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Check out CAT 2022 exam analysis slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 by CATKing. Also know the total number of good attempts, slot wise difficulty levels and expected cut offs.
By Sumit Singh Gandhi (CATKing)
CAT 2022 exam was held today in three slots. Analysis of the first slot of CAT exam is now available on Shiksha. According to the CAT exam analysis, the question paper was of moderate difficulty level. Read below in-depth CAT 2022 analysis by CATKing expert, which includes section-wise distribution of topics, difficulty levels, number of good attempts, sectional cut off and expected scoring pattern.
When they first came out, the majority of aspirants indicated that as predicted the CAT 2022 exam maintained the format of the last year exam, which had a shorter time limit of two hours and 40 minutes for each section. The number of questions in each section is still an unanswered question. In the end, CAT 2022 had 66 questions. The distribution of questions in every section was as predicted.
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- Big Surprises in CAT 2022
- The student-friendly exam pattern for CAT
- CAT 2022 Exam Analysis Slot 1
- CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
- CAT 2022 Slot 3 Analysis
- Overall CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
Big Surprises in CAT 2022
- Para Completion came back in CAT which was similar to XAT exam and it had stopped coming in CAT from a really long time
- DILR section had 4 sets of 5 questions
- Modulus based questions of Algebra were there in Quants.
Section-wise CAT question distribution is:
- CAT 2022 VARC: Total 24 questions
- CAT 2022 DILR: Total 20 questions
- CAT 2022 QA: Total 22 questions
The marking criteria remained the same: +3 for correct answers and -1 for answers in MCQs and +3 for the correct answers and there is no negative marking in non-MCQs
Qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of Iims for Written Ability Test (What) and Personal Interview PI are listed below. Candidates who MET the qualifying CAT cut off, were eligible for What-PI round. These qualifying CAT cut offs are for General Category. The cut offs for Reserved category students are lower:
- IIM Ahmedabad: 95 percentile
- IIM Bangalore: 85 percentile
- IIM Calcutta: 85 percentile
- IIM Lucknow: 90 percentile
- IIM Kozhikode: 85 percentile
- IIM Indore: 90 percentile
- IIM Udaipur: 93 percentile
- IIM Shillong: 75 percentile
- IIM Trichy: 93 percentile
- IIM Visakhapatnam: 80 percentile
- IIM Rohtak: 95 percentile
- 1IIM Nagpur: 85 percentile
- IIM Jammu: 93 percentile
- IIM Ranchi: 90 percentile
- IIM Sirmaur: 92 percentile
- IIM Bodhgaya: 93 percentile
- IIM Sambalpur: 93 percentile
- IIM Kashipur: 94 percentile
- IIM Raipur: 93 percentile
- IIM Amritsar: 90 percentile
For complete details of IIM selection and admission process read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/iim-shortlist-selection-admission-criteria-blogId-18787.
- The first slot of CAT 2022 was a little more challenging
- VARC had a moderate difficulty level comparable to the VARC part from the previous year.
- Due to fewer set options, DILR went to the level and was moderate to challenging in terms of difficulty 2-3, QA was simple.
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The student-friendly exam pattern for CAT
| Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme for MCQ Questions |
Marking Scheme for Non- MCQ Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
This section contains 24 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer |
| Section 2 : Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
This section contains 20 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect |
| Section 3 : Quantitative Ability |
This section contains 22 questions |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
| Total |
This section contains 66 questions |
120 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
CAT 2022 Exam Analysis Slot 1
Other details of the CAT 2022 Question Paper are as follows:
- Test duration is 2 hours
- Total Questions 66
In 2020, there were a total of 76 questions in the CAT exam. But, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as expected the number of questions was reduced to 66. And It remains the same in CAT 2021.
- The total mark is 198.
- The total number of questions in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Section is 24.
- The total number of Questions in the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section is 20
- The total number of Questions in the Quantitative Ability section is 22
As expected the CAT 2022 Slot 1 exam paper pattern is presented in a tabular form below:
| Section |
Number of Questions |
The number of MCQ Questions |
The number of Non-MCQ Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
Total 24 questions. |
Out of that 19 questions are MCQ |
Out of that 5 questions are Non-MCQ
|
| Section 2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
Total 20 questions. |
Out of that 15 questions are MCQ |
Out of that 5 questions are Non-MCQ |
| Section 3: Quantitative Ability |
Total 22 questions. |
Out of that 14 questions are MCQ |
Out of that 8 questions are Non-MCQ
|
| Total |
66 questions |
Out of that 48 questions are MCQ |
Out of that 18 questions are Non-MCQ |
Also Read:
CAT 2022 VARC Question-wise Breakup
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections were comparable to CAT 2021 in terms of their moderate level of difficulty. As it was predicted, this section was a little longer than average. In total, 24 questions were to be answered in the allotted 40 minutes.
