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CAT Previous Year Question Papers 2017–2025: Download Slot-Wise PDFs
November 5, 2026
Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers (CAT PYQs) 2017–2025 in one place—organized year-wise and slot-wise. Use these PDFs to simulate real CAT mocks, understand section difficulty (VARC/DILR/QA), and track recurring question types.
Here are free, direct CAT PYQ PDF links from 2017 to 2025 organized year-wise and slot-wise. You’ll also find section-wise practice (VARC/DILR/QA), topic-wise PDFs, and a quick analysis framework to review mistakes and improve speed.
Quick answer: You can download CAT question papers for every slot from 2020 to 2025, plus selected slots from 2017–2019, from the tables below. CAT 2024 and CAT 2025 papers are the closest match to the current exam: 68 questions (VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22), 40 minutes per section, +3 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong MCQ, with no negative marking on TITA questions. CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026 and is being conducted by IIM Indore (check iimcat.ac.in for official updates).
Key Takeaways
- The page gives free PDF downloads of CAT Previous Year Question Papers from 2017 to 2025, arranged year-wise and slot-wise.
- Practising CAT PYQs helps you understand exam pattern + difficulty level + question trends in VARC/DILR/QA.
- You also get test links to attempt previous-year slots in an online test format (where available).
- There are section-wise downloads (QA/VARC/DILR) plus topic-wise formula sheets to target specific areas.
- The blog includes a CAT Previous Year Papers analysis table for 2015–2025 (questions, section split, and difficulty) to spot shifts and plan prep.
- CAT 2024 and 2025 had 68 questions; CAT 2021–2023 had 66; CAT 2020 had 76; CAT 2015–2019 had 100. Adjust attempt targets when you practise older papers.
This guide brings all CAT previous year papers to one place year-wise, slot-wise, section-wise, and topic-wise so you don’t have to hunt for PDFs on multiple websites.
CAT 2026 at a Glance (for PYQ Practice Planning)
| Detail | CAT 2026 |
|---|---|
| Conducting IIM | IIM Indore |
| Exam date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday), three sessions |
| Admit card | Available from 4 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, QA (in this order, 40 minutes each) |
| Last two years’ question count | 68 (VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22) – confirm the final CAT 2026 count on the day of the exam |
| Marking scheme (recent years) | +3 correct; −1 wrong MCQ; 0 for wrong TITA (non-MCQ); 0 for unattempted |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF Free Download Links [2025 - 2017]
Analyse and practice the questions from the CAT previous year papers pdf and the CAT exam sample papers, Last Year CAT question paper listed in the table below:
Download CAT 2025 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode on 30 November 2025 in three slots, with 68 questions per slot. Coaching analyses widely rated Slot 3 the toughest overall, with Slot 2 carrying a notably harder DILR section.
| CAT 2025 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2025 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2025 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2024 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2024 (IIM Calcutta) raised the paper from 66 to 68 questions by increasing DILR from 20 to 22 questions, arranged as three sets of 4 and two sets of 5.
| CAT 2024 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2023 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2023 (IIM Lucknow) had 66 questions per slot: VARC 24, DILR 20 (four sets of 5) and QA 22.
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2022 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2022 (IIM Bangalore) had 66 questions per slot. Its DILR section broke the usual four-sets-of-five structure with two sets of 6 and two sets of 4.
| CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2021 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2021 (IIM Ahmedabad) cut the paper from 76 to 66 questions (VARC 24, DILR 20, QA 22) and was held in three slots.
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2020 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) was the first three-slot CAT, with the duration cut from 180 to 120 minutes and 76 questions (VARC 26, DILR 24, QA 26).
| CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3 |
Download CAT 2019 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2019 (IIM Kozhikode) used the older format: 100 questions in 180 minutes across two slots.
| CAT 2019 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2019 Question Paper Slot 2 |
Download CAT 2018 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2018 (IIM Calcutta) had 100 questions in two slots.
| CAT 2018 Question Paper Slot 1 |
Download CAT 2017 Question Papers PDF
CAT 2017 (IIM Lucknow) had 100 questions in two slots and is especially useful for RC practice.
| CAT 2017 Question Paper Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2017 Question Paper Slot 2 |
Need solutions? Step-by-step solutions for recent papers are on our CAT question paper with solutions page, and you can check your answers against the CAT answer key.
