A short CAT practice mock with 30 original questions, 10 each for VARC, DILR and QA. Attempt a section first, then open each question to check the answer and the explanation.
These questions are written for practice. For the real papers, see the CAT question papers in this section.
Mock test overview
| Sections | VARC • DILR • Quantitative Aptitude |
|---|---|
| Practice length | 30 original practice questions: 10 per section |
| Suggested time | 60 minutes for this shorter practice set |
| Suggested scoring | +3 correct MCQ; −1 incorrect MCQ; 0 unattempted. CAT-style TITA questions have no negative marking. |
Important: This is a trend-based practice mock, not a reproduction of the full CAT 2021–2025 papers. The questions are newly written to practise common CAT skills. Use the linked archives at the end for actual year- and slot-wise papers.
CAT paper trend snapshot: 2021–2025
| Year | Total questions | VARC | DILR | QA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 |
| 2022 | 66 | 24 | 20 | 22 |
| 2023 | 66 (slot variation may apply) | 24 | 20 (slot variation) | 22 |
| 2024 | 68 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
| 2025 | 68 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
Counts can vary by slot; consult the specific paper for exact details. The exam uses three separately timed sections.
Section 1: VARC — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Suggested time: 20 minutes. Attempt the questions first; check the answer and explanation after completing the section.
Q1.(Reading comprehension) Cities often respond to congestion by widening roads. Yet wider roads can encourage more people to drive, eventually restoring congestion. Policies combining reliable public transport, safe walking routes and sensible land-use planning may produce more durable improvements. What is the central idea?A. Road widening always reduces congestion permanently.B. Public transport is the only solution.C. An integrated approach may address congestion more sustainably than road widening alone.D. Cities should prohibit private cars.+
The passage favours a coordinated strategy and warns that road widening alone may invite more driving.
Q2.(Inference) Based on Q1, which inference is most reasonable?A. New roads never improve traffic flow.B. Travel behaviour can change in response to transport infrastructure.C. Land-use planning has no relation to congestion.D. Walking routes increase car ownership.+
The passage says wider roads may encourage more people to drive, showing infrastructure can influence behaviour.
Q3.(Vocabulary) In “The proposal was pragmatic rather than idealistic,” pragmatic most nearly means:A. PracticalB. ImaginativeC. CarelessD. Uncertain+
Pragmatic means practical and focused on what is workable.
Q4.(Para summary) Scientific models simplify reality. Their value lies not in reproducing every detail, but in isolating important relationships and generating predictions that can be tested against evidence. Choose the best summary.A. Models are useless because they omit details.B. Models are useful when simplification helps explain relationships and test predictions.C. A model must include every detail.D. Predictions matter more than evidence.+
This retains both simplification and the need to test predictions against evidence.
Q5.(Odd sentence out) Choose the sentence that does not fit: (1) Bees communicate food locations through movement. (2) A dance can indicate direction and distance. (3) Researchers study these signals to understand animal communication. (4) Supermarkets use digital inventory systems to track products.A. Sentence 1B. Sentence 2C. Sentence 3D. Sentence 4+
Sentences 1–3 concern bee communication; sentence 4 shifts to retail technology.
Q6.(Para-jumble) Arrange: A. This makes the final estimate more reliable. B. Forecasting begins with assumptions about future conditions. C. Analysts compare predictions with actual outcomes. D. They revise assumptions when the two differ substantially.A. B-C-D-AB. C-B-A-DC. B-D-A-CD. D-C-B-A+
Assumptions precede comparison, revision and improved reliability.
Q7.(Critical reasoning) A company introduced a four-day workweek and reported higher output per employee. Which fact most strengthens the claim that the schedule caused the increase?A. The company hired many more employees.B. A comparable team on the new schedule improved while a similar team on the old schedule did not.C. Employees liked the schedule.D. The company changed its logo.+
A comparison group helps isolate the schedule as a likely cause.
Q8.(Reading comprehension) “Open data can improve public accountability, but only if people can interpret it and institutions respond to what it reveals.” The author likely believes:A. Publishing data automatically guarantees accountability.B. Data access is irrelevant.C. Data must be paired with interpretive capacity and institutional response.D. Institutions should keep all data confidential.+
The sentence explicitly identifies interpretation and institutional response as necessary.
