CAT 2021 Question Paper PDF Download (All 3 Slots)

Quick Answer: The CAT 2021 question paper was conducted on November 28, 2021, in a computer-based format by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It followed a 66-question pattern, divided into three sections VARC, DILR, and QA with a total duration of 120 minutes and sectional time limits of 40 minutes each.

Whether you are preparing for CAT 2026, CAT 2027, or future MBA entrance examinations, analyzing the CAT 2021 question paper can help you understand the actual exam pattern and identify the most important topics that frequently appear in CAT.

What You’ll Get in this Blog: CAT 2021 Slot 1, 2 and 3 downloadable PDFs + exam pattern breakdown + section-wise difficulty analysis + marking scheme + types of questions asked + Prep tips for CAT 2026

CAT 2021 Question Paper PDF Download All 3 Slots

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CAT 2021 Exam Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's premier MBA entrance examination accepted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and more than 1,200 business schools.

CAT 2021 Exam Highlights

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute	IIM Ahmedabad
Exam Date	November 28, 2021
Number of Shifts	3
Total Questions	66
Duration	120 Minutes
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Marking Scheme	+3 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect MCQ

The CAT 2021 Question Paper followed the revised format introduced in recent years and tested candidates on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and quantitative aptitude.

CAT 2021 DILR Number of Questions

CAT 2021 DILR section assessed candidates through structured reasoning and data interpretation sets. It included multiple case-based puzzles requiring logical analysis, time management, and accuracy. The section was considered moderately difficult, with a strong focus on interpretation skills and structured problem solving under exam pressure.

Section	Sets	Total Questions	Format
DILR (CAT 2021)	4	20	Sets-based (puzzles & DI)

Practice Sample CAT 2021 Question with Answers

Q1. Choose the word closest in meaning to “prolific”:
A) Unproductive
B) Fruitful
C) Rare
D) Ordinary

Answer: B) Fruitful

Q2. Her argument was so ___ that even the skeptics were convinced.
A) tenuous
B) compelling
C) irrelevant
D) weak

Answer: B) compelling

Q3. A bag contains 5 red, 7 blue, and 8 green balls. One ball is drawn at random. Probability that it is not green = ?
A) 5/20
B) 12/20
C) 7/20
D) 8/20

Answer: B) 12/20

Q4. A car covers 120 km at 40 km/h. How long does it take?
A) 2 hr
B) 3 hr
C) 4 hr
D) 5 hr

Answer: B) 3 hr

Q5. In a row of 10 people, X is 4th from the left and Y is 3rd from the right. How many people are between X and Y?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

Answer: B) 3

Q6. Solve for x: 3x – 7 = 8
A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Answer: C) 5

Q7. A shopkeeper sells an item at ₹480 with a 20% profit. Cost price = ?
A) ₹400
B) ₹380
C) ₹420
D) ₹450

Answer: A) ₹400

Q8. If x² – 9 = 0, find x.
A) 3
B) –3
C) ±3
D) 0

Answer: C) ±3

Q9. Probability of drawing an ace from a standard deck of 52 cards = ?
A) 1/13
B) 1/12
C) 1/4
D) 1/52

Answer: A) 1/13

Q10. Sum of first 15 natural numbers = ?
A) 105
B) 110
C) 120
D) 115

Answer: C) 120

What was the CAT 2021 Question Paper Pattern?

The CAT 2021 question paper had 66 questions divided into three sections with a total exam duration of 120 minutes. Each section had a fixed 40-minute time limit, and the paper included both MCQs and TITA questions.

CAT 2021 Question Paper Pattern Overview

Sections	No. of Questions	Time	MCQs	TITA questions
Verbal Ability & RC (VARC)	24	40 mins	19	5
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	40 mins	15	5
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	40 mins	14	8
Total	66	120 mins	48	18

Key Highlights:

• MCQs were marked negatively (-1) for incorrect answers. 
• TITA questions were not penalised. 

Download Free PDF: Most Repeated Topics in the CAT Exam

How Many Questions Were in Each Section in CAT 2021?

Answer: The CAT 2021 paper had 66 questions in total, divided into three sections, with a fixed distribution across each.

CAT 2021 Question Paper: Section-wise Questions Breakdown

Section	Questions	MCQs	TITA Questions
VARC	24	~19	~5
DILR	20	~15	~5
QA	22	~14	~8

This format remained consistent across Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3. 

CAT 2021 Question Paper Section-Wise Analysis

Section	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level	Major Topics Covered	Good Attempts	Key Takeaways
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	Moderate	Reading Comprehension, Para Summary, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out	16-18	Reading Comprehension dominated the section with passages from philosophy, economics, sociology, and history. Candidates with strong reading speed and comprehension skills had a clear advantage.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	Moderate to Difficult	Arrangements, Scheduling, Data Tables, Caselets, Distribution Problems, Logical Puzzles	10-12	DILR was the most challenging section for many candidates. Success depended heavily on selecting the right sets and avoiding time-consuming questions. Accuracy played a crucial role in maximizing scores.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	Moderate	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Mathematics	13-15	Arithmetic contributed the highest number of questions, followed by Algebra. Candidates with strong fundamentals and efficient calculation skills found the section manageable.

