Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years
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There is no change in the CAT 2024 exam pattern. The exam pattern was last revised in 2020. There has been no major change in the CAT exam since then. Check the evolution of CAT exam pattern in the last 10-12 years.
CAT exam pattern was revised majorly in 2020. The total time duration of the exam was reduced from 180 to 120 minutes and the sectional time-limit was reduced from 60 to 40 minutes for each sections. The number of exam slots were increased from two to three. Along with the reduction in CAT exam duration, the total number of questions were also reduced. The CAT 2020 question paper had only 76 questions in total. However, structure of the exam remained the same with three sections - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. In CAT 2021 the exam pattern was further modified with reduction in the number of questions from 76 to 66. Since then, there has been no change CAT exam pattern.
- CAT Exam Pattern 2024
- Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern
- CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years
- Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 11 Years
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
Given below is latest CAT exam pattern. Candidates who have appeared for the exam in last three years, feel that the number of questions per section and sectional time limit complemented each other.
| CAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|
| 24 |
40 minutes |
|
| 20 |
40 minutes |
|
| 22 |
40 minutes |
|
| Total |
66 |
120 minutes |
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.
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 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, there are 20 questions in the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section and the total sectional marks is 60 out of 198. In CAT 2020, there were 24 question on DILR and the sectional marks were 72. In CAT 2021 and CAT 2022, there were 20 questions and the sectional marks were 60. The 20 questions are equally divided into both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. That means, Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning have 10 questions each. The questions are mostly in sets. There’s rarely any standalone question in DILR.
Some of the top MBA entrance exams carrying a high weightage of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions are MAH CET, ATMA, CAT, CMAT, XAT IIFT, to name a few.
Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT exam pattern broadly remained unchanged from 2014 to 2019. There was no major change in the exam pattern and test structure, apart from a few changes in the distribution of questions and types of questions. For example; in CAT 2018 the Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) were less in number than MCQs which required selection of an option. In CAT 2019, the number of TITA questions were less than in 2018. But the VARC section was tougher than rest of the two section in both slot 1 and slot 2.
However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the examination body had to overhaul the CAT exam pattern to accomodate maximum candidates at the limited number of examination centres as per the social distancing guidelines. Let's take a look at changes in CAT exam pattern in the past few years.
CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years
In the last six years, the marking scheme of CAT exam has also not changed.
- For every correct answer, 3 marks are awarded
- For every wrong answer -1 mark is deducted
- There is no deduction of marks for TITA questions and questions left unattempted
However, looking at the trends of the past 11 years of the CAT exam pattern one cannot fail but notice that the test structure of the CAT exam witnessed a huge change in 2013-2014 in terms of duration and number of questions. While in CAT 2013, the number of questions was 60 and the time duration was 140 minutes, in CAT 2014, the number of questions increased to 100 and the time duration was increased to 170 minutes.
On the other hand, the number of sections kept changing from three to two to three again between 2010 and 2015. Between 2011 to 2014, the number of sections were two. The DI section of CAT exam was clubbed with QA and LR section was clubbed with VARC. Given below is a table indicating changes in CAT exam pattern over the years.
Commonly asked questions
There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.
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Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 11 Years
The CAT question paper and exam pattern has evolved a lot since it became an online exam in 2009. Check the table below to know the changes in number of questions, exam duration and sections of CAT exam:
| CAT Year |
Number of questions |
Time duration |
Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2022 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2021 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2020 |
76 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2019 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2018 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2017 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2016 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2015 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2014 |
100 |
170 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2013 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2012 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2011 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2010 |
60 |
150 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
Also Read:
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper Analysis of Previous Years
If you are planning to appear for CAT 2024, study the CAT syllabus and solve previous years' CAT question papers for effective exam preparation. Also, practice a good number of CAT mock tests. Shiksha has created free CAT Mock Tests for practice. Check below:
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Shri Vaishnav Institute of Management & Science MBA without CAT. That is because the institute accepts CMAT scores instead. Admissions to the programme are through CMAT + counselling basis. CAT is not required.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
No, CAT exam is not strictly required to take admission in MBA at Babu Banarsi Das Institute of Technology. Candidates may submit scores from CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, or GMAT for MBA admissions.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, according to the GITAM School of Management MBA cutoff 2025 via the CAT entrance examination, you could get into this institute if you belong to the General AI category.
The aforementioned category had an estimated qualifying percentile of 70 in 2025. Admission for this category candidates may
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The Global Institute of Business Studies delivers consistent training for aspiring business professionals to prepare them for interviews and the workplace via a number of organized programs and other forms of practical experience.
A CPMP (Finishing School) prepares students with the following:
- Resum
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, admissions in MBA at AIM-Assam are possible without CAT. The institute accepts other exams like CMAT/MAT/XAT and ATMA. Students can appear for entrance and fill the application form on official website. The university selects students on the basis of merit. Selected students have to appear for
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Business schools with campus in Bangalore GIBS Bangalore accepts a wide range of entrance exams for its AICTE-approved PGDM programme (MBA equivalent), prioritizing accessibility for diverse candidates over elite CAT toppers alone. This flexible policy suits your MAT 522 score, enabling shortlisting
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
KMAT, and Karnataka PGCET are the accepted entrance examinations at Jyoti Nivas College. Students who wish to get admissions must clear all the entrance examinations for admissions.
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The Global Institute of Business Studies has set a moderate cut-off for its CAT exam, far lower than those of the premier IIMs.
Expected CAT Cutoffs
- Minimum Requirement - Approximately 60 Percentile
- Safe Range - Approximately 60 to 65 Percentiles
- Good Chance of Admission - Approximately 65 to 70 or grea
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School situated in Bangalore acknowledges CAT, MAT, and XAT as authorized admission tests for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Approved Admission Exams
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
Additionally to these Three Tests, GI
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Jaipuria Institute of Management can get admission in PGDM programme without CAT scores. CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission. However, aspirants with MAT, XAT or CMAT scores can also get admission in PGDM provided they also meet the eligibility criteria.
N
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