Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Jun 21, 2021 13:11 IST

Will the CAT exam pattern be revised again this year? Although it is unlikely that IIM Ahmedabad will revise the CAT 2021 exam pattern, but aspirants can't wait to know.

CAT exam pattern

As the CAT exam notification date comes closer, aspirants are hoping to get clarity on the exam pattern as early as possible. Last year, the CAT exam pattern was revised in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, but the all the changes were not communicated as late as the exam day. The CAT exam aspirants got to know about reduction of total number of questions in the paper only on the exam day.

Since, the COVID-19 pandemic persists even now, and there is a threat of the third wave by October, the CAT 2021 exam is going to be conducted in the same manner as last year. i.e. three shifts of two hour each. It remains to be seen if the CAT 2021 convening institute IIM Ahmedabad reverts the CAT exam pattern back to three hour test, as the COVID-19 vaccination programme is currently underway in India and the government aims to vaccinate the whole population by December end.

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So far, there has been no official communication regarding CAT 2021. IIM Ahmedabad Professor MP Ram Mohan was recently appointed the CAT exam convener for this year. The CAT 2021 notification is expected to be released by the end of July. It is then when we will know the changes in exam pattern if any.

CAT Exam Pattern: Changes Over the Years

In CAT 2020, the total exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes and number of questions were reduced to 76. The VARC section had 26 questions, DILR had 24 questions and QA had 26 questions. Sectional time limit was 40 minutes each. Check out changes in CAT exam pattern over the years. Also Read: Changes in CAT 2020 Exam by IIM Indore

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CAT Exam Year

Number of questions

Time duration

Sections

2020

76

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QA, DILR, VARC

2019

100

180 mins

QA, DILR, VARC

2018

100

180 mins

QA, DILR, VARC

2017

100

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180 mins

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170 mins

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60

140 mins

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60

140 mins

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2011

60

140 mins

QA & DI, LR & VARC

2010

60

150 mins

QA, DILR, VARC

CAT 2021 exam is expected to be conducted on November 28. The CAT registration process will begin most likely by August 4 and go on till third week of September. Candidates preparing for the exam must check the CAT syllabus and CAT preparation tips by Shiksha. They must also download official CAT question papers and practice CAT mock tests available on Shiksha. 

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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

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

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