Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Jul 12, 2021 13:48 IST

CAT 2021 exam dates are other details are about to be announced in a few days. Take a look at the expected CAT exam pattern this year. 

CAT exam pattern 2021

As the date of CAT 2021 notification comes closer, the most popular topic of discussion is what will be the CAT exam pattern this year. Last year, we saw a major change in the pattern of CAT exam. The changes in CAT exam pattern were mainly brought in due to COVID-19 pandemic. While, the pandemic is not over yet, but India is vaccinating its population at a decent speed so one can say that by the time CAT 2021 exam day arrives, a large number of young population will be vaccinated thus safe to from the virus. So, does that mean, the CAT 2021 question paper will be designed as per the pre-COVID era pattern?

CAT is a speed based exam of three hours duration and the candidates have to solve 100 questions in MCQ and non-MCQ format from three subjects – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). However, as per the exam pattern of CAT last year the test duration of was reduced to two hours and to ensure that the students do not fall short of time in completing the test, the total number of questions was reduced to 76.

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Also Read: CAT syllabus and pattern

To avoid crowd at the exam centres and ensure physical distancing at the CAT exam centres, the authorities conducted the exam in three modes instead of two. The first slot was held from 8:30 am-10:30 am, the second slot was held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the third slot was held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. As per the official record attendance was lowest in the first shift.

Also Read: 

CAT 2021: Expected Exam Pattern

Given that, the exam pattern of CAT 2020 was largely successful and favourable to the candidates, it may be possible that IIM Ahmedabad, the CAT 2021 conducting institute will stick to the same exam pattern of 2 hour-76 questions. At the same time, one can expect it to go back to CAT pattern of the pre-COVID era as the year 2020 was an unusual year with never seen before challenges. Also, we are better equipped to handle COVID than last year and can hope that the COVID situation will have improved further by November 28, the CAT 2021 exam date.

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Features

CAT Exam Pattern if COVID situation doesn’t improve

CAT Exam Pattern if COVID situation improves

CAT exam duration

120 minutes (2 hours)

180 minutes (3 hours)

Sectional time limit

40 minutes

60 minutes (1 hour)

CAT exam slots

Three

  • First Slot: 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM
  • Second Slot: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Third Slot: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Two

  • First Slot: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Second Slot: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Test Sections

Three

  1. VARC
  2. DILR
  3. QA

Three

  1. VARC
  2. DILR
  3. QA

Total number of questions

76

100

Sectional division of questions

  • VARC: 26
  • DILR: 24
  • QA: 26
  • VARC: 34
  • DILR: 32
  • QA: 34

Total number of marks

300

228

Sectional division of marks

  • VARC: 78
  • DILR: 72
  • QA: 78
  • VARC: 102
  • DILR: 96
  • QA: 102

Marking scheme

  • +3 for correct answer
  • -1 for wrong answer
  • No negative marking for non-MCQs
  • +3 for correct answer
  • -1 for wrong answer
  • No negative marking for non-MCQs

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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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