Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top management schools accept the Common Admission Test (CAT) which is one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive tests. Every year lakhs of people try to get into these top schools but there are only a few spots available. Because of this candidates must fully understand the exam pattern and syllabus. The tentative date for the CAT Exam 2024 is November 24 – 2024. It will continue the tradition of a tough test by judging candidates on three main areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). This guide gives a full picture of the CAT 2024 exam pattern including important dates section-by-section course outline and useful preparation tips to help people plan their studies and do well on their way to the test. It is important to know the specifics of the CAT exam pattern in order to make a good study plan and do well on the actual test.
Table of Contents
- CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Overview
- CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Changes Over the Years
- What is the Section-wise Syllabus for CAT 2024?
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Important Dates
- CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Preparation Tips
- Conclusion
- FAQs
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Overview
The CAT exam analyze candidates’ skills in solving English; math and logical reasoning problems within a given timeframe. To clear the CAT exam candidates should focus on understanding the CAT exam pattern 2024; as it provides clarity regarding the exam’s structure. The exam consists of three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Exam Structure:
- Sections; Total Questions and Time:
- VARC: 24 questions (21 MCQ; 3 TITA); 40 minutes
- DILR: 20 questions (14 MCQ; 6 TITA); 40 minutes
- QA: 22 questions (14 MCQ; 8 TITA); 40 minutes
- Total: 66 questions; 120 minutes
Mode of Exam:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
- Number of answer choices: 4
- Language: English
CAT 2024 Exam Date:
- November 24; 2024 (Tentative)
Eligibility:
- Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
Marking Scheme:
- +3 marks for a correct answer
- -1 mark for an incorrect answer
- No negative marking for TITA questions
Fees:
- INR 2;400 for General category
- INR 1;200 for SC/ST/PwD
Conducting Body:
- IIM Calcutta (Tentative)
Official Website:
- iimcat.ac.in
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Changes Over the Years
Over the years; there have been significant changes to the CAT exam pattern. Most recently; as a result of the pandemic; there were fewer questions and less time. Find the complete history of how the CAT exam has modified over the years:
| Years | Total Questions in CAT | Duration of CAT Exam |
| 2024 | 66 (Tentative) | 2 hrs (120 min.) |
| 2021-2023 | 66 | 2 hrs (120 min.) |
| 2020 | 76 | 2 hrs (120 min.) |
| 2015-2019 | 100 | 3 hrs (180 min.) |
| 2014 | 100 | 2 hrs 50 min. (170 min.) |
| 2011-2013 | 60 | 2 hrs 20 min. (140 min.) |
| 2010 | 60 | 2 hrs 30 min. (150 min.) |
What is the Section-wise Syllabus for CAT 2024?
The IIMs do not provide an official syllabus for the CAT exam. Aspiring candidates should refer to other resources for the CAT exam syllabus. Below is a syllabus structure for CAT 2024:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Reading comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Para Summary
- Odd sentence out
- Inferences
- One-word substitution
- Syllogism and Analogies
- Verbal logic
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Charts
- Caselets
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Directions
- Clocks and calendars
- Tables
- Graphs
- Logical Sequence
- Matching/Puzzles
- Number and Letter Series
- Seating Arrangement
- Venn Diagrams
- Coding-Decoding
- Binary Logic
Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- Probability
- Number System
- Percentages
- Profit & Loss
- Simple Interest-Compound Interest
- Time & Distance
- Averages-Mixtures-Alligations
- Mensuration
- Logarithms
- Functions & Graphs
- Indices & Surds
- Quadratic Equations
- Special Equations
- Statistics
- Geometry
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Important Dates
Candidates can find below the important dates for the CAT 2024 exam:
| Events | Important Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT 2024 Notification | Last week of July 2024 |
| Registration Start Date | First week of August 2024 |
| Last Date of Registration | First week of September 2024 |
| Exam Date | November 24; 2024 |
| Result Date | First week of January 2025 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Preparation Tips
Considering the competitive nature of the CAT exam; the following tips will help CAT aspirants create a strategy for the upcoming CAT 2024 exam:
- Develop a Study Plan: Divide the CAT syllabus into small portions and plan how you will study each one in the time you have available.
- Prioritize Mock Tests: Make practice tests a regular part of your schedule. Use the free CAT practice tests available to get ready for the real test.
Finally; the Conclusion
Knowing how the CAT exam is set up is very important for the CAT 2024 exam. Aspirants must fully comprehend the exam format in order to do well. For CAT preparation; candidates should make a real exam environment that will help them figure out their strengths and weaknesses.
FAQs
Describe BLACKI.
BLACKI stands for IIM Indore; Chennai; Bangalore; Lucknow; Ahmedabad and Calcutta.
A student can take the CAT test how many times?
No age limit or limit on the number of times you can take the CAT exam.
How do you figure out CAT scores and how do you go about finding percentiles?
There is a scaled score method used to figure out CAT scores. You can figure out a candidate’s percentile by looking at their raw scores; how hard the test was and how other people did on it. The percentile shows what percentage of candidates got a score a certain level or lower.
