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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Nov 29, 2024 12:04 IST

The CAT 2024 slot 1 exam concluded at 10:30 AM, on November 24. Shiksha contacted the test takers to learn about the difficulty of the CAT slot 1 exam, as well as memory-based questions and answers. Check CAT 2024 slot 1 exam analysis here.

CAT Slot 1 Answer Key, Questions and Analysis

CAT Slot 1 Answer Key PDF, Memory Based Questions and Exam Analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF has been released officially inside the login dashboard along with the CAT response sheet. IIM Calcutta conducted the first slot of CAT 2024 today from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The official CAT 2024 answer key has also been released. However, candidates can find the unofficial CAT answer key for Slot 1 based on the analysis by several coaching institutes. Using the CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key PDF, candidates can calculate their probable score by analysing their performance.

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Besides the CAT answer key PDF, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the first slot of CAT exam, including the memory-based questions, expected CAT cutoff, number of good attempts, and overall exam review. Scroll down for complete details on CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key and question paper analysis.

Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

A:
There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Q:   What is the structure of CAT question paper?

A:
The CAT question paper structure has remained unchanged since 2014 when there were only two sections. Quantitative Aptitude was clubbed with Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was clubbed with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In 2015, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning were clubbed together and Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension made two individual sections. Since 2015, the sectional segregation has remained the same but the number of questions have come down from 100 to 66. The exam duration has also been reduced. Until 2019, the CAT exam was of 180 minutes and the total number of questions were 100. However, in 2020, the question paper structure was revised due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the total number of questions came down to 76. In 2021 and 2022, the number of questions were further lowered to 66. For the last two years, CAT is conducted for 2 hours, and the number of questions is 66. The latest CAT question paper structure is: Total questions: 66 Number of sections: 3 Order of sections - 1. VARC 2. DILR 3. Quantitative Aptitude Sectional time limit: 40 minutes VARC questions: 24 DILR questions: 20 Quantitative Aptitude questions: 22.

Q:   From where can I download CAT question papers?

A:
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
Check Slot Wise CAT Answer Key, Memory-Based Questions and Exam Analysis
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key PDF and Question Paper Analysis CAT 2024 Slot 3 Answer Key PDF and Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Answer Key PDF (Official)

The space below will host the direct link to CAT Slot 1 answer key PDF:

Direct link to be updated soon

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CAT 2024 Slot 1 Answer Key PDF (Unofficial)

Several coaching institutes release CAT unofficial answer keys based on the memory based questions available. Candidates can download the CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key PDF from here. The accuracy and reliability of these unofficial answer keys are generally high. However, waiting for the official CAT 2024 answer key is advisable.

Also Check: CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Download (Slot 1, 2 and 3)

NOTE: IIM Calcutta has released the CAT official answer key.

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Question Paper and Answers (Memory Based)

CAT 2024 memory-based questions for slot 1 are compiled based on inputs from students. These questions provide insights into the types of questions asked in the exam. Additionally, these can help candidates evaluate their performance for upcoming exam shifts.

CAT 2024 VARC Questions (Memory Based)

Four RCs (on the following topics:

  • Economics
  • Art and Crafts
  • Ecology (Western barred bandicoot)
  • DVDs and Technology (Evolution)

CAT 2024 Quants Questions (Memory Based)

  • One direct question from the Number System was 10 to the power 100 divided by seven, candidates had to choose the correct answer for the problem.
    • Correct Answer: 4
  • S.P of product is fixed to ensure 40% profit. If product cost 40% less, and have been sold for INR 5 less, then profit would have been 50%, then the original S.P is:
    • Option A: 5
    • Option B: 10
    • Option C: 20
    • Option D: 14 (Correct Option)
  • Two points A and B are 45 km apart. Anil started from A. Sunil started from B. They met each other after 1 hour 30 mins. and after meeting, they continued towards their destinations. Time taken by Anil to reach Point B was 1 hr 15 mins more than the time taken by Sunil to reach point A. Find speed of Anil
    • Option A: 12 (Correct Option)
    • Option B: 16
    • Option C: 18
    • Option D: 24
  • A shop has 187 fruits consisting of Apple, Mangoes and Oranges. Apples and Mangoes were in the ratio 5:2, and after selling 75 apples and 26 mangoes, and half of the oranges, the apple left and the oranges left, were in the ratio of 3:2. Find the number of unsold fruits.
    • Correct Answer: 66
  • A vessel is full of milk. 2/3rd of the milk is removed and replaced with water. This process is repeated 3 more times. Then find ratio of milk and water in the final solution.
    • Correct Answer: 1:80
  • For any natural Number 'n', let an be the largest number not exceeding √n, then a1 + a2 + a3... +a50 =
    • Correct Answer: 217
  • X is a +ve real no, 4lox10x + 4log 100 x + 8 log 1000x = 13, then the greatest integer not exceeding 'x'
    • Correct Answer: 31
  • Q. A.P Que x5= -4, x1, x2,...x100 are in AP. 2x6 + 2x9= x11 + x13. Find x100
    • Option A: -194 (Correct Option)
    • Option B: 206
    • Option C: 204
    • Option D: -196
  • Let x, y, z be real numbers and 4(x²+y²+z²) = a, 4(x-y-z) = 3+a, then find the value of 'a'
    • Option A: 1
    • Option B: 1&1/3
    • Option C: 4
    • Option D: 3 (Correct Option)
  • In sept incomes of K, A, V is 8:6:5. They rent a house using 15%, 12% and 18% of their incomes respectively. In October, rent remains the same where as the salary of each of them increased by 10%,12%, 15% respectively. What percentage of their income have they paid as the house rent (give in nearest percentage).
    • Correct Answer: 13:2%

