Remember the school exams time? We had a thumb rule to browse through the previous few years question papers. One of the most important benefits of the previous years question papers is to understand the pattern and nature of the exam. CAT is not an exception to this philosophy. A close study of the past question papers reveals the refinement in the style of the exam. Analysis of the past papers helps the aspirants to understand topic wise importance CAT per se.

The pattern of the exam has changed drastically over the past two decades, however, the competence that the exam tests remains almost the same. A study of the past papers shows that IIMs have been looking for logical minds rather than mere calculative skills. Earlier CAT was a speed based examination, this has changed recently and from what appears it has become a tool to test concept understanding more than anything else.