Check out CAT 2021 Question paper for all three slots to understand types of questions and difficulty level. Also download PDF format of CAT question paper 2021 - slot 1, 2 and 3. As a CAT 2023 aspirant, you must solve the CAT 2021 question paper to learn key insights of the exam.
CAT 2021 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF
CAT 2021 question paper PDFs are available for Slot 1, 2, and 3 below. Conducting IIM released CAT question papers 2021 with the response sheet and answer keys on official exam website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates preparing for the CAT exam can download previous year question papers for practice. CAT 2021 exam had a total of 66 questions divided across three sections. Practice CAT previous year question papers to know syllabus weightage, different types of questions, and CAT exam difficulty.
As per the CAT 2021 paper analysis, the exam was moderate to high in terms of difficulty. Scroll down for CAT 2021 question paper PDF with answer key for slot 1, 2, and 3.
- CAT 2021 Question Paper PDFs
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Pattern and Structure
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Marking Scheme
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: VARC
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: DILR
- CAT 2021 Quantitative Ability Paper: Topic-wise Weightage for Slot 1, 2, 3
- Previous Year's CAT Question Paper
CAT 2021 Question Paper PDFs
Download CAT 2021 question paper PDFs below:
| CAT 2021 Question Papers | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 Paper | CAT 2021 Slot 1 Question Paper PDF |
| CAT 2021 Slot 2 Paper | CAT 2021 Slot 2 Question Paper PDF |
| CAT 2021 Slot 3 Paper | CAT 2021 Slot 3 Question Paper PDF |
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Commonly asked questions
Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Response sheet hosts CAT exam questions and answers.
CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Pattern and Structure
Given below is the section wise break-up of CAT question paper 2021 as per the CAT analysis 2021:
| CAT 2021 Sections |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time-Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
24 |
40 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) |
20 |
40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
22 |
40 minutes |
| Total |
66 |
120 minutes |
CAT 2021 Question Paper: Marking Scheme
Each question of CAT question paper 2021 carried three marks for correct entry and minus one mark for incorrect entry. Unanswered questions and incorrect attempts in non-MCQ carried zero marks.
| CAT 2021 Sections |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
24 |
72 |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) |
20 |
60 |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
22 |
66 |
| Total |
76 |
198 |
Also Read:
CAT 2021 Question Paper: VARC
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2021 had more RC questions than VA. This made it a tough section to crack. Given below is the break-up of VARC section of CAT question paper 2021:
| VARC Question Type |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (4 passages) |
16 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Para Jumble Questions |
3 |
Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Out |
2 |
Difficult |
| Para Summary |
3 |
Moderate-Difficult |
Reading Comprehension Passages of CAT Question Paper 2021
Check the table below for topics of the Reading Comprehension passages of CAT question paper 2021. All the passages were inference based.
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Commonly asked questions
In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:
- The fee amount increased from INR 2,500 to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and from INR 1,250 to INR 1300 for Reserved category candidates.
- In DILR section, number of questions increased from 20 to 22.
- Total marks of CAT DILR section increased from 60 to 66.
- Total marks of CAT exam increased from 198 to 204.
- Candidates can select five cities instead of six.
Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.