Which CAT Previous Year Papers Should You Solve First?
Solve papers in order of how closely they match the current exam. The 2024 and 2025 papers share today’s 68-question structure, so they give the most realistic timing and attempt benchmarks. Older papers remain excellent for concepts and question types, but their timing and question counts differ, so use them for sectional or topic practice rather than full-length benchmarking.
| Priority | Papers | Why | How to use them |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAT 2025 and CAT 2024 (6 slots) | Same 68-question, 40-minute-per-section structure as the latest exams | Full 120-minute timed attempts, strictly section by section |
| 2 | CAT 2021–2023 (9 slots) | 66 questions; DILR has 20 questions instead of 22 | Full timed attempts; expect slightly more time per DILR set than in the current paper |
| 3 | CAT 2020 (3 slots) | 76 questions in 120 minutes, so the paper is denser than today’s | Sectional practice; compare accuracy, not raw attempts |
| 4 | CAT 2017–2019 | 100 questions in 180 minutes with 60-minute sections | Topic-wise and set-wise practice; RC passages are good for reading stamina |
CAT Exam Pattern Changes Year-Wise (2015–2026)
The CAT is conducted by a different IIM each year on rotation. The table below shows how the paper’s structure changed, which is why your attempt targets should depend on the year of the paper you are solving.
| Year | Conducting IIM | Slots | Total Qs | VARC / DILR / QA | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | IIM Indore | 3 | Confirm on exam day (68 in 2024–25) | — | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | 3 | 68 | 24 / 22 / 22 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2024 | IIM Calcutta | 3 | 68 | 24 / 22 / 22 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2023 | IIM Lucknow | 3 | 66 | 24 / 20 / 22 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2022 | IIM Bangalore | 3 | 66 | 24 / 20 / 22 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | 3 | 66 | 24 / 20 / 22 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2020 | IIM Indore | 3 | 76 | 26 / 24 / 26 | 120 min (40 min/section) |
| 2019 | IIM Kozhikode | 2 | 100 | 34 / 32 / 34 | 180 min (60 min/section) |
| 2018 | IIM Calcutta | 2 | 100 | 34 / 32 / 34 | 180 min (60 min/section) |
| 2017 | IIM Lucknow | 2 | 100 | 34 / 32 / 34 | 180 min (60 min/section) |
| 2016 | IIM Bangalore | 2 | 100 | 34 / 32 / 34 | 180 min (60 min/section) |
| 2015 | IIM Ahmedabad | 2 | 100 | 34 / 32 / 34 | 180 min (60 min/section) |
Download CAT Previous Year Questions for QA, VARC and DILR
You can expect similar CAT previous year papers questions to appear in the CAT entrance exam 2026. You can easily download the CAT last year question paper PDFs of the CAT exam sample questions for each section.
Boost your CAT preparation with our Free CAT Previous Year Question Papers and sample QA questions, tailored for effective practice. Download now to get insights into the CAT pyqs question pattern and improve your problem-solving speed.
Enhance your reading and verbal skills with free CAT previous papers for VARC. Download now to practice real CAT pyq pdfs and improve your ability to solve them.
Practice real questions and boost your reasoning skills with free CAT previous year papers for DILR. Download now to understand the CAT pyq pdfs types and improve your performance.
