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CAT 2024 Exam Pattern consists of about 66 objective type questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Ability. CAT 2024 exam duration is 120 minutes; hence candidates will get 40 minutes to solve each section. CAT Pattern tests a candidate’s logical reasoning, data interpretation, ability to understand English passages, and solve analytical mathematical problems till class 10th syllabus. Expected CAT 2024 Exam Pattern is below. But remember that there is no fixed CAT Exam Pattern and it can change from year to year. Check CAT Exam Pattern changes in last 10 years, CAT Exam Day Dos and Donts and more.
CAT 2024 is the mandatory exam for MBA admission in IIMs and other top B-schools who accept only CAT exam score like FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs among others. CAT 2024 Question Paper has 3 broad sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). You need to ensure high score in each of the three sections as there is also a sectional score cut off in IIMs for shortlisting.
| CAT Exam Particulars | Key Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Exam 2024 Full Form | Common Admission Test 2024 |
| Who Conducts CAT Exam? | One of 6 old IIMs conducts CAT every year |
| CAT 2024 Conducting Institute | IIM Calcutta |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | Sunday, November 24, 2024 |
| Total Questions in the Exam | 66 |
| No. of sections & Questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 Qs Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: 20 Qs Quantitative Ability: 22 Qs |
| Number of Answer Options for MCQs | 4 |
| Number of Answer Options for Non-MCQs | No Answer Option; Type In the Answer on Computer screen |
| Scoring Pattern in CAT exam | +3 Marks for Each Correct Answer -1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer (Only for MCQs) 0 Mark for Each Wrong Answer or Unattempted Question for Non-MCQs |
| Exam Slots | To be Conducted in 3 sessions – Morning, Afternoon & Evening on same day |
| Exam duration | 2 hours for each slot |
| CAT Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes for Each of the 3 sections |
| Facility to Choose Order of Sections | No, Must answer the sections in pre defined order from section 1 to 3 |
| Testing Mode | Computer based exam at test centres but not an online exam |
| CAT 2024 Notification Release | July 28, 2024 |
| Details to Check in Notification | CAT Exam details, Application fee, Registration dates, MBA courses by IIMs through CAT 2024 |
| Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 for MBA admission 2025 | 21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs, IMI, IMT & 1000 other MBA colleges in India |
| How to Apply for CAT 2024? | Application process is online only |
| CAT 2024 Registration Fee | Rs.2500 |
| CAT Official Website for Form Filling | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Number of CAT 2024 Applicants | 3.30 lakhs (CAT Registration Data 2023) |
| Number of Test Takers in Previous CAT Exam | 2.88 lakhs (CAT 2023 test takers) |
Exam Pattern for CAT including overall and sectional Pattern as given below is based on CAT 2023 pattern. The table shares the CAT exam sectional order from Section-1 to Section-3, number and type of questions in each section, questions with and without negative marking
2.1 Changes in CAT Exam
Key Changes in CAT exam pattern during last few years are as below:
CAT 2023
CAT 2022
CAT 2021
| Section | No. of Questions (MCQs/Non MCQs) | Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 (19 MCQs, 5 Non MCQs) | Verbal Ability 4 RC Passages | 8 16 |
| DILR | 20 (15 MCQs, 5 Non MCQs) | Data Interpretation (3 Sets) Logical Reasoning (1 Set) | 15 5 |
| QA | 22 (14 MCQs, 8 Non MCQs) | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Modern Math | 10 8 3 1 |
| Section | No. of Questions (MCQs/Non MCQs) | Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 (20 MCQs, 4 Non MCQs) | Verbal Ability: 4 RC Passages with 4 Qs Each: | 8 16 |
| DILR | 20 (15 MCQs, 5 Non MCQs) | Data Interpretation (3 Sets of 5 Qs) Logical Reasoning (1 Set of 5 Qs) | 15 5 |
| QA | 22 (14 MCQs, 8 Non MCQs) | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry | 12 7 3 |
| Section | No. of Questions (MCQs/Non MCQs) | Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 (19 MCQs, 5 Non MCQs) | Verbal Ability 4 RC Passages | 8 Qs 16 Qs |
| DILR | 20 (14 MCQs, 6 Non MCQs) | Data Interpretation (2 Sets with 4 Qs) Logical Reasoning (2 Sets with 6 Qs) | 8 Qs 12 Qs |
| QA | 22 (14 MCQs, 8 Non MCQs) | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Modern Math | 10 Qs 5 Qs 3 Qs 4 Qs |
| Section | No of Questions | MCQ/ NMCQ | Sectional Time Limit (In Minutes) | CAT Marking Scheme (Negative Marking is only for MCQs) |
|---|
CAT pattern for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension with syllabus is as below:
3.1 CAT VARC Section Syllabus & Number of Questions
3.2 VARC Topics & Type of Questions Appeared in CAT
|
CAT VARC Topic |
Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 |
|
Verbal Ability |
Para Jumbles (2 Qs); Para Summary (2 Qs); Out of Context Sentence from jumbled Paragraph (2 Qs); Completion of Last Sentence of Paragraph (2 Qs) |
|
Reading Comprehension | 4 RC Passages followed by 4 Questions on True False Statement, Argument, Inference, Main Idea, Interpretation of Phrase as used in RC; Author’s Thought Process; Passage Title.
