CAT 2021 Analysis: Number of Questions Reduced; Check Slot-wise Question Paper Analysis
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
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4 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26
CAT 2021 exam analysis is out. The question paper was of moderate difficulty and had only 66 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. Read here in-depth CAT 2021 exam analysis by experts for slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3.
CAT 2021 exam is being held today in three slots. The first slot for exam was conducted from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The second slot will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and the third slot will be conducted frm 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Shiksha will bring to you slot-wise CAT exam analysis by experts along with student reactions from the exam centre. Analysis of the first slot of CAT exam is available now.
The CAT 2021 question paper of the first slot was easy with only 66 questions to answer in 120 minutes. Read below in-depth CAT 2021 analysis, which includes section-wise distribution of topics, difficulty levels, number of good attempts, sectional cut off and expected scoring pattern.
Also Read:
- CAT 2021 Exam Analysis Highlights
- CAT 2021 Analysis: VARC
- CAT 2021 Analysis: DILR
- CAT 2021 Analysis: Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2021 Exam Analysis Highlights
Given below is the section-wise difficulty level of the first slot of CAT 2021 exam:
| CAT 2021 Sections |
Questions |
Difficulty Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning & (DILR) |
20 |
Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
Moderate to Tough |
| Total/Overall |
66 |
Moderate |
CAT 2021 Analysis: VARC
The VARC section of CAT 2021 was as usual tougher from rest of the sections. Out of 24 questions, 16 were based on Reading Comprehension passages. The passages were inference based and doable. In the Verbal Ability part, the questions were from Parajumbles, Parasummary and Odd Sentence Out.
Overall, 24-25 score can be considered enough for a 85%ile and 35-38 marks can be considered ideal for a 99%ile.
CAT 2021 Analysis: DILR
The DILR section of CAT 2021 had 20 questions divided into 4 sets (4+4+6+6). The questions were based on sets: Smoothies- DI, Bar Graph, Arrangement - Researchers, Publishing and Arrangement - Friends, Strangers, Acquaintances. The sectional difficulty level was moderate to high and score of 27-30 marks can be considered ideal for a 99+ percentile in DILR.
CAT 2021 Analysis: Quantitative Aptitude
Like last year, the Quantitative Aptitude section was dominated by Arithmetic. Sectional difficulty level can be termed as easy as it had only 22 straight forward questions to be solved in 40 minutes. A score of 40-42 will be considered ideal for a 99+ percentile in this section of CAT 2021.
Also Read:
- CAT score vs percentile and marks vs percentile
- Understanding CAT normalization process
- How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
Read below CAT 2021 analysis of slot 1, 2 and 3 by various MBA experts:
| CAT Experts |
CAT 2021 Analysis Page Links |
|---|---|
| CAT 2021 analysis by CATKing |
|
| CAT 2021 analysis by Career Launcher |
Available Now |
| CAT 2021 analysis by IMS India |
Available Now |
| CAT 2021 analysis by T.I.M.E. |
Available Now |
Read More:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Admission in IIM Calcutta depends on multiple factors such as: CAT scores, past academic records, gender diversity, and performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates can check below minimum required CAT score for getting shortlisted at IIM Calutta:
- OPEN / Gene
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, IBS Mumbai considers top scorers in national exams like CAT, NMAT, or GMAT for tuition fee waivers. Students who secure a high percentile are eligible for these merit-based awards during the first year. The continuation of this financial aid in the second year depends strictly on maintaining a
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
No, national entrance exams like JEE, CAT, or MAT are not strictly mandatory in all cases for admission to IILM University, Greater Noida. National level entrance exam scores are preferred for direct shortlisting and merit scholarships.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, for some of them. Bahra lists scholarships based on JEE Main marks and CLAT rank, along with BUSET, CAT, MAT, and CUET percentile scores. I am not sure about NEET, so confirm that with the admissions office.
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
In case of mistakes in the fields mentioned on the CAT admit card, candidates must contact the official CAT helpdesk via email or phone to get it rectified before the exam date.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates need to log in using their CAT User ID and Password to download CAT admit card. These login credentials are generated at the time of registration.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, the Common Admission Test (CAT) admit card cannot be obtained offline. Candidates have to download CAT 2026 admit card from the official website.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes. Candidates must preserve their admit card safely. It is a mandatory document required for identity verification during the Writing Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI) rounds, and final admission stages at the institutes.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No. The examination authorities do not accept any requests to change the allotted exam venue, test city, or timing slot. The details printed on your CAT admit card are final.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can download the PDF on your smartphone. However, it is better to use a laptop or desktop computer to prevent any layout errors and to ensure you can print a clean copy easily.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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