CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Check CAT Exam Question Paper Pattern Details

Author : Akanksha

Updated On : March 21, 2024

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Overview: The tentative date for the CAT 2024 exam is November 24. To ensure you're ready to face CTA 2024, it's crucial to begin your prep immediately, starting with an in-depth review of the latest CAT exam pattern.

However, if you're a newcomer preparing for the CAT exam for the first time, the initial step you should take is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CAT exam itself. This includes familiarizing yourself with its syllabus, admission process, affiliated colleges, exam fees, and other details.

What is CAT Exam Pattern?

  • The CAT exam pattern is meticulously designed to evaluate candidates comprehensively, assessing their aptitude from all angles.
  • The format of the CAT exam is a two-hour session that includes a mix of multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions, totaling 66, mirroring the structure from CAT 2023.
  • Despite the CAT's historical tendency for changes, this year, it is expected to maintain the same format.

The CAT exam pattern is divided into three main sections:

  1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

CAT Exam 2024 Important Dates

Before we go ahead and learn about the comprehensive CAT exam pattern let's learn about the important events and dates for CAT 2024:

CAT Exam 2024 Events Tentative Dates
CAT 2024 Notification Date Second Week of August
CAT Exam 2024 Registration Date Opens Fourth Week of August
CAT Exam 2024 Application form last date Second Week of September
CAT Admit Card Release Date First Week of November
CAT Exam Registration Fees INR 1200 (Reserved categories)
INR 2400 (Other categories)
CAT 2024 Exam Date November 24, 2024
CAT Notification & Registration Official Website iimcat.ac.in

Overview of CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The highlights of the CAT exam paper pattern are as follows:

CAT Exam Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam Computer Based Test
Duration of exam 120 minutes, 40 minutes per section
Number of questions 66 
CAT total marks 198
Language of question paper English
Number of section  3
Number of answer choices 4
CAT sections VARC, DI & LR and QA
Question Type MCQ and non-MCQ

The CAT exam pattern pdf is not available officially; you can analyse the CAT exam pattern and syllabus from the CAT previous year's papers.

Note that the official website does not provide any CAT exam paper pattern pdf. 

Expected Section-wise Marks Distribution for CAT 2024 Exam Question Paper Pattern

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a competitive exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their MBA programs. 

Expected Section-wise CAT exam paper pattern 2024 details are tabulated below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Sections Total No. of Questions CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - MCQs TITA Questions CAT Exam Marks Pattern Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 21 3 72 40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) 20 14 6 60 40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA) 22 14 8 66 40 min
Total 66 49 17 198 120 (2 hours)

Last year in 2023, the CAT Exam was conducted in three slots of two hours each – morning (8:30 – 10:30 am), afternoon (12:30 – 2:30 pm) and evening (4:30 – 6:30 pm). 

CAT exam duration and CAT exam pattern details are tabulated above.

The exam has a high standard of difficulty and requires you to have a good knowledge of the syllabus and the ability to solve complex problems.

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

CAT Exam Pattern- Marking Scheme

Before taking the test, it's critical to understand the CAT marking scheme to decide which questions to answer and which to skip. In CAT exam pattern, the marking scheme incorporates negative marking specifically for the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and not for TITA questions. Below are the essential details:

  • The total marks for CAT 2024 will amount to 198.
  • Each question is valued at 3 marks.
  • Incorrect answers will incur a penalty of 1 mark for every wrong MCQ answer.
  • No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
  • The Quantitative Ability (QA) section will include non-MCQ questions.
  • Non-MCQ questions will not be subject to negative marking.

CAT Exam Pattern- Sectional Time 

  1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)- 40 minutes
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)- 40 minutes
  3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)- 40 minutes

CAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Aptitude Pattern 2024

Here is the Exam Pattern of CAT 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude Pattern:

The CAT Quantitative Aptitude exam includes only numerical-based questions from various Mathematical concepts.

This year, it is expected that there will be a total of 26 questions in this section. 

The quantitative aptitude section's detailed pattern is provided below:

The five primary topics that make up the entire quantitative aptitude section CAT exam pattern:

  • Basic Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Number System
  • Geometry & Mensuration
  • Modern Maths

Last year, QA consisted of 22 questions, out of which 8 were TITA questions. The table below gives the number of questions asked per slot based on the four broadly classified areas of QA i.e., Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and Number Theory. 

Prepare with: CAT Exam Online Coaching

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Slot/Topic  Arithmetic  Algebra  Geometry  Modern Math and Number Theory 
Slot 1 
Slot 2 
Slot 3  11 

Check: CAT Exam Preparation Books 2024

CAT Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Pattern 2024

The CAT VARC section tests your English language skills and ability to interpret paragraphs and understand the core ideas. 

This year's CAT exam will include 26 questions from the VA-RC section.

This year, the CAT Verbal Ability section will include eight questions.

The following are CAT 2024 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Pattern:

  • Para Jumbles
  • Sentence Correction and Completion
  • Summary Based

The reading comprehension passages and the verbal ability section each have their own questions.

