CAT 2024 Notification Releases Next Week; Check Latest CAT Pattern and Syllabus

CAT is a computer based test which is conducted in three shifts. The CAT is conducted for two hours in which candidates have to solve 68 questions.

These 68 questions are divided into three sections Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The VARC section has 24 questions, the DILR section has 28 questions and QA section has 22 question. Each question carries 3 marks for correct entry and -1 for incorrect entry. There is no negative marking for unanswered question. A unique aspect of CAT is the sectional time limit. Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes (53.20 minutes for PwD candidates).

Candidates have to complete the section within the time limit as the moment the onscreen timer shows 0 minutes left, the screen will automatically move to the next section. There is no option to go back to older questions. Also, candidates have to follow the question paper chronology. They have to first solve the VARC section, then the DILR section and then the QA section.

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.

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.

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.

The question type and pattern of CAT (Common Admission Test) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) are not similar. While both exams are used for admissions to management programs, they have different formats and question types. Here are the key differences between CAT and GMAT.

CAT:

• CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
• It is a computer-based exam consisting of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
• CAT includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs (Type In The Answer) questions.
• The exam pattern may vary from year to year, but generally, CAT has a time limit for each section and a fixed number of questions in each section.

GMAT:

• GMAT is an internationally recognised exam used by business schools worldwide and in India for admission to MBA and MIM programs.
• It is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty level of questions adjusts based on the test-taker's performance on the GMAT exam.
• GMAT consists of four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR).
• The question types in GMAT include multiple-choice questions, data sufficiency, sentence correction, etc.
• The GMAT 2023 exam pattern remains consistent, with a fixed number of questions and time limits for each section.

In summary, while both CAT and GMAT are entrance exams for management programs, their question types, formats, and sections differ significantly. However, it is possible to prepare for both the exam simultaneously as both are based on a similar theme. In fact, both exams will complement each other’s preparation.