CAT 2024 Exam Pattern:

The CAT administration at IIM will release the CAT 2024 exam pattern along with the official notification. It is expected that the exam pattern will remain the same as it was for CAT 2023. Based on the previous year’s pattern, the question paper will consist of 66 multiple-choice questions and the time limit will be 120 minutes. Each section (VARC, QA, DILR) of the CAT exam will have a time limit of 40 minutes.

CAT exam 2024 is expected to be held on November 30. This article provides information about the CAT exam pattern for 2024, including the timing, structure, marking scheme, and sectional time limit.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The CAT exam pattern is designed to test a candidate’s ability to solve reasoning and mathematical questions accurately in a limited amount of time. CAT exam 2024 focuses on logical reasoning and aptitude skills. Candidates appearing for CAT 2024 should familiarize themselves with the updated exam format as it will help them understand the structure of the question paper and the marking scheme.

Before appearing for the CAT 2024 exam, it is important to understand the exam pattern. The CAT pattern, test procedure, and exam date have been announced. Candidates should familiarize themselves with the latest CAT pattern and syllabus. The exam has consisted of 66 questions for the past two years and will continue to do so this year.

Based on the previous year’s CAT question paper pattern, the exam will be held in three slots - morning, afternoon, and evening - on the same day as a computer-based test (CBT).

CAT Paper Pattern and Syllabus:

• Exam duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
• Sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Section-wise CAT Exam Duration

• Each section (VARC, DILR, QA) has a duration of 40 minutes.
• PwD candidates are given 53 minutes and 20 seconds for each section.

CAT Slot Timings

• CAT Slot 1 timing: Morning Session from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.
• CAT Slot 2 timing: Afternoon Session from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
• CAT Slot 3 timing: Evening Session from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Number of Questions in CAT Exam

• There are a total of 66 questions in the CAT exam.

CAT Exam Total Marks

• The CAT exam is out of 198 marks.

Mode of the CAT 2024 Exam

• The CAT 2024 exam is conducted in Computer-Based Mode (CBT).

CAT Marking Scheme

• Each correct answer is awarded +3 marks.
• Each wrong answer in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) is deducted -1 mark.
• There are no negative marks for Non-MCQs.

CAT Paper Pattern 2024 - Important Points

• Candidates taking the CAT 2024 exam are allowed to use an on-screen calculator for calculations.
• An on-screen clock is provided for candidates to check the time during the exam.
• Candidates will be given sheets for rough work, which must be submitted after the conclusion of the CAT Exam.
• Switching between sections while answering questions in one section is not allowed for candidates.
• The official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, has released the CAT official mock test, which provides information about the overall and section-wise CAT exam pattern for CAT 2024. The exam will be conducted in three sessions: morning session (8:30 am - 10:30 am), afternoon session (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm), and evening session (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm).

• CAT 2024 is expected to have more than 3 lakh candidates and will be held in three slots on the last Sunday of November 2024.

The exam will be administered in the morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.

• CAT Exam Slot 1: Morning Slot - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
• CAT Exam Slot 2: Afternoon Slot - 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
• CAT Exam Slot 3: Evening Slot - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

CAT Syllabus 2024

CAT conducting body will not release the official CAT exam syllabus. However, based on the CAT exam pattern, candidates can check the topics on which the questions are asked.

Section-Wise CAT Syllabus 2024

Section Topics

• Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Verbal Ability
  • English Usage or Grammar
  • Close Passage
  • Synonyms Antonyms
  • Facts-inferences-judgments
  • Jumbled Paragraph
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Verbal Reasoning
    
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Caselets
  • Blood Relations
  • Calendars
  • Bar Graphs
  • Column Graphs
  • Tables
  • Cubes
  • Clocks
  • Binary Logic
  • Line Charts
  • Combination of two or more types linked to each other
  • Syllogism
  • Venn Diagrams
  • Pie Chart
  • Number and Letter Series
  • Seating Arrangement
    
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
  • Algebra
  • Higher Maths
  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry
  • Mensuration
  • Arithmetic
  • Averages
  • Percentages
  • Number Systems
  • Profit and loss
  • Simple & Compound Interest
  • Modern Maths

CAT Mock Test 2024

The candidates can take the official CAT Mock Test. CAT conducting body will release the official CAT 2024 mock test on iimcat.ac.in. It will help to face the actual exam without any fear and also help to attend to the questions within the given time.

By appearing in the mock test, the aspirants can get an idea of how to move between different sections. Before appearing in the CAT exam mock test, students must know the CAT paper pattern 2024 and they must also go through the CAT sample papers.

How to answer the questions in the CAT 2024 question paper?

Before going to start the CAT exam, the students should have to know how to answer questions. Candidates should use the following options when answering questions:

• Save and Next: Candidates should select the answer, save it, and move on to the next one.
• Clear Response: Candidates will have the option to delete the answer to the question they answered.
• Mark for Review and Next: If the candidate is unsure about the answer, in such a case they have the option to mark it as a review, then answer it, and then move on to the next question.

NOTE: When answering CAT questions, one should use the mouse provided. Using the system keyboard will lock the computer screen.

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