CAT Exam Pattern 2024
Pattern of CAT Exam 2024: An Elaborated Analysis The Common Admission Test is considered one of the most competitive and prestigious management entrance tests carried out in India. It is conducted once every year by the Indian Institutes of Management, popularly known as IIMs, serving as an entry ticket to coveted business schools such as all IIMs and various other A-grade B-schools. The pattern of the CAT Exam 2024 is something one needs to know while preparing for this very examination. What follows is a comprehensive breakdown of all the basic things that make up the pattern of the CAT Exam: its format, marking scheme, time allocation, and curriculum.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern Highlights
Over the years, the pattern of CAT has slightly changed to handle an increasing number of candidates and changing testing standards. However, the basic skeleton of the CAT test has remained virtually the same. The gist of the CAT 2024 Exam Pattern goes somewhat like this:
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Number of Questions: 66 (Tentative)
- Type of Questions: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs (also known as Type in the Answer or TITA questions)
- Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Number of Sections: 3 sections
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Marking Scheme: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect MCQ and no negative marking for Non-MCQs.
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) These highlights, when looked at, give an aspirant the basic format of the examination. However, preparation from a strategic point of view is very crucial for each of the sections. Continue reading to understand in detail the CAT 2024 Exam Pattern.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 Details
This section is meant to evaluate a candidate for his/her English proficiency, reading comprehension, and ability to analyse and interpret a given text.
| Section |
Description |
Total Questions (Tentative) |
Difficulty Level |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Evaluates English proficiency, reading comprehension, and ability to analyse and interpret text. Includes Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, and Odd-Sentence Out. |
24-26 |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Tests data interpretation and logical reasoning skills. Includes Caselets, Graphs (bar, line, pie charts), and Logical Puzzles (arrangement, blood relations, etc.). |
18-20 |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Assesses mathematical aptitude. Covers topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, and Modern Mathematics (Permutation & Combination, Probability, etc.). |
22-24 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Marking Scheme (CAT Exam Pattern 2024)
| Type of Answer |
Marks Awarded |
| Correct Answer (MCQs and Non-MCQs) |
+3 marks |
| Incorrect Answer (MCQs) |
-1 mark |
| Incorrect Answer (Non-MCQs) |
No negative marking |
| Unanswered Questions |
No marks deducted |
- Non-MCQs: No negative marking, giving candidates the opportunity to attempt without penalty. Accuracy in Non-MCQs is key to maximising scores.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for the CAT 2024 exam is designed to reward accuracy while penalising incorrect answers for multiple-choice questions (MCQs). A unique feature of the CAT exam is the presence of non-MCQ or Type in the Answer (TITA) questions, which do not carry negative marking. Here’s a breakdown of the marking scheme:
| Type of Question |
Correct Answer |
Incorrect Answer |
Unanswered |
| MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions) |
+3 marks |
-1 mark |
No penalty |
| Non-MCQs (TITA Questions) |
+3 marks |
No penalty |
No penalty |
Key Points:
- For MCQs, candidates earn +3 marks for each correct answer and lose 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- For Non-MCQs, candidates earn +3 marks for correct answers, but there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. This provides an excellent opportunity to attempt these questions without the fear of losing marks.
- Unanswered questions do not result in any positive or negative marking, allowing candidates to focus only on questions they are confident about.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Time Allotment
The CAT 2024 exam follows a structured time allotment across its three sections. Candidates are given a total of 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the test, with specific time limits for each section. The section-wise time allotment is as follows:
Key Points:
- For MCQs, candidates earn +3 marks for each correct answer and lose 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- For Non-MCQs, candidates earn +3 marks for correct answers, but there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. This provides an excellent opportunity to attempt these questions without the fear of losing marks.
- Unanswered questions do not result in any positive or negative marking, allowing candidates to focus only on questions they are confident about.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Time Allotment
The CAT 2024 exam follows a structured time allotment across its three sections. Candidates are given a total of 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the test, with specific time limits for each section. The section-wise time allotment is as follows:
| Section |
Time Allotted |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
40 minutes |
Key Points:
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours).
- Time per Section: 40 minutes for each section.
- No Section Switching: Candidates must attempt each section in the given time frame and cannot switch between sections.
- Automatic Section Switch: After the completion of 40 minutes, the exam automatically switches to the next section, regardless of whether the candidate has finished that section or not.
CAT Syllabus 2024
| Section |
Topics Covered |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Sentence Correction |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, Venn diagrams), Logical Reasoning (puzzles, seating arrangements, caselets) |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Number System, Modern Mathematics (Permutation & Combination, Probability) |
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
This section evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in English, including reading comprehension and verbal reasoning. It consists of two major parts:
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Passage Length: Typically 500-700 words per passage.
- Types of Questions: Questions related to the main idea, tone, inferences, factual information, and assumptions.
- Topics: The RC passages may cover a wide range of subjects, including current events, literature, history, science, sociology, economics, and psychology.
- Verbal Ability (VA)
- Types of Questions:
- Para Jumbles (arranging sentences in the correct order)
- Para Summary (selecting the best summary for a given paragraph)
- Odd-Sentence Out (identifying the sentence that doesn't fit in a paragraph)
- Sentence Correction (grammar and vocabulary-based questions)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This section assesses the candidate’s ability to analyse data and solve logical puzzles. The DILR section is divided into:
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Types of Questions:
- Interpretation of data from various sources, such as tables, charts, graphs (bar, line, pie), and Venn diagrams.
- Calculation-based questions that involve percentages, ratios, averages, and basic arithmetic.
- Logical Reasoning (LR)
- Types of Questions:
- Puzzles involving seating arrangements, blood relations, direction sense, and ranking.
- Caselets involving logical scenarios like scheduling, team arrangements, and more.
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
This section focuses on mathematical skills and covers topics from high school-level mathematics. The major areas include:
- Arithmetic
- Topics: Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance, Averages, Mixtures and Allegations.
- Algebra
- Topics: Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, and Progressions (AP, GP).
- Geometry and Mensuration
- Topics: Properties of Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, and Mensuration (areas and volumes of 2D and 3D shapes).
- Number Systems
- Topics: Divisibility, Factors, Multiples, LCM and HCF, Prime Numbers, Remainder Theorem, and Modular Arithmetic.
- Modern Mathematics
- Topics: Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Set Theory, and Venn Diagrams.
