CAT Question Papers, Download CAT Previous Year Paper Pdfs (1991 - 2022)

CAT Question Papers: The CAT exam for 2023 will be held on November 26. Candidates who are planning to take the CAT exam should solve previous year CAT question papers as it is a valuable study resource and helps in effective preparation. Solving previous year question papers has several benefits, including understanding the types of questions asked, the marking scheme, the weightage given to different sections, and learning how to solve problems quickly, which is crucial for the CAT exam.

The CAT exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Better CAT Exam Preparation

For better preparation for the CAT exam, you can also refer to the One Year Study Plan for CAT 2023 and find the Best Study Material for CAT 2023.

CAT Question Paper - Overview
Particulars Details of CAT Question Paper
Sections in the CAT question paper - VARC (20 questions) - DILR (24 questions) - QA (22 questions)
CAT 2023 questions (total) 66
Duration of CAT paper 120 minutes (2 hours)
53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates
The section time limit in the CAT exam question paper 40 minutes
CAT question paper - marking scheme +3 marks for every correct answer
-1 for every wrong answer
No negative marking for non-MCQs
Total marks in CAT question paper 198

To crack CAT 2023, it is crucial to understand the CAT pattern. The CAT exam pattern 2023 is given below to help students check the same and know what to expect in the exam.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2023 (Expected)
Percentile Score VARC Score DILR Score QA Overall Score
99.5 42 30 30 86
99 36 25 25 74
95 30 20 22 52
90 24 14 13 42
80 20 11 9 35
70 18 9 7 30
CAT Question Papers: Topics for Reading Comprehension
  • Migration of Northern Seals
  • Piracy in international trade
  • The need for economic literacy in the general population
  • Anarchism
  • Investing in renewable energy technologies
  • Travel Writing and Feminism during colonial times
  • Grammar/Vocabulary
  • A study of visualization
  • An Analysis of human nature
  • Currency of the Tang Dynasty
  • Freudian models of aggression
  • Screen time and undercurrents of social class
CAT Question Paper - Important Topics

The CAT paper consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. It tests students on their analytical, logical, and comprehension skills. The paper includes a mix of multiple-choice questions and non-multiple-choice questions, some of which are based on case studies, graphs, and data interpretation.

Therefore, it is useful to be familiar with important topics from previous years’ question papers to prepare well and score high.

QA Topics from Past CAT Question Papers
  • HCF LCM

  • Factors

  • Factorials

  • Remainders

  • Digits

  • Percents, Profit Loss, SICI

  • Ratio, Mixtures: Averages

  • Logarithms & Exponents

  • Speed Time Distance

  • Pipes Cisterns, Work Time

  • Geometry

  • Set Theory

  • Mensuration

  • Co-Geo

  • Pipes Trigonometry

  • Functions

  • Linear & Quadratic

  • Polynomials

  • Inequalities

  • Progression and Permutation Probability

VARC Topics from CAT Previous Question Papers
  • Sentence Correction

  • Para Jumble

  • Paragraph Completion

  • Sentence Elimination

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Word Usage

  • Critical Reasoning

  • Text Completion

  • Para Summary

DILR Important Topics Based on CAT Question Papers
  • Pie Charts

  • Bar Graphs

  • Word Problems

  • Multiple Graphs

  • Line Graphs

  • Grid Puzzles

  • Sequencing

  • Visualization

  • Math Puzzles

  • Other Patterns

What are the advantages of CAT Previous Years Papers

Is it important to solve the past CAT question papers? The answer is a big yes. Candidates will benefit much from solving CAT previous year question papers during their preparation and before the actual CAT exam. The benefits of solving CAT question papers are:

  • Time management
  • Speed and accuracy in answering
  • Segregation of topics with weightage
  • Easy problem-solving techniques
  • Common formulae to solve CAT questions