
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Marking Scheme, Previous year's Section wise Pattern
According to the CAT Exam Pattern 2024, the exam will have 3 sections– Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).CAT Exam Pattern 2024: The Common Admission Test is a computer-based exam conducted for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top MBA colleges in India. The CAT exam will be held on the last Sunday of November 2024. This year the exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024. The CAT exam pattern changes every year, and there is no prescribed CAT examination pattern and syllabus. However, the basic format of the exam remains the same, consisting of three sections: the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section and Quantitative Aptitude.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 will have 3 sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section, which aims to test the candidate's ability to understand and analyse the English Language, and includes questions on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
Also Read - Best Books for CAT Exam 2024
Secondly, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section (DILR), aims to test the candidate's ability to understand and analyse data presented in various formats and includes questions on charts, tables, graphs, and logical reasoning.
And lastly, the Quantitative Aptitude Section is designed to test the Mathematical and calculation skills of the candidate.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
CAT Exam Pattern is flexible and it has been witnessed that the exam conducting body i.e. IIMs frequently change the CAT syllabus and Exam pattern of the Common Admission Test (CAT). As per the official exam notification, the duration is not set, although the usual duration is in the range of 2-3 hours, changing on a yearly basis.
The number of questions also varies from year to year. Last year, 66 questions were asked in the exam for a total of 198 marks. CAT Exam Pattern 2024 also has a negative marking scheme, the candidate will be awarded a -1 mark for every wrong answer for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) meanwhile there is no negative marking for Type in Type Answers (TITA).
In the table below, aspirants can get a complete highlight of the CAT exam pattern 2024 which includes the types of questions asked in the paper, marking scheme, slots, and duration.
Particulars |
Details |
No. of Questions |
66 in 2022 |
Sections in Exam |
3 (VARC, DILR and QA) |
Exam Duration |
2 hours (2 hr and 30min for PwD Category) |
Section Wise Time Duration |
40 minutes |
CAT 2024 Exam Slots |
3 |
Mode of Exam |
Computer-based Exam (CBE) |
Medium of Instruction |
English |
Types of Questions |
MCQ and Type in Type Answer |
CAT Marking Scheme |
+3 for every right answer -1 for every wrong answer TITA has no negative marking |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Detailed Sectional Pattern
The table below is based on the previous year exam pattern, CAT 2023, representing the detailed bifurcation of CAT exam pattern in terms of section. It is to be noted that the exam also has a sectional cutoff.
Candidates aspiring to appear for the exam are advised to understand the CAT exam pattern from the previous year
Sections of Exam |
No. of questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Type in Type Answers (TITA) |
Time Limit |
VARC |
24 |
19 |
5 |
40 mins |
DILR |
20 |
15 |
5 |
40 mins |
QA |
22 |
14 |
8 |
40 mins |
Total |
66 |
48 |
18 |
120 mins |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Making Scheme
CAT Exam Pattern: Previous year's Structure
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern: Section-wise topic
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I apply for CAT 2024?
The official notification for CAT 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024, and CAT registration will begin in August 2024.
What is the validity of CAT score?
CAT scores are valid for only 1 year.
How should I start preparing for CAT 2024?
Candidates should start their CAT preparation after a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern & syllabus
How many attempts are allowed for the CAT Exam?
There is no fixed number of attempts for the CAT exam.
How many sections are there in CAT Exam?
There are 3 sections in the CAT exam – VARC, DILR and QA.
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