CAT 2025 Slot 3 Exam Pattern Overview
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis confirms that the exam pattern remained unchanged from Slots 1 and 2, as well as from CAT 2024. Students faced a total of 68 questions spread across three sections, each with a fixed duration of 40 minutes.
The MCQ–TITA mix also remained consistent, with Slot 3 showing a balanced distribution across VARC, DILR, and QA.
Here is the exact section-wise structure from Slot 3:
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Question & Format Breakdown
| Section | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total Questions |
| VARC | 40 min | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| DILR | 40 min | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| QA | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 120 min | 45 | 23 | 68 |
A simple marking scheme was followed: +3 for every correct answer and –1 for every incorrect MCQ, while TITA questions carried no negative marking. The consistency in pattern ensured that performance relied heavily on accuracy, speed, and question selection—key themes that shape the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis.
- VARC Section Analysis (CAT 2025 Slot 3)
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis revealed a VARC section that maintained a moderate difficulty level, very similar to that in Slots 1 and 2. The section included 16 Reading Comprehension (RC) questions and 8 Verbal Ability (VA) questions, with RC once again featuring vocabulary-based application items, a pattern first seen in Slot 1.
Among the passages, the one on the ill effects of dams was easy. At the same time, the RCs on AI and ethical decision-making and the Forest Act 1982 fell into the moderate category due to tricky options and more detailed reasoning.
The tribal art passage, however, stood out as dense and demanding, with several candidates finding it the most challenging part of the section. Despite this, most test-takers could comfortably attempt 10–12 RC questions with good accuracy.
In the VA portion, Parajumbles made a comeback after a year’s absence, adding an element of surprise to the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis. The VA section was evenly distributed with two questions each of Summary (MCQ), Paragraph Completion (MCQ), Odd Sentence Out (TITA), and Parajumbles (TITA). Students reported that 5–6 VA questions could be attempted safely with high accuracy.
Overall, the section felt balanced but not easy, with RCs resembling the complexity level seen in several SimCATs. The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis confirms that strong comprehension skills and smart question selection were key to scoring well in VARC.
CAT 2025 Slot 3 VARC Breakdown
| Area / Question Type | No. of Questions | Type | Difficulty Level |
| Reading Comprehension (Total 16) | 16 | MCQ | Overall: Medium |
| RC – Ill-effects of dams | 4 | MCQ | Easy |
| RC – AI & ethical decision-making | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC – The Forest Act 1982 | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC – Tribal art | 4 | MCQ | Difficult |
| Verbal Ability (Total 8) | 8 | MCQ & TITA | Overall: Medium |
| Paragraph Completion | 2 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Summary | 2 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Out | 2 | TITA | 1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Parajumbles | 2 | TITA | 1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
Good Attempts & Student Experience
- 10–12 RC questions were widely considered doable and showed good accuracy.
- 5–6 VA attempts were achievable for students with intense conceptual clarity.
- Overall, students described the VARC section as balanced but slightly lengthy, especially the RC on tribal art, which appeared dense and time-consuming.
Expected Percentile Range Based on Attempts
- 85th percentile: 12–13 attempts with ~60% accuracy
- 95th percentile: 16–17 attempts with ~70% accuracy
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis confirms that success in VARC relied on brilliant passage selection and maintaining accuracy across both RC and VA.
- DILR Section Analysis (CAT 2025 Slot 3)
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis showed that the DILR section maintained the same 22-question structure seen in Slots 1 and 2, but with a notable shift in difficulty. While the overall format of 2 sets with five questions each and three sets with four questions each remained unchanged, Slot 3 featured a heavier TITA load — 11 TITA and 11 MCQs, making accuracy and selection even more critical.
Students described the section as medium to difficult, placing it tougher than Slot 1 but slightly more manageable than Slot 2. Many reported that navigating the TITA questions required careful reasoning because even minor misinterpretations could cost time.
CAT 2025 Slot 3 DILR Set Breakdown
| Set No. | Area | Description | Questions | Type | Difficulty |
| 1 | Logical Reasoning | 6 friends calling each other | 4 | 1 MCQ + 3 TITA | Easy–Medium |
| 2 | Data Interpretation | Four friends solving puzzles (chart-based) | 4 | 2 MCQ + 2 TITA | Easy |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | Circular arrangement of 7 students | 4 | 4 MCQ | Easy–Medium |
| 4 | Data Interpretation | Currency exchange across 4 countries | 5 | 2 MCQ + 3 TITA | Medium–Difficult |
| 5 | Data Interpretation | Trade balance: Import & Export | 5 | 2 MCQ + 3 TITA | Difficult |
Good Attempts & Student Experience
- Around 7–8 solid attempts with ~75–80% accuracy were enough to reach the 85th percentile.
