What is the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile?

CAT score is the total marks a candidate receives out of the maximum marks, calculated by subtracting the marks of incorrect answers from the marks of correct answers. For every correct answer, +3 is given to the candidates, for every incorrect -1 is deducted from the overall score. Apart from this, a candidate's rank is calculated by normalizing the scores of all candidates and placing them on a common scale based on the difficulty and attempts of the candidates. It is important to understand the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile because IIMs and all MBA colleges in India select candidates on the basis of their CAT and other MBA related exam percentiles and not score. The CAT percentile is referred to as the rank of a candidate against the rest of the test takers. The percentile indicates the total percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate in CAT. Suppose,1,000 people take an exam and you bag the top rank, which means 999 candidates scored less than you. Then your CAT percentile will be 999/1000*100 = 99.9.

How is the CAT score and percentile calculated?

As there are many confusions in percentage and percentile. So, percentage is a ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. Whereas, percentile is dependent on the highest marks. It is a measured by using the statistics indicating the value below which a given percentage of observations of candidates fall. Talking about how the CAT exam percentile is calculated, so assuming that 2,00,000 people appeared for CAT exam in a particular year. The net score of everyone is calculated, and all test-takers are sorted in descending order as per their marks in CAT. Assuming your rank is 1500. So, in this case, your percentile score will be: Total No. of Candidates-your rank Therefore 200000-1500=198500 (198500/200000)x100 = 99.25 percentile. And if there are three decimals in the answer like 99.258, so it will be rounded to 99.3. So, like this, the percentile of CAT exam and similar exams are calculated.

What is the difference between qualifying CAT cut off and final CAT cut off?

Qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of an IIM is the minimum percentile (sectional as well as overall) required by candidates to be eligible for the Written Ability Test (What) and Personal Interview PI round. These are only eligibility score and not the score for selection. The final CAT cut off percentiles are the scores on the basis of which a candidate is actually selected for the What-PI round. The qualifying CAT cut offs are released publically before the CAT exam and result as a part of selection criteria for the MBA/PGP batch of that year. The qualifying cut offs for CAT are release category wise - General, NC/OBC. General-EWS, SC/ST, PwD. The qualifying cut offs percentiles of General category candidate is higher than then rest. The final CAT cut offs are not released publically. The cut offs are estimate on the basis of candidate's selection for What-PI. The final CAT cut offs for General category candidate is also higher than then rest.

Is CAT exam tough for an average student?

CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems. However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.

What is the sectional weightage of VARC in CAT?

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of the CAT exam has 24 questions. This section has the maximum weightage. 24 questions carry 72 marks. The major part of this section is dominated by Reading Comprehension. It covers about 14-16 questions through 4-5 passages. Rest of the questions are asked from Verbal Ability like Para jumbles, Para summary and Para completion. Every Reading Comprehension passage of the CAT carries about four to five questions. There are usually 3-4 para jumble questions, 3-4 para summary questions and 2-3 para completion questions. Lately it has been seen the CAT does not have word meaning or grammar-based questions. CAT VARC is a high weightage section of high difficulty level. High difficulty level, because the CAT Reading Comprehension passages are long, dense and inference based. To read and understand the passages in a short time poses a challenge to a large number of candidates. So, it is very important to develop reading habit if you want to score high in CAT.

What is the sectional weightage of Quantitative Aptitude in CAT?

The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is the third and the last section of the question paper. It has 22 questions and the total marks is 66. This section of the CAT exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Most of the questions out of 22 are asked from these two topics. In CAT 2022, there were about 7-9 Algebra questions and 7-9 Arithmetic questions (the exact number varied for all three slots). Apart from these two topics, there are questions from Mensuration Modern Math and Number System in the Quantitative Aptitude section CAT. Some of the important sub topics in this section include: Arithmetic topics: Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations Averages, Percentages, Mean Median Mode, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance Algebra topics: Basics Algebraic Formulae, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minimal, Higher Degree Equations, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The smallest Value in a Maximum Function Number System topics: Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, the highest Common Factor and the lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Fermat's Theorem, Euler's Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson's Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition/Subtraction/ Multiplication in different bases Geometry Topics: Lines and Angles, Triangles Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry Modern Math topics: Sequence and Series Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability.

