Check out CAT 2021 Question paper for all three slots to understand types of questions and difficulty level. Also download PDF format of CAT question paper 2021 - slot 1, 2 and 3. As a CAT 2023 aspirant, you must solve the CAT 2021 question paper to learn key insights of the exam.
CAT 2021 question paper slot 1, 2, 3
CAT 2021 question papers of all three slots were moderate to high difficulty level. Pattern of the paper was same as previous years with a few changes in topic-wise weightage. The CAT 2021 question paper consisted of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Total number of questions in CAT 2021 was 66.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.The question paper of each slot of CAT exam was same in terms of pattern and structure, however, the difficulty level is slightly different from each other. CAT 2021 question papers of slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 are available on this page. Read on.
LATEST:
- IIM Calcutta Concludes CAT 2024: Easier Test Might Rise Cutoffs; NMAT can be an Alternative
- CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Download for Slot 1, 2, and 3
- CAT 2024 Response Sheet and Answer Key PDF Download
- CAT 2024 Slot 3 Answer Key PDF, Question Paper Analysis
- CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key PDF, Question Paper Analysis
- CAT 2024 Slot 1 Answer Key PDF, Question Paper Analysis
- CAT 2024 Review and Students Reaction
Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
Q: What is the structure of CAT question paper?
Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?
CAT 2024 Analysis by Experts
| CAT Experts |
CAT 2024 Analysis Page Links |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 analysis by CATKing |
|
| CAT 2024 analysis by Career Launcher and T.I.M.E |
|
| CAT 2024 analysis by IMS |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Pattern and Structure
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
XAT
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
11 Dec '24 - 21 Jan '25
21 Jan '25
25 Dec '24 - 25 Jan '25
Given below is the section wise break-up of CAT question paper 2021 as per the CAT analysis 2021:
| CAT 2021 Sections |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time-Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
24 |
40 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) |
20 |
40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
22 |
40 minutes |
| Total |
66 |
120 minutes |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Marking Scheme
Each question of CAT question paper 2021 carried three marks for correct entry and minus one mark for incorrect entry. Unanswered questions and incorrect attempts in non-MCQ carried zero marks.
| CAT 2021 Sections |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
24 |
72 |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) |
20 |
60 |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
22 |
66 |
| Total |
76 |
198 |
Also Read:
- CAT 2021 exam analysis
- CAT 2021 analysis by CATKing
- CAT 2021 analysis by Career Launcher
- CAT 2021 analysis by T.I.M.E.
- CAT 2021 analysis by IMS India
- CAT 2021 student reactions and reviews
CAT 2021 Question Paper: VARC
Q: What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
Q: How many RC questions does CAT have?
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2021 had more RC questions than VA. This made it a tough section to crack. Given below is the break-up of VARC section of CAT question paper 2021:
| VARC Question Type |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (4 passages) |
16 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Para Jumble Questions |
3 |
Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Out |
2 |
Difficult |
| Para Summary |
3 |
Moderate-Difficult |
Reading Comprehension Passages of CAT Question Paper 2021
Check the table below for topics of the Reading Comprehension passages of CAT question paper 2021. All the passages were inference based.
