CAT 2021 Question Paper with Solutions: Download Slot 1, 2 and 3 PDFs
Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )
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.
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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.
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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 |
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| CAT 2024 analysis by IMS |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Pattern and Structure
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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:
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- 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.
Q: What was the key change in CAT question paper 2024?
The key change in CAT question paper 2024 was increase in number of questions in DLIR section. Till 2023, the DILR section used to have 20 questions. In 2024, it had 22 questions. The time limit for it was the same and no other section had less questions. Which means, in CAT 2024, candidates had to attempt 68 questions instead of 66 to solve in the same time (120 minutes). DILR sectional time limit was 40 minutes as in previous years. There was no other change in CAT 2024, the difficulty level was same as previous years.
Q: Is it mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT?
No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.
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?
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 19 hours ago
The admission threshold at top IIMs based on CAT scores stands higher than 50 percent hence students with this percentile will have access to other acclaimed B-schools. These colleges form a list of institutions that could accept your application for admission:
- University Business School (UBS), Chand
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Contributor-Level 10
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Yes, students can get admission at Centre for Liberal and Advanced Studies MBA without CAT. The institute accepts admisison based on entrance exams. The institute accepts other national exams such as MAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. Candidates can appear on any of the exams accepted the institute. It is
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Beginner-Level 5
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It is mandatory to clear CAT examination to seek admission at IIM Ahmedabad. The Institute considers CAT percentile for the admission to MBA, along with the understanding of the CAT percentile for IIM Ahmedabad that reached up to 99.6 in the past years which shows how challenging it is for a candida
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for admission to AIMS Mumbai. Aspirants with a valid score in any of the accepted entrance exam such as XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAH CET, etc. can get admission provided they also fulfil the eligibility requirements. Candidates need to provide the entrance exam score in the applica
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Mewar University MBA course admission is entrance-based. Candidates must participate in national-level exams such as CUET-PG, MAT, CMAT, CUET, and MUEE. Therefore, candidates can get admission to the MBA course without a CAT score since candidates can opt for any on of the entrance exams mentioned a
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During CDAC C-CAT counselling process, the candidates will be allotted as per their obtained rank, preferences, category and seat availability. It is important for the candidates to select the correct order of preferences for allotment. The authorities will prepare the allotment list carefully after
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Beginner-Level 4
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