CAT 2021 Question Paper Difficulty Level?

Answer: The overall difficulty varied slightly across slots but remained in a moderate to high range.

Section	Overall Difficulty Trend
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	Moderate to slightly difficult
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	Moderate to difficult
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)	Easy to moderate across slots

CAT 2021 Exam Paper: Slot Comparison (Expert Insights)

CAT 2021 Slots	Difficulty Level Analysis
Slot 1	Moderate VARC, moderate-difficult DILR, moderate QA
Slot 2	Slightly greater difficulty than Slot 1 in VARC and QA
Slot 3	Similar overall pattern; QA slightly tougher

Overall perceived difficulty was comparable but varied slightly among slots. 

Download Free PDF: Top 10 RC Sources of Past CAT Papers

What Type of Questions Appeared in CAT 2021?

Answer: The CAT 2021 question paper tested reading depth, logical structuring skills, data interpretation ability, and core math concepts through a mix of MCQs and TITA questions across VARC, DILR, and QA.

Here is a section-wise breakdown of question types 

VARC – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension dominated the section.

Topic Area	Question Types Seen
Reading Comprehension	4 passages with inference-based, tone-based, and main idea questions
Para Jumbles	Arrange sentences in logical order
Odd Sentence Out	Identify the sentence that breaks the flow
Para Summary	Choose the best summary of a paragraph

Key Highlights

• Questions focused more on understanding and interpretation than on vocabulary
• Close options made elimination skills important

Free CAT Mock Test -01	Attempt Now
Free CAT Mock Test- 02	Attempt Now

DILR – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

This section tested set selection and logical structuring.

Set Type	Question Style
Data Interpretation	Tables, charts, and caselets requiring calculations
Arrangements	Linear and circular arrangements
Logic-Based Puzzles	Conditions-based grouping and scheduling
Mixed Sets	Combination of DI + logic constraints

Key Highlights

• 4 sets appeared, but not all were equally doable
• Choosing the right sets was more important than solving everything

Quantitative Ability

The section focused on concept clarity and application rather than formula memorisation.

Topics	Type of Questions
Arithmetic	Percentages, ratios, time work, averages, profit loss
Algebra	Linear equations, inequalities, functions
Geometry	Mensuration and basic coordinate geometry
Number System	Divisibility, remainders
Modern Math	Probability and set-based questions (limited)

Key Highlights

• Arithmetic had the highest weightage
• Many questions were calculation-intensive
• Step-based logic was required instead of direct formula use
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What was the Marking Scheme in CAT 2021 Paper?

The marking scheme remained consistent with recent years:

• Correct answer (MCQ or TITA questions): +3 marks 
• Wrong answer (MCQ only): -1 mark 
• No penalty for wrong attempts at TITA questions. 

How to Use the CAT 2021 Question Paper for 2026 Preparation?

Answer: Use the CAT 2021 paper as a benchmark to understand real exam difficulty, question selection strategy, and time management, then align your 2026 prep with those patterns.

Smart Ways to Use CAT 2021 for CAT 2026

1. Treat it like a full mock

• Attempt the paper in a 2-hour simulated environment
• Follow sectional time limits of 40 minutes each
• Avoid pauses to build real exam stamina

Also Read: How to improve speed and accuracy in CAT 2026?

2. Build question selection skills

• Identify easy, moderate, and tough questions
• Practice leaving time-consuming traps
• Focus on accuracy over attempts

3. Understand section-level expectations

Section	What CAT 2021 Teaches You
VARC	RC dominating paper, focus on inference-based questions, parajumbles need logic not guesswork
DILR	Set selection is everything, 1 wrong set wastes 15 minutes
QA	Arithmetic and Algebra dominate; calculation speed matters

4. Analyse mistakes deeply After attempting:

• Check concept gaps
• Identify if the error was due to speed or understanding
• Note recurring weak topics

5. Learn time allocation strategy

• First 5 minutes: Scan section
• Next 25 minutes: Solve high accuracy questions
• Last 10 minutes: Attempt calculated risks

Conclusion

The CAT 2021 Question Paper provides a detailed understanding of the modern CAT examination pattern. The paper emphasized reading comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and strong quantitative fundamentals. By thoroughly analyzing and solving the CAT 2021 paper, MBA aspirants can significantly improve their preparation strategy and increase their chances of securing admission to top IIMs and leading business schools across India.

CAT 2021 shows that CAT rewards smart selection, not the number of attempts. If you train using this paper the right way, you prepare for the thinking style of CAT 2026, not just the syllabus.