CAT Exam Pattern 2025

What's new in CAT exam?

• Candidates have to mention their COVID-19 vaccination status in the CAT application form.
• Eligibility criteria for CAT has been extended for FCAI degree holders. Now, they are also eligible to appear for the CAT.
• If there will be any change in the exam structure like an increase or decrease in the number of questions, it will be known with the release of the official CAT mock test 2023.

Will CAT exam 2024 also be conducted in three shifts?

Yes, the CAT 2024 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 was increased to three, and the exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 pandemic appropriate behavior 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 center in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with a gap. Since then, CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon, and evening. In CAT 2024 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.

CAT exam pattern is designed to test the candidate's ability to solve mathematical and reasoning problems accurately in the least amount of time. The test is all about using aptitude skills and logical reasoning. Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2024 must familiarize themselves with the latest CAT exam pattern. It will help them in understanding the structure of the CAT question paper and marking scheme.

There were three sections in the CAT question paper 2024:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• CAT VARC section will have 24 questions and a weightage of 72 marks
• CAT DILR section will have 20 questions and a weightage of 60 marks
• CAT Quantitative Aptitude section will have 22 questions and a weightage of 66 marks

CAT Pattern 2024

IIM Lucknow, the exam convening institute for this year, will release the CAT tutorial for candidates a week before the exam to help the candidates in familiarizing themselves with the CAT exam process. The CAT tutorial will explain the latest exam pattern and test structure. You can check below some key points of the expected CAT paper pattern and marking scheme in the below table:

Changes in CAT Question Paper Pattern Over The Years

CAT exam pattern has undergone several transformations in recent years, altering both its structure and duration. Previously a 3-hour examination held in two shifts until 2019, the CAT exam duration shifted to a 2-hour format across three shifts starting in 2020. Notably, a decade ago, Data Interpretation (DI) was combined with Quantitative Aptitude (QA). However, the scenario evolved, leading to DI merging with Logical Reasoning (LR) while QA became a standalone section. Here is a detailed breakdown showcasing the changes in CAT exam pattern since 2014:

Understanding the CAT 2024 Marking Scheme

The CAT 2024 exam features a specific marking scheme that every aspirant should grasp before sitting for the test. Let's delve into the details:

What is CAT Marking Scheme?

• Total marks of CAT 2024 will be 198
• Each question will carry 3 marks
• There will be negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer
• There will be no deduction of marks for skipping questions
• Some questions in the QA section may not be of multiple choice type, thus the answers will have to be typed on the screen
• There will be no negative marking for type-in-the-answer questions

The following table summarizes the CAT marking scheme, which is crucial for candidates to consider while planning their CAT 2024 exam day strategy:

It's essential to differentiate between CAT score and CAT percentile, understand how the CAT score and percentile are calculated, and grasp the variance between qualifying CAT cut off and final CAT cut off.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Overall and Sectional Time Limit

• CAT Exam Structure: The CAT exam follows a sectional time-limit, requiring candidates to solve the paper in a specific order without the option to switch sections.
• Section Sequence: Candidates must progress through the sections in the following order:
  1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
  2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
  3. Quantitative Aptitude

CAT Exam Time Duration

According to the official CAT exam pattern:

Important Points About CAT Test Process

• On-Screen Calculator: Candidates can use an on-screen calculator for computations during the CAT 2024 exam.
• On-Screen Clock: An on-screen clock will help candidates track time during the exam.
• Rough Work Sheets: Sheets of paper will be provided for rough work, which must be submitted before leaving the exam hall.
• Test Start: Candidates cannot start the test before the designated time and can log in only after the invigilator's announcement.
• Seating Rules: Candidates must remain seated at their assigned seats throughout the exam to avoid disqualification.

CAT Syllabus and Important Topics

• CAT Sections
  • 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

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 or keyboard. For each CAT question, there will be four options. Candidates will have to select an option and click on one of the following options to move to the next question:

• Save and Next
• Clear Response
• Mark for Review and Next

Whatever option the candidate selects, it will be represented in the following colors:

CAT question status

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, with thorough preparation and understanding of the CAT exam pattern, candidates can score well. It's essential to be well-versed with the CAT syllabus 2024 and the exam pattern before beginning preparation. The CAT exam pattern underwent revision in 2021, reducing the number of questions from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2022 and CAT 2023 remained the same, with the syllabus still being more challenging than other exams.

The key points to remember are:

• CAT exam mode is online
• Each question carries three marks
• Negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts

The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels according to the latest CAT exam pattern are as follows:

• 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

Difference Between CAT Exam Pattern and Other MBA Entrance Exams

When it comes to pursuing an MBA, understanding the exam patterns of different entrance exams is crucial. Let's delve into the major differences between the CAT exam and other popular MBA entrance exams like XAT, CMAT, MAT, IIFT, GMAT, NMAT, and SNAP. This comparative analysis will shed light on the varying structures and difficulty levels of these exams.

Exam Details Comparison

CAT Preparation Insights

• How to prepare for CAT: Ultimate tips from experts
• CAT preparation 2024: Self-study vs. coaching
• What is the best time to start CAT 2024 preparation?
• How to prepare for CAT 2024 in 6 months
• How to prepare for CAT 2024 exam in 3 months
• CAT exam 2024: Simple tips to optimize exam preparation
• CAT 2024 preparation: 10 popular myths busted
• CAT Score vs. Percentile: How to Calculate?
• Understanding CAT Normalization Process
• 2 months to CAT 2024: These many Mock Tests will optimize your score
• How Scaled CAT Score is Calculated for Three Slots?

Are you wondering about the difficulty level of the CAT exam for an average student? Or perhaps, you're curious about the sectional weightage of Quantitative Aptitude and VARC in CAT? Understanding these aspects can significantly impact your preparation strategy and overall performance in the exam.

CAT Exam Pattern and Preparation Guide

When to Start CAT Preparation

• Start preparing for the CAT exam at least nine months before the test date.
• Long-term planning is essential for CAT preparation, so beginning early is crucial.
• Consider starting your preparation in March to allow for adequate time for study and practice.
• Early preparation helps in assessing the need for joining a coaching institute.

Phases of CAT Preparation

• Covering the CAT syllabus
• Practicing mock tests, sample questions, and revision.

CAT Syllabus

• 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

Recommended CAT Preparation Books

• 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
• 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