CAT 2024 : Exam Pattern

The IIMs responsible for the CAT exam define its format each year, and for 2024, the CAT exam will follow a familiar pattern. This year’s CAT will consist of 66 questions to be completed within 120 minutes, with each section assigned a strict 40-minute limit.

IIM Calcutta released the official CAT exam pattern on July 29, 2024, along with the notification. Candidates are encouraged to review the updated pattern to optimize their study approach and preparation.

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Highlights of the CAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The CAT exam is designed to assess your speed and accuracy. Here’s a quick overview of the exam pattern as per the official notification:

Feature	Details
Exam Duration	120 minutes
Number of Questions	66
Sections	3 – VARC, DILR, QA
Question Types	MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer)
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, no negative marking for TITA

Detailed Breakdown of the CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The CAT exam will be managed by IIM Calcutta, and it is expected that a mock test will be released before the exam date to help candidates get comfortable with the structure. Here’s a breakdown of the number of questions per section and their type:

Section	TITA Questions	MCQs	Total Questions
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	6	14	20
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	3	21	24
Quantitative Ability (QA)	8	14	22
Total	17	49	66

CAT 2024 Marking Scheme

The CAT exam is scored out of 198 marks, with each question worth 3 marks. A negative marking of -1 is applied to incorrect MCQ answers, while TITA questions carry no penalty for wrong answers. Knowing the marking scheme helps you to determine which questions to focus on.

Section	Number of Questions	Marks Per Question	Negative Marking for MCQs
DILR	20	3	-1
VARC	24	3	-1
Quantitative Aptitude	22	3	-1
Total	66	198	–

CAT Exam 2024: Time Allotment

The time for each section is set, and once it’s over, the screen will automatically move to the next section. Candidates should practice time management to make the most of their preparation.

Section	No. of Questions	Time Limit (General)	Time Limit (PwD)
DILR	20	40 minutes	53 minutes, 20 seconds
VARC	24	40 minutes	53 minutes, 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude	22	40 minutes	53 minutes, 20 seconds
Total	66	120 minutes	160 minutes

Conclusion

Preparing for CAT requires an understanding of the exam pattern and structure, enabling you to plan a targeted and effective study approach. With the right preparation and focus, you’ll be ready to perform well on exam day.