MBA aspirants can download PDFs of CAT previous year papers 2023, 2022, 2021, 2022 2019, 2018, 2017 here to practice and get familiar with the pattern, difficulty levels, etc.
CAT previous year papers are the best source of study material for exam preparation. Previous year CAT question papers not only help aspirants in understanding the latest exam pattern and marking scheme but also give an overview of the difficulty level, topic wise distribution of questions and types of questions over the last few years. The CAT exam question paper of each slot is slightly different from each other however the difficulty level of the questions is nearly the same. Candidates preparing for CAT 2024 must make sure they practice CAT previous year question papers of last five years before the exam day.
CAT exam 2024 will be held on November 24, 2024 so this is the right time to start solving the previous years' papers is October onwards. Shiksha has collated CAT previous year papers for aspirants to practice them and prepare for the exam. You can download CAT previous year question papers of CAT 2023, CAT 2022, CAT 2021, CAT 2020, CAT 2019, CAT 2018 and CAT 2017 for free on this page further below. But before that, let's take a look at the CAT question paper pattern, structure and marking scheme, etc.
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To prepare for CAT exam 2024, candidates must first understand the previous year question paper pattern and marking scheme. Till 2019, CAT was an exam of 180 minutes and 300 marks. However, in 2020, the exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes and the total marks was reduced to 228 (76 questions). In 2021, the total marks was further reduced to 198 (66 questions) but the time duration remained 120 minutes. Since then, the CAT question paper has 66 questions.
Q: What is the CAT 2024 exam date?
The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November every year so the CAT 2024 exam is expected to be conducted on Nov 24, 2024. Official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will be made by the convening IIM on Jul 30, 2024. The announcement will be made at the iimcat.ac.in website as well as in all the national dailies across India. We at Shiksha also notify the aspirants through our communication channels. Registrations cum application process for CAT 2024 will begin from the first week of August and end in the third week of September 2024.
Check below CAT exam dates for last five years:
- CAT 2023: November 26
- CAT 2022: November 27
- CAT 2021: November 28
- CAT 2020: November 29
- CAT 2019: November 24
Q: Will CAT exam 2024 also be conducted in three shifts?
Yes, the CAT 2024 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-9 pandemic appropriate behaviour had to be followed at public places and gatherings, the examination authorities increased the number of exam slots to ensure a limited number of candidates can be accommodated at any exam centre in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with gap. Since then, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2024 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order. The CAT exam slot timings will be - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Q: What are the CAT exam slot timings?
Let’s take a look at the latest CAT exam question paper pattern to understand the distribution of questions across the three sections of CAT exam - VARC, LRDI and QA and marks allotted to each. For each correct answer, three marks are allotted and for each wrong question, one mark is deducted. For unanswered questions and non-MCQs there is no negative marking.
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| CAT question paper (sections) |
Number of questions |
Marks allotted |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
72 |
| DILR |
20 |
60 |
| QA |
22 |
66 |
| Total |
100 |
198 |
Previous Years CAT Papers: Check Year Wise Highlights
CAT question paper is released online in the form of CAT answer key and response sheet. Take a look at the highlights of CAT exam previous year papers to understand the trend of types of questions asked.
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2023)
CAT 2023 question paper was overall slightly more difficult than previous years. However, can't be termed as too difficult. The CAT VARC section had more questions on RC than Verbal Ability. The DI and LR questions were of medium difficulty level and there was no surprise element. The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2023 was dominated by Arithmetic as usual.
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Q: Which IIM will conduct CAT 2024 exam?
The top 6 Indian Institute of Management are given the responsibility to conduct the Common Admission Test exam. Each of the top Indian Institutes of Management conducts the exam rotation-wise after a gap of five years. The responsibility to conduct the CAT 2023 was given to IIM Lucknow. Professor Sanjeet Singh had been appointed as the CAT convener. For CAT 2024, IIM Calcutta will be the exam convening institute. IIM Calcutta will be responsible for preparation and conduct of the exam without glitches, in collaboration with TCS for test labs and centres. The institute will design the question papers, exam pattern and guidelines, as well as manage the conduct of exam and preparation of admit card, answer key and result.
CAT Conducting Indian Institute of Management Over the Years:
- 2023: IIM Lucknow
- 2022: IIM Bangalore
- 2021: IIM Ahmedabad
- 2020: IIM Indore
- 2019: IIM Kozhikode
- 2018: IIM Calcutta
- 2017: IIM Lucknow
- 2016: IIM Bangalore
- 2015: IIM Ahmedabad
- 2014: IIM Indore
- 2013: IIM Indore
- 2012: IIM Kozhikode
- 2011: IIM Calcutta
- 2010: IIM Lucknow
- 2009: IIM Ahmedabad
For more information, you may visit the Shiksha Common Admission Test page. (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam). I hope this will help you.
Read more: CAT 2023 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2022)
CAT 2022 question paper was moderately difficult. The CAT VARC section was easy to moderate. The Data Intepretation and Quantitative Aptitude sections were moderate to tough. Arithmetic, Algebra and Reading Comprehension dominated the CAT question paper 2022. There were a few parajumble questions and a few time and distance questions were there in CAT last year question paper.
Read more: CAT 2022 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2021)
The CAT question paper 2021 was of moderate to high difficulty level. The VARC and DILR sections had questions of moderate to high difficulty level with a good number of non-MCQs, where as Quantitative Aptitude section was easy in all the three slots.
Read More: CAT 2021 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2020)
CAT 2020 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. VARC section was dominated by RC questions. QA section had maximum questions from Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration and Modern Maths. DILR section had two DILR sets.
