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