Download Topic-Wise CAT QA Formula Sheets PDFs below:
You can download topic-wise CAT Quant formula sheets from the section below. Revise the formulas for a topic first, then solve that topic’s questions from the previous year papers above. Choose a topic, download the sheet, and strengthen your preparation step by step:
| CAT Number System Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Arithmetic Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Number Theory Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Quadratic Equation Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Inequalities Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Logarithms, Surds & Indices Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Time, Speed & Distance Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Linear Equations Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Ratio, Proportion & Variations Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Simple Interest - Compound Interest Formula Sheet | |
| CAT Profit & Loss Formula Sheet |
CAT Previous Year Question Papers Overview
- The IIMs do not publish a public archive of CAT question papers. After each exam, candidates can view their own response sheet, the questions they saw and the provisional answer key through their login on iimcat.ac.in; the slot-wise PDFs available online, including the ones on this page, are compiled from these.
- The CAT previous year papers pdf free download cover Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. CAT does not have a General Knowledge or Current Affairs section; GK is tested in some other MBA entrance exams and in later admission rounds.
- The CAT answer key released by the officials can help you identify the correct solutions provided for all questions.
- Solutions for recent papers are available on our CAT question paper with solutions page to aid your preparation.
CAT Previous Year Question Papers: Year-Wise Analysis (2015–2025)
Solving CAT previous year papers is one of the most effective ways to understand the actual difficulty level, question trends, and time-management strategies required to score a high percentile. These CAT exam previous year papers and CAT solved question papers help you identify recurring topics in VARC, DILR, and QA while giving you real exam-level practice.
If you are preparing for CAT 2026, start by solving at least the last 5–10 years of CAT solved question papers under timed conditions. This will help you build exam stamina, improve accuracy, and understand how the exam pattern has evolved from the older 100-question format to the current 68-question format.
Difficulty ratings below are based on post-exam analyses by coaching institutes and student feedback; IIMs do not publish official difficulty levels.
| Year | Total Questions | Format / Slots | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall Difficulty | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | 68 | 3 slots | 24 Qs: 4 RCs (16 Qs) + 8 VA; para jumbles returned; generally the most scoring section | 22 Qs; mixed difficulty; 1–2 very hard sets; Slot 2 DILR rated toughest | 22 Qs; Arithmetic and Algebra dominant; Slot 3 QA rated toughest | Moderate to Moderately Difficult | VARC accuracy critical; DILR set selection decisive |
| CAT 2024 | 68 | 3 slots | 24 Qs; RC moderate; VA mix varied by slot | 22 Qs in 5 sets (3 sets of 4 + 2 sets of 5); time-consuming | 22 Qs; Arithmetic dominant; Algebra steady | Moderate | DILR increased from 20 to 22 Qs; DILR time pressure noticeable |
| CAT 2023 | 66 | 3 slots | 24 Qs: 4 RCs (16 Qs) + 8 VA (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out) | 20 Qs: 4 sets × 5 Qs (Games, Scheduling, Arrangement) | 22 Qs; Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Number Systems the main areas | DILR toughest | DILR highly complex; QA focus on Number Systems & Geometry |
| CAT 2022 | 66 | 3 slots | 24 Qs; easier than previous years | 20 Qs: 2 sets of 6 + 2 sets of 4; moderate | 22 Qs; moderate; more TITA questions | Moderate | 66-question format retained; increase in TITA in QA |
| CAT 2021 | 66 | 3 slots | 24 Qs; moderate to difficult | 20 Qs; moderately difficult | 22 Qs; easier than 2019–20 | Moderate | Questions reduced from 76 to 66; 40-minute sections continued from 2020 |
| CAT 2020 | 76 | 3 slots | 26 Qs | 24 Qs | 26 Qs | Varied by slot | COVID year; duration cut to 120 minutes (40 min per section); first three-slot CAT; normalization important due to slot variation |
| CAT 2019 | 100 | 2 slots; 3 sections (60 min each) | 34 Qs | 32 Qs; unconventional, tough | 34 Qs; very difficult | Very high | QA widely rated the toughest section of the paper |
| CAT 2018 | 100 | 2 slots; 3 sections (60 min each) | 34 Qs; moderate | 32 Qs; some very complex sets | 34 Qs; moderate | Moderate | Good for practicing high-volume format |
| CAT 2017 | 100 | 2 slots; 3 sections (60 min each) | 34 Qs; strong RC passages | 32 Qs | 34 Qs; moderately difficult | Moderate | Useful for VARC (RC quality) |
| CAT 2015–16 | 100 | 2 slots; 3 sections (60 min each) | Longer, abstract RCs | — | Concept-focused | Moderate | Excellent for QA & LR fundamentals; builds RC endurance; on-screen calculator introduced in 2015 |
Why Solve CAT Previous Year Question Papers?
