Every year IIM brings its own strategy and pattern when it comes to setting the CAT examination, leading to noticeable differences in question framing and level of difficulty. Despite of these changes, keep note that the fundamental format and basics of the CAT exam remain the same, which means we can’t determine the level of difficulty solely based on the conducting IIM, but we can predict the overall trend. Let’s delve into which IIM will conduct CAT 2025.
Which IIM will conduct CAT 2025?
Although there is no such official announcement about who will conduct CAT 2025, this time IIM Kozhikode is expected to conduct CAT 2025 Examination. To get yourself familiar with the level of difficulty and pattern of exam, it is beneficial to revisit the previous year papers administered by IIM Kozhikode. Analysing and understanding their previous question patterns will help to get insight into their question setting style, section-wise balance and overall examination strategy.
Which IIM will conduct CAT 2025 - Difficulty Level Analysis
It is expected that CAT 2025 will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode and to gauge what actually the exam of this year looks like, it will be highly helpful to revisit CAT 20219 exam paper as it was set by IIM Kozhikode. In CAT 2019, it was noticed that the level of Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VARC) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) were at moderate end whereas questions on Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) were at a tougher side. Based on this pattern, candidates can prepare and expect the level of difficulty as well as strategy to crack the exam.
IIMs Who Conducted CAT Exam: Over the Years
The below table has outlined the CAT exam in the recent years along with the conducting IIMs and the level of difficulty for students to get an idea about the upcoming examination level.
Which IIM will Conduct CAT 2025 - Section-Wise Difficulty Level Analysis
| YEAR | IIMS | DILR | VARC | QA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2025
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
Moderate/ Difficult (Expected)
|
Moderate/ Difficult (Expected)
|
Moderate (Expected)
|
|
2024
|
Calcutta
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
2023
|
Lucknow
|
Difficult
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Difficult
|
|
2022
|
Bangalore
|
Difficult
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
|
2021
|
Ahmedabad
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate/ Difficult
|
|
2020
|
Indore |
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
2019 |
Kozhikode |
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
2018 |
Calcutta |
Difficult |
Easy/Moderate
|
Difficult |
|
2017 |
Lucknow |
Moderate/ Difficult
|
Easy/Moderate
|
Easy
|
CAT Exam Difficulty Level by IIMs: Previous Year Analysis
CAT 2024 Exam Conducted by IIM Calcutta – Difficulty Level
- The overall difficulty level of CAT 2024 was moderate, making it bit easier than CAT 2023.
- The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section was moderately tough, and demanded focused analytical skills.
- The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension did not show much variation in terms of difficulty as compared to previous year.
- The Quantitative Ability was bit moderately challenging, with questions that were manageable with good amount of practice.
- There was a notable change in the CAT 2024 exam pattern, impacting how students approached the exam. The table below shows the Percentile to Scale scored conversion scored in CAT 2024:
| Percentile | Marks in 2024 |
|---|---|
|
99.9
|
127
|
|
99.5
|
103.97
|
|
99
|
95.13
|
|
97
|
78.9
|
|
95
|
70
|
|
90 |
78 |
CAT 2023 Exam Conducted by IIM Lucknow – Difficulty Level
- The CAT 2023 was conducted by IIM Lucknow.
- The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section was moderate to difficult, and demanded a good language and comprehension skills.
- The Quantitative Ability (QA) was tough, making it highly difficult from previous years.
- The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) was also challenging, measuring candidate’s strong analytical skills.
| Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|
|
100
|
138.59
|
|
99.95
|
106.95
|
|
99.9
|
101.43
|
|
99.5
|
84.29
|
|
99
|
76.02
|
|
98.5 |
71.15
|
|
98 |
66.68
|
|
97.5 |
63.64
|
|
97 |
61.56
|
|
96.6
|
59.99
|
|
96 |
58.1
|
|
95.5
|
56.41
|
| Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|
|
95
|
54.86
|
|
94
|
53.32
|
|
93
|
52.35
|
|
92
|
51.95
|
|
91
|
46.13
|
|
90 |
45.16
|
CAT 2022 Exam Conducted by IIM Bangalore – Difficulty Level
- CAT 2022 was conducted by IIM Bangalore.
- The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) was the most demanding section and required intense problem-solving skills.
- The Quantitative Ability (QA) and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) showed moderate to high level of difficulty.
| Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|
|
100
|
143.83
|
|
99.9
|
109.9
|
|
99.5
|
92.87
|
|
99
|
83.64
|
|
98
|
73.88
|
|
95 |
59.75
|
|
90 |
48.44
|
|
85 |
41.32
|
|
80 |
36.02
|
CAT 2025 Exam - Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
|
CAT 2025 Notification Date
|
Last Week of July 2025
|
|
CAT 2025 Registration Date
|
First week of August 2025
|
|
CAT 2025 Registration Last Date
|
First Week of September 2025
|
|
CAT 2025 Exam Date
|
30th November 2025
|
|
CAT 2025 Result
|
First week of January
|
Which IIM will conduct CAT 2025 – Conclusion
The exact difficulty level of CAT 2025 is yet to be confirmed, but it is highly predicted that the level will be moderate across all the three main sections, with IIM Kozhikode is most likely to conduct the exam. Based on the trends, the difficulty level may vary but the basics of CAT exam will be carried this year as well.
FAQs Which IIM will conduct CAT 2025
It is highly expected that IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025. For more details candidates are advised to check the official CTA website.
CAT 2025 difficulty level is expected to be moderate, with QA and VARC section to be moderate in level and DILR to be difficult in terms of level.
DILR section is usually considered to be toughest section among the three, followed by QA and then VARC. VARC is generally moderate and students with good language and comprehension skills find the section scoring.
The official CAT website is iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can regularly check the websites for latest updates.