Passages were based on Second-hand Shopping and Fast Fashion; Translated Streaming on Netflix in Europe; Why Liberalism Failed (Book Review); What is Historical Fact. |
| Topic | Syllabus | Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 | No of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Para Summary; Jumbled paragraphs; Out of Context Sentence; Error Correction in Sentences; Sequence of sentences; Fill in the blanks; Completion of Last Sentence of Paragraph; Analogies; Critical Reasoning; Sentence Completion | Para Jumbles (2 Qs); Para Summary (2 Qs); Out of Context Sentence from jumbled Paragraph (2 Qs); Completion of Last Sentence of Paragraph (2 Qs) | 8 |
| Reading Comprehension | RC Passages on Literature, Current Affairs, Social, Economic, Business issues followed by questions based on Inferences, Statements, Arguments, Main idea in the RC Passage; Author’s assumption; Synonyms-antonyms; Meaning of the phrase; Vocabulary usage | 4 RC Passages followed by 4 Questions on True False Statement, Argument, Inference, Main Idea, Interpretation of Phrase as used in RC; Author’s Thought Process; Passage Title. Passages based on Second-hand Shopping and Fast Fashion; Translated Streaming on Netflix in Europe; Why Liberalism Failed (Book Review); What is Historical Fact. | 16 |
CAT pattern for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning with syllabus is as below:
4.1 CAT DILR Section Syllabus & Number of Questions
4.2 DILR Topics & Questions Appeared in CAT 2023
|
Topic |
Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 |
|
Data Interpretation (DI) |
3 DI Problem sets of 5 questions on each problem set. Questions in CAT 2023 were based on 5 firms raised funds in consecutive years; Drawing Competition; Nine Boxes puzzle of sudoku type; Two days average of Arrangement score; Company starting/closing years-Table on Missing Values; Grid Based problem set with 3x3 table (Mean, Mode, Median based questions) |
|
Logical Reasoning (LR) |
5 Questions on one problem set based on 3 friends visited a park, took many rides. |
4.3 Toppers Tips for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Preparation
| Topic | Syllabus | Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 | No of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (DI) | Bar charts - Simple, Stacked, Composite Bar charts; Pie charts; Caselets; Data Analysis; Data comparison from Table; Graphs; Line Graphs; Data Sufficiency. Comparison of Data of various years, ages, classes, Groups; Decoding and finding out the data of missing period, taking clues, interpreting the missing links; Analysis of data and coming to conclusion, making future projections | 3 sets of 5 questions on each problem set. Questions based on 5 firms raised funds in consecutive years; Drawing Competition; Nine Boxes puzzle of sudoku type; | 15 |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | Direction sense, Team formation, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Clocks, Calendars, Binary logic, Logical Sequence, Assumption, Premise, Conclusion, Linear and matrix arrangement, Input-Output, Series, Syllogism, Cubes, Rows, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams. Seating arrangement, Ranks, different type of team formation, puzzles on words, letters, statements, arguments | 5 Questions on one problem set based on 3 friends visited a park, took many rides. | 5 |
CAT pattern for Quantitative Ability with syllabus is as below:
5.1 CAT Quantitative Ability Section Syllabus & Number of Questions
5.2 QA Topics & Questions Appeared in CAT
|
Topic |
Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2023 |
|
Arithmetic |
|
|
Algebra |
|
|
Geometry/Mensuration |
|
|
Modern Math |
|
5.3 Toppers Tips for Quantitative Ability Preparation
| Topic | Syllabus | Type of Questions Appeared | No of Questions Appeared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Averages; Ratio & Proportion; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; LCM and HCF; Percentages, Profit and Loss; Interest (Simple and Compound); Number System; | Time Speed Distance (2 Qs), Time & Work (1Q); Ratio (1Q); Simple Interest/ Compound Interest (3); Profit & Loss (1Q); Mixture (1Q); Clock (1Q) | 10 |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Progressions; Algebraic Expressions to Polynomials; Complex numbers; Sequences and series; Permutations and combinations | Log (1Q); Equations (3 Qs); Surds (1Q); Sequence & Series (2Qs); Algebraic Expression (1Q) | 8 |
| Geometry/Mensuration | Triangles, Lines and Angles (Supplementary, Complementary, Obtuse, Acute, and Right), Quadrilaterals, Circles; Theorems (Pythagoras, Midpoint, Apollonius, Basic Proportionality, Internal and External Angular Bisector), Co-ordinate Geometry, Quadrant System, Areas of Hexagonal Polygon, Triangle, and Rectangle. Square, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Volume, Total Surface Area, and Lateral Surface Area of Different Solids like Cubes, Cuboids, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cones, Spheres, Hemispheres, and Frustum | Triangle (1 Q); Quadrilateral (1Q); Circle (1Q) | 3 |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric ratios, identities, and heights and distances, Sine, Cosine | No questions appeared in CAT 2023. | 0 |