Q:   What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?

A:
Solving the CAT question paper is very important from preparation point of view. Since CAT is a speed based test where candidates have to read long passages, tables and charts, do multiple calculations and solve tricky puzzles, one needs to have prior practice of the same. The CAT mock tests serve this purpose. However, to know what type of passages and puzzles are there in the CAT exam, you need to solve previous years' question papers. Some of the benefits of solving previous years' CAT question paper are: 1. With the help of previous year's CAT question paper, you can understand the latest CAT exam pattern and marking scheme 2. Practicing CAT question papers improves speed and accuracy in solving the questions, which is critical to a speed based exam like CAT 3. Practicing CAT question papers improves time management skills as you would get to know which type of questions take how much time. 4. When you practice CAT question papers, you gain confidence that you can solve all types of CAT questions. This confidence helps in performing better in the exam.

Q:   How many RC questions does CAT have?

A:

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?

A:

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?

A:

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. 

  • CAT Slot 1 QA Questions

    CAT Slot 1 QA Questions: Correct Answer: -2/3

Also Check: How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?

CAT Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis: Highlights

Check the CAT question paper analysis for the first slot:

  • CAT 2024 slot 1 question paper had a mix of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs across three sections:
    • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
    • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
    • Quantitative Ability (QA)
  • First slot of CAT 2024 exam had 68 questions, i.e. an increase of 2 questions.
  • DILR had 22 questions instead of 20.
  • VARC had no para jumble questions in the first slot of CAT 2024.
  • DILR had five sets, with 3 sets with 4 questions each, and 2 sets with 5 questions each.
  • DILR had 3 bar-graph based questions.
  • VARC had 2 odd one outs.
  • More TITA questions this year.
  • 3 DI Sets, while 2 LI Sets.
  • 11 TITA questions in LRDI.
  • One passage in VARC was related to Stranger Things, a Netflix web series.
  • No surprise elements in the exam.
  • Arithmetic was easier.
  • Difficulty level was similar to 2021 question paper.
  • Number of good attempts in DILR - 8-9 (90+ percentile).
  • One question on candle stick charts from stock market.
  • There were 5-6 TITA questions in Quants.
  • RC was leagthy.
  • Cutoff expected to rise this year.

CAT 2024 Analysis by Experts

The table below mentions the direct links to CAT exam analysis by experts.

CAT Analysis 2024 CAT 2024 Exam Analysis by Experts
CAT 2024 Analysis by CATKing Check Here
CAT 2024 Analysis by IMS Check Here
CAT 2024 Analysis by Career Launcher and TIME Check Here

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Analysis: Section Wise

Typically, the CAT exam is considered difficult if compared with other MBA entrance exams. The difficulty standards were at par with previous exam sessions. Candidates found the CAT exam difficulty in line with the CAT mock tests. The table below mentions the CAT slot 1 section-wise difficulty level:

CAT 2024 Sections

Total Questions

CAT Exam Difficulty

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

24

Moderate to tough

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

22

Easy to moderate

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

22

Easy to moderate

Overall

68

Easy to moderate

Also Read: Which Section has Highest Weightage in CAT?

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis: VARC Question Weightage

The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the VARC section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:

CAT Slot 1 VARC Topics

No. of Questions

Reading Comprehension

16

Verbal Ability - Para jumbles

0

Verbal Ability - Summary

3

Verbal Ability - Sentence completion

3

Verbal Ability- Odd one out

2

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis: DILR Question Weightage

The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the DILR section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:

CAT Slot 1 DILR Topics

No. of Questions

LR 2 sets (5 questions each)
DI 3 sets (4 questions each)

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis: QA Question Weightage

The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the QA section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:

CAT Slot 1 QA Topics

No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ)

Number System

2

Algebra

7-8

Arithmetic

8-9

Modern Maths

1

Geometry & Mensuration

2-3

CAT Percentile predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to get their predicted CAT 2024 percentile on the basis of their expected exam score. So, predict your CAT 2024 score by clicking the link below:

CAT Percentile Predictor

Read More:

Check CAT cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

With a creative soul, Abhishek is inclined towards anything in the creative space be it drawing, painting, craft, or writing. He has been working in the ed-tech industry since he started his career. Besides creative... Read Full Bio

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