The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 has been successfully conducted across India in three slots — morning, afternoon, and evening. As always, CAT proved to be a mix of surprises, expected trends, and varying difficulty levels. For aspirants targeting CAT 2026, a slot-wise breakdown is crucial to understand the exam pattern, difficulty levels, and focus areas. Based on student feedback and expert reviews from top CAT coaching institutes in Kolkata, here is a detailed slotwise analysis of CAT 2025.
Slot 1: Balanced Yet Tricky
CAT 2025 began with a moderately difficult first slot. According to faculty at leading CAT coaching centres in Kolkata, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section had a balanced mix of RCs and VA questions. Two RC passages were easy to moderate, while the others tested inference-based understanding.
- VARC Difficulty: Moderate
- DILR Difficulty: Tricky and time-consuming
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): Arithmetic-heavy, moderate difficulty
DILR remained the toughest section in Slot 1, with two of the four sets being very challenging. QA focused largely on arithmetic and algebra, with fewer geometry questions. Students who practiced mocks regularly with institutes like a reputed CAT institute in Jadavpur found this slot manageable with a strategic approach.
Slot 2: The Quant Shock
Slot 2 took many students by surprise, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. QA was reported to be significantly tougher than Slot 1, with questions from Number Systems and Modern Math creating the most difficulty.
- VARC Difficulty: Similar to Slot 1
- DILR Difficulty: Slightly easier but calculation-heavy
- QA Difficulty: Tough
Many candidates found the DILR sets to be more approachable compared to Slot 1, although calculation speed was crucial. VARC continued its trend of dense RCs and mixed VA questions. According to mentors from top CAT coaching Kolkata programs, students who had worked on speed and data familiarity had an edge in this slot.
Slot 3: A Mix of Surprises
Slot 3 was considered the most balanced among all three, but it still had its curveballs. RC passages were lengthy but more factual. The DILR section had one very easy set, one moderate, and two that were fairly complex.
- VARC Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- DILR Difficulty: Mixed
- QA Difficulty: Moderate
In QA, arithmetic and algebra again dominated, with very few questions from higher-level math topics. Students who stayed calm and managed their time wisely could score well in this slot. As reported by a prominent CAT institute in Jadavpur, many students from their mock test batches found Slot 3 closest to the patterns practiced in class.
Key Takeaways for CAT 2026 Aspirants
- Balanced Preparation is Essential: Each slot tested different skillsets. Focus equally on all three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA.
- Mocks Matter: Students who practiced varied mock tests under real exam conditions performed better. Join a reputed CAT coaching Kolkata institute that offers full-length tests with slot-wise simulations.
- Time Management is Crucial: Especially in DILR and QA. Accuracy with speed makes a big difference.
- Stay Updated with Trends: Exam patterns keep evolving. Regularly follow expert analysis and adjust preparation strategies accordingly.
- Sectional Analysis is Key: Identify your strengths and weaknesses early and work on them through targeted practice.
Final Thoughts
CAT 2025 reinforced the fact that this exam is as much about strategy as it is about knowledge. Whether you’re starting your preparation or are midway through, a detailed analysis like this helps you understand what to expect. Join a trusted CAT institute in Jadavpur or other parts of Kolkata to get the right mentorship, resources, and mock practice.
If you’re serious about cracking CAT 2026, now is the time to begin. Stay disciplined, stay informed, and most importantly — keep practicing!
