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CAT Exam Pattern 2022: To get an understanding of CAT question paper pattern and design a well-planned preparation plan, it is essential to know the latest CAT exam pattern. CAT Exam Pattern 2022 comprises three sections- VARC, DILR, and QA. CAT 2022 is a two-hour exam with a 40 minutes sectional time limit of attempting each section. As per the lastest CAT Exam Pattern, section-wise distribution of questions is tabulated below:
| CAT Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 |
CAT 2022 is being conducted in computer-based mode on Nov 27 in 3 slots. CAT Exam pattern has both MCQs and TITA questions. MCQs account for about 75% weightage in the question paper. As per CAT marking scheme, 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer. CAT negative marking of 33.33% is applicable only to the MCQs. To get a better idea of CAT exam pattern and difficulty, download and solve previous years’ CAT question papers.
Before 2020, CAT exam consisted of 100 questions to be done in 3 hours. In 2020, CAT exam pattern was revised; the number of questions was reduced to 76 and the time to 2 hours. In 2021, IIM Ahmedabad again reduced the number of questions to 66 with no change in the exam duration. Check CAT Score Vs Percentile
In recent years, some topics of CAT Syllabus have gained more prominence and candidates must prepare accordingly. Topics of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, puzzles, para jumbles, para summary, and reading comprehension hold more weightage in CAT exam syllabus. Check CAT Exam Analysis
Read the article for complete details on CAT exam pattern and syllabus, total marks, and negative markings. Candidates can also download the previous years’ question papers (2021-1990) for practice.
CAT Exam Pattern 2022
No changes have been announced yet in CAT Exam Pattern 2022. Changes, if any, will be notified by IIM Bangalore. The question paper is going to have 3 sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude- 22 questions worth a total of 66 marks from different disciplines of mathematics.
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- Total of 24 questions worth 72 marks. RC to have high weightage in the VARC section.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning- 20 questions worth 60 marks from CAT DILR will be asked in CAT 2022. This section is expected to be the toughest.
| CAT Exam Pattern 2022 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Details |
| CAT Exam Mode | Online |
| CAT Exam Time Duration | 120 Minutes |
| CAT Exam Type of Questions | Objective (MCQ Based) and Subjective (TITA-type) |
| CAT Exam Sections | Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | |
| How many questions in CAT exam 2022? | 66 |
| CAT Total Marks 2022 | 198 |
| CAT Exam Marking Scheme | +3 Marks for every correct answer |
| CAT Negative Marking | No Negative Marking for TITA questions |
| -1 marks for every wrong MCQs | |
| Language Medium of CAT Question Paper | English |
CAT Exam Pattern for VARC: Number of Questions and Weightage
The questions in verbal ability section are asked from para jumbles, sentence correction and completion, and summary-based questions. Check CAT VARC Syllabus and Study Notes
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions in VARC | 24 |
| Total Marks in VARC | 72 |
| Number of MCQs | 19 |
| Number of TITA questions | 5 |
| Weightage in CAT Question Paper | 37% |
CAT Exam Pattern for DILR: Number of Questions and Weightage
As per CAT pattern for DILR, this section comprises 4 sets of questions- 2 sets with 4 questions each and 2 sets with 6 questions each. Check CAT DILR Syllabus and Study Notes
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions in DILR | 20 |
| Total Marks in DILR | 60 |
| Number of MCQs | 15 |
| Number of TITA Questions | 5 |
| Weightage in CAT Question Paper | 30% |
CAT Exam Pattern for QA: Number of Questions and Weightage
The quantitative aptitude section of CAT pattern consists of 5 main topics: Basic Arithmetic, Number System, Geometry, Algebra, Modern Maths. Check CAT Quant Syllabus and Study Notes
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions in QA | 22 |
| Total Marks in QA | 66 |
| Number of MCQs | 14 |
| Number of TITA questions | 8 |
| Weightage in CAT Question Paper | 33% |
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CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Sectional Time Limit
The total CAT Exam Time Duration 2022 is 2 hours or 120 minutes. For PwD candidates, CAT exam time duration is 2 hours 40 minutes or 160 minutes.