Q9.(Sentence completion) Although initial results were promising, the researchers remained ______, noting that the sample was too small to support a broad conclusion.A. JubilantB. CautiousC. IndifferentD. Hostile+
A small sample calls for caution.
Q10.(Inference) A survey finds that people who read more books tend to report higher vocabulary scores. Which conclusion is supported?A. Reading definitely causes higher scores.B. Higher vocabulary always causes reading.C. Reading frequency and vocabulary scores are associated in this survey.D. Every reader has a large vocabulary.+
The survey indicates association, not causation or a universal rule.
Section 2: DILR — Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Suggested time: 20 minutes. Attempt the questions first; check the answer and explanation after completing the section.
Q11.(Average) A shop sold 40 units Monday, 50 Tuesday, 60 Wednesday and 50 Thursday. What was the average daily sale?A. 45B. 50C. 52D. 55+
(40 + 50 + 60 + 50) ÷ 4 = 50.
Q12.(Percentage change) Using Q11, by what percentage did sales increase from Monday to Wednesday?A. 20%B. 40%C. 50%D. 60%+
Increase = 20; percentage increase = 20/40 × 100 = 50%.
Q13.(Set logic) Of 60 students, 35 study Excel, 28 study PowerPoint and 15 study both. How many study neither?A. 10B. 12C. 15D. 18+
At least one = 35 + 28 − 15 = 48; neither = 60 − 48 = 12.
Q14.(Ordering) Four presentations P, Q, R, S are scheduled once each. P is before R; Q is after S; S is before P. Which order is possible?A. P, S, Q, RB. S, P, R, QC. Q, S, P, RD. R, S, P, Q+
S precedes P, P precedes R, and Q follows S. S-P-R-Q satisfies all rules.
Q15.(Linear arrangement) A, B, C, D and E sit in a row. A sits immediately left of B. C sits at the far right. D sits somewhere left of A. Which statement must be true?A. E sits at the far left.B. D sits immediately left of A.C. B sits to the left of C.D. A sits at the far left.+
A is immediately left of B, and C is at the far right. Since B and C are different people, B must be somewhere to the left of C.
Q16.(Ratio DI) A company allocates its budget to marketing and research in the ratio 3:2. If the total is ₹25 lakh, how much goes to research?A. ₹5 lakhB. ₹10 lakhC. ₹12.5 lakhD. ₹15 lakh+
Research = 2/5 × ₹25 lakh = ₹10 lakh.
Q17.(Tournament logic) Teams A, B and C each play each other once. A beats B and B beats C. With no draws, what must be true?A. A wins the tournament.B. C beats A.C. A has at least one win.D. B has two wins.+
A has a confirmed win against B; the A–C result is unknown.
Q18.(Data sufficiency) What is x? (1) x + y = 12. (2) y = 5.A. Statement 1 alone is sufficient.B. Statement 2 alone is sufficient.C. Both together are sufficient, neither alone is sufficient.D. Each alone is sufficient.+
Together x = 12 − 5 = 7; neither statement alone determines x.
Q19.(Percentage DI) A library has 120 books. 25% are fiction, 35% non-fiction, and the rest reference books. How many are reference books?A. 36B. 42C. 48D. 60+
Reference books = 40% of 120 = 48.
Q20.(Scheduling) Tasks A, B, C and D must be completed under these rules: A before C; B before C; C before D. Which task must be last?A. AB. BC. CD. D+
A and B precede C, and C precedes D; therefore D is last.
Section 3: QA — Quantitative Aptitude
Suggested time: 20 minutes. Attempt the questions first; check the answer and explanation after completing the section.
Q21.(Percentages) An item priced at ₹800 is discounted by 15%. What is the sale price?A. ₹640B. ₹660C. ₹680D. ₹700+
15% of 800 = ₹120; sale price = ₹800 − ₹120 = ₹680.
Q22.(Ratio) The ratio of boys to girls is 5:4 in a class of 45 students. How many are girls?A. 20B. 25C. 28D. 30+
Total parts = 9; each part = 5; girls = 4 × 5 = 20.
