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CAT Exam Pattern (2024)

CAT Exam Pattern

Along with the official CAT notice, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will disclose the CAT 2024 exam pattern. Still, historical patterns indicate that the pattern will most likely resemble the 2023 one. The pattern helps applicants understand how the CAT exam’s question paper is structured and how points are awarded.

The dates for the online version of the CAT 2024 will be revealed. The CAT exam design states that there will typically be 66 questions on the question paper divided into three sections (VARC, QA, and DILR).

Through the use of IIMS, the CAT exam format has undergone multiple modifications in previous years. However, the overall duration and number of marks for the CAT exam have not changed since 2015. Additionally, the CAT exam format aids in the development of test-taking methods.

 

What is the format of the CAT exam?

The company that creates the CAT creates test formats every year to assess a candidate’s ability to solve reasoning and arithmetic problems. The exam consists of three sections, per the pattern: DILR, VARC, and QA.

There will be 24 questions in the CAT VARC part, with a 72-mark weighting.
There will be 20 questions in the CAT DILR part, with a 60-mark weighting.
With a weighting of 66 points, the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section will have 22 questions.

Can an average student crack CAT

An overview of the anticipated 2024 CAT exam pattern

Please refer to the CAT 2022 exam pattern below, as the CAT 2024 exam pattern will differ somewhat.

Components  Details 
Total questions in the CAT exam  66
Total marks  198
Total CAT exam sections  3
CAT exam duration  2 hours
Mode of Paper  Online only
Question Types  MCQs and Non- MCQs (TITA)
CAT Exam-Making Scheme  +3 For correct answers

-1 For Incorrect Answers

0 For Unattempted questions

CAT Exam Section names 1. Quantitative Aptitude

2. Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability

3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

 

 

There were 66 questions on the test last year, and it took 120 minutes to complete overall with a 40-minute sectional time limit. Officials can quickly evaluate a candidate’s logical and mathematical skills based on the CAT exam pattern. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the CAT exam Pattern 2024 if they plan to take further exams.

Section MCQs Non-MCQs Total No. of Questions CAT Exam Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)  21  3  24  40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)  14  6  20  40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)  14  8  22  40 min
Total  49  17  66  120 (2 hours)

 

CAT Exam Length

Sections of the CAT have a set duration. The most recent CAT Exam Pattern’s sectional timings and slot-by-slot details are as follows:

CAT Exam Sections  CAT Sectional Time 
VARC 40 minutes
QA 40 minutes
DILR 40 minutes
Total 120 minutes

Morning session: 8.30 am – 10.30 am
Afternoon session: 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Evening session: 4.30 pm -6.30 pm

 

The CAT exam pattern for quantitative aptitude is 2024.

The numerical-based questions in the CAT Quantitative Aptitude test are taken from a variety of math subjects. Additionally, in accordance with the CAT exam design 2024, this section will contain a total of 26 questions this year.
The arithmetic subjects listed here include:

  1. Basic Arithmetic
  2. Number system
  3. Algebra
  4. Geometry and Mensuration
  5. Modern Maths

A tentative graph of the topics’ marks distribution for Quantitative Aptitude:
The approximate marks distribution graph for the topics in quantitative aptitude is shown below:

1.Every year, 10–14 arithmetic-related problems are repeated in the exam.
2.Answers to six to eight TITA questions (non-MCQs) must be typed by applicants.
3.The CAT quantitative aptitude section ranges from easy to fairly difficult with sufficient practice of the topics covered in the syllabus.

 

Pattern of the VARC CAT Question Papers

The proficiency of candidates in using the English language, their comprehension of the main ideas, and their ability to interpret paragraphs will all be assessed. Nonetheless, there will be 26 questions in the VARC portion of the CAT exam this year. In the meantime, this year’s verbal ability part of the CAT exam will contain 8 questions.

The main topics in the verbal ability section are listed below, and these are where the questions will come from:

  1. Correction and completion of sentences
  2.  Jumbles of Paragraphs
  3.  A summary-based

    There will be eight to ten TITA questions; applicants must type their answers to these questions, for which there will be no choices. In addition, the CAT’s verbal ability and reading comprehension sections will be very challenging.

 

CAT Exam Pattern: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

This portion of the CAT exam design aims to assess students’ comprehension of logical assumptions and data interpretation skills. Furthermore, there will be a total of 22–24 questions in the part on data interpretation and logical reasoning.

There will be 18–20 questions in the CAT’s logical reasoning component. Inequalities, symbol operations, direct sense tests, and other topics will all be covered in the problems. Additionally, this section’s questions are highly scored because they are simple to answer.

The data interpretation process is challenging and time-consuming. To be able to respond to all of the questions, candidates must, however, be able to fully understand the data sets. Meanwhile, data interpretation on the CAT should be conducted cautiously, as a single mistake may result in candidates attempting all questions from each set incorrectly.

 

Important things to remember about the CAT 2024 Exam Pattern

  1. It is a computer-based exam.
  2.  When performing calculations during the exam, you are permitted to use an onscreen calculator.
  3. On a single day, the CAT exam will be given in three 2-hour intervals.
  4. The CAT exam will carry a total of 198 marks. The applicants are unable to move between the portions, though.
  5. During the exam, the onscreen clock will assist candidates in keeping track of the time.
  6. One mark will be taken away for each wrong response.
  7. There are paper sheets available for preliminary work. They are to be turned in to the testing center as soon as the exam is finished.
  8. Candidates are not allowed to start their tests before the time is up and can only log in after the invigilator announces it.

 

Exam pattern evolution for the CAT across time

Throughout the years, the CAT exam has undergone multiple modifications.
An overview of how it has changed throughout time is given in the table below.

Year Number of Question Difficulty Level CAT exam time duration Conducting Body
2023 66 Moderate to High 2 hours IIM Lucknow
2022  66 Moderate 2 hours IIM Bangalore
2021  66 Moderate to High (Expected) 2 hours IIM Ahmedabad
2020  76 Moderate to High 2 hours IIM Indore
2019  100 Moderate to High 3 hours IIM Kozhikode
2018  100 Moderate to High 3 hours IIM Calcutta
2017 100 Moderate 3 hours IIM Lucknow
2016  100 Moderate to difficult 3 hours IIM Bangalore
2015   100 Moderate to difficult 3 hours IIM Ahmedabad
2014   100 Moderate to Easy 2.50 hours IIM Indore
2013   60 Moderate to Easy 2:20 hours IIM Indore
2012  60 Moderate to Easy 2.20 hours IIM Indore
2011  60 Moderate 2.20 hours IIM Calcutta

The CAT exam pattern has been changed multiple times.

 

Conclusion

Three components totaling 66 questions each make up the computer-based test (CBT) known as CAT 2024: VARC, DILR, and QA. There will be 40 minutes for each section. The majority of the questions on the exam paper will be MCQ-based, while there will also be SAQ questions. CAT candidates can familiarize themselves with the most recent patterns and adjust their preparation with the aid of this information on CAT paper patterns. Therefore, in order to prepare for the CAT exam effectively, students should consult the most recent CAT syllabus for 2024 as soon as it becomes available. For efficient preparation, aspirants may also consult the CAT syllabus 2024.


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