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

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.

What makes CAT tougher than other MBA entrance exams?

CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 Lacs candidates apply for it. The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 2.3 Lacs test takers there is a need for tough criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam expect XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.

What is the CAT exam duration? Can I change my exam slot?

The CAT exam is held for 2 hours. There are three slots of CAT exam. Every slot will have 40 minutes of sectional time limit. Which means candidates will have to finish solving each of the three sections of CAT question paper within 40 minutes. Candidates must take care of saving their answers at every step as the moment 40 minutes will get over, the screen will automatically move to the next section. PwD candidates will get 53 minutes for each section. The exam slot allotted by the exam authorities cannot be changed. There is no provision to apply for the same. Candidates will have to appear for the exam in the allotted slot only. CAT exam timings: Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, reporting time: 7:00 AM, Last entry allowed: 8:15 AM Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, reporting time: 11:00 AM, Last entry allowed: 12:15 PM Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, reporting time: 3:00 PM, Last entry allowed: 4:15 PM.

Where can I get official CAT mock test?

The official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) provides two official CAT mock tests for free. To access these mock tests, you need to follow these steps: 1. Go to the official CAT website iimcat. AC. In 2. Click on the "Registered Candidate Login" button. 3. Enter your CAT login credentials (User ID and Password) and click on the "Login" button. 4. Click on the "Mock Test" button on the left-hand side of the screen. 5. You will be directed to the page with the links to the official CAT mock tests. 6. Click on the "Mock Test 1" or "Mock Test 2" link to start the test. The official CAT mock tests provide a real exam-like experience and are a great way to assess your preparation level. They also help you get familiar with the exam pattern and test-taking interface. It is recommended that you take these mock tests to get an idea of what to expect on the exam day and identify areas where you need to improve.

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2025, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams. The most important things to keep in mind are: CAT exam mode is online Each question carries three marks There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below: Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high

What are the best books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension preparation?

There are a range of books available for preparation of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT. However, the most recommended books are mentioned below: 1. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay 2. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha 3. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis 4. High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin 5. 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/Simon and Schuster For English Grammar and Vocabulary, High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin is the best book. For Verbal Ability preparation, practice questions of different difficulty levels are a major part of preparation. The abovementioned books are the best resources of Verbal Ability and practice questions. To prepare for Reading Comprehension, candidates should read books, novels, magazines, research papers, newspaper editorials, etc. Along with these books.

What are the best books for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation?

The best books for Quantitative Aptitude preparation of CAT exam are listed below. These books are recommended by experts and mentors not only for CAT but also for other MBA entrance exams. NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) 1. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma 2. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha 3. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma 4. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha 5. Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal The NCERT Mathematics book is recommended for CAT preparation because it is the best source of building or revisiting the fundamentals of Algebra Geometry, Trigonometry Mensuration and Arithmetic. The NCERT books are extremely helpful to students from non-Engineering background. Quantitative Aptitude books by Arun Sharma, Abhijit Guha, Sarvesh Verma, Nishit Sinha and RS Aggarwal are the main books for CAT preparation as they cover all the topics at advanced level. They also have 1000s of sample questions of easy, moderate and high difficulty levels for practice.

From where can I download CAT question papers?

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.

What is the sectional weightage of DILR in CAT?

The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20. There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.

What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?

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.

Is CAT exam tough for an average student?

CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems. However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.

What is the section-wise weightage of VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude in CAT Syllabus?

The CAT exam has three sections - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. Among these three sections, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage of 24 questions and 72 marks. The Quantitative Aptitude has second the highest weightage of 22 questions and 66 marks. The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has the lowest weightage of 20 questions and 60 marks. Topic-wise, Reading Comprehension dominates the English section with about 14-16 questions. Rest of the questions are asked on parajumble, sentence completion, etc. In Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, the weightage of questions of both the sub topics is equal, I. e. 10 questions each. The questions are asked from Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. In the Quantitative Aptitude section, the maximum questions are asked from Algebra and Mensuration. Other topics from which questions are asked include Geometry, Number System Arithmetic and Modern Math.