There were 5 non-MCQ questions (all Verbal). Each RC paragraph contained between 470 and 500 words. 2 passages were simple to read, 2 passages were challenging, and each had 2 questions that could be answered.
CAT cut-offs are not announced along with the CAT result. The cut-offs are also not released publicly. They are known after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs will open the shortlist window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.
- Reading Comprehension = 16 Questions
-RC 1 Topic: Ghosts and their mysteries how we can’t find their history
-RC 2 Topic: Chinese Copy of articles -- Original Copy | Second type is change size and shape and copy it. (Very Easy)
-RC 3 Topic: Two levels of emotional thinking [ Author supporting of second level of emotional thinking and linked to Buddhism and other religions)
-RC 4: STOICS
- Verbal Ability – Para jumbles =2
- Verbal Ability – Summary =2
- Verbal Ability – Para jumbles (Odd-sentence out) = 0 Questions
CAT 2022 DILR Question-wise Breakup
There were 20 questions total in the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning part, broken up into 4 sets.
DILR was moderate to challenging to the CAT 2021 level of difficulty. Again, there were 5 non-MCQs_ During the allotted time, only 2 Sets could be managed.
The bar Chart was simple and simply based on DI. The other three required a lot of time. One set had a combination of LR and DI and may be completed
- Set 1: Routes and Terminals connected dotted graph based Q (must do)
- Set 2: Venn Diagram Set (data heavy)
- Set 3: No of Goals scores football based (easy set)
- Set 4: Boys and Girls
CAT 2022 Quantitative Ability Question-wise Breakup
In terms of LODI the QA section of CAT 2022 was as expected comparable to CAT 2019 and CAT 2021. It contained 22 short questions that could be answered in 40 minutes. There were 8 non-MCQs in the section.
- 1 Time Speed distance
- 2Profit and Loss
- 2 Ratios
- 1Numbers
- 1Quadratic
- 3 Questions Modulus
- 1 Greatest Integer Function
- 1 Question distribution of fruits
- 2-3 Geometric similar to what was done in class
- 1 Parallelogram
CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
The majority of candidates stated that the paper pattern had similar number of questions like CAT 2021, the few surprises or highlights of this slot are as follows
Big Surprises in CAT 2022:
- Para Completion is coming back again in CAT which was similar to XAT exam and it had stopped coming in CAT from a really long time, but were easy to score.
- VARC had 4 RCs of which 2 surely were easy to do the one philosophy one was abstract and complex.
- DILR we had 2 sets that were easy. Brownie points for attempting these the other two were complex and left by most students.
- Quants was on the tougher side in Slot 2 as compared to Slot 1 CAT 2022
Section-wise question distribution is:
- CAT 2022 Slot 2 VARC: Total 24 questions
- CAT 2022 slot 2 DILR: Total 20 questions
- CAT 2022 Slot 2 QA: Total 22 questions
The marking criteria remained the same: +3 for correct answers and -1 for answers in MCQs and +3 for the correct answers and there is no negative marking in non-MCQs
- The Second slot of CAT 2022 was a little more challenging
- VARC had a moderate difficulty level comparable to the VARC part from the previous year.
- Due to fewer set options, DILR went to the level and was moderate to challenging In terms of difficulty In terms of LOD 2-3 QA was simple.
| Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme for MCQ Questions |
Marking Scheme for Non- MCQ Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
This section contains 24 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer |
| Section 2 : Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
This section contains 20 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect |
| Section 3 : Quantitative Ability |
This section contains 22 questions |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
| Total |
This section contains 66 questions |
120 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
Overall CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
- Quants is at the tougher side
- VARC is easy to Moderate, 2 RC are easier sir and other 2 are moderate
- LRDI is also easy to Moderate where 2 sets are easier
| Section |
Difficulty Level |
Question Breakout |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quants |
Tougher |
Arithmetic - 8 Algebra - 8 Geometry and Mensuration – 3 to 4 Number System - 2 Permutation combination - 1 |
22 |
| DILR |
Easy to Moderate |
Set 1: Company revenue and profits Set 2: Tabular data of domestic and foreign products Set 3: network diagram Shortest path —— left in option Set 4: Scheduling type of but complex so left |
20 |
| VARC |
Easy to Moderate |
-RC 1 Topic: Music -RC 2 Topic- Engineering technology (easy) -RC 3 Topic: Octopus (easy) -RC 4: philosophy (abstract, tough) |
24 |
CAT 2022 Slot 2 VARC Question-wise Breakup
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections of Slot 2 CAT 2022 is at moderate level of difficulty. In total, 24 questions were to be answered in the allotted 40 minutes.
