The CAT Exam qualifies applicants for admission to various MBA programs at IIMs throughout the country. The syllabus of the CAT Exam is based on questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Until 2019, CAT Aspirants had 180 minutes to complete the question paper. Owing to the pandemic, the duration of the exam has been slashed to 120 minutes.
CAT examination will be held as a CBT (Computer Based Test) in the month of November every year. Prior to planning a preparation strategy, aspirants need to have a clear knowledge of the CAT exam pattern. Practise as many mock tests and question papers from the past years to get accustomed to the exam structure. This article will give you a complete overview about the pattern and structure of the Common Admission Test.
All You Need to Know about the CAT Exam Pattern:
A thorough understanding of the CAT exam pattern is important before starting your exam preparation. CAT 2022 is scheduled to be conducted on 27th November. There is still ample time for candidates to prepare for the exam – ten months to be exact. Candidates must devote their time and pace themselves towards disciplined preparation. There are three sections in the CAT question paper, each with a time limit of 40 minutes. The three sections are as follows:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Sectional time-limits are a feature of the CAT exam. Exam takers cannot switch between the section or start the exam according to their choice. Candidates are required to answer the questions in each section sequentially. The on-screen timer will indicate the time left to answer the questions.
CAT Exam Marking Scheme:
Having an understanding of the CAT marking scheme will help you be aware of the choice of questions. MCQs and Non-MCQs make up the CAT Exam. MCQs have negative markings for incorrect answers. Unanswered questions and incorrect answers for Non-MCQs do not have negative markings. The marking scheme of the exam is outlined in the following table:
| Question Type | Marking scheme |
| MCQ | +3/-1 |
| Non-MCQ (TITA) | +3/-0 |
Notable Changes in the Exam Pattern over the Past 5 Years:
Due to COVID, the IIMs made some significant changes in the exam pattern in the year 2020.
Previously the CAT Exam was conducted in two slots. Keeping the pandemic in mind, the IIMs shortened the exam duration to two hours, increasing the exam slots from two to three. Until 2019 the CAT Exam consisted of 100 questions. Due to the pandemic, the number of questions was reduced to 76 in 2020. In 2021, the number of questions was again reduced to 66.
Some Important Instructions to be Noted While Taking the Exam:
- During the exam, candidates will receive rough sheets which can be used for calculations.
- Candidates will also have access to an on-screen calculator. On-screen timers indicate the remaining time left to complete the examination. Candidates can also track their progress through each section using the on-screen timer.
- For Non-MCQ questions, the answer must be typed into the space provided on the screen.
- The Questions have to be answered in the sequential order. Candidates will not be able to switch between the sections during the exam.