- Solving CAT previous year papers is an important part of exam preparation.
- CAT question papers help you build your knowledge and understanding of the key topics and develop an effective strategy for tackling the exam.
- It also allows you to practice and familiarise yourself with the format and type of questions likely to appear in the actual CAT Exam.
- Practising CAT question papers helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and also helps you pinpoint areas that require more focused attention.
- Finally, by solving CAT previous year question papers you will understand the time management required to complete the exam successfully.
Check: Arithmetic Questions for CAT 2026
How to Attempt a CAT Previous Year Paper Like the Real Exam
A previous year paper only tells you something useful if you attempt it under exam conditions. Follow these rules for every full-length paper:
- Keep the real section order and timer. Attempt VARC, then DILR, then QA, with exactly 40 minutes each and no switching between sections, as in the actual exam.
- Solve on screen, not on paper. CAT is a computer-based test. Read passages on a screen and use only the basic on-screen calculator style of arithmetic.
- Score it with the real marking scheme. +3 for correct, −1 for a wrong MCQ, 0 for a wrong TITA. Track your net score, not just the number attempted.
- Analyse the next day. Spend at least as long reviewing a paper as you spent taking it. Re-solve every wrong and skipped question before reading the solution.
How to Analyse Your CAT PYQ Attempt (Error Log Template)
Write every wrong, skipped or slow question into an error log. After 5–6 papers, the patterns in this log show you exactly which topics and habits are costing marks.
| Column | What to record | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and question | Year, slot, section, question number | CAT 2024 Slot 2, QA Q14 |
| Topic | Topic and sub-topic | Arithmetic – Time, Speed & Distance (relative speed) |
| Outcome | Wrong / skipped / correct but slow (over 3 minutes) | Wrong |
| Reason | Concept gap, calculation error, misread question, poor selection, time pressure | Misread “opposite direction” |
| Fix | One concrete action | Underline direction words; solve 10 relative-speed PYQs |
| Re-attempt date | When you will solve it again without the solution | 3 days later |
Section-Wise Strategy Using CAT PYQs
CAT PYQs are one of the most reliable resources for understanding the actual exam pattern and question trends. In the VARC section, practicing CAT previous year questions helps candidates improve reading comprehension, vocabulary usage, and critical reasoning skills while becoming familiar with the types of passages and verbal ability questions frequently asked.
For the DILR section, CAT PYQs provide exposure to different data interpretation sets and logical reasoning frameworks. Regular practice helps aspirants identify common patterns, strengthen analytical thinking, and improve set-selection strategies, which are crucial for maximizing scores within the limited exam time.
In Quantitative Aptitude, CAT PYQs help candidates focus on high-weightage topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Number Systems. Solving previous year CAT questions enhances conceptual clarity, speed, and accuracy while enabling aspirants to create a targeted preparation plan based on recurring question types and difficulty levels.
DILR set selection tip: In the first 3–4 minutes of the section, skim every set and rank them by how quickly you can build the base table or diagram. In CAT 2024 and 2025 the section had 22 questions across sets of different sizes, so picking two or three solvable sets usually beats partially attempting all of them.
