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Content Curator | Updated On - Aug 17, 2026

CAT 2026 previous years’ papers help you understand the CAT 2026 examination.

  • You can use CAT previous years’ papers to understand the CAT exam pattern and the difficulty level of questions.
  • You can reduce mistakes in CAT 2026 exam by working on weak areas after solving the CAT 2026 question papers.
  • Solving CAT previous years’ question papers in timed conditions will help you improve time management.

Related Article:

CAT 2026 Previous Years' Question Papers- Download Slot-Wise PYQs

Key Summary

  • In the article below, you can download the CAT previous years' question papers, slot-wise, from 2020-2025.
  • The CAT 2025 exam was difficult, with 68 total questions, while CAT 2024 was moderate to difficult.
  • Solving CAT previous years’ papers can also help you determine which section to solve first.

CAT 2026 previous years' question papers

If you can practise the CAT previous years' question papers regularly, you can score 99+.

  • If you are a beginner, start with the CAT 2021 and CAT 2022 papers.
  • If you are prepared and advanced, you can go with the CAT 2023-2024 papers from the start.

CAT 2025 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT 2024 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT 2023 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT 2022 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT 2021 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT 2020 Question Papers With Solutions

Section Slot 1 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 2 Question Paper PDF Solution Slot 3 Question Paper PDF Solution
VARC Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
DILR Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here
QA Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here Download PDF Check Here

CAT Previous Years' Question Papers- Difficulty Level

The CAT 2026 previous years' question papers have changed over the last 5-6 years, with changes in the number of questions and difficulty level.

  • If you are opting for CAT 2026, start practising from CAT 2021 and then slowly build your pace.
  • You will notice changes in the exam pattern, section-wise questions, and overall appearance as you keep completing the papers.
CAT Exam Year Total Questions Exam Pattern Overall Difficulty Best For
CAT 2025 68 Latest Pattern Difficult Final Revision & Latest Pattern
CAT 2024 68 Latest Pattern Moderate to Difficult Mock Test Practice
CAT 2023 66 Current Pattern Difficult Advanced Practice
CAT 2022 66 Current Pattern Moderate Concept Building
CAT 2021 66 Current Pattern Moderate Speed & Accuracy
CAT 2020 76 Pattern Transition Moderate Understanding Pattern Changes

Why CAT previous years' Question Papers?

To get the best result in CAT 2026, you must take advantage of all the previous years' papers from 2020-2025.

  • All have 3 slots and a 40-minute sectional timer for the sections in the CAT previous years' question papers.
  • You will have an idea of the question pattern and recent question trends.
  • CAT previous years' question papers will help you analyse the frequently asked questions in all sections.
  • It will help you to manage time in a real-life scenario and choose questions according to your preference, helping you do the same on the exam day.
  • CAT previous years' question papers will help you stimulate real time and environment of the exam.

Effective Use of CAT Previous Years' Question Papers

To get the maximum out of the CAT previous years' question papers, follow this approach.

  • Real-time Stimulation: Keep a timer for all sections while solving and in a quiet place. Do not look into solutions before solving.
  • Analyse: Make sure to check your mistakes after the exam and analyse them. Do not keep them for later.
  • Notes: Keep a rough pad and note down the mistakes and error points. Revise them regularly.
  • Weak areas: Give more focus to the topics that you get wrong most of the time and correct them.
  • Important topics: Make sure to note down and follow the CAT previous years' question papers for important topics and repeated ones. Practice regularly to score well.
Effective Use of CAT Previous Years' Question Papers

Common Mistakes-CAT Previous Years Question Paper

Common Mistake Better Approach
Paper solving without a timer Attempt in timed conditions
Going for solutions immediately First analyze and then look at the solution
Ignoring weaker sections Spend more time understanding and revising less scoring areas
Solving only slots that are high scoring for you Practice all slots and to adapt to any surprise during the exam
Not reviewing or correcting mistakes Maintain error notes and revise them
Treating and practising all years equally Prioritize CAT 2021-2025 over older papers

Roadmap for CAT Previous Years' Question Papers-Reddit

Reddit user r/CATPreparation asks if CAT previous years' question papers are a good source of preparation and if anyone has benefited from it.

To this, Adept_Block_1940 says that he is doing the same thing and that they are a valuable resource for preparation. Another user, Unlikely_Wafer7204, says that this is mostly true for VARC and DILR, helping you score more.

Roadmap for CAT Previous Years' Question Papers-Reddit

Source: Reddit

CAT Previous Years' Question Papers FAQs

Ques. What is the pattern difference between CAT 2025 and CAT 2020?

Ans. CAT 2020 had 76 questions, but in CAT 2025 it decreased to 68 questions. CAT 2020 had some pattern transition since the CAT 2019 exam and was termed moderate in terms of difficulty. CAT 2020 focused more on understanding Pattern Changes. CAT 2025 has the latest pattern and has been the most difficult exam level so far, with the latest pattern changes in a few QA questions.

Ques. Why is it important to follow CAT previous years' question papers?

Ans. You will have an idea of the question pattern and recent question trends. CAT previous years' question papers will help you analyse the frequently asked questions in all sections. It will help you to manage time in a real-life scenario and choose questions according to your preference, helping you do the same on the exam day. The CAT previous years' question papers will help you stimulate real time and environment of the exam.

Ques. What mistakes to avoid during practising CAT previous years' question papers?

Ans. Paper solving without a timer is a drawback; thus, make sure to attempt in all possible exam conditions. Do not go for solutions immediately, but first analyze and then look at the solution. Spend more time understanding and revising lower-scoring areas. Not reviewing or correcting mistakes is another mistake, so maintain error notes and revise them. Prioritize CAT 2021-2025 over older papers, and do not treat and practice all years equally.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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