2 passages were simple to read, 2 passages were challenging, and each had 2 questions that could be answered.
- Reading Comprehension = 16 Questions
- -RC 1 Topic: Music
- -RC 2 Topic- Engineering technology (easy )
- RC 3 Topic: Octopus ( easy )
- -RC 4: Philosophy (abstract, tough)
- Verbal Ability – Para jumbles - 3 Questions
- Verbal Ability – ParaSummary
- Verbal Ability – No Questions of Odd One Out
CAT 2022 Slot 2 DILR Question-wise Breakup
There were 20 questions total in the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning part, broken up into 4 sets.
DILR was moderate to challenging in Slot 2 CAT 2022 level of difficulty. 2 sets of 4 Questions and other 2 sets has 6 Questions.
- Set 1: Company revenue and profits
- Set 2: Tabular data of domestic and foreign products
- Set 3: network diagram Shortest path —— left in option
- Set 4: Scheduling type of but complex so left
CAT 2022 Slot 2 Quantitative Ability Question-wise Breakup:
In terms of level of difficulty, the slot 2 of CAT 2022 is tough. It contained 22 short questions that could be answered in 40 minutes. There were 8 non-MCQs in the section.
- Algebra – (8)
- Geometry (3 – 4)
- Arithmetic (8)
- Numbers (2)
- Modern Maths (PnC 1)
- How many numbers can be made from the given set of digits
CAT 2022 Slot 3 Analysis
Big Surprises in CAT 2022:
- DILR was the toughest as compared to all other sets
- Quants was a complex thing ! Some found easy to moderate some found difficult — it’s more or less based on your preparation too
- VARC was moderate and good for all who’ve been well read ! Critical reasoning based RC questions were a trick area to maximise scores
Section-wise question distribution is:
- CAT 2022 VARC: Total 24 questions
- CAT 2022 DILR: Total 20 questions
- CAT 2022 QA: Total 22 questions
The marking criteria remained the same: +3 for correct answers and -1 for answers in MCQs and +3 for the correct answers and there is no negative marking in non-MCQs
- The Third slot of CAT 2022 was a little more challenging
- VARC had a easy to moderate level comparable to the VARC part from the previous year.
- DILR went to the level and was moderate to challenging In terms of difficulty In terms of LOD 2-3
- QA was moderate or difficult.
| Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme for MCQ Questions |
Marking Scheme for Non- MCQ Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
This section contains 24 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer |
| Section 2 : Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
This section contains 20 questions. |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect |
| Section 3 : Quantitative Ability |
This section contains 22 questions |
40 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
| Total |
This section contains 66 questions |
120 Minutes |
+3 for the correct answer and -1 incorrect answer |
+3 for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer. |
Overall CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
- Quants is at the tougher side
- VCRC is easy to Moderate, 2 RC are easier sir and other 2 are moderate
- LRDI is Moderate to Difficult, where 2 sets are very Tough
| Section |
Difficulty Level |
Question Breakout |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quants |
Easy to Moderate |
|
22 |
| DILR |
Moderate to Difficult |
1. DI Set — bar graph of death calculation (easy) 2. Reasoning city — 5 days COVID cases (moderate) 3. 1 set of Games tournaments (lengthy moderate) 4. Too many variables set of Students and AIML courses which to choose ( tough ) |
20 |
| VARC |
Easy to Moderate |
RC 1 - American migration / urbanization increasing: Social reorganization increasing crime rate RC 2 - Software if more easy humans are not capable to get solutions RC 3 - Indian history RC 4 - Philosophy |
24 |
CAT 2022 Slot 3 VARC question-wise breakup
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections of Slot 3 CAT 2022 is Easy to Moderate. In total, 24 questions were to be answered in the allotted 40 minutes. 2 passages were simple to read, 2 passages were challenging, and each had 2 questions that could be answered.
