Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
CAT 2024 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. The CAT question paper 2024 had 3 sections - VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability. The VARC section had 24 questions in MCQ format, the DILR section had 22 questions (2 questions extra) in MCQ format and Quantitative Aptitude section had 22 questions in both MCQ and non-MCQ format. Shiksha has shared below CAT 2024 question paper. Â
CAT previous year paper practice is essential for scoring high percentile. Prior knowledge and practice of the previous year CAT question papers will help candidates in scoring better. CAT 2025 candidates must refer to the last year CAT paper to understand the types of questions expected and topic wise weightage. CAT 2024 question paper PDFs have been shared below along with previous years CAT paper PDFs of 2023, 2022, 2021, 2022, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Q: Â What is the structure of CAT question paper?
Q: Â 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.
Q: Â Does CAT have negative marking?
Q: Â Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
- CAT 2024 Question Paper
- CAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF 2023, 2022
- CAT Previous Year Papers 2021-2017
- Shiksha's Exclusive CAT Practice Papers: DILR, QA, VARC
- Shiksha's Exclusive CAT Preparation Guides
- CAT Previous Year Papers: Importance of Practicing
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT Mock Tests by Shiksha
- FAQs Related to CAT Question Papers
CAT 2024 Question Paper
CAT 2024 question paper has 68 questions instead of 66 questions. There were 2 extra questions in the DILR section of CAT 2024. Overall, the CAT question paper 2024 was of moderate difficulty level. Check here an overview of the CAT question paper 2024.Â
CAT Sections | Number of questions | Marks |
---|---|---|
VARC | 24 | 72 |
DILR | 22 | 66 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 66 |
Total | 68 | 204 |
Section wise break up CAT 2024 question paper
- VARC: The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT 2024 had 16 RC based questions and there were no parajumbles. Rest of th questions were on parasummary, paracompletion and odd sentence.Â
- DILR: In the DILR section, there were 5 sets. Most of the questions were be in sets of 3-4. The total number of questions were 22, but most of them were doable.
- Quantitative Aptitude: This section of CAT 2024 had 8-10 questions from Arithmetic. 8-10 questions can be asked from Algebra. There will be 1-2 question each from rest of the topics.Â
Also Read:
- CAT 2024 response sheet and answer key PDF
- CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2024 Slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2024 student reactions and reviews
- CAT 2024 analysis by CATKing
- CAT 2024 analysis by Career Launcher and T.I.M.E
- CAT 2024 analysis by IMS
Q: Â How many RC questions does CAT have?
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
Q: Â How can I prepare for CAT DILR?
CAT DILR is all about practice. So, you need to practice a lot of questions from DILR to be able to master it. This section of CAT is equally divided into 10 questions each on DI and LR. The Data Interpretation questions are based on Mathematical tables, bars, pie charts, etc. so you need to work on it alongside Quantitative Aptitude. Learn some basic rules of tables, bars, pie charts as well as some basic rules of mathematical calculations. If you can read the data correctly, you can solve the CAT questions. However, to be able to solve questions quickly and accurately, you need to practice a good number of sample questions and mock tests.
For Logical Reasoning, you will have to depend totally on practice tests and exercises. The CAT LR questions are mostly based on series, number system, coding-decoding, family tree, circular patterns, blood relations, etc. So, you need to practice a lot of questions on these to be able to solve them in the exam. Go through CAT previous year question papers to know the type of questions are asked and practice them.
Q: Â How can I improve my score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT?
The key to improving score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is practice, practice and more practice. Listed below are some tips you can apply while preparing for CAT.
- Practice Mental Maths to be less dependent on calculators
- Make short notes of formulae and sample questions to revise them on the go
- Develop the ability to choose which questions to answer in the exam
- Avoid negative marking. Don’t attempt questions you are not sure of
- Practice Quants questions in a time bound manner to be able to utilize maximum time in the main exam
- Solving a sample question is not enough. Practice the same set of questions multiple time
Explore subject-wise topics asked in CAT
Select your preferred subject
Download previous year CAT question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download CAT previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.
CAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF 2023, 2022
CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 1 (Official)
CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 3 (Official)
CAT Question Paper 2022 PDF Slot 1 (Official)
CAT Question Paper 2022 PDF Slot 3 (Official)
CAT Previous Year Papers 2021-2017
CAT Question Paper 2021 PDF
CAT Question Paper 2020 PDF
CAT Question Paper 2019 PDF
CAT Question Paper 2018 PDF
CAT Question Paper 2017 PDF
Shiksha's Exclusive CAT Practice Papers: DILR, QA, VARC
Shiksha's Exclusive CAT Preparation Guides
CAT Previous Year Papers: Importance of Practicing
Solving CAT exam previous year question paper help candidates in understanding the nuances of the exam. The greatest benefit of solving CAT previous year questions is that one gets to know all types of questions that are and can be asked in the exam - tough, easy, lengthy, tricky or even surprise questions. If you start solving CAT question papers abou a month before the exam day, you will get the chance to pratice and master all types of CAT questions. You must solve CAT previous year papers of at least last five years.Â
Benefits of solving previous year CAT papers, sample papers and mock tests:
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CAT previous year question papers help in understanding the latest CAT exam pattern and marking scheme.
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Practicing CAT question papers improves speed and accuracy in solving questions. One needs to aim for 80-85 percent accuracy.
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Practicing CAT exam paper helps in understanding how much time is required for which type of question. This will help them in strategising for the exam day.
- Practicing CAT previous year papers help candidates in knowing which section can be time taking and lengthy. They can use this knowledge to prepare accordingly.
- Previous years' CAT question papers are a good resource of Reading Comprenhension practice. They can do time bound practice of CAT RC passages.
Check Out:
- CAT 2024 Preparation Tips and Strategy
- VARC CAT Questions with Answers PDF
- Quantitative Aptitude CAT Questions and Answers PDF
- DILR CAT Questions and Answers PDF
- Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions for CAT
- Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions for CAT
- Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions - Part 2 for CAT
- Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions for CAT
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions for CAT
When to Start Practicing Previous Year CAT Question Papers
Ideal time to start solving previous year CAT papers is a month before the exam because by that time you will have completed the CAT syllabus too.Â
If you have already appeared for CAT once, then you can solve practice questions and sample papers alongside covering the CAT syllabus too, as you will already have the knowledge of the concepts and your fundamentals will be clear for all subjects. After completing a set of chapters, solve a CAT sample paper or a CAT mock test to see if you're on the right track or not.Â
Also Read:
Q: Â How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?
Q: Â How do I improve my quant score for the CAT in 1.5 months?
Q: Â What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
CAT 2023 Question Paper
CAT 2023 question paper was moderate to tough for all test sessions. Check the table below for key highlights of CAT Question Paper 2023:
CATÂ Sections |
Number of questions |
Break up |
Difficulty level |
---|---|---|---|
VARC |
24 |
4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 parajumble questions, 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 |
Total |
66 |
-- |
-- |
- CAT 2024 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Dowbload Free PDF
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Papers - Analysis of Previous Years
Q: Â How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?
Q: Â What is the sectional weightage of Quantitative Aptitude in CAT?
Q: Â What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?
CAT Mock Tests by Shiksha
Shiksha offers free CAT mock test for candidates to practice and prepare for the upcoming exam session. These CAT mock tests are based on the basis of the latest CAT exam pattern and previously asked questions. Candidates can practice this CAT mock test free by clicking on the link.
CAT_Mock_Test | CAT_Mock_Test_Solutions |
CAT_Mock_Test_2 |
CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Also read:Â
- How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 6 months
- How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 3 months
- Best Books for CAT Preparation 2024
Q: Â How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?
Q: Â What are the benefits of CAT mock test?
Q: Â What is the marking scheme of CAT?
FAQs Related to CAT Question Papers
Check here Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT question papers:
Q: Â What is the sectional weightage of DILR in CAT?
Q: Â What is the sectional weightage of VARC in CAT?
Q: Â What is the sectional weightage of Quantitative Aptitude in CAT?
Q: Â How to download CAT response sheet and answer key?
CAT answer key is released in online mode only. The link to download it is made live at the CAT exam website within a week of the exam. Candidates who have appeared for the test can download it by using their CAT login ID and password. To download CAT answer key and response sheet candidates have to follow the below-mentioned steps: 1. Visit the official website of CAT exam (iimcat. ac.in) 2. Click on the 'login' tab 3. Enter CAT login ID and password 4. Click on sign in to go to student dashboard 5. Look for response sheet/answer key tab 6. Click on the link to open the answer key 7. Download the PDF and save it The CAT answer key will be available for download from December 5-8, 2023 only. In case a candidate fails to download their answer key within the deadline, they will not be able to access it later under any circumstances. Thus, candidates must download their scorecards.
