The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, held on 30 November 2025, challenged aspirants with a mix of moderate to high difficulty levels across its three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). According to student reactions and expert reviews, DILR emerged as the toughest segment, VARC presented moderate difficulty, and QA tested candidates’ speed with lengthy calculations.
CAT 2025 VARC Section: Moderate Difficulty With Challenging Passages
The VARC section had reading passages and verbal questions like Para Formation. Some passages were hard to read, but most students found this section doable with careful reading. The section included a mix of vocabulary, sentence arrangement, and comprehension questions that tested understanding and interpretation skills. Returning question types like Paragraph Jumbles challenged speed and clarity, making accuracy key in this section.
DILR Section: The Toughest Part of the CAT 2025 Exam
Many found the DILR section difficult due to logical puzzles and data problems needing deep thinking. Some sets were easier and suggested as the first attempt, but most required quick reasoning skills. The use of a balanced mix of Multiple Choice and Type In The Answer questions increased the section's complexity. Students had to solve seating arrangements, pattern recognition, and ranking problems under strict time limits, which added to the pressure.
CAT 2025 QA Section: Long Calculations Make It Hard
QA focused on familiar topics like arithmetic and algebra but had long, multi-step calculation questions. Students needed speed and accuracy to finish this section well. Topics like geometry and number systems appeared less frequently but still required good conceptual clarity. Candidates noted that while the concepts were known, the lengthy calculations made this section time-consuming.
Student Reactions to CAT 2025 Exam: Difficulty Levels & Overall Experience
Students said DILR needed the most time and effort. VARC was a bit challenging but manageable, and QA was tricky because of long calculations. Many felt that good time management was essential, especially in DILR, as some sets required deep thinking under strict time limits. Students also mentioned that staying calm and focused helped to handle the pressure, and practicing a variety of logical and quantitative problems before the exam would benefit future aspirants. The overall feedback emphasized that balancing speed with accuracy was key to completing the exam successfully.
Tips for CAT 2026 Preparation
To prepare better for CAT next year, start by identifying your weak areas and allocate more time to improve them. Practice mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy under timed conditions. For VARC, work on your reading speed and comprehension by reading daily. For DILR, focus on solving different types of puzzles and logical reasoning sets. Lastly, sharpen your calculation skills for QA to save time during the exam. Consistency and smart practice are key to cracking CAT.
