CAT Exam Analysis 2024 (Slot 1, 2, 3 Available): Check Section-wise Difficulty Level by Experts

Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )

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Vipra Shrivastava

Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content

Updated on Nov 24, 2024 21:46 IST

CAT 2024 analysis - This year, the major change in CAT was increase in number of questions and absence of parajumbles. Shiksha has provided below CAT exam analysis 2024, for slot 1, 2 and 3. The CAT exam analysis 2024 includes in-depth discussion of difficulty level of the sections, weightage of the topics, test pattern, changes if any, number of good attempts and section CAT cut offs. You can check CAT 2024 exam analysis below

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CAT 2024 response sheet and answer key PDF

CAT 2024 question paper PDF download slot 1,2,3

CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis

Q:   How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?

A:
It is tough to give an accurate number as an answer to this questions are the number of questions have been changing in CAT in the last three years. Moreover, percentile also depends on the difficulty level of the exams and the number of test takers in a particular year. However, one can say that it is safe to solve at least 2/3rd of the total questions in each section of the CAT. So, if CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has 24 questions, candidate must attempt 16-18 questions correctly. If the CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning has 20 questions, the candidate must solve about 12-14 questions correctly. If the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions then candidates must solve about 14-15 questions correctly. For further understanding you can check detailed analysis here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/how-many-questions-to-attempt-in-cat-to-score-99-percentile-blogId-19639.
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Q:   What is the sectional time limit in CAT?

A:
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
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Q:   What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

A:
CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.
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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.
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CAT 2024 Exam Analysis Highlights

Check below key highlights of CAT 2024 analysis:

  • CAT 2024 question paper was moderate. Usually, the question paper of CAT second session is the toughest. 
  • IIM CAT has prepared the CAT 2024 question paper so one can expect it to be slightly easier than previous years. 
  • VARC section is dominated by Reading Comprehension questions. 
  • Quantitative Aptitude section has maximum questions from Arithmetic and Algebra
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions are in sets.. 

CAT 2024 Analysis: Sectional Break Up

Maximum questions will be asked in VARC section. Check below sectional break up of the CAT 2024 question paper:

CAT section Number of Questions Total Marks
VARC 24 72
DILR

20

22

60

66

Quantitative Aptitude 22 66
Total

66

68

198

204

Explore subject-wise topics asked in CAT

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CAT 2024 Analysis

CAT 2024 analysis is here. As per experts a total of 36-40 attempts will be good enough for a score of 90. This year, there are 22 questions in DILR and that may affect the score calculation. However, since the overall CAT difficulty level is moderate, candidates need not worry. 

CAT 2024 slot 1 sections Number of good attempts Ideal score attempt
VARC 14-16 40
DILR 10-11 32
Quantitative Aptitude 10 35
Total 36 90

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2024: VARC

Utility & Human Economics, Entertainment/ Netflix, Australian Spices and Craftsmanship. The passages and corresponding questions were easy. Each passage had 4 questions. Parasummary, odd sentence and sentence completion questions too were easy. 

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2024: DILR

The DILR section of CAT 2024 slot 1, had sets on Candlestick- Shares Based, Games and Tournament, Bar Graph - Blogger Based, Bar Graph -  Set Theory Based, Caselet - Percentage Based.

CAT slot 1 Analysis 2024: Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Modern Math featured in this sections. The questions were from Remainder, Indices, Log, Equations, Functions, Maxima-Minima, Sequence & Series, Algebraic Expression, TSD-, T&W-, SI-CI, Percentage, PLD, Mixture, Averages, Ratios, P&C, Circle, Cuboid/Square, Coordinate Geometry.

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2024: VARC

VARC section of CAT 2024 Slot 2 had 4 passages - Spice Trade, Unintended Consequences of Technology, Peer Review of Research, Carnivore-Human Conflict. They were of 400-450 words each and pretty much doable. In VA, there were 2 para summary questions, 2 odd sentence questions and 3 para completion questions.