- 10–11 accurate attempts could fetch a percentile of 95+, according to the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis.
Candidates noted that while the two sets were relatively manageable, the Trade Balance and Currency Exchange sets required significant calculation and interpretation. The high number of TITA questions amplified the challenge, pushing many to adopt a selective approach rather than attempt all sets.
Overall, the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis indicates that DILR required calm execution, time management, and the ability to assess the set’s difficulty quickly.
Quantitative Ability (QA) Analysis – CAT 2025 Slot 3
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis indicates that the Quantitative Ability section was slightly tougher than the CAT 2024, with a more varied mix of question difficulty. Arithmetic continued to take the lead with seven questions, while Algebra and Modern Math contributed four questions each, followed by three questions from Geometry and four from Numbers.
Students found most Arithmetic questions fairly approachable, covering familiar areas like Averages, Time & Work, Time–Speed–Distance, Ratios, Mixtures & Alligations, and Profit & Loss.
Algebra, however, leaned towards the challenging side with concepts such as Quadratic Equations and Linear Equations requiring deeper understanding. Modern Math included questions from Progressions, Functions, Set Theory, and Logarithms, adding to the conceptual load. Geometry drew on topics such as triangles and circles–trapezoid relationships, requiring careful interpretation of diagrams.
In total, the section featured eight easy, eight medium, and six difficult questions, with several problems being calculation-heavy and time-consuming. The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis suggests that accuracy and efficient selection of solvable questions were essential for a strong performance in QA.
CAT 2025 Slot 3 QA Topic-Wise Breakdown
| Topic | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 7 | 2 Easy, 5 Medium |
| Algebra | 4 | 3 Easy, 1 Difficult |
| Geometry | 3 | 1 Easy, 2 Medium |
| Modern Math | 4 | 1 Easy, 3 Difficult |
| Numbers | 4 | 1 Easy, 1 Medium, 2 Difficult |
Total: 14 MCQs + 8 TITA (Overall LOD: Medium)
Good Attempts & Student Experience
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis indicates that around 15–17 marks were reasonably achievable, but crossing 30+ marks required exceptional accuracy due to the heavier difficulty at the top end.
Expected performance benchmarks:
- 85 percentile: 7–8 attempts, ~75–80% accuracy
- 95+ percentile: 10–11 attempts, ~80–85% accuracy
Students noted that although Arithmetic felt manageable, several Algebra and Modern Math questions were calculation-intensive, which increased time pressure.
Overall, the QA section demanded a sharp eye for selecting the right questions and avoiding traps — a crucial insight from the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis.
Surprise Elements in CAT 2025 Slot 3
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis revealed a few unexpected elements that stood out compared to previous slots.
- One of the biggest surprises for students was the return of Parajumbles in the VARC section after a year-long absence, adding an extra layer of complexity to the Verbal Ability portion.
- Slot 3 also continued the pattern of vocabulary-application-based RC questions, which many found slightly unconventional for CAT.
- Another notable shift was in the DILR section, where half the questions (11 out of 22) were TITA, increasing pressure on accuracy since TITA problems offer no elimination advantage.
- In QA, several questions were reported as extremely calculation-heavy, especially in topics like Algebra and Modern Math, which slowed students down.
- Additionally, the Tribal Art RC passage was widely regarded as unusually dense, making comprehension and option elimination significantly more time-consuming than expected.
Overall, the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis shows that, while the pattern remained constant, subtle yet impactful changes shaped the difficulty perception across the entire slot.
Expected Cut-offs – CAT 2025 Slot 3
Based on early feedback and expert evaluation, the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis indicates that the cut-offs are expected to follow a balanced trend, similar to those of Slots 1 and 2. Since Slot 3 had a mix of moderate and difficult elements across sections, the overall score required for top percentiles is projected to remain steady.
These cut-off estimates are derived from the preliminary score–percentile mapping and may shift slightly once response sheets are released. However, they offer a reliable first reference for students assessing their performance in CAT 2025 Slot 3.