What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

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.

When should I start preparing for CAT exam?

Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not. Divide your preparation into two phases - Covering the CAT syllabus Practicing mock tests, sample questions and revision. The CAT syllabus includes the following topics: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences, Questions based on passages, para meaning, order of sentences Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration. You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation: CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/ Simon and Schuster How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha.

What is the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile?

CAT score is the total marks a candidate receives out of the maximum marks, calculated by subtracting the marks of incorrect answers from the marks of correct answers. For every correct answer, +3 is given to the candidates, for every incorrect -1 is deducted from the overall score. Apart from this, a candidate's rank is calculated by normalizing the scores of all candidates and placing them on a common scale based on the difficulty and attempts of the candidates. It is important to understand the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile because IIMs and all MBA colleges in India select candidates on the basis of their CAT and other MBA related exam percentiles and not score. The CAT percentile is referred to as the rank of a candidate against the rest of the test takers. The percentile indicates the total percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate in CAT. Suppose,1,000 people take an exam and you bag the top rank, which means 999 candidates scored less than you. Then your CAT percentile will be 999/1000*100 = 99.9.

Which is the best book of logical reasoning for CAT preparation?

Books of Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT exam: 1- Logical Reasoning by Arihant. 2- Logical and Analytical Reasoning by Ashok Gupta. 3- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal. 4- How To Prepare Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma. 5- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha. Books of Verbal Reasoning for the CAT exam: 1- Verbal Reasoning by Bhupendra Kumar Singh. 2- How to Crack Test of Reasoning by Jaikishan and Premkishan. 3- Shortcuts in Reasoning for Competitive Exams by Odisha Experts. 4- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Agarwal. 5- A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by B. S. Sijwali and Indus Sijwali. I hope this will help you.

What is the syllabus for CAT exam?

CAT syllabus includes all the important topics of subjects that are relevant for business aptitude. For CAT exam, candidates have to study, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Given below are the key topics included in the CAT syllabus. The VARC section of CAT exam syllabus includes various topics of English Grammar, Word Meaning, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Paracompletion, Parasummary, Fill in the Blanks, Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT syllabus includes all the topics of Mathematics from Class 9 to 10 such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra Trigonometry Modern Math, Number System and Mensuration. The DILR syllabus of CAT exam includes topics that require analytical interpretation of data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Tables and Bar Graphs.

What is the marking scheme of CAT?

CAT has a total of 66 question. Each section carries 3 marks for correct attempt and -1 marks for incorrect attempt. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the total marks of CAT is 198. Till 2019, the CAT exam used to be of 300 marks as the total number of questions were 100. In CAT 2020, the number of questions was reduced to 76 and the total marks was 228. Since, 2021, the total marks of CAT is 198. Section-wise, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has maximum weightage. Sectional marking scheme for CAT is given below: 1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: 72 (24x3) 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: 60 (20x3) 3. Quantitative Aptitude 66 (22x3) Since CAT has sectional negative marking scheme, candidates must choose the questions to solve very carefully. If they are not sure of the correct answer, they should leave the question instead of taking a chance. Remember that 0 is greater than negative.

Is it beneficial to do MBA after CA and how can I prepare for CAT in my daily routine?

Yes, it can be beneficial to pursue an MBA/PGDM after completing the CA (Chartered Accountancy) programme. An MBA/PGDM can provide you with a broader understanding of business management concepts and practices, which can complement your technical expertise in accounting and finance. Additionally, an MBA/PGDM can help you acquire leadership and management skills, which can open up opportunities for career growth and advancement. To prepare for the CA. (Common Admission Test) in your daily routine, you can start by setting aside a fixed amount of time each day to study and practice. It is important to develop a study plan and schedule that works best for you and stick to it. You can also join coaching classes or online courses to get access to study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance. GIBS Business School, located in Bangalore, India, offers a 2-year full-time PGDM programme that is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in various industries. The programme is open to graduates from any discipline, including CA. Admission to the programme is based on a candidate's academic background, entrance exam scores, and performance in group discussions and personal interviews. GIBS also offers various scholarships and financial assistance programs to eligible candidates.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 (Available): Check Exam Duration, Total Marks & Marking Scheme

