CAT 2021 Question Paper with Solutions: Download Slot 1, 2 and 3 PDFs
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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 slot 1, 2, 3
CAT 2021 question paper was moderate to high in terms of difficulty level. The exam paper of all three slots had same structure. Pattern of the paper was same as previous years with a few changes in topic-wise weightage. The CAT 2021 question paper consisted of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Total number of questions in CAT 2021 was 66.
The CAT exam usually has lengthy VARC, tough DILR and time consuming Quantitative Aptitude. And CAT 2021 was no different. If you are appearing for CAT 2025 you should attempt previous years' papers once. CAT 2021 question papers of slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 are available on this page. Check below.
- 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 Question Paper: PDF Download
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Quantitative Ability
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 |
Commonly asked questions
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.
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 |
Download: CAT 2021 Question Paper–VARC Questions
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
Data Interpretation or DI is a sub part of CAT's second section DILR. This section has 20 -22 questions (until 2023, the totla number of DILR questions was 20, and in 2024 the number of questions was 22). Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions have equal number of questions. Candidates must make sure that they prepare for both topics well as the weightage is equal and if they are ill prepared for either of the two, their score will get affected.
There are no straight forward vocabulary questions in CAT. Out of the total of 24 questions in VARC section, 12-14 questions are Reading Comprehension based and rest of them comprise parajumbles, para completion and odd sentence. CAT is the only MBA entrance exam, which does not have direct vocabulary and grammar questions. However, one needs to have strong vocabulary and grammar to be able to solve RC, parajumble, para completion and odd sentence questions.
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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 |
Download: CAT 2021 Question Paper DILR Questions
DI and LR topics of CAT 2021 Question Paper
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Download: CAT 2021 Question Paper QA Questions
CAT 2021 Question Paper: PDF Download
The official CAT 2021 question paper was released along with the offiicial answer key. Candidates can check below question paper and answer key of CAT 2021 exam:
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3 and Answer Keys | Click Here |
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CAT 2021 Question Paper: Quantitative Ability
The Quantitative Ability section of CAT 2021 was dominated by Arithmetic in all three slots. Given below is the break-up of Quantitative Ability section of CAT question paper 2021:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
11 |
Easy |
| Algebra |
5 |
Easy |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | Easy-Moderate |
| Number System |
2 |
Moderate |
| Modern Math |
1 |
Easy-Moderate |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1: Quantitative Aptitude
Check below 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 |
CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3: Quantitative Aptitude
Check below 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 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
The minimum marks or CAT cut off to appear for IIM selection round is different for every institute. Tier 1 colleges select candidates with CAT score above 95 percentile, Tier 2 colleges select candidates with score between 80-90 percentile and Tier 2 colleges select candidates with score lower than
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
There is no CAT PI shortlist for IIMs. Candidates have to simply login with their CAT credentials and fill the PI shortlist form.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
There is no minimum qualifying marks for CAT. Anybody scoring above 0 in the exam is eligible for admission, however the B-Schools select candidates on the basis of cut offs which are 60 and above percentile.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
The final CAT cutoff are not released publically. However, candidates can check qualifying cut offs in the admission criteria document released by IIMs and other institute before the exam.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
CAT cut off is prepared by all accepting colleges individually. There is no one authorized body to do so. Even the IIMs determine their admission cut offs separately.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
If we're talking about GIBS Business School Bangalore, they don't have some super high CAT cutoff. In simple words, you don't need to be in the 99+ percentile to get considered.
- They look for a decent CAT score, usually around 70–80 percentile as a safe benchmark
- Scores are important, but they also ca
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Not CAT necessarily, but still, you need to take a national-level entrance exam required for MBA admissions.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Most IIMs require a CAT percentile of 90 to 99 for MBA in Business Analytics. Private colleges like Great Lakes and NMIMS accept scores between the 70th and 85th percentile.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, it is possible to get admissions at some of the top private MBA colleges in India with a low CAT score, between the 80th and 85th percentiles. These are some.
| Top Private MBA Colleges in India | CAT percentile |
|---|---|
| TAPMI CAT Cutoffs | 85 |
| GIM Goa CAT Cutoff | 85 to 88 |
| FORE School of Management CAT Cutoff | 75 to 85 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Sandip University, Nashik without CAT. The university also accepts other national/ state CETs. These are MAT/ XAT/ State CETs. Students can also appear for the Sandip University Management Aptitude Test - SUMAT.
P
Contributor-Level 10
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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