CAT 2025: Most Repeated Topics, Question Trends, and Section-wise Analysis
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Looking at repeated questions and important topics is one of the smartest ways to get ready for the CAT 2025 exam.
The IIMs focus on testing your core analytical and reasoning skills. This means several concepts show up again and again, just in different forms.
You must study these patterns to find the most frequently asked topics in each section.
This strategy is great for boosting your accuracy and speed. It also helps you build the deep conceptual knowledge you need for the CAT exam pattern.
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CAT LRDI Favourite Topic Combinations
The LRDI (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation) section is known for its tricky sets. These sets often mix two or more topics. Knowing these combinations helps you prepare better.
Here are some classic pairings you'll often see:
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Arrangements + Blood Relations: Setting up who sits where, combined with who is related to whom.
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Games & Tournaments + Logic: Figuring out scores or win/loss scenarios in a tournament.
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Venn Diagrams + Tables: Using diagrams to sort data and then filling in a table with the details.
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Arrangements + Venn Diagrams: A common mix for sorting people or items into multiple categories.
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Quantitative Reasoning + DI: Sets that require basic math calculations (like averages or percentages) based on a chart or table.
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Routes & Networks: Problems about finding the shortest or most efficient path between points.
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Most Commonly Repeated CAT Questions & Topics
While CAT doesn't repeat exact questions, the concepts are tested every year. Focusing on these gives you the best return on your time.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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Reading Comprehension (RC): This is the biggest part of the section. You'll always get passages on topics like philosophy, science, economics, and literature. Questions focus on the main idea, inference, and author's tone.
- Para Jumbles: You're given sentences in the wrong order and have to arrange them to make a logical paragraph.
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Para Summary: You read a short paragraph and pick the sentence that best summarizes it.
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Odd One Out: You find the sentence that doesn't fit with the rest of the paragraph.
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (LRDI)
As mentioned above, the sets are key. The most repeated types of sets are:
- Arrangements: Linear and circular seating arrangements.
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Venn Diagrams: Usually 3-set or 4-set diagrams for sorting data.
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Games & Tournaments: Calculating scores and match results.
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Data Tables & Grids: Solving logic puzzles by filling in a grid.
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
This section consistently tests a few core areas.
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Arithmetic: This is the most important area. Master topics like Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time, Speed & Distance, and Time & Work.
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Algebra: This is another huge chunk. Be ready for linear equations, quadratic equations, functions, and logarithms.
- Geometry: Questions on triangles, circles, and polygons are very common.
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Number Systems: You'll often see 1-2 questions on factors, remainders, and basic number properties.
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Most Frequently Asked CAT Repeated Questions in DILR
| Most Frequent Topic | Key Concepts & Skills Tested |
| 1. Seating Arrangements | Visualizing positions (linear, circular), deducing relationships, applying elimination techniques. |
| 2. Blood Relations & Family Trees | Logical deduction, pattern recognition, and accurately mapping relationships (parent, sibling, spouse). |
| 3. Puzzles & Grids | Organizing information systematically, identifying constraints, and using a structured approach for grid/floor puzzles. |
| 4. Data Interpretation (Tables & Graphs) | Extracting information quickly from bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and tables; performing fast calculations. |
| 5. Venn Diagrams & Set Theory | Understanding logic, grouping, and exclusion principles; interpreting intersections, unions, and complements. |
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Most Frequently Asked CAT Repeated Questions in Quantitative Aptitude
| Most Frequent Topic | Key Concepts & Sub-topics |
| 1. Arithmetic | Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance. (Forms the backbone of the section). |
| 2. Algebra | Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms. (Requires speed and conceptual clarity). |
| 3. Geometry & Mensuration | Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, 3D figures (Cones, Cylinders). (Tests spatial reasoning and formula application). |
| 4. Number System | Factors, Multiples, Remainders, Base Systems. (A recurring topic, though smaller in proportion). |
Most Asked CAT Repeated Questions in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Most Frequent Topic | Key Concepts & Skills Tested |
| 1. Reading Comprehension (RC) | Inference, identifying author's tone, critical reasoning, and grasping the main idea. (Dominates the section, ~2/3 of marks). |
| 2. Para-Jumbles | Arranging mixed-up sentences into a coherent and logical paragraph; understanding logical sequencing. |
| 3. Odd-Sentence-Out | Identifying the sentence that breaks the logical flow and cohesion of a short paragraph. |
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Section-wise Weightage for CAT 2025 (Expected)
The CAT exam pattern can change slightly, but here’s the most likely structure for 2025. This helps you understand where to focus your energy.
|
Section |
Expected Weightage (%) |
Key Topics |
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
~34% |
Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Jumbles, Summary Writing, Odd Sentence Out |
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
~32% |
Data Tables, Charts, Graphs, Caselets, Logical Puzzles |
|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
~34% |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Maths |
Difficulty Level Analysis of Previous CAT Exams
Understanding past CAT exams helps you prepare better. In 2024, VARC was moderate, DILR was the toughest section, and QA was moderate-to-hard.
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VARC: Reading Comprehension (RC) is moderate. Para Jumbles can be difficult, while Para Summary and Odd One Out are usually easier.
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DILR: This is often the hardest section. Puzzles are difficult and logic-heavy. Caselets are time-consuming, while charts and arrangements are more moderate.
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QA: Arithmetic is the easiest place to get quick scores. Algebra is moderate-to-difficult, while Geometry, Number System, and Modern Maths are usually moderate.
Tips to Score Higher with Repeated Questions
Focus on accuracy and practice smart. Old papers show clear patterns that help you score higher.
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Analyze Old Papers: Look at the last 5-7 years of CAT papers to find common topic patterns.
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Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Master RC, Arithmetic, and DI sets first. They give the biggest score boost.
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Practice One Topic at a Time: Solve 20-30 questions on just one topic (like Percentages) to build deep skill.
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Revise Formulas: Keep a formula sheet for QA and review it weekly.
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Use Strategies: Practice skimming passages for RC and using grids for DILR puzzles to save time.
How to Get a 99 Percentile with Repeated Questions
Scoring a 99 percentile is about recognizing patterns. CAT 2025 will reuse old concepts, and revising them helps you solve problems faster.
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Find Repeated Patterns: Expect to see old templates, like Arithmetic-based DI sets or specific Algebra questions.
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Prioritize High-Frequency Topics: Focus your energy on Arithmetic, Arrangements, and Geometry. You don't need to master everything.
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Create a "Question Bank": Collect all the repeated concepts you find in old papers and mocks. Revise this bank often.
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Practice Mocks for Accuracy: Accuracy beats speed. Use timed tests to get better at spotting patterns under pressure.
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Analyze Your Mocks: After a mock test, find out why you missed a question. Did you fail to see a pattern you knew? Learn from that mistake.
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