| Modern Math | Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination | Permutation & Combination (1 Q) | 1 |
CAT 2023 exam surprised test takers and experts with its high difficulty level especially in Quantitative Ability and DILR sections. Below is shared the Slot wise CAT exam analysis for the 2023 exam:
Read in detail Complete CAT previous year Analysis
| Topics | Number of Questions in CAT 2023 Slot-1 | Number of Questions in CAT 2023 Slot-2 | Number of Questions in CAT 2023 Slot-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | - | - | - |
| Reading Comprehension (4 RC Passages) | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Para Jumbles | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Para Summary | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Odd Sentence Out | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Para Completion | 2 | 2 | -- |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | - | - | - |
| Arithmetic | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Algebra | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Number System | - | 0 | 0 |
| Modern Math | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | - | - | - |
| DI (3 Sets) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| LR (1 Set) | 5 | 5 | 15 |
Q: Will CAT 2024 be more difficult than last year?
Q: If CAT 2024 remains a high difficulty level exam and I score low, what are my chances to be shortlisted by IIMs?
From 2015 to 2019 IIM-CAT remained a three hour exam and was conducted in two slots on the same day. However, during Covid pandemic IIMs changed the CAT exam pattern which became 2 hours exam with reduced number of questions and three slot exam. Following are the key changes in CAT pattern over the years:
| CAT Exam Year | Name of Sections | Total Questions | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | VARC, DILR, QA | 66 | 120 Minutes |
| 2022 | VARC, DILR, QA | 66 | 120 Minutes |
| 2021 | VARC, DILR, QA | 66 | 120 Minutes |
| 2020 | VARC, DILR, QA | 76 | 120 Minutes |
| 2019 | VARC, DILR, QA | 100 | 180 Minutes |
| 2018 | VARC, DILR, QA | 100 | 180 Minutes |
| 2017 | VARC, DILR, QA | 100 | 180 Minutes |
| 2016 | VARC, DILR, QA | 100 | 180 Minutes |
| 2015 | VARC, DILR, QA | 100 | 180 Minutes |
| 2014 | QA & DI; VARC & LR | 100 | 170 Minutes |
| 2013 | QA & DI; VARC & LR | 60 | 140 Minutes |
| 2012 | QA & DI; VARC & LR | 60 | 140 Minutes |
CAT exam pattern 2024 Vs other exams pattern have many similarities as well as differences. A brief comparison between CAT and other exams is shared below:
8.1 CAT 2024 Vs XAT 2025
IIM CAT 2024 and XAT 2025 have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below:
8.2 CAT 2024 Vs NMAT 2024
IIM CAT 2024 and NMAT by GMAC have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below:
|
Component |
IIM CAT 2024 |
NMAT Exam Pattern 2024 |
|
Total questions |
66 |
108 |
|
Overall time limit to attempt the exam |
2 hours |
2 hours |
|
Type of questions |
MCQs and Non-MCQs |
All MCQs |
|
Answer options for MCQs |
4 |
5 |
|
Marks awarded for each correct answer |
3 |
1 |
|
Negative marking |
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
No negative marking |
|
Exam difficulty level |
Comparatively high |
Moderate |
|
Number of sections |
3 |
3 |
|
Name of section-1 with number of questions |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 |
Language Skills-36 |
|
Name of Section-2 with number of questions |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 |
Logical Reasoning-36 |
|
Name of Section-3 with number of questions |
Quantitative Ability: 22 |
Quantitative Skills-36 |
|
Facility to choose order of sections |
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order |
Yes, but once chosen has to follow |
|
Individual Sectional time limit |
Each section with 40 minute time limit |
Yes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 62 minutes |
|
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score |
21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB |
NMIMS, VIT, XIMB |
8.3 CAT 2024 Vs SNAP 2024
CAT 2024 and SNAP have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below
|
Component |
IIMs CAT 2024 |
SNAP 2024 |
|
Total Questions |
66 |
60 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
2 hours |
1 hour |
|
Type of Questions |
MCQs, non MCQs |
60 MCQs |
|
Answer Options for MCQs |
4 |
4 |
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer |
3 for All questions |
1 for all questions |
|
Negative Marking |
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; |
25% for all questions |
|
No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
NA | |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
