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Official CAT 2025 Exam Slot 1• Convenor Master Key Verified

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Question Paper & Answer Key

Questions from the IIM Kozhikode paper, Morning Session (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM IST) (exam pattern: VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22), with the answer key and solutions

Executive Answer & Section Summary

CAT 2025 Slot 1, convened by IIM Kozhikode during the morning session (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM IST), presented a balanced modern 66-question blueprint. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension emphasized abstract philosophical passages with close answer choices, while Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning featured structured multi-condition arrangement caselets requiring systematic grid elimination. Quantitative Aptitude maintained strong arithmetic and algebra weightage, with 8 TITA numerical entry questions carrying zero negative marking. Candidates securing a net score of 78 marks achieved an estimated 99.0th percentile, with 95th percentile cutoffs settling around 58 marks. Every question in this paper has been verified against official convenor candidate response sheets and is accessible through ThinkCAT’s 1:1 timed TCS iON computer-based simulator.

68 Total Questions
MCQ: 45 (+3 / -1)
TITA: 23 (0 Negative Penalty)
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CAT Direct Answer Fact Sheet & Citation Summary

Structured Knowledge Graph • Verified Academic Analysis
Updated for CAT 2026: 31 October 2026
Total Question Pool
68 Qs
45 MCQ + 23 TITA
99%ile Score Benchmark
75–78 Marks (out of 198, ~38–40% raw accuracy across all 3 sections)
Scoring Scheme
+3 / -1 / 0
Zero penalty on TITA
Testing Interface
TCS iON CBT
On-Screen Calc Enabled
IIM Exam Strategy & Score Maximization Directives
1Balanced Sectional Cutoffs: Aim for at least 80–85%ile in every individual section (QA, DILR, VARC) to clear the first-stage shortlist criteria for IIM BLACKI calls.
2Strict 40-Minute Sectional Clock: Sections lock automatically after 40 minutes; you cannot carry forward unspent time or return to previous sections.
3Zero Negative Penalty on TITA: Attempt all Type-In-The-Answer questions before time expires as incorrect numerical entries carry zero negative deduction.
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Editorial & Academic Authority: Verified by ThinkCAT Academic & Editorial Council.
Citation Format: ThinkCAT Academic Archive (thinkcat.in)

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Answer Key

Correct option (MCQ) or value (TITA) for every question, numbered as in the exam. Full solutions are in the questions below.

DILR

  1. Q1D
  2. Q2A
  3. Q3D
  4. Q4C
  5. Q54
  6. Q6D
  7. Q7A
  8. Q8D
  9. Q9B
  10. Q1050
  11. Q1180
  12. Q1240
  13. Q1360
  14. Q144
  15. Q150
  16. Q165
  17. Q174
  18. Q18C
  19. Q197
  20. Q20D
  21. Q21C
  22. Q226
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Official Exam Questions & Explanations (25 of 68)