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2024: DILR

In DILR, there were 5 sets pertaining to Bar Graph - Frequency Distribution/ Average Based, Two Scatter Plot (x/y axis- PAT/ES), Grid Based (Row/Column- Number Arrangement), Roots and Network (Maxima-Minima), Data Arrangement(7 Students, 3 Coaches/ Rating Based). The questions were moderate in terms of difficulty level. 

CAT slot 2 Analysis 2024: Quantitative Aptitude

In CAT 2024 slot 2 Quantitative Aptitude, the questions were asked from Remainder, Indices, Log, Sequence & Series, Functions, Inequalities, Mod/Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, TSD, T&W, SI-CI, PLD, Mixture, Averages, Ratios, P&C, Circle, Trapezium, Coordinate Geometry. These were calculation based questions which required time management. 

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2024: VARC

VARC section of CAT 2024 Slot 3 also had 4 passages - Impact of AI, Languages, Chinese Moutai and Saving outer space and other planets. The RC passages were slightly difficult but doable. In VA, there were 3 para summary questions, 2 odd sentence questions and 3 para completion questions.

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2024: DILR

In DILR section of CAT 2024 slot 3, there were 5 sets pertaining to Bar Graph - Nutrient–Food Grain, GDP, AC Temperature, OTT and ATM Network. The questions were moderate having 4-5 questions. Total questions were 22. Overall, this section was moderate.  

CAT slot 3 Analysis 2024: Quantitative Aptitude

In CAT 2024 slot 3 Quantitative Aptitude, the questions were asked from Remainder, Indices, Log, Equations, Functions, Sequence & Series, Integer Solution, Maxima Minima, TSD, T&W, SI-CI, Percentage, PLD, Mixture, Averages, Ratios, P&C and Circle, Polygon, Triangle. This section had 8 MCQs.

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CAT 2024 analysis by CATKing

CAT 2024 analysis by Career Launcher and T.I.M.E

CAT 2024 analysis by IMS

CAT 2024 student reactions and reviews

CAT Score vs Percentile 2024

Aspirants know that MBA admission through CAT is based on percentile and not score. Which means their performance should not only be optimum but should also be better than other test takers. CAT percentile is calculates from the score obtained by the candidate. This table will help you analyse as to how much raw CAT 2024 score converts into how much CAT percentile.

CAT Percentile

VARC score

DILR score

QA score

Overall score

99.9 %ile

48

36

40

102

99.5 %ile

44

32

30

89

99 %ile

40

28

27

80

98 %ile

36

25

23

71

95 %ile

30

19

18

57

90 %ile

25

16

15

49

85 %ile

21

13

12

40

80 %ile

19

11

10

36

75 %ile

17

10

9

31

70 %ile

15

9

8

29

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CAT Exam Analysis 2023

Overall, the CAT 2023 question paper structure and its difficulty level was same as CAT 2022 for all slots. In 2023, the CAT slot 3 was tougher than slot 1 and slot 2. In all the three slots, the Quantitative Aptitude section was tougher than VARC and DILR. IIM Lucknow prepared a tough CAT question paper in comparison to other IIMs. Given the difficulty level of the exam, an overall raw score of 98 to 99 would convert 99%ile. Check the highlights of CAT 2023 below:

CAT sections

Number of questions

Break up

Difficulty level

VARC

24

4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 parajumble qestions, 2 parasummary questions, 2 paracompletion questions and 2 odd one out questions

Moderate

DILR

20

4 sets of 5 questions each

Moderate to difficult

Quantitative Aptitude

22

7 Algebra questions,7  Arithmetic questions, 3 Geometry questions, 4 Number System questions, 1 Modern Maths questions

 

Difficult

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Previous Years' CAT Paper Analysis

CAT exam has been on the tougher side over the years. The pattern has changed multiple times but not the difficulty level. Given below are CAT analyses of past few years for candidates to read and understand the past trends of CAT exam: 

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