- Reading Comprehension = 16 Questions
- RC 1 - Social reorganization increasing crime rate
- RC 2 - software if more easy humans are not capable to get solutions)
- RC 3 Indian history
- RC 4 American migration / urbanization increasing
- Verbal Ability – Para jumbles - 3 Questions
- Verbal Ability – paraSummary -1 Question
- Verbal Ability – No Questions of Odd One Out
CAT 2022 Slot 3 DILR Question-wise breakup
There were 20 questions total in the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning part, broken up into 4 sets.
DILR was moderate to challenging in Slot 3 CAT 2022 level of difficulty.
- Set 1: DI Set - bar graph of death calculation (easy)
- Set 2: Reasoning city - 5 days COVID cases (moderate)
- Set 3: 1 set of Games tournaments (lengthy moderate)
- Set 4: Scheduling (complex)
CAT 2022 Quantitative Ability Question-wise breakup
In terms of difficulty level, the CAT 2022 slot 3 was easy to moderate. It contained 22 short questions that could be answered in 40 minutes. There were 8 non-MCQs in the section.
- Arithmetic (6-8)
- Time speed distance (3-4)
- Simple interest ( 1 )
- Average (1)
- Algebra ( 4 )
- Functions ( 1-2 )
- Geometry - ( 2-3 )
Also Read:
- CAT score vs percentile and marks vs percentile
- Understanding CAT normalization process
- CAT 2022 - How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
Sumit Singh Gandhi, CEO Founder CATKing Educare. He completed his MBA from SPJIMR and is a Master of Information Technology from Virginia Tech. He has also pursued SPNM from Havard Business School. Among numerous awards, he's been honoured with Digital Indian of the Year 2016 and Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2015.

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Student Forum
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates who did not appear for the CAT entrance exam can apply St. Xavier's College, Kolkata admissions as it is not a mandatory entrance exam. The candidates who wish to gain admissions into the MBA course of the institute have to appear for the Kolkata University entrance test for St. Xavier's
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
With a 300 SC category rank in CAT, your chances for NIT Trichy MBA are relatively high. Based on 2025 data, NIT Trichy generally shortlists SC candidates with CAT percentiles around 60-65. To achieve a 300 rank under SC category, you would need about a 65-70 percentile, or a score of roughly 60-65
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
PGCET and CAT serve distinct purposes. The PGCET is primarily conducted for MBA admissions in colleges in the state of Karnataka, specifically for government colleges and private universities with lower fees. CAT is a national level exam for top-ranking B-schools and colleges such as the IIMs that h
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
That's a wonderful goal to push your son toward right at the start. To obtain previous CAT model papers, you can check many available popular exam preparation books in any bookstore or online store. Coaching interest such as TIME, IMS, Career Launcher, etc., usually have mock tests and sample papers
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can get admission to Jaypee Business School (JBS), Noida for MBA even if you don't have CAT. JBS accepts scores from several other exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, ATMA, and also CUET-PG. Just make sure you have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks, then apply with any of those va
Answered a month ago
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Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
For candidates pursuing MBA, the eligibility criteria includes merit and entrance based selection. Whereas, for BBA, candidates must qualify Class 12 with a minimum aggregate. JIIT CDOE MBA on the other hand, is offered based on the minimum aggregate of graduation. However, for the final admission,
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Yes, students can get MBA admission into Galgotia University without CAT. The university accepts other national entrance exams for MBA programme. The university accepts entrance exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, SAT, and other. It is mandatory to qualify one of the entrance exams.
K
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, students can get admission in Greater Noida Institute of Technology without CAT. CAT is one of the accepted entrance exams at Greater Noida Institute of Technology. The other accepted entrance exams are MAT, NMAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. If a student's CAT score is not good, worry not other acce
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Contributor-Level 9
Admit Card - 5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25
Sectional cut-off in the CAT exam refers to the section-wise percentiles required by the candidate to make it to the Personal Interview round of the IIMs or other top MBA colleges. The sectional cut-offs are lower than the overall cut-offs of any institute. To understand better, check the table below for sectional CAT cut-offs for IIM Ahmedabad:
Category
VARC percentile
DILR percentile
QA percentile
Overall percentile
General
70
70
70
80
NC-OBC-Transgender
65
65
65
75
SC
60
60
60
70
ST
50
50
50
60
PwD (General, NC-OBC-cum-transgender, SC)
60
60
60
70
PwD (ST)
50
50
50
60
For sectional cut-offs of all IIMs, check this article – IIM shortlist and selection criteria