The exam analysis is a systematic breakdown of the question paper so you can understand its dynamics. We will analyze the exam paper, assessing its difficulty level, marks distribution, weightage asserted by each topic, and others.
In this article, we have discussed the 2024 exam analysis in detail with our experts analyzing the paper so you can have insight and give that desired edge to your preparation.
The difficulty level and the other parameters are established through a consensus from the aspirants who appeared for the 2024 exam, for you to have an idea of what might this year’s paper look like.
Before we begin let us check the generic pattern of the 2024 question for you to have a framework while you are analyzing the patterns.
| CAT Exam Sections | Number of Questions | Weightage |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2024
The CAT 2024 Exam Pattern remained unchanged and followed the paths of CAT 2023, with 66 questions like the previous year. However, there were changes in the composition of MCQs and Non-MCQs within each section.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis
| Sections | Number of questions | Difficulty level |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | Difficult to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | Difficult to Moderate |
| Total | 68 | Difficult to Moderate |
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Analysis
| Sections | Number of questions | Difficulty level |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | Easy to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 68 | Difficult to Moderate |
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Analysis
| Sections | Number of questions | Difficulty level |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | Difficult to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 68 | Easy to Moderate |
CAT 2024 Cut-Offs (Expected)
| IIMs | CAT cut offs 2024 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
| IIM Indore | 97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
| IIM Amritsar | 95-96 |
| IIM Nagpur | 95-96 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95-96 |
| IIM Trichy | 94-95 |
| IIM Raipur | 94-95 |
| IIM Ranchi | 94-95 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94-95 |
| IIM Vizag | 92-94 |
| IIM Rohtak | 92-94 |
| IIM Udaipur | 92-94 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 92-94 |
| IIM Shillong | 90 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 90 |
| IIM Jammu | 90 |
| IIM Mumbai | 90 |
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Exam Analysis
Slot-1 of the CAT 2023 exam:
- Exam Timing: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Total Questions: 66 questions in total.
- MCQs: There were 47 Multiple Choice Questions.
- Non-MCQs: 19 questions were Non-Multiple Choice Questions.
- Marks: +3 marks for each correct answer.
- Negative Marking (MCQs): -1 mark for each wrong answer.
- Negative Marking (TITA): No negative marking for Type-In-The-Answer questions.
- Difficulty Level: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) was moderate, while Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA) were difficult.
- Overall Difficulty: The overall difficulty level of the exam was considered difficult.
- VARC had 4 RC passages and Verbal Ability questions.
- DILR had 4 sets rated difficult.
- Algebra and Arithmetic dominate QA, rated a bit more difficult.
| Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | TITA |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 20 | 4 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 15 | 7 |
| Total | 66 | 47 | 19 |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Exam Analysis
The afternoon slot of the exam was difficult than 2022 and comprised of the below details.
- Exam Timing: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
- Marks: +3 marks for each correct answer.
- Negative Marking (MCQs): -1 mark for each wrong answer.
- Negative Marking (TITA): No negative marking for Type-In-The-Answer questions.
- Difficulty Level: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) was moderate, while Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA) were difficult.
- Overall Difficulty: VARC Moderate, DILR & Quant Difficult
- VARC had easy to moderate RC passages.
- DILR followed the same pattern with a medium to difficult level.
- QA was tougher, with a focus on Algebra.
| Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | TITA |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 20 | 4 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 66 | 47 | 19 |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Exam Analysis
- Exam Timing: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Marks: +3 marks for each correct answer.
- Negative Marking (MCQs): -1 mark for each wrong answer.
- Negative Marking (TITA): No negative marking for Type-In-The-Answer questions.
- VARC lacked direct Grammar or Vocabulary questions.
- DILR was the toughest for the Slot 3 paper.
- QA was more challenging, dominated by Arithmetic as compared to Slot 1, and lacked modern math. Some questions were tricky.
The weightage of the third slot is as follows.
| Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | TITA |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 20 | 4 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| Quantitative Ability | 26 | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 66 | 47 | 19 |
CAT Analysis – Question Paper Pattern
| Year | Conducting Institute | Exam Duration | Sections | Exam Date(s) |
| CAT 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | 120 minutes | 3 Sections: 1. Quantitative Ability 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 3. Verbal and Reading Comprehension |
November 28, 2021 |
| CAT 2022 | IIM Bangalore | 120 minutes | 3 Sections: 1. Quantitative Ability 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 3. Verbal and Reading Comprehension |
November 27, 2022 |
| CAT 2023 | IIM Lucknow | 120 minutes | 3 Sections: 1. Quantitative Ability 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 3. Verbal and Reading Comprehension |
November 26, 2023 |
| CAT 2024 | IIM Calcutta | 120 minutes | 3 Sections: 1. Quantitative Ability 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 3. Verbal and Reading Comprehension |
November 24, 2024 |
Conclusion
The concept of analyzing an exam is directly connected to making the exam a bit more accessible to future aspirants. The syllabus is huge in itself, and the vastness can only be conquered through a detailed study of the patterns and the weightage history of the questions.
It acts as a quick reference guide for your preparation and helps you channel your labor and effort in the most judicial way possible.
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