Preparing for CAT? Practising previous year question papers helps you understand the exam pattern, manage time, and identify areas for improvement.
Download the CAT 2017 Slot 1 and Slot 2 question papers with solutions below, and use the analysis to plan your practice.
CAT 2017 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 34 | 60 minutes |
| DILR | 32 | 60 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 34 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 180 minutes |
Each correct answer carried 3 marks. Incorrect MCQ answers attracted a 1-mark penalty, while TITA questions had no negative marking.
Download CAT 2017 Question Papers & Solutions PDF
Choose the slot you want to practise. Each paper and its solutions are available separately.
| PDF resource | Download |
|---|---|
| CAT 2017 Slot 1 Question Paper | Download pdf |
| CAT 2017 Slot 1 Solutions | Download pdf |
| CAT 2017 Slot 2 Question Paper | Download pdf |
| CAT 2017 Slot 2 Solutions | Download pdf |
Publishing note: These are working links to the uploaded files. Before publishing this blog on your website, host the PDFs and replace these links with your website’s download URLs.
CAT 2017 Slot 1 Analysis
| Section | Questions | Overall assessment | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 34 | Moderate | Reading comprehension, paragraph structure and answer-choice elimination |
| DILR | 32 | Difficult / time-consuming | Selecting manageable sets and solving accurately |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 34 | Easy to moderate | Arithmetic, algebra and geometry fundamentals |
Key takeaway: DILR was widely reported as the most challenging section. QA offered scoring opportunities for candidates with strong fundamentals, while VARC required careful reading and interpretation.
CAT 2017 Slot 2 Analysis
| Section | Questions | Overall assessment | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 34 | Moderate | Reading comprehension and verbal ability |
| DILR | 32 | Difficult / time-consuming | Set selection, data interpretation and logical reasoning |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 34 | Easy to moderate | Arithmetic, algebra and geometry fundamentals |
Key takeaway: Slot 2 followed the same overall exam structure. Reviews generally identified DILR as the most time-consuming section, although perceptions of its difficulty compared with Slot 1 varied.
Difficulty ratings are broad assessments from published exam reviews, not official ratings supplied in the question-paper PDFs.
Slot 1 vs Slot 2: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Slot 1 | Slot 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 100 | 100 |
| VARC questions | 34 | 34 |
| DILR questions | 32 | 32 |
| Quant questions | 34 | 34 |
| Main challenge | Time management in DILR | Time management in DILR |
How to Practise CAT 2017 Papers Effectively
Attempt the paper first: Set aside 180 minutes and follow the sectional time limits.
Check the solutions: Review every incorrect answer and every question you could not solve.
Track your mistakes: Separate conceptual gaps, calculation errors and time-management issues.
Practise both slots: Compare your performance and work on the sections where you lose the most marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I download CAT 2017 question papers?
Use the download table above to access the Slot 1 and Slot 2 question papers.
2. Are solutions available for both slots?
Yes. Separate solution PDFs are provided for Slot 1 and Slot 2.
3. How many questions were there in CAT 2017?
CAT 2017 had 100 questions across VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude.
4. Which section was considered the toughest?
DILR was widely reported as the most challenging or time-consuming section in CAT 2017.
5. Why should CAT aspirants solve previous year papers?
They help aspirants practise under timed conditions, understand question styles and identify areas that need improvement.
Start Practising Today
Download both CAT 2017 slots, attempt them under exam conditions, and use the solutions to review your performance. Consistent practice and careful analysis can help you prepare more strategically for CAT.