13.1K Students Q&A

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 14:49 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CAT exam pattern 2024 was slightly different from previous years. There were a total of 68 questions instead of 66. Two extra question appeared in DILR section. Additionally, there were no parajumble questions in VARC. No other change was seen in the CAT 2024 exam pattern. CAT is a 2-hour exam with sectional time limit of 40 minutes. Read below all about CAT exam pattern 2024.

Q: What's new in CAT exam?

There has been no change in exam pattern and syllabus of the CAT exam from last year apart from the fee amount which has been increased from INR 2,400 to INR 2,500 for General category candidates and from INR 1,200 to INR 1250 for Reserved category candidates.

Another key change in the latest CAT application form is reduction in the number of test city selection from six to five. The CAT 2024 applicants can only select 5 cities for test centre allotment.

During COVID era,

Candidates had to mention their COVID-19 vaccination status in the CAT application form.
Eligibility criteria for CAT was extended for FCAI degree holders. Now, they are also eligible to appear for the CAT.

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Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

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.

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Q: What is the sectional time limit in CAT?

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: Will CAT exam 2025 also be conducted in three shifts?

Yes, the CAT 2025 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 2025 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.

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What is CAT Exam Pattern 2024?

There were three sections in the CAT question paper 2024:

CAT 2024 VARC section had 24 questions and weightage of 72 marks
CAT 2024 DILR section had 22 questions and weightage of 66 marks
CAT 2024 Quantitative Aptitude section will had 22 questions and weightage of 66 marks

CAT Pattern 2024

The total marks of CAT 2024 was 204 due to addition of 2 more questions in the DILR section. You can check below some key points of the expected CAT 2024 paper pattern and marking scheme:

CAT Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes 40 minutes per section
CAT exam slots	Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Number of questions	66 68
CAT total marks	198 204
Language of question paper	English
Number of answer choices	4
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

Explore subject-wise topics asked in CAT

Select your preferred subject

Quant

VARC

DILR

What is CAT Marking Scheme?

CAT has negative marking, So, there is enough pressure on test takers to mark the correct option only. Thus, candidates must make correct judgement while attempting the questions. Check below key points related to CAT marking scheme 2024:

Total marks of CAT 2024 was 204
Each question carried 3 marks
There was negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer
It was not mandatory to attempt all the questions
There was no deduction of marks for skipping questions
Some questions were non-MCQs
There was no negative marking for non-MCQ questions

The following table summarises CAT marking scheme. Try to attempt 2/3rd of the total questions in every section for a decent overall score.

CAT Sections

Number of Questions

Marks Per Question

CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)

VARC

-1

DILR

-1

Quantitative Aptitude

-1

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Overall and Sectional Time Limit

CAT exam has sectional time-limit. Which means that candidates have to attempt the test in the given time duration and in pre-defined order. They are not be allowed to choose any section to start with or switch from one section to another. They have to solve the CAT question paper chronologically. The chronology of the sections is:

Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude

CAT Exam Time Duration

Aspirants have to complete every section in 40 minutes. After the stipulated 40 minutes are over, the test screen will automatically move to the next section. No changes, corrections or submissions will be allowed after that. Section-wise number of CAT questions and time limit are summarized in the table below:

CAT Exam Sections	No. of Questions	Time limit	Time limit for PwD students
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20 22	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Total	66	120 minutes	160 minutes

