CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis: Section-Wise Difficulty & Good Attempts

The CAT 2025 Slot 3 exam, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, concluded today at 6:30 PM. The third slot followed two earlier slots held from 8:30-10:30 AM and 12:30-2:30 PM. Experts have released a detailed slot-wise analysis, including section-wise difficulty level, number of questions, and expected good attempts.

Early feedback suggests that Slot 3 was moderate in difficulty, with Quantitative Ability (QA) being the most challenging section, while Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) was comparatively easier. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) sets were of moderate difficulty with a mix of puzzles and charts.

CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis OUT

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, concluded today with Slot 3 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. CAT 2025 was held in three slots to accommodate a large number of candidates:

Slot 1: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Slot 2: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Slot 3: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

With all slots completed, experts have released the slot-wise analysis, which helps candidates gauge the difficulty level, number of questions, and good attempts for each section.

CAT 2025 Slot 3: Section-Wise Difficulty Level

1. Quantitative Ability (QA):

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Topics Covered: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Math
QA continued to challenge candidates due to lengthy calculations and tricky problem-solving questions. Experts noted that candidates who focused on accuracy over speed had an advantage.
Good Attempts: 16-20 questions

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Types of Sets: Puzzles, Tables, Graphs, Caselets
The section included 5 sets with 4 questions each, requiring candidates to identify patterns and interpret data carefully.
Good Attempts: 12-15 questions

3. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Composition: 4-5 reading comprehension passages, para jumbles, odd sentence out, and grammar-based questions
VARC was relatively scoring for candidates confident in reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Good Attempts: 18-21 questions

Overall Slot 3 Observations

Total Questions: 66
Overall Difficulty: Moderate
Exam Pattern: No surprises; followed the standard CAT pattern with 3 sections: QA, DILR, and VARC
Candidate Feedback: QA was time-consuming, DILR required strategy, and VARC was manageable

Experts suggest that candidates attempting 50-55 questions accurately could target a 90+ percentile, depending on sectional weightage and accuracy.

Slot-Wise Comparison

Slot 1: Moderate to slightly tough, with QA being toughest
Slot 2: Similar difficulty as Slot 1, DILR slightly trickier
Slot 3: Moderate overall, QA slightly tougher, VARC easier than earlier slots

Strategy Insights for Future Candidates

Time Management: Prioritize easier sets first in DILR and VARC to secure marks quickly.

Accuracy Over Attempts: Negative marking (-1 for wrong answers) makes precision important.
Focus on Strengths: Attempt sections where you are confident first to optimize score.
Do Not Panic: Even if QA is lengthy, manage time carefully and do not guess blindly.

Conclusion

The CAT 2025 Slot 3 concluded successfully, with experts analyzing section-wise difficulty and good attempts to help candidates assess their performance. Slot 3 was moderately challenging overall, with QA as the toughest section, DILR requiring strategic selection of sets, and VARC offering scoring opportunities. This analysis provides valuable insight for future candidates, helping them plan preparation and attempt strategies for upcoming CAT exams.