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.
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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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.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 |
120 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2019 |
100 |
180 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2018 |
100 |
180 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2017 |
100 |
180 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2016 |
100 |
180 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2015 |
100 |
180 mins |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2014 |
100 |
170 mins |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2013 |
60 |
140 mins |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2012 |
60 |
140 mins |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 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.
Read More:
- Best books for CAT Preparation
- CAT Preparation Plan For VARC
- CAT Preparation Plan for DILR
- CAT Preparation Plan For QA
- How to Prepare for CAT in 3 Months
- CAT preparation - coaching vs self study
- 2 months to CAT exam: These Many Mock Tests Will Optimise Your Score
| Get Free PDF of Section Wise CAT Syllabus |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, CAT is not required to get admission to Masters' Union. The college offers admission based on the last qualifying score to BBM/BMS. Further, for PGP TBM, college conduct MUBAAT entrance exam for admission. Applicants are required to apply to the official website of the college to fill out the
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The leading entrance examinations for MBA programs comprise CAT and MAT, both of which are recognised by nearly all MBA colleges across India. While there are slight variations in the exam formats for CAT and MAT, it's important to note that only CAT scores are accepted by IIMs.
| Parameter | CAT | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections | Three | Five |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 150 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 200 (40 from each section) |
| No. Of Papers | 1 | 1 |
| Test Centre | Candidates can choose four cities as per the choices | Candidates can choose three cities |
| Level of Difficulty | High | Moderate |
| Marking Scheme | Correct Answer: +4 Incorrect Answer: -1 | Correct Answer: +1 Incorrect: -.25 |
| No. of Exams conducted yearly | Once a Year | Four times a year |
| Major Colleges | All IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, IMT | Christ College Institute of Management, IMS, BIMTECH (Noida) |
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
No. The authorities will not accept soft copies of the CDAC C-CAT admit card at the exam centre. All candidates will have to download and print out the CDAC C-CAT hall ticket. The print out has to be presented at the examination centre along with a valid identity proof. If the documents are not pres
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
While reporting at the exam centre, the candidates will have to present their CDAC C-CAT admit card along with a valid identity proof. Any one of the following original identity proofs will be accepted at the centre along with the admit card - Aadhaar Card/Voter ID/PAN Card/Passport/School ID or any
S
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
No. The candidates will not be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card through email. To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website i.e., cdac.in and log in using their application form number and password. No other mode will be used to release the CD
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website at cdac.in. The login credentials required to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card are the candidate's application form number and password. During the registration process, the candidates should check their ap
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
Yes. CDAC C-CAT admit card is released online. The candidates will be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card download link online at cdac.in. No other mode will be used by the authorities to release the CDAC C-CAT admit card. To log in, the candidates will have to provide the required credentials.
N
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 days ago
No, SKILL-CAT exam is not compulsory to get into MBA at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University. Candidates can also apply with a valid score of national-level examinations. The accepted entrance exams are CAT/MAT/SNAP/GMAT, etc. After shortlisting candidates based on exam scores, the universit
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
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 5 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
Is CAT compulsory for admission to Masters' Union?