- As per CAT Exam Pattern, there is a sectional time limit in the paper.
- Each section has to be attempted within the given time frame of 40 minutes (53 minutes 20 seconds for PwD candidates).
- Candidates can neither choose the section they wish to start with nor can they swith between sections.
- The sections will appear in the pre-defined chronological order: VARC-DILR-QA.
Once the time limit for a section lapse, the next section will automatically start.
| CAT 2022 Exam Section | Number of Questions | CAT Exam Time Duration | CAT Exam Time Duration for PwD Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes | 160 minutes |
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CAT Total Marks 2022
CAT Total Marks 2022 are 198. CAT exam pattern was revised last year, and the total marks of CAT exam were reduced from 228 to 198. Section-wise CAT total marks 2022 are tabulated below for your reference:
| CAT exam section | Number of Questions | CAT Total Marks 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 |
| Quant | 22 | 66 |
| DILR | 20 | 60 |
| Total | 66 | 198 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Marking Scheme
Marking scheme is an important part of CAT exam pattern. Knowing the marking scheme helps in attempting CAT question paper wisely. Given below is CAT exam marking scheme 2022:
- There will be a total of 66 questions in the CAT.
- For each correct answer, candidates will score 3 marks.
- For each wrong answer in the objective questions, candidates will get a negative marking of 1 mark.
- There will be no negative marks for the subjective TITA questions.
- For unanswered questions, no marks will be deducted.
| Subject | Marks awarded for each question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Reading Comprehension | +3 for both MCQ & TITA type | -1 for MCQ |
| Quantitative Ability | ||
| Data Interprepatation and logical reasoning |
Must Read:
| How to Solve CAT QA Questions in less than 1 minute? | How to Attempt TITA questions in CAT? | How to Prepare for CAT RC? |
People Also Ask
Ques. What is the exam pattern of CAT 2022?
Ans. CAT exam pattern is detailed out in the table below:
| CAT Exam Pattern 2022 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Details |
| CAT Exam Mode | Online |
| CAT Exam Time Duration | 120 Minutes |
| CAT Exam Type of Questions | Objective (MCQ Based) and Subjective (TITA-type) |
| CAT Exam Sections | Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | |
| How many questions in CAT exam 2022? | 66 |
| CAT Total Marks 2022 | 198 |
| CAT Exam Marking Scheme | +3 Marks for every correct answer |
| CAT Negative Marking | No Negative Marking for TITA questions |
| -1 marks for every wrong MCQs | |
| Language Medium of CAT Question Paper | English |
Ques. What is the total marks in CAT Exam?
Ans. The marks distribution in various sections and the total marks in CAT 2022 is tabulated below:
| CAT exam section | Number of Questions | CAT Total Marks 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 |
| Quant | 22 | 66 |
| DILR | 20 | 60 |
| Total | 66 | 198 |
Ques. How many questions in CAT exam?
Ans. There are total 66 MCQs and TITA-based questions in the CAT 2022 exam.
CAT Syllabus 2022
Candidates can check the detailed CAT Syllabus 2022 and download the CAT Syllabus PDF. The major topics in each sections of the CAT Exam Pattern are mentioned below:
| Section | Important Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation And logical reasoning | DI: Combination of Graphs, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Caselet, and Tables. LR: Seating Arrangement, Statements, Puzzles, Binary Logic, Blood Relations, Syllogism | 30% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Number System, Modern Mathematics, Mensuration, | 33% |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | RC Passages Para Completion, Para Summary, Odd Sentence, Fact Inference Judgment, Parajumbles | 37% |
CAT Exam Pattern PDF
IIM does not release CAT Exam Pattern PDF separately. Candidates can check CAT exam pattern in detail here. CAT exam syllabus pdf for VARC, DILR, and QA is also available for download.
