The Common Admission Test (CAT) is just 3 months away! Aspirants gearing to appear on November 30, 2025 should have cleared up their concepts and would be clear of the exam pattern. However, at this stage it is important to understand what to expect on the day of the exam. Going to the exam hall with uncertain and loose vision can lead to anxiety and poor time management, eventually leading to poor performance. Thus, to make optimal use of your knowledge base, it is crucial to understand the trends from the previous five years. 

This article aims to break down key insights from the five previous years in order to help you effectively manage your preparation and utilize your full potential. 

Previously, the CAT exam pattern expected students to attempt 100 questions in under 180 minutes. However, since COVID, the exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes with questions ranging from 60-80, increasing the difficulty level. The shift meant that the aspirants were expected to increase their speed with better time management and efficiency. 

The following table helps you understand the total number of questions and time that were allocated in the previous 5 year CAT exam question papers:

The score for a 99%ile is subjective every year. It depends on various factors like exam difficulty level, total number of questions, number of candidates that appear in a particular year, sectional performance and question type among others. A 99%ile score commonly reflected 96-102 marks. However, in tougher years like 2022, the score was around 91-93. Noteworthy, in 2024, the students/professionals registering for CAT increased by 30%, capping 3.29 lakh candidates. This surge reflected the evolving nature of the exam, making it an inclusive gateway to top B-schools. 

The CAT entrance exam keeps getting more challenging every year, with assumed proficiency on speed, accuracy and time management. With over 2.5 lakh candidates appearing annually, CAT is undoubtedly one of the most competitive exams. To achieve a high and proficient score, it is wise that the candidate visualize their success. A good CAT score is about consistent effort, smart strategy and building on your strengths. 

In the upcoming weeks, Hitbullseye aims to focus on the sectional exam analysis for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). We will work on providing a detailed article based on research and past trend analysis to give you the key insights, in turn, helping you strategize and prepare smartly. 

All the best for those appearing!