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CAT 2024 exam paper showed a change in the exam pattern. Unlike 66 questions asked in previous years, the 2024 exam paper had68 questions.2 extra questions came in the DILR section and para-jumbles didn't come in the VARC section. There were no further changes in the topic-wise weightage in the CAT 2024 exam pattern.
CAT 2024 exam was conducted on November 24, 2024. The paper had 3 sections named VAARC, DILR and QA.24 questions came from theVARCsection, 22 questions came from theDILRsection andQAsection each. Candidates got minutes for each section having a total duration of 120 minutes to attempt all the MCQs and non-MCQs asked in the CAT 2024 paper. The total marks increased from 198 to 204 this year.
Take a look at the table below to learn the quick highlights of the CAT 2024 exam pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
| Subjects | Verbal ability and reading comprehension (VAARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Total Number of Questions | 68 |
| Weightage | VAARC: 24 Questions (35%) DILR: 22 Questions (32%) QA: 22 Questions (32%) |
| Time Allocation | 40 Minutes for Each Subject Overall: 120 Minutes |
In the table below, the exam pattern of the CAT examination is mentioned for the last 10 years:
| Year | Number of Questions | Sectional Time Duration | Total Time Duration | Number of Sections | Section Names |
| 2024 | 68 | 40 | 120 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2023 | 66 | 40 | 120 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2022 | 66 | 40 | 120 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2021 | 66 | 40 | 120 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2020 | 76 | 40 | 120 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2019 | 100 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2018 | 150 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2017 | 150 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2016 | 150 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2015 | 150 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
| 2014 | 150 | 60 | 180 | 3 | VAARC, DILR and QA |
The CAT 2024 exam paper contained a total of 68 questions with a total score of 204. Questions were given in objective- form, including MCQs and non-MCQs. For the MCQs, there were a+3 marking for each correct answer and 1 for each wrong answer. For the non-MCQs, there was no negative marking.
Check out the table to know the detailed breakdown of the CAT 2024 marking scheme:
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration | Time Duration for PwD Candidates |
| VAARC | 24 | 72 | 40 | 53 Minutes 20 Seconds |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | ||
| QA | 22 | 66 |
The graph below shows the section-wise weightage of CAT 2024 exam:
The CAT 2024 exam process involves several steps like online registration, admit card release, conducting examination, answer key release, and result declaration. After the results are out, you can get admission to various colleges based on accepted cutoff marks. The step-by-step process for CAT 2024 is mentioned below:
The CAT 2024 exam was computer-based, which means candidates can mark the answers electronically on the computer screen. The process of marking answers in the CAT 2024 is discussed below:
There are many MBA entrance examinations accepted by different institutes in India. The table below will give you an idea of how CAT differs from the other top examinations:
| Particulars | CAT | XAT | GMAT | IIFT | SNAP |
| Conducting body | IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) | XLRI Jamshedpur | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) | Symbiosis International University |
| Question Type | MCQs and non-MCQs | MCQs | MCQs | MCQs | MCQs |
| Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Verbal Ability & Decision Making (VA-DM), Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation (DI) | Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Verbal Reasoning (VR) | General Knowledge (GK), English Comprehension (EC), Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | General English (GE), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (DI-DS), Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability (LR-AA) |
| Focus | Comprehensive assessment of verbal, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills | Emphasis on decision-making and problem-solving skills | Evaluates analytical, quantitative, and verbal reasoning abilities | Assesses general knowledge, English comprehension, quantitative aptitude, and logical reasoning skills | Tests general English, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, and logical reasoning skills |
| Acceptance | Highly regarded by most top-tier B-schools in India | Widely accepted by many top B-schools in India | Globally recognized by top B-schools | Primarily accepted by IIFT and other top B-schools in India | Widely accepted by B-schools in India, especially those affiliated with Symbiosis International University |
| Difficulty Level | Considered one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India | Challenging but slightly less competitive than CAT | Globally competitive, known for its high difficulty level | Moderately competitive, with a focus on general knowledge | Moderately competitive, with a focus on general English and analytical skills |
| Target B-schools | IIMs, XLRI, ISB, and other top B-schools in India | XLRI, ISB, IIMs, and other top B-schools in India | Top B-schools worldwide, especially in the US, UK, and Canada | IIFT, FMS, and other top B-schools in India | Symbiosis Institutes, and other B-schools in India |
Ans. The CAT VARC section includes reading comprehension passages followed by questions, vocabulary-based questions, and grammar-based questions.
Ans. The CAT DILR section covers topics such as data interpretation (tables, charts, graphs), logical reasoning (puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations), and decision-making.
Ans. The CAT QA section covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and calculus.
Ans. You must allocate time for each CAT 2024 section based on your strengths and weaknesses. Try to avoid spending too much time on any particular question.
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