Refer: CAT Exam Verbal Ability Questions with Solutions

The CAT Reading Comprehension section has several questions, including title- and vocabulary-based questions.

Last year, VARC had four passages with a total of 16 questions. 3 Para Summary Questions, 3 Para Jumble Questions and 2 Missing Sentence Questions completed the section. From a total of 24 questions, 3 were TITA questions. 

Learn more: How to improve reading comprehension for CAT Exam 2024?

CAT Exam Pattern for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Pattern 2024

The logical reasoning and data interpretation component gauge how well you analyse data and comprehend logical premises.

There will be 22–24 questions in this section altogether asked in this section.

CAT MBA entrance exam pattern or CAT Exam Pattern 2024 for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Pattern is as follows: 

  • Percentages
  • Profit & Loss
  • Simple Interest-Compound Interest 
  • Time & Distance
  • Averages-Mixtures-Alligations
  • Numbers
  • Mensuration
  • Logarithms
  • Functions & Graphs
  • Indices & Surds
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Special Equations
  • Statistics

Last year, DILR consisted of 4 sets with five questions each. From a total of 20 questions, 6 were TITA questions. Here is a slot-wise analysis of the topics on which the sets were based. 

Prepare with: CAT Mock Tests 2024

Slots/Sets  Set 1  Set 2  Set 3  Set 4 
Slot 1  Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Mathematical Reasoning  Games & Tournaments 
Slot 2  Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Tables & Graphs  Selection & Distribution 
Slot 3  Tables & Graphs  Arrangements  Tables & Graphs  Rank & Ordering 

Check: How to prepare for CAT Exam 2024

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

The CAT exam marks pattern is summarized in the table below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Sections Number of Questions Marks Per Question CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
VARC 24 3 -1
DILR 20 3 -1
Quantitative Aptitude 22 3 -1
Total  66 198 -

Conclusion: In conclusion, the CAT exam pattern 2024 is a comprehensive test that requires considerable preparation and practice. You must understand the exam format and the questions' nature to score well. Familiarize yourself with the CAT Exam paper pattern and structure to maximize your chances of scoring high. With the right preparation and practice, you can ace the CAT exam and achieve your desired score.

Check: How to Start Preparing for CAT?

Frequently Asked Questions

what is the pattern of CAT exam?

How long is the CAT Exam?

How many questions are asked in the CAT Exam?

What is the marking scheme for the CAT Exam?

Is there any sectional time limit for the CAT Exam?

CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Check CAT Exam Question Paper Pattern Details

Author : Akanksha

March 21, 2024

SHARE

Overview: The tentative date for the CAT 2024 exam is November 24. To ensure you're ready to face CTA 2024, it's crucial to begin your prep immediately, starting with an in-depth review of the latest CAT exam pattern.

However, if you're a newcomer preparing for the CAT exam for the first time, the initial step you should take is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CAT exam itself. This includes familiarizing yourself with its syllabus, admission process, affiliated colleges, exam fees, and other details.

What is CAT Exam Pattern?

  • The CAT exam pattern is meticulously designed to evaluate candidates comprehensively, assessing their aptitude from all angles.
  • The format of the CAT exam is a two-hour session that includes a mix of multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions, totaling 66, mirroring the structure from CAT 2023.
  • Despite the CAT's historical tendency for changes, this year, it is expected to maintain the same format.

The CAT exam pattern is divided into three main sections:

  1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

CAT Exam 2024 Important Dates

Before we go ahead and learn about the comprehensive CAT exam pattern let's learn about the important events and dates for CAT 2024:

CAT Exam 2024 Events Tentative Dates
CAT 2024 Notification Date Second Week of August
CAT Exam 2024 Registration Date Opens Fourth Week of August
CAT Exam 2024 Application form last date Second Week of September
CAT Admit Card Release Date First Week of November
CAT Exam Registration Fees INR 1200 (Reserved categories)
INR 2400 (Other categories)
CAT 2024 Exam Date November 24, 2024
CAT Notification & Registration Official Website iimcat.ac.in

Overview of CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The highlights of the CAT exam paper pattern are as follows:

CAT Exam Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam Computer Based Test
Duration of exam 120 minutes, 40 minutes per section
Number of questions 66 
CAT total marks 198
Language of question paper English
Number of section  3
Number of answer choices 4
CAT sections VARC, DI & LR and QA
Question Type MCQ and non-MCQ

The CAT exam pattern pdf is not available officially; you can analyse the CAT exam pattern and syllabus from the CAT previous year's papers.

Note that the official website does not provide any CAT exam paper pattern pdf. 

Expected Section-wise Marks Distribution for CAT 2024 Exam Question Paper Pattern

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a competitive exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their MBA programs. 

