The official CAT Exam Pattern 2024 has been released alongside the notification. The exam consists of three core sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Discover the latest marking scheme, question types, total exam duration, and marks distribution here.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prestigious national-level management aptitude test conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their esteemed postgraduate and doctoral programs. With over 2.5 lakh aspirants participating each year, understanding the CAT exam pattern is essential for a strategic preparation plan. The structure is specifically designed to evaluate a candidate's mathematical accuracy and logical reasoning efficiency under strict time constraints.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
Candidates gearing up for the CAT Exam 2024 must have a firm grasp of the exam structure, qualifying criteria, and marking scheme. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the exam pattern, the types of questions asked, and critical insights for test day. Securing a high score in CAT opens doors to over 1,200 premier B-schools across India, in addition to the IIMs.
The CAT 2024 exam is scheduled for 24th November 2024 in a computer-based format. The test comprises 66 questions, totaling 198 marks. The paper features both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs. Candidates will have a total of 120 minutes, with a strictly allotted time of 40 minutes per section.
The CAT 2024 examination is divided into the following three distinct sections:
- Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
| Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| LRDI | 20 | 60 | 40 minutes |
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 198 | 120 minutes |
Types of Questions in the CAT Exam
The CAT exam encompasses three primary sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam utilizes both MCQs and non-MCQ (Type-in-the-Answer or TITA) formats. Detailed section-wise distribution and marking weightages are outlined below.
| CAT Section | Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 66 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 24 | 72 |
| Total | 66 | 198 |
CAT Exam 2024 Marking Scheme
For the CAT Exam 2024, the majority of the 66 questions follow an MCQ format. Each correct answer earns the candidate 3 marks, while an incorrect response incurs a penalty of 1 mark under the negative marking policy.
| VARC | 24 | 03 | -1 |
| DILR | 20 | 03 | -1 |
| QA | 22 | 03 | -1 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024- FAQs
Q1. What are Non-MCQs in CAT exam?
Introduced by IIM Ahmedabad in 2015, Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) or non-MCQ questions have become a standard component of the CAT exam. These questions require candidates to key in the exact answer rather than selecting an option, and there will be a specific allocation of these questions in the CAT 2024 paper.
Q2. What is the time duration for CAT Exam 2024?
The total time duration for the CAT Exam 2024 is 120 minutes.
Q3. What is the marking scheme CAT Exam 2024?
In CAT 2024, every correct response is awarded 3 marks, while 1 mark is deducted from the total score for every incorrect attempt.
Q4. How many questions will be asked in CAT Exam 2024?
The CAT Exam 2024 question paper consists of a total of 66 questions.
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