The Common Admission Test, in fact, precedes entry into Indian Institutes of Management and other top business schools across India. The CAT examination tests a candidate’s performance based on one’s skills in mathematics or quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, and therefore is a whole test for the critical skills required for an MBA. Knowing the patterns of the exam is therefore a significant aspect of preparation. In this article, we will give a detailed description of the CAT exam pattern 2024, divided into its main body parts.
1. CAT Exam Pattern 2024
Over the years, the CAT Exam pattern has changed with time yet fundamentally remains anchored to three main sections that identify the differential skill sets
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
The Aptitude test is divided into sections wherein each is designed to test specific areas of aptitude. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours (120 minutes) strictly time bound for 40 minutes per section. Once the candidate finishes one section, he or she cannot go back or review previous sections, so it is very essential to manage the time.
Important points to remember:
- Total Sections=3
- Total Duration=120 minutes
- Time per Section=40 minutes strictly time-bound.
- Type of Questions: MCQs and non-MCQs – TITA (Type In The Answer)
- Total Questions: The number varies every year, but it encompasses a total of 66-76 questions.
- In the last few years, the total no. of questions was 66 and might vary a bit in 2024.
2. Section-Wise Breakdown of CAT 2024
2.1. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
This section checks the ability of the candidate in the English language, which includes reading comprehension and verbal skills. It has two parts:
- Reading Comprehension (RC): Involves reading some passages and answering the related questions. The RC section typically gives 4-5 passages with 3-5 questions each based on themes such as science, history, philosophy, economics, and current events.
- Verbal Ability (VA): Questions pertaining to sentence completion, para-jumbles, paragraph summaries, and odd-sentence out.
Focus Areas:
- Reading Comprehension: Passages comprehension, analysis of arguments, and inferences.
- Verbal Ability: Grammar, vocabulary, logical structuring of sentences, and summarizing ability.
- Questions Expected
- The VARC section generally contains 24-26 questions. The majority of the questions are on reading comprehension while the rest are on verbal ability.
- Strategy for Preparation:
- Read various topics to improve speed and comprehension.
- Practice para jumbles and summaries. These always form a part of the question paper.
2.2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section is among the most unpredictable sections in the CAT exam. It’s that very section where all candidates are put to the test about how well they can read the data, think in a logical manner, and solve the problems by their systematic approach.
This section has
- Data Interpretation (DI): This section would comprise problems based on data represented in the form of tables, graphs, charts, and caselets.
- Logical Reasoning (LR): Puzzles, arrangements, seating arrangements, Venn diagrams, and sequences are types of logical problems.
Focus Areas:
- Data Interpretation: Interpret data, identify trends, and derive insights.
- Logical Reasoning: Analytical reasoning to observe the relationship between the elements and deduce logic in the problem.
- Number of Questions Expected
- DILR carries 4-6 sets of data or logic problems with questions ranging from 4-5 for each set.
- Preparation Strategy:
- Practice a variety of DI sets viz. graphs, charts, etc. to speed up and accuracy.
- Solve multiple varieties of LR puzzles-Seat Arrangement and Grid-based problems.
2.3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
This section of the test gauges the mathematical ability of a candidate. Problems from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics are featured in this section of questions.
Important Topics:
- Arithmetic: Percentages, ratios, time and work, time and distance, profit and loss.
- Algebra: Equations, inequalities, logarithms, and sequences.
- Geometry and Mensuration: Properties of triangles, circles, polygons, and areas.
- Number Systems: Divisibility, factors, LCM, and HCF.
- Modern Mathematics: Permutation and combination, probability, and set theory.
- No. of Questions Expected in QA:
- The QA section usually has 22-26 questions that are a combination of both MCQs and non-MCQs where candidates are expected to type the answer.
- Preparation Strategy:
- The candidate must first be clearly grounded in basic arithmetic and algebra.
- Practice answering questions with such speed as it is expected in QA since it usually takes a long time.
- Perfection must be the motto since there is a penalty for wrong answers.
3 Types of Questions in CAT 2024
The CAT exam has two types of questions :
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): There would be four options, and the right option is to be selected from these choices. For wrong options, there would be a negative marking of -1.
- Type In The Answer (TITA): For TITA questions, the candidate has to type the answer instead of choosing any of the options given. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
- Candidates should be careful with the MCQs because of negative markings, but TITA questions offer the possibility of attempting without the fear of losing marks for a wrong answer.
4. Marking Scheme CAT exam 2024
The marking scheme of the CAT exam is as follows.
For every correct answer, the candidate gets 3 marks.
For every incorrect MCQ, 1 mark is deducted (negative marking).
No negative marking is done in case of an incorrect answer in TITA questions.
The unanswered questions would not matter in terms of marks.
Error can be kept under control along with speed to decrease the negative marks and increase the mark score.
5. Sectional Time Limit
One of the major points regarding the CAT is sectional time. Candidates get only 40 minutes in every section. Moreover, once the time for a particular section is over, candidates cannot go back to it. This ensures that each section is attempted in a disparate manner which also requires appropriate time management and time allocation to every question.
For candidates of the reserved categories (PWD), another 13 minutes have been added in a section, making it 159 minutes in total.
6. Meaning of Sectional Cutoffs
A great majority of top IIMs and B-schools follow a system wherein clearing sectional cutoffs along with overall cutoff is essential; hence, candidates have to perform well in each of the three sections to get selected in the shortlist. One cannot afford to overlook any one of these sections that would do more harm to the potential of getting admission even at a high percentile overall.
Conclusion
The CAT exam pattern 2024 would test a candidate’s holistic prowess cutting across various domains such as verbal reasoning, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and other areas of quantitative aptitude. Hence, it is quite important for one to know the structure, marking scheme, and sectional timing while preparing for the exam. Therefore, aspiring candidates need to adjust their strategies so that time management becomes crucial in avoiding negative markings and not compromising on accuracy. Thus, the focus would be on these main areas, and with the help of mock tests, aspirants would be able to raise their chances of scoring well and ending up in one of their dream B-schools.
