CAT is a computer based test of 2 hrs.
CAT will have three sections:
- Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Section III: Quantitative Ability
1.Candidates are not allowed to move between one session to other during the 40 Minutes assigned to particular section.
2.CAT test takers cannot leave their seats during the exam.
3.MCQs CAT exam pattern will need you to pick out 1 correct answer choice out of 4.
4.Non-MCQs IN CAT exam pattern will require you to type-in the correct answer on the computer screen.
5.Each correct answer in CAT exam pattern will be awarded 3 marks whether it is MCQ or Non-MCQ.
6.Each wrong answer for MCQ in CAT exam will be imposed penalty of 1/3 negative mark(-1mark).
7.There will be no penalty of negative marking on wrong answers to Non-MCQs in CAT exam pattern.
8.CAT exam pattern remains on the lines of CAT official Mock test released by IIMs a month before CAT exam.
Previous Years CAT Analysis
CAT 2023
Date: 26 Nov, 2023
Analysis
Overall : CAT 2023 is togher than than CAT 2022.
- VA RC Section: Moderate to difficult. Options in each question were very very close.
- LR DI Section : As usual difficult . Mathematical concept mean, median mod was required with logic to attempt. All sets were difficult.
- QA Section : It was really difficult section. Less number of attempts is expected.
CAT: Slot 3 (4:30 P.M.)
- Same as slot 1
- Surprise: No, but it was consider toughest slot .
- Rest more and less same as in slot 1.
CAT: Slot 2 (12:30 P.M.)
- Same as slot 1
- Surprise: one Question was mandatory to attempt in Section 1: VA RC.
- Odd man out Question. Rest more and less same as in slot 1.
CAT: Slot 1 ( 8:30 A.M.)
Analysis
Overall:
| Section | MCQ NMCQ (Number of Questions ) | NMCQ (Number of Questions ) | |
| Sec-1 VA RC | Total Questions 24 | 20 | 4 |
| Sec-2 LR DI | Total Questions 20 | 14 | 6 |
| Sec-3 QA | Total Questions 22 | 15 | 7 |
Sec -1 ( VA RC)
| Passage 1 | Based on Philosphy / Number of quesions 4 |
| Passage 2 | Based on Literature / Number of quesions 4 |
| Passage 3 | Based on Science / Number of quesions 4 |
| Passage 4 | Based on History / Number of quesions 4 |
| Para Jumble | Number of quesions 2 |
| Para Summary | Number of quesions 2 |
| Sentence Completion | Number of quesions 2 |
| Odd one out | Number of quesions 2 |
Sec -2 ( LR DI )
| Set 1 | Statistics Based on Mean, Median / Number of quesions 5 |
| Set 2 | Distribution based / Number of quesions 5 |
| Set 3 | to be published / Number of quesions 5 |
| Set 4 | Maps and Network based / Number of quesions 5 |
Sec-3 ( QA)
| From Arithmetic | Number of quesions 8 |
| From Algebra | Number of quesions 6 |
| From Modern Math | Number of quesions 3 |
| From Geometry | Number of quesions 3 |
| From Number System | Number of quesions 2 |
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CAT 2022
Date: Nov 27, 2022
Exam analysis:
| 1. | Section 1 | VA& RC | Total questions 24 | No of MCQ 21 | No of NMCQ 3 |
| 2. | Section 2 | LR& DI | Total questions 20 | No of MCQ 14 | No of MCQ 6 |
| 3. | Section 3 | QA | Total questions 22 | No of MCQ 14 | No of MCQ 8 |
Section 1 :Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT 2022
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension was the first section in CAT 2022 question paper. Key highlights of the section are:
• VARC section had 24 Questions
• Total Maximum marks allotted for the section were 72
• Number of MCQs were 21
• Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were 3
• Number of RC Passages: 4 passages,
• Number of RC Based questions: 16, each passage was followed by 4 questions
• Type of RC Based Questions: MCQs asking to explain and draw inference from the passages, phrases, vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Statement/Argument as used in RC passages,
• Difficulty Level: Overall difficulty level was moderate. 2 RC Passages were found of a little higher difficulty level
| Type of Question | No of Questions | Typeof Questions |
| RC Passage 1 Chinese Concepts | No of Questions 4 | MCQs |
| RC Passage 2 Theory Technology | No of Questions 4 | MCQs |
| RC Passage 3 Stories Concerning undead | No of Questions 4 | MCQs |
| RC Passage 4 Stoicism in 300 B.C. | No of Questions 4 | MCQs |
| Parra Summary | No of Questions 3 | MCQs |
| Parra Jumbling | No of Questions 3 | TITA |
| Fill in the Sentence in the blank in the part | No of Questions 2 | MCQs |
Section-2: DILR Analysis for CAT 2022
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was the second section in CAT 2022 question paper.
