Management Entrance Exams

CAT 2024 - Exam Highlights

The exam was conducted in 120 test cities across the country at various test centres. As per the reviews of the test takers, CAT 2024 was moderately difficult and lengthy too. There were 2 types of questions in the CAT Exam (MCQs and non-MCQs).

Candidates had 120 minutes time to solve 66 questions compared to 76 questions in previous year exam.

The CAT 2024 exam was conducted in 3 slots as mentioned under:-

• Morning session (8:30 am - 10:30 pm)
• Afternoon session (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
• Evening session (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm)

Difficulty Level of CAT Exam

Candidates who appeared for the exam mentioned that overall it was moderately difficult exam with VARC being relatively easy compared to other sections. Quantitative Aptitude and DILR was Moderate to difficult. Candidates who have been able to achieve the below mentioned good attempts per section, slot-wise, can expect a good percentile in the CAT exam.

IIM Calcutta will handle the smooth organization of CAT 2024. Here are some anticipated updates candidates should be mindful of:

• The overall exam format is expected to remain similar to previous years.
• A slight increase in the exam's difficulty level may occur.
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension sections remain stable, though passages may vary.
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning is likely to continue as the most difficult section.
• The Quantitative Ability section may feature more algebra questions, similar to CAT 2023 trends.

CAT 2024 – Type of Questions

As per the exam pattern, candidates get +3 to attempt the MCQ correctly and -1 is deducted for wrong attempt. However, the non-MCQ questions do not invite any negative marking in the exam. Last year, candidates had to attempt 76 questions to clear the CAT exam. However, this year IIM Ahmedabad reduced the limit to 66 questions for the aspirants.

Take a look at the classification of type of questions asked in the exam.

CAT Exam Analysis – Initial Impressions

As the CAT exam was conducted in 3 slots, so here is the slot-wise analysis of the MBA entrance exam for your better understanding:-

VARC: The Verbal Section of CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam was relatively easier as compared to previous year and the other two sections. There were total of 4 reading comprehensions in the CAT exam.

DILR: The DILR section moderately difficult and was a lengthy section. The DILR section comprises 2 Sets of 4 Questions and 2 Sets of 6 Questions each. In Slot 1, one set was purely of DI and 2 Sets were of LR.

Quantitative Aptitude: This year, candidates had to solve 22 questions in the Quantitative Aptitude Section compared to 24 questions provided last year. Questions from topics of Arithmetic, Moderate Function, Arithmetic Dominating, Integral Solution Arithmetic Apple and Easy mensuration were seen in the exam.

CAT 2024 - Expected Cut-off

The minimum marks required by a candidate in the CAT exam to make it to the next selection rounds of the B-schools is called CAT cut-off. Here is the summary of the expected cut-off for the CAT exam:-