Expected Section-wise CAT exam paper pattern 2024 details are tabulated below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Sections Total No. of Questions CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - MCQs TITA Questions CAT Exam Marks Pattern Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 21 3 72 40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) 20 14 6 60 40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA) 22 14 8 66 40 min
Total 66 49 17 198 120 (2 hours)

Last year in 2023, the CAT Exam was conducted in three slots of two hours each – morning (8:30 – 10:30 am), afternoon (12:30 – 2:30 pm) and evening (4:30 – 6:30 pm). 

CAT exam duration and CAT exam pattern details are tabulated above.

The exam has a high standard of difficulty and requires you to have a good knowledge of the syllabus and the ability to solve complex problems.

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

CAT Exam Pattern- Marking Scheme

Before taking the test, it's critical to understand the CAT marking scheme to decide which questions to answer and which to skip. In CAT exam pattern, the marking scheme incorporates negative marking specifically for the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and not for TITA questions. Below are the essential details:

  • The total marks for CAT 2024 will amount to 198.
  • Each question is valued at 3 marks.
  • Incorrect answers will incur a penalty of 1 mark for every wrong MCQ answer.
  • No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
  • The Quantitative Ability (QA) section will include non-MCQ questions.
  • Non-MCQ questions will not be subject to negative marking.

CAT Exam Pattern- Sectional Time 

  1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)- 40 minutes
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)- 40 minutes
  3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)- 40 minutes

CAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Aptitude Pattern 2024

Here is the Exam Pattern of CAT 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude Pattern:

The CAT Quantitative Aptitude exam includes only numerical-based questions from various Mathematical concepts.

This year, it is expected that there will be a total of 26 questions in this section. 

The quantitative aptitude section's detailed pattern is provided below:

The five primary topics that make up the entire quantitative aptitude section CAT exam pattern:

  • Basic Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Number System
  • Geometry & Mensuration
  • Modern Maths

Last year, QA consisted of 22 questions, out of which 8 were TITA questions. The table below gives the number of questions asked per slot based on the four broadly classified areas of QA i.e., Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and Number Theory. 

Prepare with: CAT Exam Online Coaching

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Slot/Topic  Arithmetic  Algebra  Geometry  Modern Math and Number Theory 
Slot 1 
Slot 2 
Slot 3  11 

Check: CAT Exam Preparation Books 2024

CAT Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Pattern 2024

The CAT VARC section tests your English language skills and ability to interpret paragraphs and understand the core ideas. 

This year's CAT exam will include 26 questions from the VA-RC section.

This year, the CAT Verbal Ability section will include eight questions.

The following are CAT 2024 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Pattern:

  • Para Jumbles
  • Sentence Correction and Completion
  • Summary Based

The reading comprehension passages and the verbal ability section each have their own questions.

Refer: CAT Exam Verbal Ability Questions with Solutions

The CAT Reading Comprehension section has several questions, including title- and vocabulary-based questions.

Last year, VARC had four passages with a total of 16 questions. 3 Para Summary Questions, 3 Para Jumble Questions and 2 Missing Sentence Questions completed the section. From a total of 24 questions, 3 were TITA questions. 

Learn more: How to improve reading comprehension for CAT Exam 2024?

CAT Exam Pattern for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Pattern 2024

The logical reasoning and data interpretation component gauge how well you analyse data and comprehend logical premises.

There will be 22–24 questions in this section altogether asked in this section.

CAT MBA entrance exam pattern or CAT Exam Pattern 2024 for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Pattern is as follows: 

  • Percentages
  • Profit & Loss
  • Simple Interest-Compound Interest 
  • Time & Distance
  • Averages-Mixtures-Alligations
  • Numbers
  • Mensuration
  • Logarithms
  • Functions & Graphs
  • Indices & Surds
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Special Equations
  • Statistics

Last year, DILR consisted of 4 sets with five questions each. From a total of 20 questions, 6 were TITA questions. Here is a slot-wise analysis of the topics on which the sets were based. 

Prepare with: CAT Mock Tests 2024

Slots/Sets  Set 1  Set 2  Set 3  Set 4 
Slot 1  Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Mathematical Reasoning  Games & Tournaments 
Slot 2  Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Tables & Graphs  Selection & Distribution 
Slot 3  Tables & Graphs  Arrangements  Tables & Graphs  Rank & Ordering 

Check: How to prepare for CAT Exam 2024

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

The CAT exam marks pattern is summarized in the table below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Sections Number of Questions Marks Per Question CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
VARC 24 3 -1
DILR 20 3 -1
Quantitative Aptitude 22 3 -1
Total  66 198 -

Conclusion: In conclusion, the CAT exam pattern 2024 is a comprehensive test that requires considerable preparation and practice. You must understand the exam format and the questions' nature to score well. Familiarize yourself with the CAT Exam paper pattern and structure to maximize your chances of scoring high. With the right preparation and practice, you can ace the CAT exam and achieve your desired score.

Check: How to Start Preparing for CAT?

Frequently Asked Questions

what is the pattern of CAT exam?

How long is the CAT Exam?

How many questions are asked in the CAT Exam?

What is the marking scheme for the CAT Exam?

Is there any sectional time limit for the CAT Exam?

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