| Section | Detailed Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation And logical reasoning | CAT DILR Syllabus |
| Quantitative Aptitude | CAT QA Syllabus |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | CAT VARC Syllabus |
Also Check CAT Online Preparation
CAT Previous Year Paper Analysis
CAT Paper Analysis of previous years is helpful in designing the best preparation plan. CAT exam pattern is the same as 2021 and candidates can get to know the weightage of important topics by going through CAT paper analysis of 2021.
| CAT Section | Number of Questions | Time Duration | Type of Questions | Distribution of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT VARC Exam Analysis | 24 | 40 | 19 MCQs and 5 TITA questions | 16 RC and 8 Verbal Ability | Moderate-Difficult |
| CAT DILR Exam Analysis | 20 | 40 | 15 MCQs and 5 TITA questions | 2 DI Sets and 2 LR Sets | Moderate |
| CAT QA Exam Analysis | 22 | 40 | 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions | 11 Arithmetic and 5 Algebra | Moderate-Difficult |
| Overall | 66 | 120 | - | - | Moderate |
CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years(2011-2021)
Ever since the change of CAT exam mode from offline to online in 2009, the exam has seen several changes in the exam pattern. Read below to find out the major changes in the Exam Pattern from 2015 to 2021:
- In CAT 2021 paper, the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66.
- In 2020, the number of questions were reduced from 100 to 76.
- In 2018 Non-MCQ questions in total increased to 27 as compared to 26 in 2017.
- Reading Comprehension was reduced to 4 from 5, each passage having 5 questions.
- Quant had a good number of 12 Non-MCQ’s. Arithmetic questions were given a good weightage.
CAT as a Computer based test was introduced in 2009. Before that it was held in pen-paper mode. There were a lot of changes made in CAT Exam pattern 2020. The sectional time limit was reduced to 40 minutes from 60 minutes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
| Year of Exam | Number of Questions | VARC | DILR | Quant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2021 | 66 | VARC - 24 | DILR - 20 | QA - 22 |
| CAT 2020 | 76 | VARC - 26 | DILR - 24 | QA - 26 |
| CAT 2019 | 100 | VARC-34; RC-24 | DILR-32; DI-16 LR-16 | Quant-34 |
| CAT 2018 | 100 | VARC-34; RC-24 | DILR-32; DI-16 LR-16 | Quant-34 |
| CAT 2017 | 100 | VARC-34; RC-24 | DILR-32; DI-16 LR-16 | Quant-34 |
| CAT 2016 | 100 | VARC-34; RC-24 | DILR-32; DI-16 LR-16 | Quant-34 |
| CAT 2015 | 100 | VARC -34; RC-24 | DILR-32; DI-16 LR-16 | Quant-34 |
| CAT 2014 | 100 | VARC -34; RC-24 | DILR-32 | Quant-34 |
Before 2014 only 2 sections were there i.e. QA & DI and LR & VARC:
| Year of Exam | Number of Questions | QA & DI | LR & VARC |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2013 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
| CAT 2012 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
| CAT 2011 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
Quick Links for CAT Preparation:
| Study Notes on Modern Maths | CAT DILR Calendar Questions | CAT DILR Seating Arrangement |
| CAT VARC ParaCompletion | CAT VARC Para Jumbles | CAT VARC Fill in the Blanks |
CAT Exam Pattern vs. Other MBA Exams - Comparative Analysis
| Component | XAT | CAT | NMAT | SNAP | MAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test and Internet Based Test | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 66 | 108 | 60 | 200 |
| Total Time Duration | 180 minutes | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 60 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQ and Subjective Type | MCQs | MCQs | MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for a correct answer | +3 mark for a correct answer | Total Marks- 36-360 | +1 mark for a correct answer | +1 mark for a correct answer |
| - 0.25 mark for an incorrect answer | No Negative Marking for subjective questions | - 0.25 mark for an incorrect answer | - 0.25 mark for an incorrect answer | ||
| Beyond 8 unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted for each unanswered question. | -1 marks for every wrong answer in objective questions | No negative marking | |||
| Sectional Time Limit | None | 40 minutes for each section | Language Skills- 28 minutes Quant- 52 minutes Logical Reasoning- 40 minutes | None | None |
| Sections | Verbal and Logical Ability | Verbal & Reading Comprehension | Language Skills | Analytical & Logical Reasoning | Indian and Global Environment |
| Decision Making | Quantitative Ability | Quant | Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Data Analysis and Sufficiency | |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | Data interpretation and logical reasoning | Logical Reasoning | General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability | Mathematical Skills | |
| General Knowledge | Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Download CAT Previous Years Papers
To get valuable insights into CAT exam pattern, difficulty level, important topics, and type of questions, it is recommended to download CAT question papers of previous years. It is highly recommended to solve the questions papers as per the sectional time limit to improve time management and accuracy. Given below are the links to download previous year CAT question papers 2021-1990 for practice. To download year wise question papers for CAT exam, click on the links given below:
CAT 2021 Question Papers- Check Here
CAT 2020 Question Papers- Check Here
CAT 2019 Question Papers- Check Here
CAT 2018 Question Papers- Check Here
For CAT Question Papers (2017-1990), check here.
