CAT Last 5 Years Analysis (2021-2025): Check Preparation Strategy, Weightage Analysis
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Content Curator | Updated On - Aug 11, 2026
In the last 5 years, the CAT exam was conducted with the same CAT exam pattern, with a total number of questions ranging from 66-68.
- The CAT analysis for the last 5 years shows that quantitative analysis, Arithmetic, will have 36% weightage, followed by Algebra with 34% weightage.
- CAT last 5 years analysis shows reading comprehension dominating the VARC section.
- Logical reasoning, DI, and mixed caselets are the most important areas in the DILR section in the CAT exam.
Read More:
- CAT DILR Question Paper: Download Previous Year Practice Paper
- CAT Previous Year Papers with Solutions (2024-2009)
Key Summary
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CAT last 5 years analysis- DILR section
The CAT last 5 years analysis for DILR shows the same syllabus yet dynamic and unpredictable.
CAT last 5 years analysis-DILR Exam Pattern
The CAT last 5 years analysis shows that there were 20-22 questions in all the years, while the sets kept on changing.
| Year | Questions | Sets | Pattern | Overall Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20 | 4 sets (4+4+6+6) | Balanced LR & DI | Easy–Moderate |
| 2022 | 20 | 4 sets x 5 Ques | Slightly DI friendly | Moderate |
| 2023 | 20 | 4 sets x 5 Ques | Very reasoning intensive | Difficult |
| 2024 | 22 | 5 sets (4+4+4+5+5) | Pattern change | Moderate–Difficult |
| 2025 | 22 | 5 sets (4+4+4+5+5) | Hybrid LRDI | Moderate |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis-DILR Topic-wise Frequency
This is the topic-wise frequency for the CAT over the last 5 years in the DILR section.
- Linear, Circular, Matrix, Distribution, Assignment, Scheduling, and Allocation have the highest weightage.
- Network paths, Route optimization, and direction flows will have the lowest weightage here.
| Topic | Weightage | Examples / Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Arrangement & Distribution | Highest | Linear, Circular, Matrix, Distribution, Assignment, Scheduling, Allocation |
| Games & Tournament | Highest | League tables, Round robin, Knockout, Wins-losses, Sports ranking |
| Selection & Grouping | Highest | Committee formation, Team selection, Choosing candidates, Allocation under constraints |
| Tables & Caselets | Highest | Sales, Employees, Colleges, Products, Students |
| Quant-based Logical Reasoning | Moderate | Ratios, Percentages, Integer constraints, Number properties, Equations within puzzles |
| Venn Diagram | Moderate | Multiple sets, Overlapping groups, Survey-based problems |
| Networks & Routes | Low | Network paths, Route optimization, Direction flows |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis-DILR Preparation Strategy
Focus on accuracy and the most comfortable set. Make sure to look at all the sets at a glance to start from the easiest ones.
| Step / Strategy | Time Allocated | Action Details |
|---|---|---|
| Scan All Sets | 3–5 minutes | Skim the sets to check difficulty and choose the best ones to attempt. |
| Solve First Set | 10–12 minutes | Focus on accuracy and the most comfortable set. |
| Solve Second Set | 10–12 minutes | Do the secondary set with high precision. |
| Solve Third Set | Remaining time | Attempt additional questions/sets only if time permits. |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis- Quants section
The CAT last 5 years analysis for this shows the same syllabus, yet dynamic and unpredictable.
CAT last 5 years analysis-Quants Exam Pattern
The CAT last 5 years analysis shows that there were 22 questions in all the years, while the sets kept on changing.
| Year | Questions | Difficulty | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22 | Moderate | 14–15 |
| 2022 | 22 | Moderate | 13–15 |
| 2023 | 22 | Difficult | 9–11 |
| 2024 | 22 | Mod–Difficult | 13–14 |
| 2025 | 22 | Mod–Difficult | 10–14* |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis- Quants Topic-wise Frequency
This is the topic-wise frequency for the CAT over the last 5 years in the quantitative section.
- Percentage, profit and loss, average, ratio and proportion will have the highest weightage.
