The CAT exam is conducted in three slots on the same day, and each slot has its own unique pattern and level of difficulty. For aspirants, the CAT exam slot-2 analysis is very important because it provides insights into how the afternoon session compared with Slot-1 and Slot-3.
Below, we will update the CAT 2025 Slot-2 analysis (to be held on 30 November 2025) with detailed section-wise difficulty, number of questions, and key takeaways.
Along with this, we have also included the Slot-2 analysis of past years (2024–2019) to help you understand the trends, difficulty shifts, and expert insights.
CAT 2025 Slot-2 Analysis
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2025 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | To be updated | To be updated | RC vs VA balance, tricky para-jumbles or summaries |
| DILR | To be updated | To be updated | Type of sets, calculation load, time pressure |
| QA | To be updated | To be updated | Dominant topics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry), scoring areas |
Overall Difficulty:
To be updated
Expert Insights:
Will be updated on exam day with expert commentary on Slot-2 trends.
CAT Exam Slot-2 Analysis 2024
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2024 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RC passages were lengthy, VA questions slightly tricky |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Data-heavy sets, most students managed only 1 complete set |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic was scoring, algebra moderate, geometry posed some challenge |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2024 Slot-2 presented a balanced but demanding paper. VARC followed the usual trend of being reading-heavy, where students with consistent reading habits found an advantage, though accuracy in tricky inference questions became a challenge.
DILR was again the bottleneck — sets looked approachable at first glance but required significant time to crack, forcing aspirants to pick wisely. QA gave some relief with arithmetic questions, but students who invested too much time in geometry often missed easier problems.
Compared to Slot-1, the overall level was slightly more approachable, though DILR continued to weigh down scores and impact cut-offs significantly.
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CAT Exam Slot-2 Analysis 2023
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2023 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RCs from diverse topics, VA questions required logical thinking |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets were lengthy; only one or two were realistically solvable |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic-based, algebra mixed, geometry questions were selective but tricky |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2023 Slot-2 kept the pressure high, especially in DILR where most aspirants could only solve one complete set with confidence. The section demanded both quick recognition of solvable sets and precise execution under time pressure. VARC was steady, with RCs testing comprehension and patience, while VA questions created confusion for those who lacked practice.
QA offered opportunities in arithmetic, but algebra and geometry questions required sharp conceptual clarity. Compared to Slot-1, Slot-2 felt slightly more approachable in QA but equally punishing in DILR. Serious test-takers who maintained calmness and focused on accuracy over attempt count performed best in this slot.
CAT Slot-2 Analysis 2022
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2022 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RCs were slightly denser than Slot-1; VA was manageable |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Only one set was comfortably doable; others were lengthy and calculation-heavy |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic provided scoring chances, algebra mixed in difficulty, geometry time-consuming |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2022 Slot-2 reinforced the pattern of DILR as the pressure point. While students entered with confidence after Slot-1 feedback, they soon realized Slot-2 DILR wasn’t much easier.
Set selection was again critical — one good set could differentiate a 90+ percentile scorer from the rest. VARC offered balance, with RC passages being slightly denser and inference-based, though accuracy was possible with practice.
QA was approachable in arithmetic but tricky in geometry, and algebra needed strong fundamentals. Compared to Slot-1, Slot-2 felt marginally more challenging in VARC but similar in DILR. Overall, composure and question selection defined success in this slot.
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CAT Exam Slot-2 Analysis 2021
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2021 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RC-heavy with diverse topics, VA had para-jumbles and summaries |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets were complex and time-consuming, only 1 approachable set |
| QA | 22 | Moderate to Difficult | Arithmetic was scoring, algebra raised the difficulty, geometry was selective |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2021 Slot-2 was the second paper in the newly introduced 66-question format, and students felt the time pressure acutely. VARC passages were lengthy but manageable, and VA questions provided scoring chances for those who practiced regularly.
DILR remained the toughest challenge, with aspirants often stuck between choosing one complex set or wasting time on unsolvable ones. QA felt uneven — arithmetic was a relief, but algebra demanded careful thinking and slowed down attempts.
Compared to Slot-1, Slot-2 was almost at the same level, though students found VARC slightly denser. Success here depended on quick adaptability and disciplined time management.
CAT Exam Slot-2 Analysis 2020
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2020 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 26 | Moderate | RCs were lengthy, VA questions had tricky para-jumbles |
| DILR | 24 | Difficult | Sets were data-heavy, most students solved only 1–2 comfortably |
| QA | 26 | Moderate | Arithmetic dominated, but algebra and geometry created hurdles |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2020 Slot-2 was one of the most challenging tests in recent memory, mainly because it was the first 2-hour CAT exam. Students had to quickly adapt to reduced time and tighter sectional limits.