Q23.(Profit and loss) A trader buys an item for ₹600 and sells it for ₹750. What is the profit percentage on cost price?A. 20%B. 25%C. 30%D. 35%+
Profit = ₹150; profit percentage = 150/600 × 100 = 25%.
Q24.(Time and work) A can finish a job in 12 days and B in 18 days. Working together at constant rates, how long will they take?A. 6 daysB. 7.2 daysC. 8 daysD. 9 days+
Combined rate = 1/12 + 1/18 = 5/36 job/day; time = 36/5 = 7.2 days.
Q25.(Speed, time and distance) A car travels 180 km in 3 hours. At the same speed, how far will it travel in 5 hours?A. 240 kmB. 270 kmC. 300 kmD. 360 km+
Speed = 180/3 = 60 km/h; distance in 5 hours = 300 km.
Q26.(Algebra) If 2x + 3 = 17, what is x?A. 5B. 6C. 7D. 8+
2x = 14, so x = 7.
Q27.(Quadratic equation) The roots of x² − 7x + 12 = 0 are:A. 2 and 6B. 3 and 4C. −3 and −4D. 1 and 12+
(x − 3)(x − 4) = 0, so x = 3 or 4.
Q28.(Geometry) A rectangle has length 12 cm and width 5 cm. What is its diagonal?A. 11 cmB. 12 cmC. 13 cmD. 17 cm+
Diagonal = √(12² + 5²) = √169 = 13 cm.
Q29.(Number system) What is the remainder when 2⁵ is divided by 3?A. 0B. 1C. 2D. 3+
2⁵ = 32; 32 divided by 3 leaves remainder 2.
Q30.(Average) The average of five numbers is 18. Four numbers are 12, 16, 20 and 24. Find the fifth number.A. 16B. 18C. 20D. 22+
Total = 5 × 18 = 90; known sum = 72; fifth number = 18.
Consolidated answer key
| Section | Answers |
|---|---|
| VARC | 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-D, 6-A, 7-B, 8-C, 9-B, 10-C |
| DILR | 11-B, 12-C, 13-B, 14-B, 15-C, 16-B, 17-C, 18-C, 19-C, 20-D |
| QA | 21-C, 22-A, 23-B, 24-B, 25-C, 26-C, 27-B, 28-C, 29-C, 30-B |
Score interpretation
This 30-question set is a practice diagnostic, not an official percentile predictor.
| Correct answers | Interpretation | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| 24–30 | Strong performance on this short set | Increase difficulty and attempt full-length timed papers. |
| 17–23 | Developing consistency | Review errors and drill weak topics. |
| 0–16 | Fundamentals or question selection need work | Revisit concepts, then practise untimed before adding speed. |
How to practise the last five years
- 1Attempt a recent slot paper under timed conditions before reading solutions.
- 2Track accuracy and time separately for VARC, DILR and QA.
- 3Classify errors: concept gap, misreading, calculation, poor set selection or time pressure.
- 4Redo incorrect questions after 48 hours without looking at the answer.
- 5Work backwards from 2025 to 2021 and focus on the skills tested, not only on familiar-looking questions.
Previous-year paper resources (slot-wise)
- 2IIM — CAT previous-year papers 2017–2025 with solutions: online.2iim.com/CAT-question-paper/
- Unacademy — CAT previous-year papers and slot-wise analysis: unacademy.com/content/cat/previous-year-cat-question-papers/
- Careers360 — CAT question papers and answer keys: careers360.com/mba/articles/cat-question-papers
Source note: These are third-party educational archives. Confirm notifications and current instructions on the official CAT website for the relevant year.
CAT 2026 Free Mock Test FAQs
Are these actual CAT questions?+
No. They are original practice questions written in the CAT style. The real previous year papers are in the Question Papers section.
How much time should I take for this mock?+
About 60 minutes in total, roughly 20 minutes per section.
Is there negative marking in this practice set?+
Score it like CAT: +3 for a correct MCQ, -1 for a wrong MCQ and 0 for unattempted.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
Official source: iimcat.ac.in
Information on this page is compiled from the official CAT notification at iimcat.ac.in and trends from earlier cycles. Dates marked Expected are estimates, not official announcements. Please confirm all details on the official website.