For section-wise CAT question papers of VARC, Quant, and DILR, click on the links given in the table below:
CAT Books for Preparation
Getting the right books for each subject can be a difficult task, as there are so many different books in the market. Different books suggest different methods, so it becomes very important to find the right books for the CAT exam. We have curated a list of books for each section based on the suggestions of toppers and experts. Check CAT Important Books by Arun Sharma
| Section | Book Name | Author Name/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs | Sarvesh K. Verma | |
| Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster | |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
| PSC for VA for CAT Exam | Nishit Sinha | |
| Data adequacy and logical reasoning | CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha | |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
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CAT Exam Pattern 2022 FAQs
Ques. Is CAT exam easy or tough?
Ans. CAT exam is considered the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. On analyzing the previous year exams, you can expect CAT 2022 exam to be moderate to tough. The VARC section is regarded as the game changer in CAT exam by experts and students alike. Questions asked in CAT Quant section are more difficult than those in the LRDI section.
Ques. What is the pass mark in CAT exam?
Ans. Pass mark in CAT exam is the cut off released by the respective IIMs and other MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Candidates need to secure both the overall and the sectional pass mark in CAT exam to participate in the admission process. Based on previous year analysis, the expected section-wise cut off is 80+ for IIMs.
Ques. Is CAT exam MCQ type?
Ans. CAT exam is MCQ type. However, there are non-MCQ type questions as well. These non-MCQ type questions in CAT are called TITA (Type In The Answer) type questions as there are no options and candidates have to type in their answer using the keyboard. The distribution of questions between MCQ and TITA questions is approximately in the ratio of 2:1.
Ques. What are the three sections in CAT exam?
Ans. The three sections in CAT exam are Quantitative Ability (QA) , Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). Unlike other MBA entrance exams like XAT, MAT, CMAT, and IIFT, there is no GK section in CAT exam.
Ques. What are the total marks of CAT exam 2022?
Ans. CAT total marks 2022 are 198. As per CAT marking scheme, each question is worth 3 marks. So, the total marks of 66 questions in CAT exam are 66*3, i.e. 198. Also, there is a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer.
Ques. Does CAT 2022 have negative marking?
Ans. Based on CAT marking scheme, for each correct answer, candidates will score 3 marks. For each wrong answer in the objective questions, candidates will get a negative marking of 1 mark. However, the negative marking is only applicable to MCQs and not the TITA questions.
Ques. Who will set 2022 CAT paper?
Ans. IIM Bangalore will set the 2022 CAT paper. It is the IIM responsible for conducting CAT exam 2022. As per the rules, the conducting IIM is responsible for setting CAT exam pattern, eligibility, marking scheme, and all other requirements of the paper.
Ques. What is CAT exam time duration 2022?
Ans. CAT 2022 exam time duration is 120 minutes for all candidates. Section-wise CAT exam time duration is 40 minutes for each section. PwD candidates are given extra 40 minutes to write the exam.
