What Happened in CAT 2019 Paper?

In 2019, IIM Kozhikode conducted the CAT paper across three slots with the traditional 100-question format which candidates had to complete within 180 minutes.

CAT 2025 vs CAT 2019: Exam Structure

With IIM Kozhikode all set to conduct CAT 2025 exam, CAT aspirants are revisiting CAT 2019 paper, the last time IIM Kozhikode set the paper. Since 2019, a lot has changed — from question patterns to sectional time limit. If you are serious about taking the CAT 2025 exam, it is crucial that you go through the CAT 2019 exam structure and what you can expect for 2025.

CAT 2025 Exam Structure (Expected)

Based on CAT 2024 exam trends, the expected exam structure for CAT 2025 could be as follows:

• Unlike other national exams, there is no fixed CAT syllabus.

• All questions in the CAT exam test students for their conceptual clarity and application and not rote learning.

• No options are available for TITA questions.

• Each section has a strict time limit and candidates can’t switch midway.

CAT 2019 Exam Structure

Here is how the CAT 2019 exam looked like when IIM Kozhikode last conducted it:

• Like every year, the CAT 2019 paper was conducted in an online mode.

Why CAT 2025 Could be Tougher than 2019?

Could CAT 2025 be even harder than the CAT 2019 paper? This is one question that every aspirant is worried about. To answer this question: Yes and here’s why.

Less Number of Questions, Higher Pressure

The CAT 2019 paper had 100 questions which had to be solved in 180 minutes (more time to think). CAT 2025 is expected to have just 66 questions which need to be answered in 120 minutes, based on recent trends.

This means that in 2025, one will get 1.8 minutes per section to solve but accuracy expectations are higher. One must keep in mind that even a small error can drastically impact one’s percentile due to the tight normalisation process.

Rising Competition & Higher Cutoffs

This year, it is anticipated that a higher number of applicants will take the CAT 2025 exam which means there will be a tougher percentile battle. As compared to previous years, CAT aspirants are now well-coached and prepared, therefore increasing the standard of cracking the CAT 2025 with a 99+ percentile.

IIM-K’s Paper Style

To get a rough idea about how IIM Kozhikode will set the paper for 2025, one can go over past year’s paper pattern. Here are some of the key insights that have come out:

• The DILR section includes non-traditional sets such as puzzles, games and caselets.

• The VARC section, on the other hand, leans towards inference-heavy and ambiguous RC options.

However, in CAT 2025, one can expect more abstract, reasoning-based problem sets.

What Reddit Has to Say about CAT 2025?

As CAT 2025 is approaching, the anxiety among MBA aspirants is building — and Reddit has become one of the loudest platforms to put out their thoughts. From heated arguments about IIM Kozhikode’s tough history as a paper setter to brutally honest prep advice from 99 percentiles, r/CATPreparation on Reddit has constantly been buzzing with CAT 2025 insights.

While some aspirants fear a repeat of CAT 2019’s CAT paper, others share hacks and free resources. Here are some instances of when Reddit users put out their voices.

Source: r/CATPreparation (Reddit)

Source: r/CATPreparation (Reddit)

How to Prepare for CAT 2025 Under IIM K?

To prepare effectively for the CAT 2025 exam under IIM Kozhikode’s convenorship, all candidates must focus on having a balanced and conceptual approach across all three sections — VARc, DILR and QA. Furthermore, the institute is known for maintaining a moderate to a slightly higher reading-intensive VARC and non-conventional DILR sets.

To further prepare for the CAT 2025 exam, the candidate must focus on understanding the syllabus and exam pattern, strengthening fundamentals, consistent practice, mock test analysis and having proper time management.