The CAT exam is conducted in three slots on the same day, and each slot carries slight variations in question difficulty and student experience. The CAT exam slot-3 analysis is crucial because it is the final session of the exam and helps aspirants compare their performance with earlier slots.
Below, we will update the CAT 2025 Slot-3 analysis (exam date: 30 November 2025) immediately after the evening session, with section-wise difficulty, highlights, and expert insights.
We have also included Slot-3 analysis of past years (2019–2024) so that you can clearly track trends and prepare effectively.
CAT 2025 Slot-3 Analysis
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2025 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | To be updated | To be updated | RC passages, VA mix, tricky areas |
| DILR | To be updated | To be updated | Length, calculation load, solvable sets |
| QA | To be updated | To be updated | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry trends |
Overall Difficulty:
To be updated
Expert Insights:
Will be updated after the exam with expert commentary on Slot-3 trends.
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CAT Exam Slot-3 Analysis 2024
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2024 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RC-heavy, a couple of passages slightly tricky; VA questions manageable |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets were dense; time-consuming calculations reduced attempts |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic dominated, algebra was mixed, geometry required careful handling |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2024 Slot-3 kept the pressure intact for aspirants who appeared in the last session. VARC was on the expected lines, with reading comprehension making up most of the section and requiring accuracy rather than high attempts.
DILR once again tested decision-making — sets were solvable but extremely time-intensive, so only those with strong selection skills could manage two sets. QA offered some relief with arithmetic problems but had enough tricky algebra to slow down attempts.
Compared with Slot-1 and Slot-2, Slot-3 was similar in overall difficulty, though students found the fatigue of writing in the evening a real challenge. Strategic stamina and composure were crucial in this slot.
CAT Exam Slot-3 Analysis 2024
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2023 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RC passages were lengthy; VA had para-jumbles and odd-one-out |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets were complex, only 1–2 were realistically solvable |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic-heavy, algebra questions varied in difficulty |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2023 Slot-3 was consistent with the earlier slots but carried its own challenges. Many students reported fatigue as a factor since this was the evening slot, and staying sharp till the last hour of the day required extra focus.
VARC gave chances to score with well-structured RCs, though maintaining accuracy in tricky inference questions was key. DILR lived up to its reputation of being the hardest section — sets were calculation-heavy, and wasting time on unsolvable ones proved costly.
QA provided balance through arithmetic, but algebra demanded careful handling. Compared to Slot-1 and Slot-2, Slot-3 felt equally difficult overall, though the fatigue element made it tougher for some aspirants.
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CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis 2022
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2022 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RCs were slightly easier than Slot-2; VA questions gave scoring chances |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets looked doable at first but turned lengthy; accuracy was hard to maintain |
| QA | 22 | Moderate | Arithmetic dominated, algebra was tricky, geometry consumed extra time |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2022 Slot-3 brought a mix of relief and challenge for aspirants. VARC felt slightly lighter compared to Slot-2, with passages that were more straightforward, though para-summary questions demanded close reading.
DILR, however, remained a pressure point — most sets required heavy calculation, making it tough to complete more than one comfortably. QA followed the usual pattern with arithmetic offering safe scoring, while algebra and geometry were time traps.
Students who entered the last slot with fatigue found it difficult to sustain focus, underlining the importance of stamina. Compared with Slot-1 and Slot-2, Slot-3 was not drastically different but demanded calmness and efficient selection to maintain performance.
CAT Slot-3 Analysis 2021
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2021 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | RCs dominated with long passages; VA questions were standard but required precision |
| DILR | 20 | Difficult | Sets were complex, most students could solve only 1 fully |
| QA | 22 | Moderate to Difficult | Arithmetic gave scoring scope, algebra questions were tricky, geometry selective |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2021 Slot-3 carried forward the same 66-question, 120-minute structure, but the evening fatigue made it slightly more taxing for many aspirants. VARC was balanced with RC-heavy weightage, but the real challenge lay in extracting inferences quickly.
DILR once again became the section that determined cut-offs — solving even one complete set confidently separated higher percentile scorers from the rest. QA was a mixed bag, where arithmetic questions helped students maintain accuracy, but algebra consumed extra time and created pressure.
Compared with Slot-1 and Slot-2, Slot-3 felt similar in overall difficulty, though mental stamina in the final slot played a significant role in performance.
