CAT 2022 Question Paper PDF Download (All 3 Slots) with Solutions

Quick Answer: The CAT 2022 Question paper, followed a pattern of 66 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. This was the third year in a row that the CAT exam maintained a 2-hour format with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes each. The exam was conducted on 27th November 2022, by IIM Bangalore.

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What you’ll get on this page: CAT 2022 paper difficult level + Free Downlodable PDF for slot 1, 2, 3 + CAT 2022 paper pattern + Marking Scheme and more!

What was the Overall Difficulty Level of CAT 2022 Question Paper?

Answer: The CAT 2022 paper was widely regarded as Moderate to Difficult. While the Verbal section remained manageable, the DILR sets were time-consuming, and the Quantitative Aptitude section pushed students to prioritize accuracy over the number of attempts due to tricky framing.

Details:Section-wise Difficulty Analysis

Each section presented its own set of challenges. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Section	Difficulty Level	Key Highlights
VARC	Moderate	Passages were readable, but options were close and inference-heavy. Sentence Placement replaced the "Odd One Out" question type.
DILR	Moderate to Tough	All sets had exactly 5 questions (Total 4 sets). Set selection was critical as most sets were lengthy and required multiple layers of logic.
QA	Moderate to Difficult	Dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Questions were not direct; many required multi-step calculations and unconventional approaches.

Download CAT 2022 Question Papers PDF

CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 1	Download Now
CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 2	Download Now
CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 3	Download Now

How many Questions were there in the CAT 2022  Exam Paper?

Answer: There are total 66 questions in CAT 2022 exam paper. These question were divided into 3 separate sections including VARC, DILR and QA.

Here are the detailed question number for CAT 2022 paper:

• VARC: 24 Questions
• DILR: 20 Questions
• Quantitative Ability: 22 Questions

What were the Major Changes in the CAT 2022 VARC Section?

Answer: The biggest surprise was the removal of "Odd-One-Out" questions. Instead, IIM Bangalore introduced Sentence Placement (Para-completion) questions, where candidates had to insert a given sentence into the most appropriate blank in a paragraph.

Read More: Practice 20+ Sentence Correction Questions for CAT 2026

Was the DILR section in CAT 2022 tougher than Previous Years?

Answer: Yes, many test-takers found DILR to be the most challenging section. Unlike 2021, which had a mix of 4-question and 6-question sets, CAT 2022 featured 4 sets of 5 questions each.

This standardized the weightage but required deep logical stamina to crack even two full sets.

Which topics Dominated the CAT 2022 Quantitative Aptitude Section?

Answer: Arithmetic and Algebra continued to be the challenging topics, accounting for nearly 70-80% of the section. Arithmetic questions focused on Time, Speed and Distance, Percentages, and Averages, while Algebra saw a significant presence of Modulus, Functions, and Inequalities.  Geometry weightage was relatively lower compared to historical trends.

Details: CAT 2022 Quantitative Aptitude Topic Distribution

The following table provides the question distribution across all three slots for the major mathematical domains:

Topic Domain	Slot 1 Questions	Slot 2 Questions	Slot 3 Questions	Avg. Weightage
Arithmetic	9	8	8	~38%
Algebra	8	5	9	~33%
Geometry & Mensuration	3	3	4	~15%
Modern Math (P&C, Functions)	1	3	0	~6%
Number System	1	3	1	~8%
Total	22	22	22	100%

Download Free: QA Free Resources for CAT 2026

Detailed Sub-Topic Breakdown

To prepare effectively, it is essential to see which specific chapters within these domains were most frequent.

1. Arithmetic

Arithmetic is consistently the most significant part of the CAT exam. In 2022, the focus shifted slightly toward Ratios and Time-Speed-Distance.

Sub-Topic	Typical Questions per Slot	Focus Areas
Averages, Ratios & Proportion	3–5	Mixtures, Alligations, and weighted averages.
Profit, Loss & Interest	1–3	Successive discounts and Compound Interest.
Time, Speed & Distance	1–2	Relative speed, circular tracks, and average speed.
Time & Work	1–2	Efficiency and pipes/cisterns.

