CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Section-Wise Marking Scheme & More

Preparing for the CAT Exam 2024? Welcome to your go-to guide for understanding the exam pattern! The CAT isn’t just a test; it’s a journey where your skills are spotlighted.

The CAT exam for 2024 is expected to take place tentatively on the last Sunday of November, specifically on November 24, 2024. The official notification for CAT 2024 will be released in the final week of July 2024. 

In this guide, we break down the CAT Exam Pattern for 2024. We’ll discuss each section and how marking works and give tips for tackling the challenges. Whether you’re dealing with numbers in Quantitative Aptitude, working through language in Verbal Ability, or decoding patterns in Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation – we’ve got you covered.

Think of this guide as your roadmap, helping you navigate the CAT Exam successfully. Let’s dive in, unravel the sections, and make your CAT journey less mysterious!

CAT Exam Pattern 2024

CAT Exam Pattern
CAT Exam 2021 Highlights Details
Exam Mode Computer Based Test (CBT)
Exam Duration 120 minutes- (40 minutes for each section)
Type of Question Multiple choice type and subjective type
No. of Questions 66
Marking Scheme 3 marks will be awarded for each correct answer
Negative Marking 1 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer
Total Marks 198
Section Names
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
  • Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Section Wise Weightage of Question

Section-Wise Weightage of Question

Expected Section-wise CAT 2024 exam paper pattern details are tabulated below.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024  No. of Questions CAT Exam Pattern 2024 – MCQs TITA Questions CAT Exam Marks Pattern Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 21 3 72 40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 20 14 6 60 40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA) 22 14 8 66 40 min
Total 66 49 17 198 120 (2 hours)

The CAT Exam comprised three sessions in the previous year, each lasting two hours: morning (8:30 – 10:30 am), afternoon (12:30 – 2:30 pm), and evening (4:30 – 6:30 pm).

Details regarding the CAT exam duration and pattern are presented in the table above.

Noted for its elevated difficulty level, the examination necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus and adept problem-solving skills.

In the preceding year, the CAT Exam comprised three sessions, each lasting two hours: morning (8:30 – 10:30 am), afternoon (12:30 – 2:30 pm), and evening (4:30 – 6:30 pm).

Details regarding the CAT exam duration and pattern are presented in the table above.

Noted for its elevated difficulty level, the examination necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus and adept problem-solving skills.

CAT 2024 Quantitative Aptitude Exam Pattern

The Quantitative Aptitude segment of the CAT exam features exclusively numerical-based questions spanning various mathematical concepts.

Anticipated for this year is 26 questions in the Quantitative Aptitude section.

The detailed pattern for the quantitative aptitude section encompasses the following five fundamental topics:

  1. Basic Arithmetic
  2. Algebra
  3. Number System
  4. Geometry & Mensuration
  5. Modern Maths

The Quantitative Aptitude section last year comprised 22 questions, including 8 TITA (Type In The Answer) questions. The table below shows the number of questions per slot, categorized under the four primary areas of QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and Number Theory.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Section

The CAT VARC section evaluates your English language proficiency and ability to comprehend and interpret passages effectively. This year’s CAT exam will feature 26 questions from the VA-RC section, with eight questions in the Verbal Ability section.

The CAT 2024 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension includes Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction and Completion, and Summary-Based questions.

Reading comprehension passages and verbal ability questions are distinct categories within this section. Last year, VARC comprised four passages totaling 16 questions, including Para Summary, Para Jumble, and Missing Sentence, with 3 TITA questions out of 24.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Section

The Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (DILR) section assesses your data analysis and logical reasoning skills. This section is expected to have 22–24 questions.

This section’s CAT MBA entrance exam pattern includes various topics, such as:

  • Percentages
  • Profit & Loss
  • Simple Interest-Compound Interest 
  • Time & Distance
  • Averages-Mixtures-Alligations
  • Numbers
  • Mensuration
  • Logarithms
  • Functions & Graphs
  • Indices & Surds
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Special Equations
  • Statistics

The previous year, DILR consisted of four sets with five questions each, totaling 20, including 6 TITA questions. The sets were based on diverse topics like Routes and networks, Venn Diagrams, Mathematical Reasoning, and more.

Slots/Sets 

Set 1  Set 2  Set 3  Set 4 

Slot 1 

Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Mathematical Reasoning  Games & Tournaments 
Slot 2  Routes & Networks  Venn Diagram  Tables & Graphs 

Selection & Distribution 

Slot 3  Tables & Graphs  Arrangements  Tables & Graphs 

Rank & Ordering 

CAT Marking Scheme and Weightage 2024

Understanding the CAT marking scheme is crucial before attempting the test. The CAT 2024 exam is anticipated to have a total score of 198, with each question carrying three marks (+3). Negative marking applies, with a deduction of one mark for each incorrect response (-1). However, there is no negative marking for TITA questions.

No points will be deducted if a candidate chooses not to attempt a question. Some questions in each section may not be multiple-choice, requiring candidates to provide written responses.

The CAT exam 2024 marks pattern summary in the table:

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 – Sections

Number of Questions Marks Per Question CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)

VARC

24 3 -1

DILR

20 3

-1

Quantitative Aptitude 22 3

-1

Total  66 198

Conclusion

To clear the CAT exam, you must know the CAT exam pattern in detail. After a very long time, changes were made in the exam pattern and marking scheme. The number of questions and the time duration have been reduced.

In this post, we explained everything about the CAT exam pattern 2024 in detail.

All the best for your exam!

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FAQs for CAT Exam Pattern 2024

1. What is the CAT exam pattern for 2024?

The CAT exam for 2024 will consist of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

2. How many questions will be there in each section?

VARC and DILR sections are expected to have around 26 questions each, while the QA section may have around 24 questions, totaling approximately 76.

3. What is the marking scheme for CAT 2024?

Each correct answer typically carries 3 marks. However, some non-MCQs (Type in the Answer) might have a different marking scheme.

4. Is there negative marking in CAT 2024?

Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. Typically, 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect response. However, there is no negative marking for non-MCQs.

5. How much time will be allocated for each section?

Candidates will typically have 40 minutes for each section, resulting in a total exam duration of 120 minutes (2 hours).

6. Can I switch between sections during the exam?

No, candidates are generally not allowed to switch between sections. They must attempt each section in the order provided.

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