CAT exam usually doesn’t repeat PYQ questions word for word, but it does repeat similar concepts, patterns and types of questions from previous years.
Candidates might have a question in their mind, “Do PYQ Repeat in CAT?”. Here, they should understand that they won’t see the same question, but they might get the same question with the same logic and concepts. So, it is required to follow the previous year's question paper and prepare accordingly.
Also Read
Key Summary
- IIM Ahmedabad is going to conduct CAT 2026 on the last Sunday of November 2026 (tentative).
- Questions are not the same, but have similar ideas and question types with different values or contexts
- Candidates can take the CAT any number of times without age restriction
- There are 76 questions with a break of 3 sections, namely VARC, DILR and QA, each has its time restriction
- Past year CAT scores are not valid after a year, and you must give new attempts to be qualified for future admission
Do PYQ Repeat in CAT
Although the CAT is unlikely to repeat the same question from a previous exam, the types and ideas are likely to recur with slightly altered language and figures.
As an example, questions may include profit and loss, time work or critical reasoning questions with different situations.
Students learn about the levels of difficulty of the exam and the time management needs. This training alleviates the test anxiety as it acquaints the candidates with the real test scenario.
| Year | Total Questions | VARC | DILR | QA | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 120 minutes |
| 2023 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 minutes |
| 2022 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 minutes |
| 2021 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 120 minutes |
How Many PYQ Repeat in CAT?
Each section of CAT maintains its characteristic question types. Candidates can expect around 10-15 repeated or similar questions in the CAT 2025 exam. These may not be in the same word-for-word format; rather, these will be of a similar pattern and logic.
Also Read
CAT 2024 Question Paper With Answer KeyDoes CAT Exam Pattern Change Every Year?
In recent years, the CAT exam pattern has been fairly consistent with the question structure. The pattern has 68 questions. The sectional time limits, question distribution and the marking scheme have been the same since 2020.
As per the previous trend and updated data, it is expected that CAT 2026 is going to be as per the usual pattern. The candidate should, however, be informed of official communication released by the conducting IIM, which may be related to changes in the exam structure or duration.
Also Read
CAT Preparation TipsDo CAT questions repeat?
"Do PYQ repeat in CAT" is a common query among candidates. While the exact questions rarely repeat, similar concepts or question types often do. You can check detailed discussions and personal experiences on this topic shared by candidates on Quora: Does CAT questions repeat?: Quora
Topics with Repeated Questions in CAT
As per the CAT PYQ analysis, it is seen that Arithmetic and TITA have the most expected set of questions. This is due to a limited number of questionable concepts. So, if candidates follow the previous year's questions on these concepts, they can expect a few similar questions to be the same.
How Many Questions Should Be Correct in CAT?
The correct answers required during CAT differ according to the overall toughness of the exam and the target percentile. For a 99+ percentile, candidates are expected to correctly answer 50-60 questions per section.
For the 95+ percentile, the candidate must have 40-45 correct answers. The students should complete only those questions in which a student are certain, as the negative marking can really affect the end score.
| CAT Year Wise Question Paper Download | |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 Question Paper | CAT 2022 Question Paper |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper | CAT 2020 Question Paper |
Can I Use Previous Year CAT Score?
Previous years' CAT scores are usually valid only for one admission cycle. The majority of the business schools and IIMs insist on the latest CAT score every year of admission.
VARC requires time and reading skills, and DILR needs pattern and analysis thinking. Meanwhile, QA needs strong mathematical foundations and quick calculation skills.
| Percentile Target | Approximate Correct Answers | Strategy Focus |
| 99+ | 55-60 | High accuracy, selective attempt |
| 95+ | 40-45 | Balanced approach, avoid negative marking |
| 90+ | 35-40 | Focus on strong areas, skip difficult questions |
Should You Attempt All Questions in CAT?
It is not usually advisable to try all questions in CAT since the test uses a negative marking system and there is a time limit. There is negative marking of wrong answers in CAT.
Also Read
CAT Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals 2025Do PYQ Repeat in CAT FAQS
Ques. Do PYQ Repeat in CAT?
Ans. No. However, similar concepts and question types appear with different contexts and numerical values.
- Previous year papers provide insight into exam patterns and difficulty levels
- Focus on concept mastery rather than memorising specific questions
Ques. How many questions to attempt in CAT to get 99 percentiles in quants?
Ans. To get 99 percentiles, it is enough to have 20-25 questions fairly accurately with 90 percent+ rate and not have to complete all 32 questions.
- Aim 22-24/25-27 right answers in the QA field.
- Avoid difficult questions that consume excessive time
- Focus on strong areas like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry
Ques. How many mocks should I give for CAT in 2 months before the exam?
Ans. Take 20-25 full-length mocks in the last 2 months, with 3-4 mocks per week at the beginning and 2-3 last few weeks. Improve and analyse the following after every mock test.
- Week 1-4: 3-4 mocks weekly, including analysis
- Week 5-6: 2- 3 mocks per week on the weak areas
- Week 7 -8: 1-2 mocks a week, focusing on revision
- Maintain a consistent mock schedule without burnout
Ques. How many months to clear the CAT exam?
Ans. The average candidate needs between 6-12 months of full-time preparation to crack CAT. This time varies based on the current academic background, desired percentile and hours of study per day.
- Engineering graduates: 6-8 months with focused preparation
- Non-technical background: 8-12 months full-coverage
- Working professionals: part-time preparation, 10-15 months
- Regular daily studying 3-4 hours per day is a better tip than any intermittent heavy study.
Ques. Should you attempt all questions in CAT?
Ans. No. Give attention to questions that you can answer correctly within the time given to each section.
- Negative marking makes random guessing counterproductive
- Leave difficult questions that consume excessive time without guaranteed solutions
Ques. Which colleges take the previous year's CAT score?
Ans. Most top business schools and IIMs require current year CAT scores. However, some tier-2 and tier-3 institutions may accept previous year scores with specific conditions.
- IIMs generally require current year CAT scores for admission consideration
- Some private business schools may accept previous year scores
- Check individual institute policies before making application decisions
Comments