Important Points About CAT Test Process

Use of onscreen calculator will be allowed for computation during the CAT 2024 exam.
An onscreen clock will help candidates to keep a check on time during the exam.
The screen will move to next section as soon as 40 minutes are over. Once the window moves to next section, you will not be allowed to go back.
If not sure of an answer, and wish to revisit it, candidates can mark it as 'save for later' but they will have to ensure they revisit the question within the time limit of the same section.
Candidates must read the instructions mentioned on the first page of the test form on how to save answer, etc. to avoid mistake.
To be best prepared for the online test process of CAT 2024, candidates must take the official CAT mock test and check the offiical test guide.
Sheets of paper will be provided for rough work, which will have to be submitted before leaving the exam hall.
Candidates will not be allowed to start the test before time. They will be allowed to login only after the invigilator's announcement.
Candidates must be seated at their designated seats throughout the exam. If found sitting anywhere else, he/she will be disqualified.
They should aim to complete every section 5-10 minutes before time so that they can go back to questions saved for review.
The CAT test form will close as soon as the time gets over. Candidates however will have to remain seated until the exit process is started.

Changes in CAT Question Paper Pattern Over The Years

CAT exam has seen several changes in the last 15 years. However, in the last three years, there has been no change in the CAT exam pattern. Until 2019, the CAT was a 3-hour exam, held in 2 shifts. From 2020 onwards, it is being conducted for 2 hours in three shifts. The number of questions was reduced from 100 to 76 in 2020, and since 2021 to 2023, the number of questions was 66. In 2024, the number of questions were increased to 68. Given below is a table indicating changes in CAT exam pattern since 2014:

CAT Year	Number of Questions	CAT Exam Time Duration	CAT Sections
2024	66 68	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2023	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2022	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2021	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2020	76	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2019	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2018	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2017	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2016	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2015	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2014	100	170 minutes	QA & DI, LR & VARC
2013	60	140 minutes	QA & DI, LR & VARC
2012	60	140 minutes	QA & DI, LR & VARC
2011	60	140 minutes	QA & DI, LR & VARC
2010	60	150 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC

The IIM has tried to modify CAT in such a way that it becomes more non-engineering student friendly. The CAT has been traditionally been considered to be more tilted towards candidates from engineering background. But over the years, the IIMs have strived to increased academic and gender diversity in MBA classrooms.

Difference Between CAT Exam Pattern and Other MBA Entrance Exams?

The exam patterns of all MBA entrance exams are similar but have some peculiarities. If you compare, CAT exam pattern will come across as the most student friendly with 66 questions and 120 minutes. There is also sectional time limit, so candidates have no pressure of time management by self to ensure they do not ignore any section. Check below basic difference between CAT pattern and that of other MBA entrance exams.

Exam Name	Time Duration	No. of Questions	Sections	Total Marks
CAT	120 minutes	66 68	3	204
XAT	180 minutes	95	4	95
CMAT	180 minutes	100	5	400
MAT	120 minutes	150	5	150
GMAT	187 minutes	70	4	200-800
NMAT	120 minutes	108	3	36-360
SNAP	60 minutes	60	3	60

CAT Preparation Articles:

CAT Syllabus and Important Topics

CAT syllabus document for VARC, DILR and QA is not released officially by the IIMs. However, by analyzing CAT previous years' question papers, one can decipher the major topics of CAT syllabus. Given below are the main topics of CAT syllabus 2024 based on previous years’ question papers:

CAT Sections	CAT Syllabus
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension	Parajumbles, Sentence-Completion, Reading Comprehension, Para-Summary, Inferences
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	Tables, Graphs, Data Caselets, Blood Relation, Venn Diagram, Seating Arrangement and Syllogism
Quantitative Aptitude	Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple Interest-Compound Interest, Time & Distance, Averages-Mixtures-Alligations, Numbers, Mensuration, Logarithms, Functions & Graphs, Indices & Surds, Quadratic Equations, Special Equations, Statistics

Also Read: CAT preparation plan: Tips and Tricks

CAT Test Pattern 2024: How to Mark Answers?

The CAT exam is conducted in Computer Based Test mode, which means candidates have to enter their answers on a computer system with the help of the computer mouse. Candidates can use the keyboard for only TITA questions. For every CAT question, four options will be given to choose the correct answer. Candidates will have to select the correct answer and click on one of the following options to move to next question: