Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
The CAT 2024 slot 1 exam concluded at 10:30 AM, on November 24. Shiksha contacted the test takers to learn about the difficulty of the CAT slot 1 exam, as well as memory-based questions and answers. Check CAT 2024 slot 1 exam analysis here.
CAT Slot 1 Answer Key PDF, Memory Based Questions and Exam Analysis
CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF has been released officially inside the login dashboard along with the CAT response sheet. IIM Calcutta conducted the first slot of CAT 2024 today from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The official CAT 2024 answer key has also been released. However, candidates can find the unofficial CAT answer key for Slot 1 based on the analysis by several coaching institutes. Using the CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key PDF, candidates can calculate their probable score by analysing their performance.
Also Check:
Besides the CAT answer key PDF, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the first slot of CAT exam, including the memory-based questions, expected CAT cutoff, number of good attempts, and overall exam review. Scroll down for complete details on CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key and question paper analysis.
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.
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
| Check Slot Wise CAT Answer Key, Memory-Based Questions and Exam Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key PDF and Question Paper Analysis | CAT 2024 Slot 3 Answer Key PDF and Question Paper Analysis |
The space below will host the direct link to CAT Slot 1 answer key PDF:
Direct link to be updated soon
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NOTE: IIMs do not release CAT question paper and answer keys in PDF format. Candidates find the CAT answer key, question paper and response sheet in their respective login dashboards.
Several coaching institutes release CAT unofficial answer keys based on the memory based questions available. Candidates can download the CAT 2024 slot 1 answer key PDF from here. The accuracy and reliability of these unofficial answer keys are generally high. However, waiting for the official CAT 2024 answer key is advisable.
Also Check:
CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Download (Slot 1, 2 and 3)
CAT 2024 memory-based questions for slot 1 are compiled based on inputs from students. These questions provide insights into the types of questions asked in the exam. Additionally, these can help candidates evaluate their performance for upcoming exam shifts.
The key change in CAT question paper 2024 was increase in number of questions in DLIR section. Till 2023, the DILR section used to have 20 questions. In 2024, it had 22 questions. The time limit for it was the same and no other section had less questions. Which means, in CAT 2024, candidates had to attempt 68 questions instead of 66 to solve in the same time (120 minutes). DILR sectional time limit was 40 minutes as in previous years. There was no other change in CAT 2024, the difficulty level was same as previous years.
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.
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.
Four RCs (on the following topics:
CAT Slot 1 QA Questions: Correct Answer: -2/3
Also Check: How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
Check the CAT question paper analysis for the first slot:
The table below mentions the direct links to CAT exam analysis by experts.
| CAT Analysis 2024 | CAT 2024 Exam Analysis by Experts |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Analysis by CATKing | Check Here |
| CAT 2024 Analysis by IMS | Check Here |
| CAT 2024 Analysis by Career Launcher and TIME | Check Here |
Typically, the CAT exam is considered difficult if compared with other MBA entrance exams. The difficulty standards were at par with previous exam sessions. Candidates found the CAT exam difficulty in line with the CAT mock tests. The table below mentions the CAT slot 1 section-wise difficulty level:
| CAT 2024 Sections |
Total Questions |
CAT Exam Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
Moderate to tough |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
Easy to moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
Easy to moderate |
| Overall |
68 |
Easy to moderate |
Also Read: Which Section has Highest Weightage in CAT?
The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the VARC section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:
| CAT Slot 1 VARC Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
16 |
| Verbal Ability - Para jumbles |
0 |
| Verbal Ability - Summary |
3 |
| Verbal Ability - Sentence completion |
3 |
| Verbal Ability- Odd one out |
2 |
The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the DILR section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:
| CAT Slot 1 DILR Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| LR | 2 sets (5 questions each) |
| DI | 3 sets (4 questions each) |
The table below mentions the CAT section wise weightage for topics that were covered in the QA section of the CAT Slot 1 exam:
| CAT Slot 1 QA Topics |
No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
|---|---|
| Number System |
2 |
| Algebra |
7-8 |
| Arithmetic |
8-9 |
| Modern Maths |
1 |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
2-3 |
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Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA at ISMR Pune. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with a score in CMAT, MAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc. can also get admission. Candidates selected based on their entrance exam scores also need to pass the personal interview round for admission
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at Chhatrapati Shahu Institute of Business Education and Research. The institute accepts other national/ state level management entrance exams too. The names of the accepted entrance examinations are: XAT/ MAT/ ATMA/ MAH MBA CET.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at GLA University, Mathura. The university also considers scores from other management entrance exam and one university level entrance exam too. The names of the other accepted entrance exams are: MAT/ XAT/ UPSEE.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT scores are not important for enrollment into Masters of Business Administration course at Chitkara University. Because CAT is not the only scores which are considered by the university, it also accepts the scores of MAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ CMAT.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Minimum qualifying cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 95 percentile whereas for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, it is 85. However final cut offs for these three top IIMs are between 99 to 100 percentile.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
GIBS is pretty flexible when it comes to entrance exams. They accept almost all the common management tests — CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, State CET, and even GMAT. In my batch itself, we had students who came through different exams, not just CAT.
Honestly, that's one thing I liked about GIBS — they d
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can join Adarsh Institute of Management and Information Technology without appearing for CAT. This is because, the institute also accepts other tests. The accepted exams include CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ KMAT/ PGCET/ GMAT. Hence, if you have appeared for any of these, you can still apply.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, Myra School of Business does offer CAT scores based Scholarships upto INR 1.5 lakh. In recognition of outstanding performance in CAT, MSB awards special scholarships as follows:
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
LISAA School of Design, Bangalore BDes admission is done based on performance in the in-house entrance test. LISAA CAT is conducted at the LISAA centres. Candidates need to connect with the admission team to set up a time slot. Besides, it is important that the eligibility criteria is fulfilled.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can absolutely get admission into the MBA programme without clearing CAT or MAT, because the university follows a flexible admission pathway that allows students to apply through its own entrance exam called CUCET. This exam acts as the primary route for MBA admissions, and it is designed t
s
Beginner-Level 4
