CAT 2024 Exam Analysis (Slot 1, 2 and 3), Expected Cut off
IIM Calcutta recently conducted the CAT for the year 2024 on November 24. Considered one of the toughest entrance examinations in India to get into a Master's in Business Administration (MBA), the Common Admission Test unlocks doors to several premier institutions, particularly the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This analysis consists of inputs gathered from the well-known CATKing poll associated with its proper piece-by-piece explanation for various slots, including overall and sectional difficulty levels, expected cut-offs, and strategic recommendations for candidates.
Overview of CAT 2024
The CAT 2024 exam took place in three slots, with all three containing a total of 66 questions divided into three parts:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 20
- Quantitative Ability (QA): 22
The computer-based test lasted for 120 minutes. Each section had a time limit of 40 minutes, and the scoring consisted of MCQs and TITA questions.
Slot-wise Analysis
Slot 1 Analysis
- Exam Timing: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate
Key Highlights:
- VARC was easier than in previous years; reading comprehension passages were very simple.
- DILR had both easy and moderate sets. Candidates who could manage their time well were likely to score well on this section.
- QA moderated challenges, particularly in the areas of arithmetic and algebra.
As per the analysis by CATKing, good attempts in Slot 1 were approximately 30-35 questions for getting a good score.
Slot 2 Analysis
- Exam TIMING: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Key Highlights:
- VARC was well-controlled with emphasis on the skill of comprehension.
- DILR was quite tough and demanded more analytical acumen.
- QA had tough questions, especially in geometry and data sufficiency.
Candidates for this slot were told that good attempts would also be approximately 30-35 questions to gain a good percentile.
Slot 3 Analysis
- Timing of Test: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Key Highlights:
- VARC: With passages testing more on the critical reasoning aspects than remembering facts.
- DILR: The sets were easier but required careful reading.
- QA: Toughest questions of the day, especially in the advanced topics like permutations and combinations.
For Slot 3, good attempts were similarly projected at around 30-35 questions for candidates aiming for top percentiles.
Expected Cut-offs
The chart of expected cut-offs for various IIMs and top B-schools as per trends from CATKing's analysis and historical data follows:
| IIM Name |
Expected Cut-off |
| IIM Ahmedabad |
99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore |
99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta |
99 |
| IIM Lucknow |
98 |
| IIM Indore |
98 |
| IIM Kozhikode |
97-98 |
| IIM Amritsar |
96 |
These cut-offs depict the minimum percentile needed by candidates to qualify for further selection stages such as Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
Sectional Cut-off Predictions
The sectional cut-offs are expected to be the following:
- VARC: Around ~60% of total marks
- DILR: Around ~65% of total marks
- QA: Around ~65% of total marks
These are predictions based on the overall performance trends seen in previous years along with the difficulty level of the current year's exam.
Difficulty Level Analysis
The difficulty level in each slot has been analyzed, as follows:
| Slot |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
Overall Difficulty |
| Slot 1 |
Easy |
Easy to Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
| Slot 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Moderate to Difficult |
Moderate |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Slot 3 |
Moderate |
Easy |
Moderate to Challenging |
Moderate to Challenging |
This analysis indicates that though the VARC is relatively easier for all slots, QA always proved challenging.
CAT remains an important stepping stone for aspirants of an MBA in India. Having slots that differ in terms of difficulty, preparation for exams like the CAT needs to strategize by keying into an individual's relative strengths and attending to weaknesses in specific parts of the exam. Insights from CATKing help understand the performance that can be expected as much in setting realistic goals when preparing for entry into the premier institute of the IIMs. Staying informed about official announcements will also aid candidates in navigating the post-exam process effectively.
FAQ’s
1)What does the CAT exam look like?
The CAT exam has three sections with a total of 66 questions to be completed in 120 minutes.
2)What are the expected cut-offs for IIMs?
The cut-offs usually range from 96 to 100 at top IIMs going by trends from past years.
3)How does one measure its difficulty level?
It is done based on student responses and expert opinions after every slot.
4)What is a good attempt for each section?
Good attempts are around 10 to 15 in each section for higher percentiles.
5)How does sectional scoring work?
Each section has its cut-off; candidates must meet or exceed these thresholds for overall selection.
6)When are the final results declared?
Final results along with the scorecard of every candidate are declared a few weeks after the examination.
For More Information Visit PlanEdu