Read More: CAT 2020 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2019)
In CAT 2019, VARC was slightly trickier this year, with two passages on the difficult side. Both DILR and Quant were slightly easier than last year. The DILR section had easy sets. In Quant, There were a lot of questions from Arithmetic and none of them were tough. Overall, the paper was slightly less difficult, as compared to CAT 2018.
Read More: CAT 2019 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2018)
CAT 2018 question paper was of moderate difficult. The question paper of both the slots did not see any surprise question. The VARC section of CAT 2018 Slot I was easier than previous year. The DILR section was moderately difficult, while QA was difficult.
Read More: CAT 2018 question paper PDF with solutions
CAT Previous Year Question Paper (2017)
In CAT 2017, the first slot was towards higher difficulty level as compared to the second slot. DILR section was most difficult and time consuming. QA was of easy to moderate, while VARC was of easy to moderate difficulty level.
Read More: CAT 2017 question paper PDF with solutions
Download CAT Question Paper PDFs of Last Six Years
Candidates can download official CAT question paper PDFs of past five years. They can download and practice these CAT previous year papers free.
Importance of Practicing CAT Previous Year Paper
It is mandatory for every aspirant to solve CAT previous year question papers, sample papers and mock test series. CAT experts recommend solving at least 35-40 CAT mock tests. CAT preparation will be complete only after you’ve mastered all types of CAT previous year questions. Listed below are some of the benefits of solving previous year CAT question papers.
- By solving CAT exam previous year question paper, you can get a better understanding of CAT exam pattern and marking scheme
- CAT previous year papers practice will improve your speed and accuracy in solving questions
- Will boost your CAT 2024 preparation by improving your time management skills
- The previous years CAT papers will prepares you for all types of questions
- You will be able to discover tricks and shortcuts of solving the CAT questions faster
CAT Questions for Practice with Solutions
Check out CAT questions for practice with solutions for VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude.
When to Start Practicing Previous Year CAT Papers and Sample Papers?
The ideal time to start practicing previous year CAT question papers and mock tests is September onwards, as it will give you three full months of practicing these before the CAT exam. Many toppers have shared that they start solving sample questions from the early stages of CAT preparation as they want to assess their grip on Mathematics and DI topics. However, it is recommended not to start solving full length CAT mock tests and sample papers until one has completed the CAT syllabus. After that, they should dedicate the last month to solving previous years CAT papers to gauge the upcoming exam.
CAT Mock Test for Practice
Shiksha has prepared free CAT mock tests for candidates to practice and prepare for the exam. These mock tests are free and based on actual previous year CAT question papers.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Apart from referring above study material, candidates can check the following links for CAT questions for practice along with solution and process. Candidates will get CAT DILR questions, CAT VARC questions as well as logical reasoning questions for CAT.
- CAT Preparation: Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions
- CAT Preparation: Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions - Part 2
- CAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions
- CAT Preparation: Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions
- CAT Preparation: Verbal Abilty (VA) solved questions
For further CAT preparation, candidates can refer to the following articles:
| CAT Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
|
| CAT preparation: Your love for reading can get you the desired result |
CAT 2024 Preparation: Simple tips to optimize exam preparation |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 21 hours ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get into PGDM course of ISMS Pune. The institute accept other national-level exam scores for selection as well. Aspirants with a valid score of CMAT/MAH CET can also apply for admission. The institute may accept scores of other entrance exams as well. Apart from this, it
H
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 23 hours ago
It's great that you're exploring opportunities with your CAT score! With a 50 percentile in CAT, there are several MBA colleges in India that you can target. These colleges often consider other aspects of your profile such as academic background, work experience, and performance in the group discuss
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
It depends on your goals and the requirements of PSIT (Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology) for their MBA program. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Admission Criteria:
- PSIT may accept CAT (Common Admission Test) scores, along with other exams like MAT, XAT, or UPSEE for MBA admissions.
- If you w
G
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
Bhavan's Royal Institute of Management provides admission based on merit and entrance. However, candidates are required to qualify graduation and secure a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Apart from this, candidates must secure valid scores in entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT etc. If the
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
Another option for those scoring low in CAT exam is applying to non-IIM. Many B-Schools like SPJIMR, IIM DELHI, lal bahadur sastri institute of management accept CAT score between 80-90 percentile. these institutes rank above some of the IIM in the NIRF - MHRF's ranking list.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
The admission to the PGP course offered by MET Institute of Software Development and Research does not need candidates to crack the CAT exam, rather there is a separate test called MET Online Test. MET Institute of Software Development and Research admission is entrance-based for courses offered at
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 4 days ago
GNIOT CAT cutoff 2024 is yet to be released. However, in 2023, MBA cutoff for the unreserved category stood at 25. Over the period of three years, the CAT cutoff remained constant. Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out CAT percentile till 2023:
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 6 days ago
Every year, over 2 Lacs candidates appear for the CAT exam and about 10-14 test takers score 100 percentile. In CAT 2024, the number of 100 percentiler was 11, and in CAT 2023 the number of 100 percentilers was 14. In CAT 2022, the number of 100 percentilers was 11. In CAT 2021, only 9 candidates sc
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, it is possible to score 99.99 percentile in CAT in first attempt. Many candidates have scored 99.99 percentile in their first attempt in previously. But for that one needs to have a preparation strategy which is comprehensive and covers all the aspects of CAT. Apart from covering CAT syllabus t
M
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates can take reference of subjects and topics from CAT study material for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude, but XAT preparation has to be exam specific and must include exam specific study material. Aspirants can use CAT sample questions too for practice purpose,
E
Beginner-Level 2
Is CAT compulsory to get into PGDM course of ISMS Pune?