2. Algebra

Algebra was the "make-or-break" section in CAT 2022 question paper, especially in Slot 3 where it had the highest weightage.

Sub-Topic	Typical Questions per Slot	Focus Areas
Equations & Inequalities	3–5	Linear and Quadratic equations, Modulus.
Logarithms, Surds & Indices	1–2	Properties of logs and exponents.
Progressions & Series	1–2	Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions (AP/GP).
Functions & Graphs	1–2	Domains, ranges, and graphical transformations.

3. Geometry, Numbers & Modern Math

While these carry lower weightage, they are often used as "filler" questions that require high conceptual clarity.

• Geometry: Heavily focused on Triangles and Circles. Coordinate Geometry usually appeared as a single, straightforward question.
• Number System: Focused on Remainders and Factors. It was more prominent in Slot 2 than in others.
• Modern Math: Included Permutations & Combinations (P&C) and Set Theory, appearing sporadically across the slots.

Download Free: VARC Free Resources for CAT 2026

What was the marking scheme for CAT 2022?

Answer: The marking scheme followed the standard +3 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect MCQs. Notably, there was no negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions, which made up about 25-30% of the paper.

Performance Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)	Non-MCQ / TITA Questions
Correct Answer	+3 Marks	+3 Marks
Incorrect Answer	-1 Mark	0 (No Negative Marking)
Unattempted Question	0 Marks	0 Marks

What was the "Good Attempt" count for a 99 percentile?

Answer: To achieve a 99 percentile in CAT 2022, a raw score of approximately 88-92 marks was required. This translates to a "good attempt" of roughly 40-45 questions with high accuracy across all three slots.

Is solving the CAT 2022 paper mandatory for CAT 2026 aspirants?

Answer: Absolutely. CAT 2022 is the perfect benchmark for modern CAT preparation because it highlights the shift toward conceptual clarity over rote formula application. Solving it helps you practice the "Sentence Placement" questions and the "5-question DILR set" format that is likely to continue

Practice Now: Previous Year Papers for CAT

How to Use CAT 2022 Question Paper for Preparation?

Answer: To maximize your preparation for the upcoming exam, utilizing the CAT 2022 Question Paper effectively is a crucial part of your strategy. Here is how you can use this specific paper to gain a competitive edge.

Step 1: Simulate Real Exam Conditions

Attempt the paper slot-wise (Slot 1, 2, or 3) in a single sitting. Set a strict timer for 40 minutes per section, ensuring you do not skip between sections, just like the actual CAT environment.

Step 2: Track Performance and Strategy

Record your number of attempts, your accuracy, and most importantly your time taken per question. In CAT 2022, the DILR sets were notably time-consuming; tracking your speed here will help you identify when to "quit" a set and move to a more doable one.

Step 3: Review & Learn (The Error Log)

Don’t just check the answers. Go through detailed solutions to understand the logic behind the tricky Algebra and Arithmetic problems that dominated this year. Maintain an error log for "Sentence Placement" questions in VARC to master the logic behind the correct blanks.

Step 4: Compare Percentile Trends

Use the CAT 2022 score-vs-percentile data to benchmark your performance. For instance, a raw score of roughly 88-92 marks was the threshold for the 99th percentile. See how close you get to these benchmarks to gauge your current readiness level.

Conclusion

The CAT 2022 question paper remains one of the most reliable preparatory tools for MBA aspirants. Practicing it not only gives you a clear insight into future CAT questions but also helps you adjust your strategy based on real benchmark data.

Combining slot‑wise analysis, percentiles, and solved papers will give you a competitive edge in your CAT preparation journey. Whether you’re aiming for a 99+ percentile or targeting top IIM calls, mastering CAT PYQs, especially the CAT 2022 question paper, is non‑negotiable.