CAT Exam Analysis 2021: Check Section-Wise CAT Analysis, Review & Difficulty Level of Slot 1, 2, 3 | CAT Mock Test Series 2024 PDF Download

CAT 2021 Exam Analysis – Slot 1

After the CAT authorities' announcement, there was much speculation about the number of questions in each section. However, it now appears that the number of questions will be 24 for VARC, 20 for DILR, and 22 for QA. This reduction in the number of questions has been positively received by students.

There were, however, mixed responses regarding the overall difficulty level of the slot with VARC being regarded as easy to moderate, DILR as moderate to difficult, and QA as easy to moderate. Overall, the paper can be regarded as moderate.

The conduction of Slot 1 was also smooth with very good social distancing and Covid 19 norms observed. Apart from a couple of students reporting challenges faced with slow computers that cost them precious time, overall, students have reported a good experience.

The overall CAT 2021 Slot 1 paper pattern was as follows:

The sectional, in-depth CAT 2021 Slot 1 Exam analysis is as follows:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

VARC with a total of 24 questions had 4 RCs of 500 to 600 words, 3 Key-in Para jumbles, 3 Summary, 2 Out of Context. One RC was to do with Tea history, the second to do with a scientist’s experiments on Cuttlefish, the third RC, a slightly dense Utopian-Dystopian, individualism-collectivism discussion, and the fourth RC, an analysis of Mayan artwork and their appreciation and regard for all objects around them. Each RC had 4 questions. The questions types were a slight departure for CAT 2020 -with inferences ruling the roost, with a lone weaken and parallel reasoning question. There was also an unusual ‘which of the following can be a complement to the passage’ question.

CAT 2021 Slot 1 VARC – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 18 with 80-85 % accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

DILR had 20 questions with 4 sets- 2 sets of 6 questions each, and 2 sets of 4 questions each. The set with a bar graph seemed to be the easiest with 4 questions. The second set, the one on raw material production and sales with 4 questions was moderate. The third set on acquaintances and missing data had 6 questions, and was moderate to difficult; and the fourth one on magazines, publishers, and cities with 6 questions, was a lengthy set.

CAT 2021 Slot 1 – DILR – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 1 – DILR – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 11-12 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Quantitative Aptitude (QA):

With a total of 22 questions, QA had a predominance of Arithmetic and Geometry.  Profit and Loss, SICI, Time and Work, Time, Speed Distance, Permutation-Combination accounted for about 10-11 questions. Most of these questions were very much doable and can be regarded as easy to moderate. Algebra had less representation, and the Algebra questions can be regarded as moderate to difficult.
Good attempts: 15 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

CAT 2021 Slot 1 – QA – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 1 – QA – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 15 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

Endeavor students found that all sectionals were very much in sync with the EOMs (Endeavor Open Mock CATs) that they had taken.  In terms of question numbers, difficulty levels, and question types, EOMs were a great simulation.

Here are the predicted scores versus percentiles of CAT 2021 SLOT 1:

CAT 2021 Exam Analysis – Slot 2

Slot 2, like before, featured the popular format of 24 questions for VARC, 20 questions for DILR, and 22 questions for QA.

The overall difficulty level of the slot was termed moderate with VARC being regarded as easy to moderate, DILR as moderate to difficult, and QA as easy to moderate.

The conduction of Slot 2 was also smooth with very good social distancing and Covid 19 norms observed. The arrangements were seamless, the different reporting timings given to candidates ensured that crowding at the centers was avoided. Overall, students reported a good experience.

The overall CAT 2021 Slot 2 paper pattern was as follows:

The sectional, in-depth CAT 2021 Slot 2 Exam analysis is as follows:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

Once again, the sectional had the same number and distribution of questions. The RCs were just a slight notch denser in language and ideas. The RCs covered topics like the decline of languages, the relationship between truth and power, nationalism and colonialism in the Indian context, and knowledge and skepticism. While the questions types were predominantly inferential, the ‘if false’, ‘if true’ questions of CAT 2020 returned in this slot.
The 8 VA questions again were not difficult but the Para jumbles were not smooth sailing with difficulties in linking sentences. The Summary questions were moderate to attempt. About 5 attempts were definitely possible.

