3 | 1 easy, 1 moderate, 1 tricky |
CAT 2025 Slot 1: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Slot 1 DILR featured one easy moderate arrangement set and one moderate distribution set, both highly scoring for prepared students.
- The trickiest sets were the Spider Graph and the Combination (4×3 / 5×2) logic set, which were time-consuming and best skipped by average candidates.
- No Venn diagrams or games/tournament sets appeared, making the section more focused on arrangements, distributions, and complex data interpretation.
| Topic/Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Market Analysis | 4–5 | Moderate / Tricky options |
| Venn Diagram (3 Parameters) | 0 (Not mentioned) | — |
| Distribution Problems | 5–6 | Moderate |
| Games and Tournaments | 0 (Not mentioned) | — |
| Arrangement Set | 5–6 | Easy–Moderate |
| Spider Graph | 4–5 | Moderate–Tough |
| Combination Set (4×3 / 5×2 logic)** | 4–5 | Tough |
CAT 2025 Slot 1: Quantitative Ability (QA)
- QA was Arithmetic-heavy with 8–9 easy–to–moderate questions, making it the most scoring area for well-prepared candidates.
- Algebra and Number Systems contributed moderate-level questions, while TSD was notably tricky, demanding careful calculation.
- Geometry, Modern Math, and Time & Work had low weightage and were mostly straightforward, helping boost accuracy-focused attempts
| Topic/Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic (SI/CI, Percentage, Profit & Loss) | 8–9 | Easy–Moderate |
| Algebra (Equations, Functions, Progressions) | 5–6 | Moderate |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 2–3 | Low weightage; Easy |
| Number Systems (Remainders, Divisibility) | 1–2 | Moderate |
| Modern Math (Permutation & Combination) | 1 | Moderate |
| Time-Speed-Distance | 1–2 | Tricky |
| Time and Work | 1 | Easy–Moderate |
Key Takeaways for Future Aspirants
With this CAT 2025 slot 1 analysis data, candidates will be able to:
- Evaluate Performance: Compare their attempts with good attempt benchmarks across sections
- Understand Difficulty Trends: Gauge whether the paper was easier or tougher than previous years
- Project Percentiles: Get a realistic estimate of the expected percentile based on accurate attempts
- Refine Strategy: Learn from the exam pattern for slots 2 and 3 or future CAT attempts
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