CAT Exam Pattern 2023 iimcat.ac.in Check CAT Paper Pattern, Section Wise Syllabus, Exam Duration, Marking Scheme Here
by Vinothini S | Last updated: Jan 25, 2023

CAT Exam Pattern 2023 iimcat.ac.in Check CAT Paper Pattern, Section Wise Syllabus, Exam Duration, Marking Scheme Here
CAT Exam Pattern 2023 @ iimcat.ac.in
New Update on 25-01-2023: CAT Exam Pattern 2023 - The CAT 2022 Exam Pattern will be divided into three portions, with a total of 66 questions to be answered in two hours for a maximum score of 198 points. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) will have 24 questions in the first segment; QA (Quantitative Aptitude) will have 22 questions in the second section; and DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) will have 20 questions in the third portion. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions will be asked in the CAT 2022 online computer based test (CBT), which will be administered in English. MCQs will include four or more options from which candidates must choose one as their solution, whereas candidates must type their own answers in CAT TITA type questions. For each correct answer by the candidate, +3 marks would be granted; CAT 2022 would have negative marking of -1 Mark for each incorrect attempt (except TITA Questions). CAT Exam Pattern and its elements – Marking scheme, Sectional Distribution, Previous Year pattern, etc. have been discussed in detail in the article below.
Check - CAT Exam Pattern 2023
Overview For CAT Exam Pattern 2023
Particulars |
Events |
Duration of the CAT Exam |
2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
Name of the Section |
|
Section-wise Duration |
|
Slot-wise Session |
|
Number of Questions |
76 Questions (54 MCQs and 22 Non-MCQs) |
CAT exam total marks |
228 marks |
Mode of the CAT 2022 exam |
Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
Marking Scheme |
|
CAT Exam Pattern 2023
Particulars |
Number of CAT questions |
Total number of CAT 2022 questions |
64 to 66 questions |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
22-23 questions |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20-21 questions |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22-23 questions |
Section-wise CAT Exam Pattern 2023
Section as per IIM CAT Exam Pattern 2023 |
Total Questions |
MCQs |
Non-MCQs |
Maximum Marks |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
26 |
18 |
8 |
78 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
24 |
18 |
6 |
72 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
26 |
18 |
8 |
78 |
Total |
76 |
54 |
22 |
228 |
Exam Pattern of CAT 2022
Section |
Total Number of Questions |
Duration for all Category |
Duration for PwD Category |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
26 Questions
|
40 Minutes |
53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
24 Questions
|
40 Minutes |
53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
26 Questions
|
40 Minutes |
53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Total |
76 Questions |
120 Minutes |
159 Minutes and 60 Seconds |
CAT Exam 2022 Marking Scheme
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For each correct answer, three marks will be awarded.
-
For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted.
-
For unanswered questions, no marks will be deducted. Also for Non-MCQs, no marks will be deducted.
The following table summarizes the marking scheme for CAT 2022:
Type of Questions |
Correct Answer |
Incorrect Answer |
MCQ |
+3 |
-1 |
Non-MCQ |
+3 |
0 |
How has the CAT Exam pattern evolved over the years?
The CAT contain three sections such as,
-
Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
-
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
-
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
There is no difference in the sections for each year. Also, there is no difference in the CAT exam pattern marking scheme.
Year |
Number of Question |
Difficulty Level |
Duration |
Conducting body |
2021 |
76 (Expected) |
Moderate to High (Expected) |
2 hours (Expected) |
To be announced |
2020 |
76 |
Moderate to High |
2 hours |
IIM Indore |
2019 |
100 |
Moderate to High |
3 hours |
IIM Kozhikode |
2018 |
100 |
Moderate to High |
3 hours |
IIM Kolkata |
2017 |
100 |
Moderate |
3 hours |
IIM Lucknow |
2016 |
100 |
Moderate to difficult |
3 hours |
IIM Bangalore |
2015 |
100 |
Moderate to difficult |
3 hours |
IIM Ahmedabad |
2014 |
100 |
Moderate to Easy |
2.50 hours |
IIM Indore |
2013 |
60 |
Moderate to Easy |
2:20 hours |
IIM Indore |
2012 |
60 |
Moderate to Easy |
2.20 hours |
IIM Indore |
2011 |
60 |
Moderate |
2.20 hours |
IIM Calcutta |
Rules to follow during CAT Exam Pattern 2023
CAT Exam 2022 will conduct in two sessions in 147 test centres. It is an online exam which is held for 3 hours. Candidates have to follow some instructions given by the IIMs. They are as follows,
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Aspirants have to answer the questions in the order which they are given. They should not move between sections during the assigned time.
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CAT examinees are not allowed to leave their seats during the exam.
-
Candidates should choose only one answer out of 4 in MCQs type.
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Aspirants shoulddirectly type answers for TITA (Type in the Answer) questions on the screen.
Follow the rules mentioned above during the CAT Exam without fail.
Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over The Years
Year |
Number of Questions |
Time Duration |
CAT Sections |
2020 |
76 |
120 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2019 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2018 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2017 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2016 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2015 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
2014 |
100 |
180 Minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
2013 |
60 |
140 Minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
2012 |
60 |
140 Minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
2011 |
60 |
140 Minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
2010 |
60 |
140 Minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
CAT Exam Analysis of Previous Years
Sections |
Number of MCQs |
Number of Non-MCQs |
VARC |
27 |
7 |
DILR |
24 |
8 |
QA |
23 |
11 |
Why should one check CAT Exam Pattern 2023?
CAT Exam Pattern 2023 answers all your queries like how many sections the CAT question paper consists of, the total number of questions, total marks, exam duration, and so on. Moreover, checking the exam pattern helps you to prepare an effective study plan.Most questions will be askedk from the Verbal ability & Reading comprehension and Quantitative Aptitude section. Besides, 32 questions will ask from Data Interpretation and the logical reasoning part. Each section plays an important role, so candidates have to concentrate on every part.
How to Check CAT Syllabus and Previous Year Papers?
After referring to the CAT exam pattern, candidates have to check the CAT syllabus 2022 and previous papers. In CAT Syllabus, candidates can check the detailed topics to cover for the exam. So, refer to the CAT Syllabus and prepare a study plan based on the available topics and time lefr. Additionally, download CAT exam sample papers from the links available here. You can get a clear view of CAT exam questions by referring to CAT previous year papers. Finally, attend a mock test to test your skills before the exam. This will help you to identify your strong and weak areas. The following are the benefits of attending the mock test,
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You can get instant feedback about your exam so that you can identify your weak areas.
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You can take the test at any time you want from anywhere.
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You can save the question papers offline to your computer for further use.
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Easier to use, and you can get an accurate result for your exam.
Exam Pattern 2023 - FAQ
Candidates going through the CAT exam pattern 2023 Will know the marking scheme, the subjects, and the topics from which the questions will ask.
The exam Conducting authority will allot for the Sectional duration of the exam 60 minutes.
Candidates who will be appearing for the entrance exam can get the CAT 2022 exam pattern Here. The Mode of Exam is Computer-based.
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3 marks for every correct answer
-
-1 for every wrong answer
Indian Institute of Management(IIM), which will perfrom the Common Admission Test, will prescribe the exam pattern of CAT 2023.