Key highlights of DILR section analysis in CAT 2022 are
- DILR section had 20 Questions
- Total Maximum Marks assigned for the section were 60 in CAT 2022
- Number of MCQs were 16
- Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were 4
- Number of DI Problems: 2 Sets
- Number of DI Questions: Each problem set followed by 5 questions
- Type of DI Based Questions: All questions were based on Text and Data, True and False Statements, Mathematical calculations
- Number of LR Problems: 2 Sets
- Total LR Questions: 10 (5 for each problem set)
- Type of LR Based Questions: Two problem sets and each followed by 5 question
Question Composition in LR&DI Section
| Type of Questions | No of Questions | |
| DI Set 1 Interviewers | 5 | |
| DI Set 2 Boys & Girls Planning graduation | 5 | |
| LR Set 1 Metro Lines | 5 | |
| LR Set 2 Performance of women players | 5 |
Section-3: Quantitative Ability Analysis in CAT 2022
This section had more number of questions based on Arithmetic with highest number of Non-MCQs.
Key highlights of the QA section in CAT 2022 were:
- QA section had 22 Questions in CAT 2022
- Total Maximum marks allotted for the section were 66
- Number of MCQs: 14
- Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs): 8
- More Questions were based on Arithmetic
- Type of Arithmetic Based Questions: Percentage, Ratio, Interest, Number System, Time, Speed
- Other QA Question topics: Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Trigonometry
Question Composition in Quant Section
| Type of Question | No of Questions |
| Arithmetic:Average,Ratio Proportion,Profit Loss, Interest, Time & Distance, Time and Work | No of Questions 11 |
| Algebra | No of Questions 3 |
| Geometry | No of Questions 4 |
| Number System and Modern Math | No of Questions 4 |
CAT 2021
CAT 2021 was a computer based test of 2 hrs.
| S.N. | Sections | Number of Questions | Time Allotted | Maximum Score (Allotted) |
| 1 | Verba ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 | 40 Minutes | 78 |
| 2 | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI&LR) | 24 | 40 Minutes | 72 |
| 3 | Quantitative Ability (QA) | 26 | 40 Minutes | 78 |
| 4 | Total | 76 | 120 Minutes | 228 |
CAT 2020
CAT 2020 Exam Pattern
| S.N. | Sections | Number of Questions | Total Questions MCQ | Total Questions NMCQ |
| 1. | VARC | 26 ( R.C. quesions and V.A. questions ) | 18 | 8 |
| 2. | DILR | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| 3. | QA | 26 | 18 | 8 |
| Total questions =76, Total Time = 120 Minutes | ||||
| There were three shifs in a day.Morning ,Afternoon & Evening Shift. | ||||
CAT 1999
CAT 2019 Exam Pattern
S.N.SectionsNumber of QuestionsTotal Questions MCQTotal Questions NMCQ1.VARC34 ( RC quesions =24 and VA questions = 10 )2772.DILR322483.QA342212
Total questions =100, Total Time = 180 Minutes
| S.N. | year | Total Questions | No. of Sections | Total time | Sec1 | Sec2 | Sec3 | Each Section time limit |
| 1. | 2020 | 76 | 3 | 120 | VARC TQ 26 | DILR 24 | QA26 | 40 Minutes |
| 2. | 2019 | 100 | 3 | 180 | VARC TQ.34 | DILR 32 | QA 34 | 1Hr |
| 3. | 2018 | 100 | 3 | 180 | VARC TQ.34 | DILR 32 | QA 34 | 1Hr |
| 4. | 2017 | 100 | 3 | 180 | VARC TQ.34 | DILR 32 | QA34 | 1Hr |
| 5. | 2016 | 100 | 3 | 180 | VARC TQ.34 | DILR 32 | QA 34 | 1Hr |
| 6. | 2015 | 100 | 3 | 180 | VARC TQ.34 | DILR 32 | QA 34 | 1Hr |
Part 1 Duration: 170 Minutes
Section 1: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) About 26 questions
Section 2: Decision Making (DM) About 21 questions
Section 3 Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) About 28 questions
Part 2 Duration: 10 Minutes
Section 4: General Knowledge (GK) About 20 questions