VARC was doable but required very fast reading and quick decision-making on questions to attempt. DILR was again the section that frustrated aspirants — even experienced test-takers found most sets lengthy and calculation-heavy, with only one or two worth attempting fully.
QA balanced things out with arithmetic giving scoring chances, though algebra and geometry carried enough weight to test fundamentals. The biggest learning from Slot-2 was that success depended not just on knowledge but on adapting quickly to the new format under time pressure.
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CAT Exam Slot-2 Analysis 2019
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2019 question paper for slot-2:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 34 | Moderate | RC dominated with 24 questions; VA included para-summary & odd-one-out |
| DILR | 32 | Moderate | Mix of easy and tricky sets; selection played a crucial role |
| QA | 34 | Difficult | Geometry and algebra were tough; arithmetic was comparatively easier |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2019 Slot-2 was the last exam in the 3-hour, 100-question format, and it challenged aspirants with stamina as much as skill. VARC was consistent with RC-heavy weightage, requiring strong reading comprehension and accuracy.
DILR was fairly balanced compared to later years, where test-takers could find at least a couple of approachable sets if they managed time well. QA, however, was the toughest section — a heavy emphasis on geometry and advanced algebra made it demanding even for well-prepared candidates.
Compared with Slot-1, Slot-2 carried a similar level of difficulty, but QA’s toughness defined the performance gap. The paper reminded aspirants that endurance, patience, and selective solving are key in long-format exams.
CAT Exam Slot-2 Comparison (2019–2024)
| Year | Duration | Total Questions | Overall Difficulty | Key Highlight |
| 2024 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | DILR toughest, QA arithmetic-heavy |
| 2023 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | Set selection crucial in DILR |
| 2022 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | Only one approachable DILR set |
| 2021 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | Second year of reduced-format exam |
| 2020 | 120 mins | 76 | Moderate to Difficult | First 2-hour CAT; high time pressure |
| 2019 | 180 mins | 100 | Moderate to Difficult | Last 3-hour CAT; QA was toughest |
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Key Takeaways from CAT Exam Slot-2 Trends
- DILR Remains the Decider: Across years, Slot-2 consistently saw DILR emerge as the toughest section, forcing aspirants to rely on smart set selection rather than attempting everything.
- QA Balanced but Time-Consuming: QA in Slot-2 usually provided scoring opportunities through arithmetic, but algebra and geometry kept the pressure high, testing both speed and accuracy.
- VARC Stayed Consistent: VARC in Slot-2 followed a stable trend, with RCs forming the bulk. The challenge lay in managing accuracy in inference-based questions.
- Format Shift Changed Strategies: The shift from 3 hours (2019) to 2 hours (2020 onwards) made Slot-2 more intense. Students had to adapt by focusing on precision over attempts.
- Overall Difficulty Remained Moderate to Difficult: Slot-2 has not shown extreme shifts but has consistently tested aspirants with balanced difficulty. Success in this slot has always depended on composure and strategy, not just knowledge.
FAQs About CAT 2025 Slot-2 Analysis
CAT 2025 is scheduled on 30 November 2025. The Slot-2 analysis will be published after the afternoon session, covering difficulty, section-wise review, and expert insights.
CAT 2025 Slot-2 is expected to have 66 questions in total – 24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, and 22 in QA, similar to 2024.
Not always. Difficulty may vary slightly, but normalization ensures fairness. In 2024, Slot-2 was slightly easier in QA compared to Slot-1, while DILR remained equally tough.
CAT 2024 Slot-2 was rated moderate to difficult. DILR was the toughest section, VARC was reading-heavy, and QA provided relief with arithmetic.
Yes. Normalization ensures fairness across all slots. If Slot-2 is slightly easier or tougher than Slot-1 or Slot-3, scores are adjusted before percentile calculation.
Since 2020, DILR has been the cut-off deciding section in Slot-2. Even one well-attempted set can significantly boost a student’s percentile.
Not necessarily. Some years, QA in Slot-2 was slightly more approachable than Slot-3, but DILR remained tough across all slots. Normalization balances these variations.
Based on trends, Slot-2 is expected to be moderate to difficult, with DILR toughest, QA arithmetic-heavy, and VARC reading-dominated. Final analysis will be updated after the exam.
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