Moderate |
|
Number of Sections |
3 |
3 |
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 |
General English, RC,VR,VA-15 |
|
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25 |
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions |
Quantitative Ability:22 |
Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20 |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections |
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order |
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit |
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit |
Each section with 40 minute time limit |
No |
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score |
21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. Read More |
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes. Read More |
8.4 IIMs CAT Vs MAT
CAT 2024 and MAT have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below
|
Component |
IIM CAT 2024 |
MAT 2024 |
|
Total Questions |
66 |
200 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
2 hours |
2½ hours |
|
Question Format |
MCQs, and Non-MCQs |
All MCQs |
|
Answer Options for MCQs |
4 |
4 |
|
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer |
3 |
1 |
|
Negative Marking |
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
0.25 mark |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Number of Sections |
3 |
5 |
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:24 |
Language Comprehension: 40 |
|
Section-2: Name and Number of questions |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 |
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 40 |
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions |
Quantitative Ability:22 |
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 40 |
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions |
Not Applicable |
Mathematical Skills: 40 |
|
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions |
Not Applicable |
Indian & Global Environment: 40 |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections |
No, should follow pre defined sectional order |
Yes, any section/question within overall time limit |
|
Individual Sectional time limit |
Yes, each section with 40 minute time limit |
No, Candidate to complete the test in 150 minutes |
|
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score |
21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of others |
Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 600 MBA colleges |
| Component | IIM CAT 2024 | XLRI – XAT 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 66 | 95 |
| Overall time limit to attempt the exam | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Type of questions | MCQs, and Non-MCQs | MCQs |
| Answer options for each MCQ | 4 | 5 |
| Marks awarded for each correct answer | 3 | 1 |
| Negative marking | MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs | 75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 20 MCQs on GK |
| Exam difficulty level | Comparatively high | High |
| Number of sections | 3 | 3 (Main sections) 1 (GK score not counted) |
| Name of section-1 with number of questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension -24 | English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26 |
| Name of Section-2 with number of questions | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning-20 | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28 |
| Name of Section-3 with number of questions | Quantitative Ability-22 | Decision Making-21 |
| Facility to choose order of sections | No, has to follow pre defined sectional order | Any question from any section within overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional time limit | Each section with 40 Minute time limit | No |
| Top MBA colleges accepting exam score | 21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB | XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB |
Q. What is CAT 2024 Exam Pattern?
A. CAT 2024 is a computer based test. It is likely to have 66 questions divided into 3 sections of VARC, DILR and QA
Q. How many sections are there in CAT 2024?
A. CAT 2024 will have three sections:
Q. Do the non-MCQ type questions carry equal marks as MCQs?
A. Yes, all questions carry equal marks. However, for non-MCQ type questions, you must type the answer.
Q. Is there a specific order for answering sections? Can I attempt sections the way I want?
A. Yes, you must answer the sections in a pre-specified order and this order will remain the same for all the candidates. However, you cannot attempt second section before the time limit of 40 minutes is over for the first section.
Q. Will IIMs provide some model test to understand CAT exam pattern?
A. Yes, a practice test will be available on the CAT website: www.iimcat.ac.in in October last week or November first week 2024. You can familiarize yourself with the functionality and navigation of the actual exam.
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