Change in CAT Pattern over the past 5 years

Last year, CAT 2022 was conducted on November 27, 2022. The challenging entrance exam was conducted by IIM Bangalore and had an element of surprise awaiting the test taker. The CAT exam pattern has changed thrice over the last few years, but in 2022, the CAT exam pattern was similar to the year 2021. The CAT 2020 paper pattern was changed, which was announced just 70 odd days before the CAT exam. Here is an analysis of the changes in trend in the CAT pattern over the past few years.

Since the initiation of computer-based tests, the CAT Exam Pattern has undergone significant changes. Here is a comparison of the CAT paper of past years with respect to the given parameters.

Check the graph below to understand the change in pattern over the past years in detail.

The most worrying thing about the exam is the decreasing number of seconds allotted per question.

This only proves that speed and accuracy are the most important factors for the exam.

CAT 2022 Exam Pattern

In CAT 2022, the total number of questions in all three slots was 66. No changes were made and the CAT 2022 exam pattern was completely similar to the 2021 pattern. The overall difficulty level of CAT 2022 was moderate to difficult but the questions were doable.

The VARC section, as per the CAT 2022 exam pattern was moderate and no questions were asked on the odd one out. Most questions in DILR were LR-based and in QA, most were asked from ratios and proportions.

CAT 2021 Exam Pattern

The total number of questions asked in CAT 2021 was 66 and most questions were moderate to difficult to solve. In the table below, we have shared a brief analysis of the CAT 2021 exam.

CAT 2020 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2020 Slot 1 had 76 questions in total, with 26 questions in VARC, 26 in QA, and 24 in the DILR section. In terms of the level of difficulty, the Slot 1 VARC section was long and tedious, the DILR section level was similar to CAT 2016-18 and the QA section level was similar to CAT 2019.

In terms of the level of difficulty, CAT 2020 Slot 2 was similar to Slot 1 for the VARC section and QA section, while the DILR section was slightly tougher.

The CAT 2020 Slot 3 remained consistent with Slot 1 and Slot 2 with 26 questions in VARC (including 5 non-MCQs), 24 questions in DILR (including 6 non-MCQs), and 26 questions in QA (including 6 non-MCQs).

An overall 99 percentile was achieved if one scored 42 marks in the VARC section, 34 marks in the DILR section, and 44 marks in the QA section. The detailed cut-off breakup is mentioned below:

CAT 2019 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2019 paper format was similar to earlier years’ papers. With respect to the level of difficulty, VARC was slightly tougher, while DILR and Quant were easier than the previous year. Overall, the paper was easier than the previous year’s.

CAT 2018 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2018 paper VARC section was easier than the CAT 2017 paper. But going against past trends, the DILR section proved to be moderately difficult, compared to high-difficulty papers observed for the past 2-3 years. But the IIM’s focus on the QA section resulted in the high-difficulty section.

CAT 2017 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2017 pattern did not see any changes in the pattern of the questions and was quite similar to the CAT 2016 pattern. Though the CAT 2017 varied from the no. of TITA questions and the difficulty of certain sections, the remaining parameters such as total questions, duration, sectional marks, etc. remained the same. Overall CAT 2017 Paper Pattern was as follows:

CAT 2016 Exam Pattern:

The pattern for CAT 2016 was similar to CAT 2015 with respect to the total questions and duration. The level of difficulty for CAT 2016 was moderately high compared to CAT 2015. Overall CAT 2016 Paper Pattern was as follows:

CAT 2015 Exam Pattern::

The seventh edition of the computer-based CAT exam had taken everyone by storm. For the first time, candidates were able to use the on-screen basic calculator for computation purposes.

There were 3 sections – Quantitative Ability, Verbal & Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The duration was increased to 180 minutes instead of 170 minutes, and the sections were time-bound with 60 minutes per section. The test takers could not switch sections. Some questions did not have multiple choices and they had to directly write the answer in the space provided on the screen.

CAT 2014 Exam Pattern :

In CAT 2014 jumping through sections was allowed which enabled students to focus on their strengths during the exams and then attempt the difficult questions. Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretations, Logic Reasoning and Verbal Ability were the two sections. The paper was set by IIM Indore just like the previous year.

CAT 2013 Exam Pattern:

The CAT 2013 was set by IIM Indore. The paper had two sections – Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretations, Logic Reasoning and Verbal Ability. The time limit was 140 minutes to solve the 60 questions. The paper was of moderate difficulty.

CAT 2012 Exam Analysis & Pattern:

This edition of CAT was set by IIM Kozhikode. The paper was of moderate difficulty and jumping sections were not allowed. The time limit was 140 minutes to solve the 60 questions.

CAT 2011 Exam Pattern:

The third edition of the CAT exam was conducted by IIM Calcutta. This paper was different compared to the previous CAT examinations. The paper consisted of two sections instead of three – Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretations, Logic Reasoning and Verbal Ability. The time allocated was 140 minutes instead of 150 minutes to solve the 60 questions. The paper was of moderate difficulty.

The most important segments in the quants sections were Arithmetic, Numbers and Geometry from which 12-15 questions came.

Whereas in the verbal segment, it was observed that Reading Comprehension was the most important segment with 12-16 questions came, 3-5 questions came from para jumbles and vocabulary-based questions.

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