Previous year papers
CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions
40 official CAT papers from 1991–2025, each with a solution to every question. Open any paper to see its section structure, its topic mix and a solved sample from every section. Then take the whole paper in a simulator that matches the real exam, and get a full analysis of where your marks went.
Papers from 2021 on are exactly as the IIMs set them. Earlier papers were longer than today's exam, so each is adapted to the current two-hour, three-section format. There are no papers from 2009 to 2016: the IIMs never released them (see the FAQ below).
Papers by year
CAT 2025
CAT 2024
CAT 2023
CAT 2022
CAT 2021
CAT 2020
CAT 2019
CAT 2018
CAT 2017
CAT 2003
CAT topic-wise weightage, 2017–2025
Average questions per paper from each topic, counted across the 22 papers of 2017–2025 on Catalyst, with every question tagged to one topic.
VARC · Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Topic | Per paper | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 17.1 | 71% |
| Verbal Ability | 6.9 | 29% |
DILR · Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
| Topic | Per paper | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 13.7 | 65% |
| Data Interpretation | 7.5 | 35% |
| Data Sufficiency | 0.1 | <1% |
QA · Quantitative Ability
| Topic | Per paper | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 9.2 | 42% |
| Algebra | 7.2 | 33% |
| Geometry | 3 | 14% |
| Number System | 1.7 | 8% |
| Modern Math | 0.9 | 4% |
CAT 2025 paper analysis
The 3 slots of CAT 2025 side by side: questions per section, how many were TITA (type in the answer, no options) and the topics that carried the most questions in each section.
CAT 2025 Slot 1
68 questions
- VARC · 24 questions · 4 TITA
- Reading Comprehension 16, Verbal Ability 8
- DILR · 22 questions · 11 TITA
- Logical Reasoning 18, Data Interpretation 4
- QA · 22 questions · 7 TITA
- Arithmetic 9, Algebra 6, Geometry 3
CAT 2025 Slot 2
68 questions
- VARC · 24 questions · 4 TITA
- Reading Comprehension 16, Verbal Ability 8
- DILR · 22 questions · 11 TITA
- Data Interpretation 13, Logical Reasoning 9
- QA · 22 questions · 9 TITA
- Arithmetic 9, Algebra 8, Geometry 3
CAT 2025 Slot 3
68 questions
- VARC · 24 questions · 4 TITA
- Reading Comprehension 16, Verbal Ability 8
- DILR · 22 questions · 11 TITA
- Data Interpretation 13, Logical Reasoning 9
- QA · 22 questions · 8 TITA
- Arithmetic 9, Algebra 7, Geometry 3
How the CAT pattern has changed since 2021
Questions per paper and per section in each year's official papers, exactly as set. A range means that year's slots differed. Earlier papers are adapted to today's format on Catalyst, so they are left out.
| Year | Slots | Questions | VARC | DILR | QA | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | 3 | 68 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 120 |
| CAT 2024 | 2 | 68 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 120 |
| CAT 2023 | 3 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 |
| CAT 2022 | 2 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 |
| CAT 2021 | 3 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 |
How to use CAT previous year papers
Solving papers builds speed. Reviewing them is what raises the score.
1. Sit the recent papers first, timed
Start with CAT 2025 and work back to CAT 2021 in the simulator, section timers on. Untimed practice hides the skill CAT actually tests: choosing what to leave.
2. Tag every question after you submit
Mark why each one went the way it did: a silly slip, a trap, a concept gap, running out of time or a lucky guess. It takes a few minutes and is what makes the analysis personal.
3. Read the analysis, not just the score
The Score Waterfall shows the marks that were within reach. The Topic ROI Map shows which topics to attempt first, which to attempt last and which to skip.
4. Fix one thing before the next paper
Pick the biggest leak, drill it, then sit the next paper and compare. Strategic IQ tracks whether your question selection is improving from test to test.
CAT previous year papers: FAQ
How many CAT previous year papers are on Catalyst?
Catalyst has 40 official CAT papers from 1991–2025, each with a solution to every question. Every paper page shows the section structure, the topics each section tested and a solved sample, and the whole paper runs in a simulator that matches the real exam.
Which CAT previous year papers should I solve first?
Start with CAT 2025 and work back to CAT 2021: these papers are in the exact format you will sit. Once they are done, use the older papers for extra practice on the topics your analysis shows you are losing marks in.
Why are there no CAT papers from 2009 to 2016?
The IIMs never officially released them. CAT moved online in 2009 and the questions from those years were kept confidential, so there is no official paper to practise from. Official papers resume from 2017.
Are CAT papers from 2020 and earlier still useful?
Yes. They test the same skills in reading, reasoning and arithmetic. On Catalyst each one is adapted to today's two-hour, three-section format, so you practise them under the timing you will face. Papers from 2021 on are kept exactly as set.
Can I take CAT previous year papers online in exam mode?
Yes. Every paper runs in a simulator with the real CAT interface, section timers and marking. After you submit, you get a solution to every question and an analysis of where your marks went: topics that cost you time, silly slips, traps and questions you should have skipped.