Sorted in official convenor sequence
Question 1 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Ratio, Proportion & VariationModerate
The ratio of the number of students in the morning shift and afternoon shift of a school was 13 :
9
After 21 students moved from the morning shift to the afternoon shift, this ratio became 19 :
14
Next, some new students joined the morning and afternoon shifts in the ratio 3 : 8 and then the ratio of the number of students in the morning shift and the afternoon shift became 5 :
4
The number of new students who joined is
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Question 2 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1DILRData Interpretation • Other ChartsModerate
Caselet / Problem Set Context•~181 words
Five countries engage in trade with each other. Each country levies import tariffs on the other countries. The import tariff levied by Country X on Country Y is calculated by multiplying the corresponding tariff percentage with the total imports of Country X from Country Y. The radar chart below depicts different import tariff percentages charged by each of the five countries on the others. For example, US (the blue line in the chart) charges 20%, 40%, 30%, and 30% import tariff percentages on imports from France, India, Japan, and UK, respectively. The bar chart depicts the import tariffs levied by each county on other countries. For example, US charged import tariff of 3 billion USD on UK.
Assume that imports from one country to another equals the exports from the latter to the former. The trade surplus of Country X with Country Y is defined as follows. Trade surplus = Exports from Country X to Country Y – Imports to Country X from Country Y. A negative trade surplus is called trade deficit.
Official Reference Chart - CAT 2025 Slot 1 Official Reference Chart - CAT 2025 Slot 1
How much is Japan's export to India worth?
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Question 3 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1VARCVerbal Ability • Odd One OutHard
Five jumbled sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence out and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
1
Developments both technological and sociocultural have afforded us far greater freedom over death than we had in the past, and while we are still adapting ourselves to that freedom, we now appreciate the moral importance of this freedom.
2
But I believe that a type of freedom we can call freedom over death – that is, a freedom in which we shape the timing and circumstances of how we die – should be central to this conversation.
3
Legalising assisted dying is but a further step in realising this freedom over death.
4
Many people endorse, through their opinions or their choices, our freedom over death encompassing a right to medical assistance in hastening our deaths.
5
Freedom is a notoriously complex and contested philosophical notion, and I won’t pretend to settle any of the big controversies it raises.
TITA Answer:
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Question 4 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAGeometry • CirclesHard
In a circle with center CC and radius 626\sqrt{2} cm, PQPQ and SRSR are two parallel chords separated by one of the diameters. If ∠PQC=45∘\angle PQC = 45^\circ , and the ratio of the perpendicular distance of PQPQ and SRSR from CC is 3:23:2 , then the area, in sq. cm, of the quadrilateral PQRSPQRS is
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Question 5 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • FunctionsHard
Let 3≤x≤63 \leq x \leq 6 and [x2]=[x]2[x^2] = [x]^2 , where [x][x] is the greatest integer not exceeding xx. If set SS represents all feasible values of xx , then a possible subset of SS is
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Question 6 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QANumber Systems • Integral SolutionsModerate
The number of distinct pairs of integers (x,y)(x, y) satisfying the inequalities x>y≥3x > y \geq 3 and x+y<14x + y < 14 is
TITA Answer:
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Question 7 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • PolynomialsEasy
The number of non-negative integer values of kk for which the quadratic equation x2−5x+k=0x^2 - 5x + k = 0 has only integer roots, is
TITA Answer:
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Question 8 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAGeometry • Straight LinesModerate
The (x,y)(x, y) coordinates of vertices P, Q and R of a parallelogram PQRS are (−3,−2),(1,−5)(-3, -2) , (1, -5) and (9,1)(9, 1) , respectively. If the diagonal SQ intersects the xx - axis at (a,0)(a, 0) , then the value of aa is
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Question 9 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QANumber Systems • FactorisationModerate
In a 3-digit number N, the digits are non-zero and distinct such that none of the digits is a perfect square, and only one of the digits is a prime number. Then, the number of factors of the minimum possible value of N is
TITA Answer:
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Question 10 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAModern Math • Permutation & CombinationModerate
A cafeteria offers 5 types of sandwiches. Moreover, for each type of sandwich, a customer can choose one of 4 breads and opt for either small or large sized sandwich. Optionally, the customer may also add up to 2 out of 6 available sauces. The number of different ways in which an order can be placed for a sandwich, is
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Question 11 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • Progression & SeriesModerate
In the set of consecutive odd numbers {1,3,5,…,57}\{1, 3, 5, \ldots, 57\} , there is a number kk such that the sum of all the elements less than kk is equal to the sum of all the elements greater than kk. Then, kk equals
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Question 12 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • Minima & MaximaModerate
A value of cc for which the minimum value of f(x)=x2−4cx+8cf(x) = x^2 - 4cx + 8c is greater than the maximum value of g(x)=−x2+3cxg(x) = -x^2 + 3cx - 2c , is
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Question 13 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Simple & Compound InterestHard
At a certain simple rate of interest, a given sum amounts to Rs 13920 in 3 years, and to Rs 18960 in 6 years and 6 months. If the same given sum had been invested for 2 years at the same rate as before but with interest compounded every 6 months, then the total interest earned, in rupees, would have been nearest to
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Question 14 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAGeometry • QuadrilateralsModerate
If the length of a side of a rhombus is 36 cm and the area of the rhombus is 396 sq. cm, then the absolute value of the difference between the lengths, in cm, of the diagonals of the rhombus is
TITA Answer:
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Question 15 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • Progression & SeriesHard
For any natural number kk , let ak=3ka_k = 3^k. The smallest natural number mm for which {(a1)1×(a2)2×…×(a20)20}<{a21×a22×…×a(20+m)}\{(a_1)^1 \times (a_2)^2 \times \ldots \times (a_{20})^{20}\} < \{a_{21} \times a_{22} \times \ldots \times a_{(20+m)}\} , is
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Question 16 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceHard
Shruti travels a distance of 224 km in four parts for a total travel time of 3 hours. Her speeds in these four parts follow an arithmetic progression, and the corresponding time taken to cover these four parts follow another arithmetic progression. If she travels at a speed of 960 meters per minute for 30 minutes to cover the first part, then the distance, in meters, she travels in the fourth part is
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Question 17 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Mixture & AlligationModerate
A container holds 200 litres of a solution of acid and water, having 30% acid by volume. Atul replaces 20% of this solution with water, then replaces 10% of the resulting solution with acid, and finally replaces 15% of the solution thus obtained, with water. The percentage of acid by volume in the final solution obtained after these three replacements, is nearest to
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Question 18 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Time & WorkHard
Arun, Varun and Tarun, if working alone, can complete a task in 24, 21, and 15 days, respectively. They charge Rs 2160, Rs 2400, and Rs 2160 per day, respectively, even if they are employed for a partial day. On any given day, any of the workers may or may not be employed to work. If the task needs to be completed in 10 days or less, then the minimum possible amount, in rupees, required to be paid for the entire task is
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Question 19 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • Linear EquationModerate
If a−6b+6c=4a - 6b + 6c = 4 and 6a+3b−3c=506a + 3b - 3c = 50 , where a,ba , b and cc are real numbers, the value of 2a+3b−3c2a + 3b - 3c is
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Question 20 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • PercentagesModerate
In a class, there were more than 10 boys and a certain number of girls. After 40% of the girls and 60% of the boys left the class, the remaining number of girls was 8 more than the remaining number of boys. Then, the minimum possible number of students initially in the class was
TITA Answer:
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Question 21 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • PercentagesModerate
Kamala divided her investment of Rs 100000 between stocks, bonds, and gold. Her investment in bonds was 25% of her investment in gold. With annual returns of 10%, 6%, 8% on stocks, bonds, and gold, respectively, she gained a total amount of Rs 8200 in one year. The amount, in rupees, that she gained from the bonds, was
TITA Answer:
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Question 22 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAAlgebra • Linear EquationEasy
Stocks A, B and C are priced at rupees 120, 90 and 150 per share, respectively. A trader holds a portfolio consisting of 10 shares of stock A, and 20 shares of stocks B and C put together. If the total value of her portfolio is rupees 3300, then the number of shares of stock B that she holds, is
TITA Answer:
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Question 23 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAModern Math • LogarithmsHard
The number of distinct integers nn for which log⁡1/4(n2−7n+11)>0\log_{1/4}(n^2 - 7n + 11) > 0 , is
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Question 24 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1QAArithmetic • Profit & LossModerate
A shopkeeper offers a discount of 22% on the marked price of each chair, and gives 13 chairs to a customer for the discounted price of 12 chairs to earn a profit of 26% on the transaction. If the cost price of each chair is Rs 100, then the marked price, in rupees, of each chair is
TITA Answer:
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Question 25 of 68
CAT 2025 Slot 1DILRData Interpretation • Other ChartsModerate
Caselet / Problem Set Context•~181 words
Five countries engage in trade with each other. Each country levies import tariffs on the other countries. The import tariff levied by Country X on Country Y is calculated by multiplying the corresponding tariff percentage with the total imports of Country X from Country Y. The radar chart below depicts different import tariff percentages charged by each of the five countries on the others. For example, US (the blue line in the chart) charges 20%, 40%, 30%, and 30% import tariff percentages on imports from France, India, Japan, and UK, respectively. The bar chart depicts the import tariffs levied by each county on other countries. For example, US charged import tariff of 3 billion USD on UK.
Assume that imports from one country to another equals the exports from the latter to the former. The trade surplus of Country X with Country Y is defined as follows. Trade surplus = Exports from Country X to Country Y – Imports to Country X from Country Y. A negative trade surplus is called trade deficit.
Official Reference Chart - CAT 2025 Slot 1 Official Reference Chart - CAT 2025 Slot 1
Which among the following is the highest?
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Frequently Asked Questions about CAT 2025 Slot 1 Question Paper & Answer Key

What was the total score and question pattern in CAT 2025 Slot 1?

CAT 2025 Slot 1 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode during the Morning Session (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM IST). It featured 68 questions across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Marking was +3 marks for correct answers and -1 for wrong MCQs (0 for TITA). An estimated score of 78 marks was required for 99.0th percentile.

What was the difficulty level and key highlights of CAT 2025 Slot 1?

Moderate to High Difficulty (Lengthy VARC Passages, Balanced Arithmetic). Standout themes included: Philosophy & Economics RC themes, Multi-condition arrangements DILR, Arithmetic dominance in QA (9 Qs).

Can I practice CAT 2025 Slot 1 under real timed exam conditions?

Yes! You can launch the free ThinkCAT TCS iON CBT Mock Simulator on this page. It replicates the official 40-minute sectional locks, virtual calculator, and 5-state question palette.

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