News & Updates
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CAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered 10 hours ago
Yes, students with 80% and above in CAT are eligible for a waiver of INR 3.50 Lacs at Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida. The total course fee for PGDM is INR 15.75 lakh. After waiver, students have to pay INR 12.25 Lacs as PGDM fee.Â
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 10 hours ago
Jaipuria Noida considers CAT score for scholarship to PGDM Marketing Management students. Below is the criteria and fee after waiver for PGDM:
Course | Criteria | Fee After Scholarship |
---|---|---|
PGDM Marketing Management | 80% & above | INR 12.25 lakh |
PGDM Marketing Management | 70% & above | INR 13.25 lakh |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 12 hours ago
Students with 90 percentile and above in CAT are eligible for 50% fee waiver. The total tuition fee for MBA is INR 6.97 lakh. MBA students need to pay INR 3.48 Lacs after waiver for the course. The waiver is offered on the total tuition fee of MBA.Â
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, out of a total of 2.93 Lacs candidates. Out of 14 toppers, 1 is a woman candidate. Check below CAT 2024 result data:
Check the below table for data and statistics of CAT 2024 test takers and toppers.Â
CAT Toppers | Gender and Discipline | State |
---|---|---|
100 percentiles 14 - Nos | Female - 1  Male - 13  Engg – 13  Non-Engg – 1 | Andhra Pradesh 1 Delhi 2 Haryana 1 Kerala 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Rajasthan 1 Telangana 2 |
99.99 percentiles 29 -Nos. | Female - 2  Male - 27  Engg – 25  Non-Engg - 4 | Chandigarh 1 Delhi 4 Gujarat 2 Haryana 1 Karnataka 3 Kerala 1 Madhya Pradesh 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Punjab 1 Rajasthan 3 Tamil Nadu 1 Telangana 1 Uttar Pradesh1 Uttarakhand 1 West Bengal 2 |
99.98 percentiles 30-Nos | Female - 1 Male - 29  Engg – 20  Non-Engg -10 | Bihar 1 Delhi 2 Gujarat 2 Haryana 4 Karnataka 4 Madhya Pradesh 3 Maharashtra 3 Tamil Nadu 2 Telangana 3 Uttar Pradesh 2 West Bengal 4 |
A
Beginner-Level 1
Answered Yesterday
The HCL Career Aptitude Test is part of the TechBee programme for students who have completed their Class XII. The test dates are announced every year and the candidates are communicated on the registered email address itself.
The HCL TechBee CAT has been scheduled on November 14 for batch 1 of the y
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The total tuition fee for NIMS University MBA course is INR 4 lakh. Students who have passed CAT get 100% waiver in tuition fee for both years only if they secure 90 percentile and above in the exam. For such students, the tuition fee for each year is not applicable.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Students who have secured 90 percentile and above in CAT are eligible for NIMS University scholarship for MBA students. Under this scholarship, students get a 100% waiver on the total tuition fee applicable for two-years. After waiver, student do not have to pay any tuition fee in both the years.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Saintgits Institute of Management offers MBA based on valid entrance exam scores. The Institute accepts minimum aggregate of 60% in graduation and valid scores in accepted entrance exams. Saintgits Institute of Management accepts entrance exam scores of CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ CMAT etc. Apart from this, cand
U
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management accepts CAT and various other entrance exam scores for admissions.  The accepted entrance exams are CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ ATMA/ GMAT/ CMAT/ ICET. Candidates willing to get admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate courses must take part in
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
A candidate who scores just 20 on the percentile scale in CAT, hence, will find it really difficult to get admission for MBA programs to any top part of the elite business schools, for all these institutes have put a very high cut-off percentage on a general basis in the range of 85 to 99 percentile
U
Contributor-Level 10
1615 Institutes accepting CAT
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- Total Fees: ₹ 25.00 Lakh
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Is 80% in CAT enough for PGDM scholarship at Jaipuria Noida?