How Did the CAT Exam Pattern Change Over the Years?

The CAT exam pattern has remained consistent over the past two years, and there are no anticipated changes for the upcoming year. The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). It is a computer-based test with a total duration of approximately 3 hours. The exam includes both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam duration was decreased from 180 to 120 minutes in CAT 2020. The time per section was also reduced from 60 to 40 minutes. In CAT 2021, the number of exam slots was expanded from two to three, and the number of questions was reduced from 76 to 66. CAT 2024 will be conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024. If you are preparing for the exam, check how did the CAT exam pattern change over the years.

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CAT Test-Taking Window: How Did it Change Over the Years?

The table below lists the number of slots and windows in which the CAT was held throughout the previous few years. The exam is now conducted over the course of one day in three sessions: morning, noon, and evening. 

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A Brief Insight Into the CAT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The table below reflects the CAT exam pattern that is being followed currently. The candidates who had taken the exam last year believed the total number of questions in each section and the duration allotted for these sections was fair. 

Changes in the CAT Exam Pattern Over The Years

If we look at history, from 2014 to 2019, the CAT exam model stayed more or less constant. Apart from some modifications in the types of questions along with their distribution, the test structure and pattern did not show any significant change. 

For instance, in CAT 2018, the volume of Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions was higher than the number of MCQs that needed choice selection. However, TITA questions were reduced again in CAT 2019. However, in both Slot #1 and Slot #2, the VARC segment was comparatively more difficult than the other two sections.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the exam control body to revise the CAT exam pattern. The focus then was to allow maximum candidates at the limited exam centers while strictly adhering to the social distancing norms. Some of the changes that were introduced in CAT 2020 have still been followed in later iterations of the exam.

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Let's take a closer look at the transformation of the CAT exam pattern over the years.

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CAT Marking Scheme - Did It Change?

The CAT marking scheme has remained unchanged for the past six years. For each accurate response, three marking points are awarded. On the other hand, for each incorrect answer, one marking point is deducted. No marks are deducted for TITA questions or questions that are not attempted by the candidates. If we talk about the CAT 2020 paper, the total awardable marks were 228.

If you closely notice the trends of CAT in the last 11 years, you will observe that the CAT test structure went through an enormous change in the 2013-2014 edition, when it comes to the number of questions along with the duration. While the total number of questions in CAT 2013 was limited to 60 and the time limit was 140 minutes, it increased to 100 in the CAT 2014 edition. The time limit reflected the increase too and was raised to 170 minutes.

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