CAT 2024 Exam Pattern: Latest Format, Duration, and Marking Scheme
The CAT 2024 exam pattern will remain untouched with no big changes and mirror the pattern of the previous year. The CAT 2024 exam pattern was released alongside the CAT Notification 2024 on 28 July 2024. Previous trends suggest that the CAT 2024 exam pattern will probably resemble the one in 2023. The pattern helps applicants understand how the CAT exam's question paper is structured and how marks are awarded.
The CAT 2024 exam dates for the online CBT format have been released alongside the CAT Notification according to which the exam is set to take place on November 24, 2024. The total number of questions for the CAT exam 2024 will remain the same as last year with 66 questions divided into 3 sections as per the CAT 2024 exam pattern: VARC, QA, and DILR.
Although the CAT 2024 exam pattern has undergone multiple modifications in previous years conducted by IIMs, the overall duration and number of marks for the CAT exam have not changed since 2015. Furthermore, the CAT 2024 exam pattern helps applicants to better prepare for the exam in less time by forming strategies that address important topics.
What is the latest update on the CAT 2024 exam pattern?
IIMs create the CAT exam pattern every year to assess a candidate's ability to solve reasoning and arithmetic problems. The CAT 2024 exam pattern has seen no major changes and is aligned with the pattern used last year which consists of three sections: DILR, VARC, and QA.
- The CAT VARC section encompasses 24 questions with a weight of 72 marks.
- The CAT DILR section encompasses 20 questions with a weight of 60 marks.
- The CAT Quantitative Aptitude section encompasses 22 questions with a weight of 66 marks.
Overview of CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2024 exam pattern is given below for your reference, as per the latest CAT Notification 2024.
|
Components |
Details |
|
Total questions in the CAT exam |
66 |
|
Total marks |
198 |
|
Total CAT exam sections |
3 |
|
CAT exam duration |
2 hours – 40 min per section |
|
Mode of Paper |
Computer-Based Test |
|
Question Types |
MCQs and Non- MCQs (TITA) |
|
CAT Exam-Making Scheme |
+3 For correct answers -1 For Incorrect Answers 0 For Unattempted questions |
|
CAT Exam Section names |
1. Quantitative Aptitude 2. Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability 3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
There will be 66 questions on the exam this year, and students will be given 120 minutes to complete overall with a 40-minute sectional time limit. Officials can quickly evaluate a candidate's logical and mathematical skills based on the latest CAT 2024 exam pattern. If applicants intend to take the exam, they are advised to go through the CAT 2024 exam pattern.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern and Mark Distribution
Based on the format of last year's exam, the following is a thorough study of the most recent CAT grade distribution:
|
Section |
MCQs |
TITA |
Total No. of Questions |
CAT Exam Duration |
|
VARC |
21 |
3 |
24 |
40 min |
|
DI & LR |
14 |
6 |
20 |
40 min |
|
QA |
14 |
8 |
22 |
40 min |
|
Total |
49 |
17 |
66 |
120 (2 hours) |
CAT 2024 Exam Duration
CAT is a computer-controlled exam that is automated to work in a set manner. The total duration of the CAT exam 2024 is 2 hours which is divided into 3 sections with a time limit of 40 min each. Candidates should follow the official CAT 2024 exam pattern and finish each section within the given time. If the test-givers fail to complete a section within 40 minutes, the screen will automatically shift to the next section making it impossible to submit, edit, or correct any answer in that CAT section. Therefore, CAT applicants need to improve their time management skills during the preparation phase.
The sectional timings and slot-by-slot data for the most recent CAT 2024 Exam Pattern are as follows:
|
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern Duration |
|||
|
CAT Exam Sections |
No. of Questions |
Time Limit for General Candidates |
Time Limit for PwD Students |
|
DI & LR |
20 |
40 minutes |
53 minutes and 20 seconds |
|
VARC |
24 |
40 minutes |
53 minutes and 20 seconds |
|
QA |
22 |
40 minutes |
53 minutes and 20 seconds |
|
Total |
66 |
120 minutes |
160 minutes |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern Slots
The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on 24 November 2024 in 3 slots as follows:
- Morning session: 8.30 am – 10.30 am
- Afternoon session: 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm
- Evening session: 4.30 pm -6.30 pm
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
Because CAT uses negative marking, an incorrect answer will result in a mark deduction. Candidates must therefore use good judgment when answering the questions. It will help pupils maximize their performance to get better grades. See the crucial information regarding the CAT 2024 marking scheme below:
- The CAT 2024 total score will be 198.
- For every question, three marks will be given.
- A penalty of one mark will be implied for each incorrect response.