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
CAT 2021 Question Paper: DILR
Like previous years, the DILR section of CAT question paper 2021 had more DI questions. Given below is the break-up of DILR section of CAT question paper 2021:
| DILR Topics |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation Set 1 |
4 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 1 |
4 |
Moderate |
| Data Interpretation Set 2 |
6 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 2 |
6 |
Moderate |
DI and LR topics of CAT 2021 Question Paper
Check the below table for areas and topics of DILR sets of CAT question paper 2021:
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
CAT 2021 Question Paper: PDF Download
The official CAT 2021 question paper was released along with the offiicial answer key. Candidates can check below question paper and answer key of CAT 2021 exam:
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Quantitative Ability
The Quantitative Ability section of CAT 2021 was dominated by Arithmetic in all three slots. Given below is the break-up of Quantitative Ability section of CAT question paper 2021:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
11 |
Easy |
| Algebra |
5 |
Easy |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | Easy-Moderate |
| Number System |
2 |
Moderate |
| Modern Math |
1 |
Easy-Moderate |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1: Quantitative Aptitude
Check below topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2021 Slot 1:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| ERPV |
3 |
Moderate |
| Geometry |
3 |
Easy - Moderate |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss |
2 |
Moderate |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Moderate |
| Progressions |
2 |
Difficult |
| Quadratic Equations |
2 |
Moderate - Difficult |
| AMA |
2 |
Moderate |
| SI-CI |
1 |
Easy |
| Logarithms and Indices |
1 |
Moderate |
| Functions & Graphs |
1 |
Moderate |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Easy |
| Inequalities & Modulus |
1 |
Moderate |
| Numbers |
1 |
Moderate |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2: Quantitative Aptitude
below topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT question paper 2021 Slot 2:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mensuration |
3 |
Moderate |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss |
3 |
Moderate |
| AMA |
3 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Progressions |
2 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Logarithms |
1 |
Easy |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Moderate |
| Quadratic Equations |
1 |
Moderate |
| Functions & Graphs |
1 |
Moderate |
| Inequalities & Modulus |
1 |
Moderate |
| Indices |
1 |
Difficult |
| Miscellaneous |
1 |
Difficult |
| P&C |
1 |
Difficult |
| Special Equations |
1 |
Difficult |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3: Quantitative Aptitude
Check below topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT question paper 2021 Slot 3:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| ERPV |
4 |
Moderate - Difficult |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
4 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Indices & Logs |
2 |
Difficult |
| Percentages |
2 |
Moderate |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Moderate |
| Inequalities |
1 |
Difficult |
| Special Equations |
1 |
Difficult |
| sequence |
1 |
Difficult |
| SI CI |
1 |
Difficult |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Moderate |
| Averages |
1 |
Moderate |
| AMA |
1 |
Moderate |
| Function |
1 |
Moderate |
Read More:
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: Download PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper Analysis of Previous Years
- CAT score vs percentile 2023: What is the difference?
- CAT cut offs 2023: Expected and Previous
- How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
- Understanding CAT normalization process 2023
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
5 Jan '25 | XAT 2025 Exam |
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 response sheet releas... |
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 |
Jan '25 | TANCET Registration Dates |
Feb '25 | TANCET Admit Card Download |
Jan '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Last Date of Appl... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
GIBS Bangalore offers a PGDM program, often considered equivalent to an MBA. It's designed to be industry-focused, with an emphasis on practical learning and entrepreneurial skills. The curriculum includes case studies, industry projects, and a focus on developing soft skills alongside core manageme
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
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 2 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
Answered 2 days ago
Dear Sayandip,
Achieving a 60 percentile in the CAT exam may not meet the typical cutoff requirements for admission to the KIIT School of Management (KSOM). Based on available information, KSOM generally considers candidates with higher CAT percentiles for admission.
Typical Cutoff Percentiles for KS
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, Mangalmay Institute of Management and Technology accepts the CAT exam for admission to MBA and MBA+. Further, the college accepts other entrance exam for admission to MBA, such as MAT, XAT, CAT, CMAT Additionally, the college has some basic eligibility criteria that differ from course to course
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT score is not required to secure MBA admission at The Neotia University. The university provides merit-based admissions to eligible applicants. Candidates who fulfil the course-specific eligibility criteria can visit the university's official website to apply. They must upload all the require
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Manipal University offers admission to several MBA courses via its affiliated college called TAPMI Manipal. The institute accepts several national-level entrance exams, such as CAT/ XAT/ CMAT, and NMAT, for admission to the MBA/PGDM courses. During the TAPMI Manipal MBA cutoff 2023, the CAT cutoff p
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, freshers can apply for the MBA program at the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM). For admission, NIFM considers scores from various entrance exams, including CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAT, and GMAT.
With a CAT percentile of 76.41, you have a good chance of securing admission at NIFM, as th
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, Mody University of Science and Technology accepts the CAT exam for admission to MBA. Further, university also accepts various other entrance exam for admission, such as XAT/NMAT/CMAT/MAT/ATMA/GMAT. Additionally, the university has some basic eligibility criteria that differ from course to cours
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 6 days ago
With 85 percentile in CAT, it is quite difficult to get MBA at IIT Bombay among General AI category. IIT Bombay offers admission to MBA course on the basis of CAT scores. The IIT Bombay CAT Cutoff 2024 is yet to be released for MBA admissions. However, the cutoff percentile in past few years to get
S
Contributor-Level 9
Mba? And is CAT is mandatory and I know about fee and when admission is going?