The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to India’s premier management institutes, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and for many other colleges in India. It’s a highly competitive computer-based test that assesses your aptitude for pursuing a rigorous MBA program. To prepare yourself for this crucial exam effectively, understanding the sections, question types, and scoring system is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CAT 2024, required knowledge to approach the exam with confidence.
CAT 2024 Overview:
The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta and they define the exam pattern.
| CAT 2024 Exam Pattern Highlights | |
| Total number of questions | 66 |
| Total duration | 120 mins |
| No of sections | 3 |
| Sections | o Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 questions)
o Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (20 questions) o Quantitative Ability (22 questions) |
| Sectional Duration | 40 mins each |
| Question types | ‘Multiple choice questions’ & ‘Type in the answer’(TITA) |
| Scoring pattern | MCQs Questions: +3 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect answers, 0 for unattempt ones.
TITA Questions: No negative marking. +3 for correct answer. 0 for unattempt ones.
|
| Total marks | 66 questions @ 3 marks each = 198 |
The Three Pillars of the CAT 2024:
The CAT is structured into three distinct sections, each testing a different set of skills crucial for success in business management.
| Sections | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| Quantitative Ability | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 49 | 17 | 66 |
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section evaluates your proficiency in the English language. It has various question types, as follows:
- Reading Comprehension: Out of 24 questions, about 50% of the questions would be RCs. Length of the passages in the CAT exam would be about 600 words followed by questions that test your ability to understand, analyze, and infer information from the text.
- Verbal Reasoning: Questions that assess your vocabulary, grammar, and critical reasoning skills. Examples include synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, para-summary, etc.
- Para Jumbles: You’ll be given about 4-5 jumbled paragraphs and need to arrange them in a logical sequence to form a coherent passage.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section is to test your analytical and problem-solving abilities. It primarily focuses on interpreting data presented in various formats like charts, graphs, tables, and Venn diagrams. You’ll encounter questions like:
- Data Sufficiency: Analyze the given statements to determine if the information is sufficient to answer a specific question.
- Logical Reasoning: Questions related to Blood relations, Syllogism, Seating Arrangements, etc.
- Data Analysis: Extract insights and solve problems based on the information presented in various data formats such as, tables, graphs, caselets, etc.
- Quantitative Ability (QA): This section tests your mathematical skills and problem-solving ability. The questions range from basic mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry) to more advanced concepts like statistics and probability. Common question types include:
- Number Properties: Questions involving calculations, estimations, and manipulations of numbers, Percentages, Ratios, Mixtures, Profit and Loss, Simple interest and compound interest, Time and Distance, etc
- Algebra: Solving equations, inequalities, quadratic equations, functions graphs and word problems using algebraic concepts.
- Geometry: Applying geometric principles to solve problems related to shapes, areas, volumes, mensuration, etc.
- Modern Math: Questions involving concepts of probability, permutations and combinations, and sets.
CAT 2024 Scoring System:
The CAT follows a scaled scoring system. Raw scores in each section are converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 100.
On the CAT score report, the following scores are published:
- Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Scaled score and Percentile
- Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Scaled score and Percentile
- Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) Scaled score and Percentile
- Composite Score comprising all the three sections – Scaled score and Percentile
There’s a sectional cut-off for each section, and a composite cut-off based on the overall scaled score. To qualify for the next stage of the admissions process at IIMs, you need to clear both the sectional and composite cut-offs. The specific cut-offs vary each year depending on the difficulty level of the exam and the overall performance of the test-takers.
Conclusion:
Understanding the exam pattern and scoring system of the CAT is the first step towards conquering this crucial exam. By familiarizing yourself with the different sections, question types, and the importance of time management, you can develop a strategic approach to tackle the CAT with confidence. Remember, consistent practice with mock tests and a focus on building core skills are essential for success.