Ques. What is a good CAT score?
Ans. A good score in CAT varies from institute to institute as each releases its own individual cut off to shortlist candidates for the PI rounds. Based on CAT score vs percentile analysis, to get into top-tier IIMs and other b-schools, CAT score above 105 will be good enough to get above 99 percentile.
| CAT Percentile | CAT Score |
|---|---|
| 99+ | 99-110 |
| 98+ | 90-98 |
| 95+ | 79-89 |
| 90+ | 72-78 |
| 85+ | 56-71 |
| 80+ | Below 55 |
Ques: What are the changes introduced in CAT Exam Pattern?
Ans: In the 2021 examination the authority has revised the CAT exam pattern. IIM has reduced the overall count of questions to 66 from 76 and the section wise change in the total number of questions is as follows:
- Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension- 24
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning- 20
- Quantitative Aptitude- 22
Ques: How many Non-MCQs are there in CAT exam?
Ans: The number of Non-MCQs may vary in each section. Generally, VARC has 5-6 Non-MCQs and 18-19 MCQs, DILR has 4-5 Non-MCQs and 15-16 MCQs whereas Quant has 7-8 Non-MCQs and 14-15 MCQs.
Ques: Based on CAT exam pattern 2022, is there a specific order for answering sections?
Ans. You must answer the sections in a pre-specified order, and this order will remain the same for all the candidates. Switching between the sections is also not allowed as per CAT exam pattern. The time duration is 120 minutes.
Ques: What is the difference between the Computer-Based and Pen-Paper Based Test Pattern?
Ans. The Computer-based test is where the applicants read the questions on a computer terminal and click on the right answer. In the Pen-Paper based test, the applicants will be provided with a paper booklet, and they are needed to use a pencil or pen and darken the ovals against the right answers.
Ques: How many sections are there in the paper as per the latest CAT exam pattern?
Ans: As per the latest CAT exam pattern, there are three sections in CAT question paper:
- Section I – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Section II – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Section III – Quantitative Ability.
Ques: What is the syllabus for CAT? How should I prepare?
Ans. There is no fixed syllabus for CAT. However, applicants can check the numerous tips provided by professionals or join a coaching Institute. Also, the applicants can also check the numerous CAT preparation tips accessible online.
Ques: What is the CAT Exam Pattern for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning?
Ans. This section aims to test the data interpretation proficiency of CAT test takers and their understanding of logical assumptions. A total of 20 questions will be asked in CAT LR & DI. Candidates will be given 40 minutes to attempt the 20 questions.
Ques: What are TITA questions in CAT exam pattern?
Ans: TITA or “Type in the answer” type questions are those questions in which no options are provided. Candidates have to go through the questions and solve the same to type the answer in the text box provided. These are also referred to as Non-MCQs. 25-30% of the questions asked in the paper are non-MCQs.
Ques: Which among TITA and MCQs, help in gaining a higher score in CAT?
Ans: If we analyse the CAT exam paper, the percentage of MCQs are more than that of non-MCQs. But there is a negative marking of -1 in MCQs for each incorrect answer while no negative marking is there in non-MCQs. Therefore, if the non-MCQs do not add one to your scores, it won’t decrease your scores as well. Therefore, candidates may get a good score if they answer each and every TITA question along with 70-80% multiple-choice questions correctly .
Ques: Which is more time consuming among CAT MCQs and TITA questions?
Ans: TITA questions are more time consuming than MCQs as no options are provided to eliminate the incorrect answers. You have to solve the entire question and type in the answer that you get. As no options are provided, it also becomes difficult to assess the accuracy of the answer.
Ques: Can I appear for more than one slot for CAT 2022?
Ans. No, you cannot appear for more than one slot for CAT 2022. If any applicant attempts to appear for CAT 2022 in two distinctive time slots, it would be considered as a fraudulent activity. To avoid any fraudulent activity on this front, CAT 2022 applicants will be subject to verification of Admit Cards, applicant pictures, photo IDs, and biometric verification.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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