The results are in — the CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF and slot 1 question paper analysis are now available, covering all three sections: DILR, VARC, and Quant. Test-takers and MBA aspirants can now download the memory-based answer key and get a detailed breakdown of how the exam performed in terms of difficulty and structure.
Here is a comprehensive overview and analysis of the CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer key (exam) — including section-wise difficulty, paper pattern, and what aspirants can expect for cut-offs and good attempt ranges.
Exam Pattern & Overall Structure (Slot 1)
- The total number of questions in CAT 2025 slot 1 was 68, same as the previous year.
- The section-wise breakup was:
- VARC: 24 questions (total 72 marks)
- DILR: 22 questions (66 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude (Quant): 22 questions (66 marks)
This structure remains consistent with the recent pattern of the exam, giving aspirants a clear framework of what to expect.
Section-wise Analysis: VARC, DILR & Quant
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- VARC in slot 1 was considered easy to moderate by many test-takers and analysis experts.
- Breakdown of question types:
- Mostly Reading Comprehension (RC) passages: out of 24 VARC questions, 16 were RC-based.
- The remaining questions consisted of para-jumble, para-summary, para-completion, and odd-sentence questions.
- RC passages were reportedly “decodable,” meaning they did not pose unreasonable comprehension barriers, even for time-pressed aspirants.
Implication for aspirants: If you are strong in reading comprehension and can maintain speed, VARC could be a scoring section this year. Moderate accuracy and time management would likely fetch a good number of correct answers.
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
- The DILR section had 22 questions, arranged in 5 sets (data-interpretation or logical reasoning sets).
- In terms of difficulty, DILR was rated as moderate overall.
- Many test-takers and coaching institutes observed that DILR was easier than Quant, but still demanded careful reading and analysis.
Implication for aspirants: Accuracy matters more than speed here. Proper practice of various DI-LR set types (tables, graphs, logic puzzles) would pay off. If attempted carefully, DILR could contribute significantly to a safe attempt count.
Quantitative Aptitude (Quant)
- Quant had 22 questions, many of which belonged to Arithmetic (about 8–10), while the remaining involved other Quant-topics.
- According to the analysis, the Quant questions were lengthy and tricky, though doable for aspirants with decent calculation speed and accuracy.
- For many, this section turned out to be the most time-consuming due to lengthy numerical calculations and complexity of problems.
Implication for aspirants: Quant remains a high-risk, high-reward section. Unless you are confident with speed calculations and fundamentals, it may be wise to attempt selectively, focusing more on accuracy rather than attempting all questions.
Difficulty Level & Overall Observations
- The general consensus from experts and test-takers suggests that CAT 2025 slot 1 was on par with past years in difficulty — neither unusually easy nor overly tough.
- While VARC leaned towards easy-moderate, DILR was moderate, and Quant was lengthier but manageable.
- Given this spread, a balanced strategy — good performance in VARC + DILR, and selective but accurate Quant attempts — would be optimal for a strong overall performance.
How to Use the CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer Key PDF
Once you download the CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF, here’s how you can make the most of it:
- Mark all your answers (from memory) and match them with the answer key to calculate your likely score.
- Use section-wise result to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses — this is crucial if you plan to attempt CAT again or want to improve via mocks.
- Compare your attempt count and accuracy with expected cut-offs (once released) to estimate your percentile and chances for IIMs / top colleges.
This is unofficial/memory-based answer keys are made available quickly on exam day; the official answer key (along with response sheet) is usually released a few days later on the official portal.
What This Slot 1 Analysis Means For Aspirants
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer key importance analysis
- If you performed decently in VARC and DILR and attempted Quant judiciously, you might end up with a good overall attempt count.
- With slot 1 now analysed, aspirants in slot 2 or slot 3 should adjust their strategies — earlier sections give an insight into expected difficulty and time management.
- The answer key helps you project likely percentile range, which is vital for choosing which colleges to apply to (IIMs or Non-IIMs).
Important Notes & Disclaimers-CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer key
- The current answer key is memory-based / unofficial. While these give a good estimate, they are not guaranteed to match the final official key released by the conducting body.
- Sections like Quant can vary significantly for different candidates based on time management — treat your own results in context of accuracy, not just number of attempts.
- Use these analyses only as a guideline, not a guarantee of final results or percentile.
FAQs-CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer key
Q1. How can I download the CAT 2025 Slot 1 answer key PDF?
A: You can download the slot 1 answer key PDF from the official CAT portal once released, or via trusted educational portals that publish memory-based answer keys immediately after the exam.
Q2. What was the total number of questions in CAT 2025 slot 1?
A: The total number of questions in CAT 2025 slot 1 was 68, split as 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR, and 22 in Quant.
Q3. Which section was easiest in CAT 2025 slot 1 — VARC, DILR or Quant?
A: According to preliminary analysis, VARC was easy to moderate, DILR was moderate, and Quant was more challenging due to lengthy calculations.
Q4. How should I use the CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key to estimate my score?
A: Match your answers (from memory) with the answer key to count correct answers, subtract penalty for wrong attempts (if any), and thereby estimate your probable score. Compare this with expected cut-offs for a rough percentile prediction.
Q5. Is the memory-based answer key from portals reliable?
A: Memory-based answer keys provide a quick estimate but should be treated cautiously. Final official answer key (released by the exam conducting authority) may differ. Use memory-based keys for preliminary self-assessment only.
The release of the CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF and the detailed slot 1 question paper analysis for VARC, DILR and Quant gives aspirants a clear window into how the first slot of CAT 2025 panned out. With VARC being manageable, DILR moderate, and Quant demanding but doable, a balanced attempt strategy could yield a good overall result.
Use the answer key wisely to calculate probable score, analyse your performance section-wise, and calibrate your expectations and preparations accordingly — whether you’re awaiting official results or planning for future attempts.
Wishing all aspirants success — may your hard work pay