How to Use CAT PYQs in the Last 3–4 Weeks Before CAT 2026
With CAT 2026 on 29 November 2026, previous year papers are the best final-stage practice because they are free of the unusual difficulty spikes that some mocks contain. A simple plan:
| Phase | What to solve | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | CAT 2025 and 2024 slots, full length, one paper every second day | Fix your section-wise attempt and accuracy targets |
| Week 2 | CAT 2023 and 2022 slots; sectional PYQs for your weakest section | Close the top 3 gaps in your error log |
| Week 3 | 2–3 more slots plus re-attempts of error-log questions | Stable net score; no new topics |
| Final days | Light revision of formula sheets and the error log; at most one paper | Rest, routine and confidence |
CAT PYQs vs Mock Tests: How to Use Both
| Factor | Previous Year Papers | Mock Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticity | Actual questions set by the IIMs | Written by coaching institutes to resemble CAT |
| Difficulty calibration | Exactly what the exam asked | Can be tougher or easier than the real exam |
| Percentile benchmark | No live percentile; compare with published analyses | Live all-India percentile among test-takers |
| Supply | Limited (3 slots per year since 2020) | Many fresh papers |
| Best use | Understanding question style; final-weeks practice | Building stamina and testing strategy repeatedly |
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Solving CAT Previous Year Questions
- While practicing CAT Previous Year Questions, students often focus only on completing the questions rather than analyzing their performance. Avoid this mistake by reviewing every test thoroughly.
- Another common error is ignoring difficult CAT Previous Year Questions. Challenging questions often provide the best learning opportunities and improve overall problem-solving abilities.
- Comparing your raw score on an older paper with today’s cut-offs. A 100-question paper from 2019 or a 76-question paper from 2020 is not directly comparable with a 68-question paper.
- Solving the same paper twice and treating the second score as progress. You remember the answers, so use repeated papers only for timing practice.
Benefits of Solving CAT Previous Year Papers
CAT previous year paper pdf free download are immensely beneficial for aspirants as they provide a clear understanding of the CAT exam pattern, including question types, sectional distribution, and marking scheme.
They help in recognising the frequently tested topics and give an accurate sense of the difficulty level of each section: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Practising with these CAT last year question papers enhances time-management skills, builds exam temperament, and enables candidates to perform CAT exam analysis, self-assess their performance, track progress, and identify areas for improvement.
Moreover, solving actual CAT questions from previous years significantly boosts confidence and reduces anxiety.
Read more: Practice CAT DILR Questions
Who Should Use CAT Previous Year Question Papers?
CAT previous year question papers pdf free download are valuable for a wide range of candidates. First-time aspirants benefit from understanding the nature of the exam, while repeat test-takers can use them to identify past errors and fine-tune their strategies.
Working professionals with limited preparation time can use these CAT last year question papers to practice in a targeted and efficient manner.
Additionally, both coaching students and independent learners should incorporate these papers into their study plans to become familiar with the exam format and improve their performance through consistent practice.
Read More | CAT Exam Preparation 2026
How to Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
To download CAT previous year question papers pdfs, you can follow these steps:
1. Download from this page (fastest)
- Scroll to the year you want in the download tables above.
- Click “Download Now” next to the slot, enter your details in the form, and the PDF will open for download.
2. Visit Official CAT Website (IIMs)
- Go to the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in/
- The official website does not host a public "Previous Year Question Papers" archive. Registered candidates can view their own response sheet and the questions from their slot after the exam through the candidate login, and the IIMs typically provide an official tutorial/mock to familiarise candidates with the test interface.
- For older years, use the year-wise and slot-wise PDFs on this page.
Sources: CAT 2026 dates and conducting IIM as per the CAT 2026 notification on iimcat.ac.in. Question counts, slot counts and section structure for past years are compiled from the official exam pattern of each year and cross-checked against post-exam analyses. Difficulty ratings are based on published coaching analyses and student feedback, not official IIM data.
Conclusion
Downloading CAT previous year papers pdf and sample CAT exam papers is an important tool for students to assess their knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the CAT syllabus.
They allow students to practice their skills and prepare for the exam.
They are also effective ways for students to evaluate their progress in their studies and perform CAT 2025 Slot 1 analysis, helping them analyse their strengths and weaknesses in each subject by solving CAT exam previous year question papers slot wise.
Finally, it is essential to remember that the CAT Question Papers should be used as a guide for preparing for the actual CAT Exam.
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Komal Tabhane
Content Writer | MBA & CAT Preparation
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