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CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis 2020
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2020 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 26 | Moderate | RCs were long and inference-heavy; VA was manageable |
| DILR | 24 | Difficult | Sets were highly calculation-heavy, most students solved only 1 |
| QA | 26 | Moderate | Arithmetic dominated, algebra was tricky, geometry tested fundamentals |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2020 Slot-3 was the closing paper of the day and the first year with the reduced 120-minute format, which amplified time pressure. VARC, though moderate, demanded faster reading speed to maintain accuracy across lengthy RCs.
DILR continued as the bottleneck, with sets that looked approachable but turned calculation-intensive, leading to low attempts. QA offered balance through arithmetic, but tricky algebra and geometry questions kept students on edge.
Compared with Slot-1 and Slot-2, Slot-3 felt similar in overall difficulty, but the evening timing added an extra layer of fatigue. Success depended on stamina, quick decision-making, and the ability to skip time-draining questions.
CAT Exam Slot-3 Analysis 2019
Below is the analysis of the CAT 2019 question paper for slot-3:
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| VARC | 34 | Moderate | RC-heavy with 24 questions; VA included para-summary, para-jumbles, odd-one-out |
| DILR | 32 | Moderate | Mix of easy and tricky sets; time management was key |
| QA | 34 | Difficult | Geometry and algebra made QA challenging; arithmetic relatively easier |
Overall Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Expert Insights:
CAT 2019 Slot-3 was the last paper under the 3-hour, 100-question format, and it tested not just aptitude but also endurance. VARC stayed consistent with RC-dominance, requiring sustained focus and strong comprehension skills late in the evening.
DILR was more balanced than in later years, offering at least two approachable sets if aspirants chose wisely. QA, however, proved to be the toughest section, with geometry and algebra dragging down accuracy and attempt levels.
Compared with earlier slots, Slot-3 felt similar in structure but mentally exhausting due to the longer format and late timing. The paper emphasized the importance of stamina and strategy across sections.
CAT Exam Slot 3 Comparison (2019–2024)
| Year | Duration | Total Questions | Overall Difficulty | Key Highlight |
| 2024 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | DILR dense, QA arithmetic-heavy, evening fatigue added challenge |
| 2023 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | DILR toughest, QA arithmetic-focused, fatigue affected accuracy |
| 2022 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | VARC slightly easier than Slot-2, DILR time-consuming |
| 2021 | 120 mins | 66 | Moderate to Difficult | Balanced paper, but evening timing tested stamina |
| 2020 | 120 mins | 76 | Moderate to Difficult | First 2-hour CAT, DILR heavy, RCs lengthy |
| 2019 | 180 mins | 100 | Moderate to Difficult | Last 3-hour format, QA toughest with heavy geometry/algebra |
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Key Takeaways from CAT Slot-3 Trends
- DILR Consistently Toughest: Across all years, Slot-3 aspirants reported DILR as the most difficult section, with lengthy sets and low attempt rates.
- QA Offers Balance: Arithmetic questions gave relief in most years, but tricky algebra and geometry made QA a challenge, especially in 2019 and 2020.
- VARC Stable Across Years: VARC in Slot-3 remained moderate, with RCs dominating. Inference-based questions tested accuracy more than attempt count.
- Evening Fatigue Matters: Slot-3 is the final session of the day, and many aspirants noted tiredness affected their focus. Stamina and calmness became key differentiators.
- Overall Difficulty Stayed Moderate to Difficult: While not drastically harder than other slots, Slot-3 demanded strong mental resilience, smart selection of questions, and effective time management.
FAQs About CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis
CAT 2025 Slot-3 analysis will be updated on 30 November 2025, right after the evening session ends, with section-wise difficulty, key highlights, and expert insights.
Like previous years, CAT 2025 Slot-3 is expected to have 66 questions – 24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, and 22 in QA.
Not necessarily. Difficulty varies slightly each year, but normalisation ensures fairness. However, Slot-3 students often report mental fatigue as an additional challenge.
CAT 2024 Slot-3 was moderate to difficult. VARC was balanced but RC passages were tricky, DILR was dense and time-consuming, and QA was dominated by arithmetic.
DILR is the most influential section in Slot-3, as attempts are generally lower. Even one well-attempted set can significantly improve percentile.
Based on trends, CAT 2025 Slot-3 will likely be moderate to difficult, with RC-heavy VARC, tough DILR, and arithmetic-led QA. Final insights will be shared after the exam.
Take mock tests in the evening to simulate fatigue conditions. Practice DILR daily, revise QA basics, and read diverse content for VARC. Online coaching and slot-based mocks help.
Absolutely. Slot-3 analysis highlights recurring difficulty patterns, sectional trends, and the role of stamina. Reviewing it helps future aspirants prepare for both academic and mental challenges.
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