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Predict My CollegeThe difficulty level for CAT Question Paper 2021 ranged from moderate to high. The CAT 2021 exam pattern remained consistent with previous years with only a few changes in topic-wise weightage. The CAT 2021 question paper consisted of three sections: The VARC section has 24 questions on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, the DILR section has 20 questions and the QA section has 22 questions. VARC consisted of only 140 MCQs and DILR and QA sections had more non-MCQ questions than 140. Therefore, students aspiring to take the CAT 2024 should attempt to solve as many question papers from previous years to understand the current trend, the kind of questions asked, and the difficulty level. Solving previous CAT papers in the last month of preparation is critical. The downloads of CAT papers 2021 are available for slot 1, slot 2, and slot 3, along with answers provided in the following sections.
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Attempt nowThe CAT 2021 examination was conducted online on November 28, 202. The table below contains subject-wise PDF links to download CAT 2021 question papers from different shifts. Candidates can utilize the following sources to engage in active preparation for the upcoming CAT 2024.
Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 1 | |
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 2 | |
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 3 |
Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
CAT 2021 DILR Shift 1 | |
CAT 2021 DILR Shift 2 | |
CAT 2021 DILR Shift 3 |
Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 1 | |
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 2 | |
CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Shift 3 |
Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
CAT 2021 VARC Shift 1 | |
CAT 2021 VARC Shift 2 | |
CAT 2021 VARC Shift 3 |
Each question in the CAT 2021 question paper carried three marks for a correct answer and one mark was deducted for an incorrect answer. Questions that remained unanswered and incorrect attempts in non-MCQ sections received zero marks.
Section | Number of Questions | Time Duration | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 24 | 40 minutes | 72 |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 40 minutes | 60 |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 40 minutes | 66 |
Total | 66 | 120 minutes | 198 |
The analysis for the CAT 2021 Question Paper for Slot 1 was indicative of a difficult to moderate range across the sections. The Quantitative Aptitude section with 22 questions was observed to be moderate. The Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation section also was well within the moderate difficulty level with 20 questions. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section was deemed to be the toughest. This section featured 24 questions with challenging reading passages and verbal questions. Overall, the CAT 2021 exam had 66 questions and was rated as moderate to difficult. This comprehensive analysis of CAT's previous years question paper helps future candidates provide insights as well as anticipate the level of difficulty and prepare strategically.
Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | Moderate |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | Moderate |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | Difficult |
Overall/Total | 66 | Moderate to Difficult |
The CAT 2021 question paper for Slot 2 maintained a consistent structure across its three sections: QA, LRDI, and VARC are the three major sections of aptitude and ability tests commonly used in the selection process. As for the content, the moderate level of difficulty was attributed to each of the section. The following table outlines the amount and the difficulty level of questions in each of the sections; providing an average of moderate difficulty of the paper as a whole.
Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | Moderate |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | Moderate |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | Moderate |
Overall/Total | 66 | Moderate |
The CAT 2021 question paper for Slot 3 featured a consistent format with three sections: Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). Each section was rated as having a moderate difficulty level. The table below outlines the number of questions in each section along with their respective difficulty levels, indicating that the overall paper was moderately challenging.
Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | Moderate |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | Moderate |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | Moderate |
Overall/Total | 66 | Moderate |
The CAT 2021 exam was conducted in three slots, each maintaining a consistent structure with three sections: There are three types of sections which include Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude. The following table provides an average of these difficulties within these slots. Specifically, the students in the study treated the VARC and DILR sections as moderate across all slots; however, the QA section difficulty level differed and was rated difficult in Slot I and moderate in Slots II and III. The above led to the classification of the overall difficulty level of the tests about the Slots as moderate to difficult for Slot I and moderate for Slots II and III.
Sections | Slot I | Slot II | Slot III |
|---|---|---|---|
VARC | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
DILR | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
QA | Difficult | Moderate | Moderate |
Overall Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Moderate |
The CAT 2021 question paper featured difficulty levels ranging from moderate to difficult across its three slots. This data provides valuable insights into the upcoming CAT 2024 exam pattern and level of difficulty. Aspirants preparing for CAT 2024 can greatly benefit from analyzing and practicing CAT 2021 question papers to enhance their readiness for the exam.
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