CAT 2025 Slot 3 Expected Score vs Percentile
| Percentile | VARC Score | DILR Score | QA Score | Overall Score |
| 99.9 | 53 | 44 | 45 | 119 |
| 99.5 | 46 | 37 | 37 | 101 |
| 99 | 41 | 32 | 30 | 87 |
| 98 | 34 | 29 | 27 | 77 |
| 95 | 30 | 24 | 23 | 66 |
| 90 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 52 |
| 85 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 43 |
| 80 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 37 |
| 75 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 33 |
Key Insights from the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis
- The overall cut-offs remain moderate due to mixed difficulty across sections.
- Slot 3 is more competitive in DILR compared to Slot 1 but less challenging than Slot 2.
- VARC remains stable, while QA sees slight difficulty increments affecting the top-end scores.
- Normalisation will adjust final percentiles, but the above range is a reliable indicator of performance.
Overall, the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis suggests that students with strong accuracy and strategic attempts stand a good chance of securing higher percentiles despite variations in slot difficulty.
Student Reactions to CAT 2025 Slot 3
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis reflects a mixed yet consistent response from students, with most describing the slot as moderate to moderately complex. Many candidates noted that, while the overall pattern remained familiar, the internal complexity of specific questions and sets added additional pressure.
- In VARC, students widely agreed that the Tribal Art RC was the toughest, with dense paragraphs and tricky options slowing them down. The return of Parajumbles also caught many by surprise, though the rest of the verbal section felt balanced.
- DILR drew the most attention, particularly because 50% of the questions were TITA, leaving no room for elimination-based guessing. Students found two sets manageable, but the Trade Balance and Currency Exchange sets were frequently labelled “time-consuming.”
- In QA, the consensus was that Arithmetic felt accessible, but Algebra and Modern Math contained several heavy-calculation problems that demanded extra time and accuracy.
Overall, candidates felt Slot 3 was neither the easiest nor the hardest, but required intelligent decision-making—exactly the sentiment captured in the CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis.
Conclusion
The CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis shows that the final slot of the exam delivered a balanced yet strategically challenging test. With moderate-to-difficult variations across VARC, DILR, and QA, Slot 3 demanded brilliant selection, accuracy, and time management rather than serious attempts.
- While VARC remained stable, DILR’s TITA-heavy pattern and QA’s calculation-focused questions shaped the overall difficulty perception.
As students await official response sheets and normalisation effects, the expected cut-offs provide a strong early benchmark for performance evaluation, for aspirants preparing for the next phase—WAT, GD, and PI—structured guidance and expert feedback become essential.
Tarkashastra continues to support candidates with result-oriented mentorship, exam analysis, and personalised preparation plans to help them move confidently toward their B-school goals.
FAQs – CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis
1. What was the overall difficulty level of CAT 2025 Slot 3?
Slot 3 was moderate to moderately difficult, with VARC being balanced, DILR slightly tougher, and QA having several calculation-heavy questions.
2. Which section was the toughest in CAT 2025 Slot 3?
Most students found DILR the most challenging due to the heavy presence of TITA questions and two time-consuming sets.
3. Was CAT 2025 Slot 3 tougher than Slot 1 and Slot 2?
Slot 3 was harder than Slot 1 but slightly easier than Slot 2, especially in DILR.
4. How many good attempts are required for a 99 percentile in Slot 3?
Across sections, around 35–40 high-accuracy attempts are typically required to achieve the 99th percentile, based on early estimates.
5. What were the surprise elements in CAT 2025 Slot 3?
The return of Parajumbles, a dense Tribal Art RC, and more calculation-heavy QA questions were notable surprises.
6. Did Slot 3 have more TITA questions?
Yes. DILR had 11 TITA questions, making accuracy crucial since TITA items have no negative marking but take longer to solve.
7. What are the expected cut-offs for CAT 2025 Slot 3?
The 99th percentile is expected to be around 87, while the 95th percentile is projected to be near 66, based on expert estimates.
8. How did students react to CAT 2025 Slot 3?
Students reported that Slot 3 required strategic question selection, citing the Tribal Art RC and DILR calculation sets as the most demanding.
9. Was the VARC section easy in Slot 3?
VARC was moderate, with one easy passage and a few tricky ones. VA was balanced, but Parajumbles added complexity.
10. What should candidates do after analysing Slot 3?
Students should verify their scores using the response sheet, estimate percentiles, and begin preparing for WAT–GD–PI, ideally with structured guidance from experts like Tarkashastra.