CAT 2021 Question Paper: DILR
Like previous years, the DILR section of CAT question paper 2021 had more DI questions. Given below is the break-up of DILR section of CAT question paper 2021:
| DILR Topics |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation Set 1 |
4 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 1 |
4 |
Moderate |
| Data Interpretation Set 2 |
6 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning Set 2 |
6 |
Moderate |
CAT 2021 LRDI Topics
Check the below table for areas and topics of DILR sets of CAT question paper 2021:
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
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CAT 2021 Quantitative Ability Paper: Topic-wise Weightage for Slot 1, 2, 3
Check the topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2021 Slot 1:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| ERPV |
3 |
Moderate |
| Geometry |
3 |
Easy - Moderate |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss |
2 |
Moderate |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Moderate |
| Progressions |
2 |
Difficult |
| Quadratic Equations |
2 |
Moderate - Difficult |
| AMA |
2 |
Moderate |
| SI-CI |
1 |
Easy |
| Logarithms and Indices |
1 |
Moderate |
| Functions & Graphs |
1 |
Moderate |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Easy |
| Inequalities & Modulus |
1 |
Moderate |
| Numbers |
1 |
Moderate |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2: Quantitative Aptitude
below topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT question paper 2021 Slot 2:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mensuration |
3 |
Moderate |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss |
3 |
Moderate |
| AMA |
3 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Progressions |
2 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Logarithms |
1 |
Easy |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Moderate |
| Quadratic Equations |
1 |
Moderate |
| Functions & Graphs |
1 |
Moderate |
| Inequalities & Modulus |
1 |
Moderate |
| Indices |
1 |
Difficult |
| Miscellaneous |
1 |
Difficult |
| P&C |
1 |
Difficult |
| Special Equations |
1 |
Difficult |
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CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3: Quantitative Aptitude
Check the topic-wise break-up and difficulty levels of the questions asked in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT question paper 2021 Slot 3:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| ERPV |
4 |
Moderate - Difficult |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
4 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Indices & Logs |
2 |
Difficult |
| Percentages |
2 |
Moderate |
| Time & Work |
2 |
Moderate |
| Inequalities |
1 |
Difficult |
| Special Equations |
1 |
Difficult |
| sequence |
1 |
Difficult |
| SI CI |
1 |
Difficult |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
Moderate |
| Averages |
1 |
Moderate |
| AMA |
1 |
Moderate |
| Function |
1 |
Moderate |
Previous Year's CAT Question Paper
Candidates preparing for the upcoming exam can use CAT question paper PDFs to analyse difficulty standards, important topics and more.
| Download CAT Paper PDF |
Overall Question Paper Difficulty |
Number of Questions vs CAT Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Tough | 68 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Tough | 66 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Tough | |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | 76 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2019 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate | 100 questions that were to be answered in 180 minutes |
| CAT 2018 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate | |
| CAT 2017 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 11 hours ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in TITE - Templecity Institute of Technology and Engineering. The college accepts entrance exams such as: OJEE/ATMA/CAT/MAT. Candidates wishing to get admission into this programme should have passed graduation with at least 50% marks.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at College of Engineering, Pune. The college consider svalid score of entrance exams such as:
- MAH-CET (The primary state-level exam considered for Maharashtra students)
- CAT
- CMAT
- XAT
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, personal interview round for MBA admission is mandatory for all candidates regardless of which exam they apply through. Candidates applying through CAT result for PP Savani University can only skip SLMET written test during MBA admission process.
Their final evaluation will be based on combined
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Xavier Institute of Management and Informatics does accepts CAT scores for admission in MBA programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission based on their qualifying exam scores and performance in the PI round.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates preparing for CAT may not need to prepare for KLMAT Management separately, as the syllabus is the same and the test structure is also similar. However, one should make sure they practice KLMAT sample papers from a month before the exam as the question type and difficulty level will be dif
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates who want to apply for Sharda University, Greater Noida MBA course must secure a CAT/ XAT percentile of 65% to skip SUAT. For MAT applicants, this score stands at 75% for MBA admissions at Sharda, Greater Noida.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, you can get scholarship for MBA in Adamas University based on CAT score according to the following criteria:
CAT Score | Scholarship |
|---|---|
80 percentile & above | 50% of the 1st Semester Fee |
70 percentile to 79.99 percentile | 25% of the 1st Semester Fee |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at IILM University Gurgaon. Candidates wishing to get admission in MBA should have passed Graduation with at least 50% marks. The university offer admission based on entrance exam score such as:
- CAT
- XAT
- MAT
- NMAT
- CMAT
- GMAT
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
As per my knowledge, Yes If you've worked hard for your CAT score and you're now wondering whether DBS Global University will accept it For MBA admission at DBS Global University, a valid CAT score is accepted alongside MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, and the DBS Global University Entrance Examination. Regist
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 6 days ago
The CAT 2026 cutoff has not been released yet. However, as per the 2025 cutoff, for admission to PGDM International Business at FORE School of Management, the last round cutoff percentile stood at 75 for the General AI category.
Additionally, the XAT cutoff 2026 for the same course also stood at 75
Contributor-Level 10
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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