- Test givers can choose to avoid difficult questions.
- No marks will be deducted for leaving out questions.
- The QA section might contain non-MCQ questions.
|
CAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Marks Per Question |
CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ) |
|
VARC |
24 |
3 |
-1 |
|
DILR |
20 |
3 |
-1 |
|
QA |
22 |
3 |
-1 |
CAT 2024 Syllabus
It is essential to understand the CAT 2024 exam pattern and syllabus to plan one's study for the CAT exam 2024. The official syllabus for IIM is released online on the website by the CAT every year.
The CAT 2024 syllabus section-by-section subjects are listed in the table below:
|
CAT 2024 Sections |
CAT 2024 Syllabus |
|
VARC |
Para jumbles Sentence-Completion Reading Comprehension Para-Summary Grammar |
|
DILR |
Tables Graphs Data Caselets Blood Relation Venn Diagram Seating Arrangement Syllogism |
|
QA |
Percentages Profit & Loss Simple Interest-Compound Interest Time & Distance Averages-Mixtures-Allegations Numbers System Mensuration Logarithms Functions & Graphs Indices & Surds Quadratic Equations Special Equations Statistics |
Important things to remember about the CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
- It is a computer-based exam.
- When performing calculations during the exam, you are permitted to use an onscreen calculator.
- The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted in 3 slots at a gap of 2 hours each.
- The CAT 2024exam pattern will carry a total of 198 marks. The applicants are unable to move between the portions, though.
- While taking the exam, students can track their progress and remaining time for each section thanks to the onscreen clock.
- A penalty of one mark will be implied for each incorrect response.
- There are paper sheets available for preliminary work. Students can use them to make calculations but must be submitted to the invigilator when the exam is done.
- Test takers are not permitted to begin their exams earlier than the allotted hour, and they can only log in after the invigilator makes the announcement.
Changes in the CAT Exam Format over Time
Over the years, CAT exam pattern has seen multiple modifications.
An overview of its evolution over time is given in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of Question |
Difficulty Level |
CAT exam duration |
Conducting Body |
|
2024 |
66 |
Moderate to Difficult |
2 Hours |
IIM Calcutta |
|
2023 |
66 |
Moderate |
2 Hours |
IIM Lucknow |
|
2022 |
66 |
Moderate |
2 hours |
IIM Bangalore |
|
2021 |
66 |
Moderate to High (Expected) |
2 hours |
IIM Ahmedabad |
|
2020 |
76 |
Moderate to High |
2 hours |
IIM Indore |
|
2019 |
100 |
Moderate to High |
3 hours |
IIM Kozhikode |
|
2018 |
100 |
Moderate to High |
3 hours |
IIM Calcutta |
|
2017 |
100 |
Moderate |
3 hours |
IIM Lucknow |
|
2016 |
100 |
Moderate to difficult |
3 hours |
IIM Bangalore |
|
2015 |
100 |
Moderate to difficult |
3 hours |
IIM Ahmedabad |
|
2014 |
100 |
Moderate to Easy |
2.50 hours |
IIM Indore |
|
2013 |
60 |
Moderate to Easy |
2:20 hours |
IIM Indore |
|
2012 |
60 |
Moderate to Easy |
2.20 hours |
IIM Indore |
|
2011 |
60 |
Moderate |
2.20 hours |
IIM Calcutta |
The CAT exam pattern was altered several times in the past.
Also Read:
- CAT 2024 Exam: Registration Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Fees, Admit Card, Results, Preparation Tips, Cut-Off
- CAT 2024 Registration Dates: Important Dates and Deadline
- CAT 2024 Exam Dates: Check Notification, Schedule and Timings
- CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Reservation
- CAT 2024 Preparation: Top Tips and Strategies for Success
- CAT 2024 Admit Card: How to Download and Important Instructions with Link
- CAT 2024 Answer Key: Release Date and How to Check with PDF Download Link
- CAT 2024 Results: Release Date and How to Check Scores, Direct Link to Download
FAQs for CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
Q1. How long will the CAT exam 2024 last?
It is anticipated that the CAT exam 2024 will give candidates 120 minutes to complete all of the questions. Candidates will be given forty minutes for each section.
Q2. What is the CAT marking system?
According to the CAT exam marking scheme, applicants receive a score of +3 for each right response and a score of -1 for each wrong response.
Q3. How many sections does the CAT 2024 exam pattern consist of?
The VARC, DILR, and Quant make up the three sections of the CAT 2024 exam pattern.
Q4. What is the mode of the CAT exam 2024?
The exam will be conducted in an online computer-based setting in 3 slots.
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