- Permutation & combination, sets, sequences, probability will have the lowest weightage here.
| Topic | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8–10 | 9 | 8–10 | 8 | 8 | 7–9 |
| Algebra | 6–7 | 7–8 | 7 | 6–7 | 8–9 | 5–6 |
| Geometry / Mensuration | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4–5 | 4 | 3–4 |
| Number Systems | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| Modern Maths (P&C, Probability, etc.) | 1–2 | 1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis-Quantitative section Preparation Strategy
99%ile needs just 9–12 correct answers with good accuracy winning over attempts. Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry will have the largest weight; thus master them first.
| Strategy Rule | Description & Actionable Insight |
|---|---|
| Master the Big 3 First | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry is 82–86% of the paper. Don't touch Number Systems or Modern Math until these are solid. |
| Accuracy > Attempts | 99%ile needs just 9–12 correct answers. Solve 14–15, get 12 right. Never rush to attempt all 22. |
| Target TITA Questions | ~8 TITA per paper with no negative marking. These are your safest bets — attempt all of them. |
| Solve 2020–2025 PYQs | CAT 2024 repeated questions word-for-word from past papers. PYQs are no longer just practice — they're potential exam questions. |
| Prepare for Inequalities | The strongest trend in 2025. Inequalities & Linear Equations had 4 Qs per slot. This is non-negotiable for 2026. |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis- VARC section
The CAT last 5 years analysis for this shows the same syllabus, yet dynamic and unpredictable.
CAT last 5 years analysis-VARC Exam Pattern
The CAT last 5 years analysis shows that there were 24-26 questions in all the years, while the sets kept on changing.
| Year | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Change in the exam pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 26 | Difficult | New 2-hour exam pattern introduced |
| 2021 | 26 | Moderate to Difficult | Fewer questions |
| 2022 | 26 | Moderate | Fewer TITA Questions, Sentence Insertion Introduced, No Odd One Out |
| 2023 | 24 | Moderate to Difficult | Odd One Out reintroduced |
| 2024 | 24 | Moderate to Difficult | Parajumble Absent |
| 2025 | 24 | Moderate to Difficult | Parajumbles reintroduced as TITA (2 Qs); balanced mix across Para Summary, Para Completion, and Odd One Out |
CAT last 5 years analysis- VARC Topic-wise Frequency
This is the topic-wise frequency for the CAT over the last 5 years in the VARC section.
- Science and Technology, in Reading Comprehension, will have the highest weightage.
- Para Summary, Para Jumbles, and Para Completion in Verbal Ability will have the highest weight in verbal ability.
| Category | Chapter | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage Themes | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 180 |
| Science and Technology | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 14 | |
| Environment and Life Science | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| Social Science and History | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | |
| Art and Abstract | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |
| Economics and Management | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| Literature | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| Philosophy | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| Contemporary | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Psychology | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Politics | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Verbal Ability | Question Types | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 120 |
| Para Summary | 9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 39 | |
| Para Jumbles | 9 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 30 | |
| Missing Sent / Para Completion | 0 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 27 | |
| Odd One Out | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
Source: YouTube
CAT last 5 years analysis- VARC Preparation Strategy
Foundation building, practice basic passage set capacity, giving sectional and full mocks is the key to score well in VARC.
| Level | Key Focus & Tasks | Duration / Target |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Focus on reading | Foundation building |
| Level 2 | Practice basic passage set capacity | Solve 2–3 RCs |
| Level 3 | High-volume passage solving | Solve 4–5 RCs |
| Level 4 | Full sectional test & performance review | 1 Sectional every day (40 minutes) & analysis (30 minutes) |
Source: YouTube
CAT Last 5 Years Analysis FAQs
Ques. What is the pattern for VARC over the last years?
Ans. The pattern for VARC is to practise reading passages with a time limit: 45 seconds per question. Complete one reading passage every alternate day. Practise 10-15 question everyday for parts of Speech, subject-Verb agreement, modifiers, and parallelism. After you feel confident, make sure to give sectional mocks and then full mocks for real-time experience.
Ques. What is the pattern for Quants over the last few years?
Ans. The pattern for Quants skills is to start with knowing the basic concepts. Concept Building with a time limit will help you score well. Give 4 sectional tests every week and start giving 6 full-length mocks a month before the exam. After you feel confident, make sure to give sectional mocks and then full mocks for real-time experience.
Ques. What is the pattern for DILR over the last few years?
Ans. The pattern for DILR is to start with previous year questions and focus heavily on identifying premises vs. conclusions, practice verbal logic rules strictly, and learn to avoid personal bias/external facts. Target high accuracy and fast set-building. Giving mocks will be the quickest option for developing good problem-solving skills in logical reasoning.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.