CAT 2021 Slot 2 VARC – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 16-17 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

DILR had 20 questions with 4 sets- 2 sets of 6 questions each, and 2 sets of 4 questions each. The challenge of selection of Slot 1 continued in Slot 2, with 2 sets of 6 questions each, and 2 sets of 4 questions each. While students were tempted to attempt the sets with 6 questions, the sets with 4 questions were the easier ones. Both the Bar graph set and the Games and tournaments sets were easy. The most challenging was the set of distribution of 10 objects among 5 friends.

CAT 2021 Slot 2 – DILR – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 2 – DILR – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 11-12 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Quantitative Aptitude (QA):

With a total of 22 questions, QA again had a predominance of Arithmetic. With 9 questions based on Arithmetic, and 3 Geometry questions, students found a respite in QA once again. There were only 2 questions of Modern Maths. The difficulty level marginally increased in comparison to slot 1, bringing the expected attempts down by 1 question compared to slot 1.

CAT 2021 Slot 2 – QA – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 2 – QA – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 14 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate

Endeavor students found that all sectionals were very much in sync with the EOMs (Endeavor Open Mock CATs) that they had taken.  In terms of question numbers, difficulty levels, and question types, EOMs were a great simulation.

Here are the predicted scores versus percentiles of CAT 2021 SLOT 2:

CAT 2021 Exam Analysis – Slot 3

While Slot 3 continued the well-received run of 24 questions of VARC, 20 questions of DILR, and 22 questions of QA, the overall difficulty level of the slot veered a little towards moderate to difficult with VARC rated as moderate to difficult, DILR as moderate to difficult, and QA as moderate to difficult.
The conduction of Slot 3 was also smooth with very good social distancing and Covid 19 norms observed. The arrangements were seamless, and the different reporting timings given to candidates ensured that crowding at the centers was avoided. Overall, students reported a good experience.

The overall CAT 2021 Slot 3 paper pattern was as follows:

The sectional, in-depth CAT 2021 Slot 3 Exam analysis is as follows:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
The sectional had the same number and distribution of questions. However, the difficulty level of two of the RCs shot up a little making selection of RCs challenging. Two RCs – the one on Time keeping and entropy, as well as Robotics and Nano Sentinels were moderate to read, but the options were quite close.  The ‘keywords’ question returned along with the ‘if false’, ‘if true’ questions of CAT 2020.
The 8 VA questions again were not difficult but the Para jumbles were not smooth sailing with difficulties in linking sentences. The Summary questions also had quite close options. About 4-5 attempts were possible.

CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 15-16 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

DILR had 20 questions with 4 sets- 2 sets of 6 questions each, and 2 sets of 4 questions each. The challenge of selection posed in Slot 1, and Slot 2 continued yet again, with 2 sets of 6 questions each, and 2 sets of 4 questions each. One of the sets with 4 questions, the Bar graph on employees and projects was easy with quick to understand data and some really easy questions. The Pure and Impure mixtures set was quite tempting with very less data, but required a sound understanding of the process mentioned of verifying impure mixture. The most challenging was the set of javelin throwing distances with lengthy data.

CAT 2021 Slot 3 – DILR – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 3 – DILR – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 11 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

With a total of 22 questions, QA continued the predominance of Arithmetic and Geometry. With 9 questions based on Arithmetic, and 4 Geometry questions, it appeared like the sectional would offer a respite to students. But, alas! This was deceptive simplicity. The questions were heavy on calculations and required time. The sheer length of the sectional brought down students attempts making the sectional a challenging one.

CAT 2021 Slot 3 – QA – Questions Distribution

CAT 2021 Slot 3 – QA – Difficulty level

Good attempts: 13 questions with 80-85% accuracy.

Overall difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Endeavor students found that all sectionals were very much in sync with the EOMs (Endeavor Open Mock CATs) that they had taken.  In terms of question numbers, difficulty levels, and question types, EOMs were a great simulation.

Here are the predicted scores versus percentiles of CAT 2021 SLOT 3: