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.
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.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.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:
- Should COVID-19 vaccination be a criterion for CAT 2021?
- CAT 2021 registration and application form
- CAT 2021 notification and schedule
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.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
8 Jan '25
8 Jan '25
26 Aug '24 - 10 Jan '25
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25
25 Nov '24 - 11 Jan '25
17 Jan '25
18 Jan '25
11 Dec '24 - 21 Jan '25
21 Jan '25
14 Oct '24 - 21 Jan '25
| 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
|
Two
|
| Test Sections |
Three
|
Three
|
| Total number of questions |
76 |
100 |
| Sectional division of questions |
|
|
| Total number of marks |
300 |
228 |
| Sectional division of marks |
|
|
| Marking scheme |
|
|
| Get Free Section wise CAT Syllabus for Exam Preparation |
Read More:
- Will IIM Ahmedabad Revise CAT Exam Pattern 2021?
- CAT 2021 Exam Notification to be Released in July
- How to prepare for CAT in three months
- Must know formulae for CAT
- Best books for CAT recommended by experts
- CAT preparartion: QA solved questions
- CAT preparation: DI solved questions
- CAT preparation: DI solved questions part 2
- CAT preparation: LR solved questions
- CAT preparation: LR solved questions part 2
- CAT preparation: VA solved questions
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice |
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
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 result |
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 Cut Offs Release |
8 Jan '25 | SNAP 2024 result announcement |
21 Dec '24 | SNAP 2024 session 3 |
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Scheduling Window (s... |
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Registration Window ... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
24 Dec '24 - 2 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
24 Dec '24 - 9 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
Feb '25 | IBSAT 2024 Selection Process (... |
28 Dec '24 - 29 Dec '24 | IBSAT 2024 Exam |
17 Jan '25 | CMAT 2025 city intimation slip |
20 Jan '25 | CMAT 2025 admit card download |
25 Dec '24 - 25 Jan '25 | MAH CET 20245 registration pro... |
Mar '25 | MAH MBA CET 2025 |
19 Jan '25 | Publication of TANCET Notifica... |
Jan '25 | TANCET Registration Dates |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, CAT is not required to get admission to Masters' Union. The college offers admission based on the last qualifying score to BBM/BMS. Further, for PGP TBM, college conduct MUBAAT entrance exam for admission. Applicants are required to apply to the official website of the college to fill out the
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The leading entrance examinations for MBA programs comprise CAT and MAT, both of which are recognised by nearly all MBA colleges across India. While there are slight variations in the exam formats for CAT and MAT, it's important to note that only CAT scores are accepted by IIMs.
| Parameter | CAT | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections | Three | Five |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 150 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 200 (40 from each section) |
| No. Of Papers | 1 | 1 |
| Test Centre | Candidates can choose four cities as per the choices | Candidates can choose three cities |
| Level of Difficulty | High | Moderate |
| Marking Scheme | Correct Answer: +4 Incorrect Answer: -1 | Correct Answer: +1 Incorrect: -.25 |
| No. of Exams conducted yearly | Once a Year | Four times a year |
| Major Colleges | All IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, IMT | Christ College Institute of Management, IMS, BIMTECH (Noida) |
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
No. The authorities will not accept soft copies of the CDAC C-CAT admit card at the exam centre. All candidates will have to download and print out the CDAC C-CAT hall ticket. The print out has to be presented at the examination centre along with a valid identity proof. If the documents are not pres
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
While reporting at the exam centre, the candidates will have to present their CDAC C-CAT admit card along with a valid identity proof. Any one of the following original identity proofs will be accepted at the centre along with the admit card - Aadhaar Card/Voter ID/PAN Card/Passport/School ID or any
S
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
No. The candidates will not be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card through email. To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website i.e., cdac.in and log in using their application form number and password. No other mode will be used to release the CD
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website at cdac.in. The login credentials required to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card are the candidate's application form number and password. During the registration process, the candidates should check their ap
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
Yes. CDAC C-CAT admit card is released online. The candidates will be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card download link online at cdac.in. No other mode will be used by the authorities to release the CDAC C-CAT admit card. To log in, the candidates will have to provide the required credentials.
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 days ago
No, SKILL-CAT exam is not compulsory to get into MBA at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University. Candidates can also apply with a valid score of national-level examinations. The accepted entrance exams are CAT/MAT/SNAP/GMAT, etc. After shortlisting candidates based on exam scores, the universit
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
LEAD college og management ofers admissions based on entrance and merit. The institute offers courses such as MBA AND MCA for duration 2 year full timemode.
Candidates must have minimum marks of 50% in graduation from a recognised university or college. Apart from this, candidates must obtained vali
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
Hi Sanjana,
MDI Gurgaon primarily accepts CAT scores for admission to its PGDM programs. For Indian students, a valid CAT score is required. However, for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Foreign Nationals, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), a GMAT score is accepted.
The last date to apply for the PGDM,
A
Contributor-Level 9
Is CAT compulsory for admission to Masters' Union?