CAT Question Paper Pattern 2023 is expected to be similar to that of the previous year. The official exam pattern will be released by the conducting IIM (Indian Institute of Management) in July, along with the exam notification. According to the latest available information, CAT 2023 exam will have 66 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be solved within a duration of 120 minutes. Check Latest CAT Paper Pattern 2023

In the past, the CAT exam had a duration of 180 minutes and consisted of 100 questions. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes were made to the exam pattern. In 2020, the number of questions was reduced to 76, and the exam duration was shortened to 120 minutes. It was in 2021 that the total number of questions was reduced to 66. Check Previous Year Papers of CAT

CAT 2023 is scheduled to be conducted on November 26, 2023, in three shifts. The scheduled timings for each shift of CAT 2023 are the Morning session (8:30 am – 10:30 pm), Afternoon session (12:30 pm – 2:30 pm) and Evening session (4:30 pm – 6:30 pm)

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CAT Question Paper Pattern 2023: Section-wise

The CAT exam follows a sectional time-limit format, which means that candidates must solve the paper in a predetermined order. They are not allowed to choose any section to start with or switch between sections during the exam. The sections of CAT 2023 must be solved chronologically as follows:

Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude

Candidates must therefore begin with the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section, followed by Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and finally, the Quantitative Aptitude section. They cannot skip or rearrange the order of these sections.

It's crucial for candidates to plan their time allocation strategy beforehand, considering the number of questions in each section and the time limit allotted for each section. This helps in maximizing their performance and attempting a sufficient number of questions in each section.

Here is a tabulated form of the section-wise CAT 2023 question paper pattern:

Section No. of Questions MCQs Non - MCQs Time Limit Time Limit for PwD Students
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 21 3 40 minutes 53 minutes and 20 seconds
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) 20 14 6 40 minutes 53 minutes and 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) 22 14 8 40 minutes 53 minutes and 20 seconds
Total 66 49 17 120 minutes 160 minutes

CAT Question Paper Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme

The maximum mark allotted for CAT 2023 is 198 marks. Each question will carry three marks, and there will be a negative marking of minus one (-1) for every wrong answer in the multiple-choice questions (MCQs). No marks are deducted for not attempting a question.

The table below provides the marking scheme for CAT 2023 exam:

CAT Sections Number of Questions Marks Per Question CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 3 -1
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) 20 3 -1
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) 22 3 -1
CAT Exam Total Marks 66 198 -

CAT Question Paper Pattern 2023: Previous Year Trends

Over the years, the CAT question paper pattern has witnessed some changes. Before 2014, the exam consisted of 100 questions with a duration of 180 minutes. The sections included Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation (DI), Logical Reasoning (LR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). In 2014, there was a change in the format, with the QA and DI sections combined, and the LR and VARC sections combined. This continued until 2016 when the exam reverted to the original format with separate sections for QA, DILR, and VARC.

In 2020, there was a significant change in the CAT exam pattern due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of questions was reduced to 76, and the test duration remained at 120 minutes. This change was implemented to ensure adherence to social distancing and sanitization protocols at exam centers. Since 2021, the CAT exam has continued with 66 questions and a duration of 120 minutes.

The following table lists the CAT question paper patterns for the last few years:

CAT Year CAT Sections Number of Questions Exam Duration
2022 QA, DILR, VARC 66 120 minutes
2021 QA, DILR, VARC 66 120 minutes
2020 QA, DILR, VARC 76 120 minutes
2019 QA, DILR, VARC 100 180 minutes
2018 QA, DILR, VARC 100 180 minutes
2017 QA, DILR, VARC 100 180 minutes
2016 QA, DILR, VARC 100 180 minutes
2015 QA, DILR, VARC 100 180 minutes
2014 QA & DI, LR & VARC 100 170 minutes
2013 QA & DI, LR & VARC 60 140 minutes
2012 QA & DI, LR & VARC 60 140 minutes
2011 QA & DI, LR & VARC 60 140 minutes
2010 QA, DILR, VARC 60 150 minutes

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CAT Question Paper Pattern 2023 FAQs

Ques. What is the total number of questions in the CAT 2023 exam?

Ans. The CAT 2023 exam will have a total of 66 questions. Out of these, 49 questions will be MCQs and 17 questions will be non-MCQs.

Ques. How many sections are there in the CAT 2023 question paper?

Ans. CAT 2023 question paper is composed of 3 sections in total- 1) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), 2) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and 3) Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

Ques. What is the total duration of CAT 2023 examination?

Ans. The CAT 2023 exam will have a time duration of 120 minutes (2 hours).

Ques. Is there any sectional time limit for the CAT 2023 exam?

Ans. Yes, the CAT 2023 exam follows a sectional time limit format. Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes. Candidates must begin the CAT 2023 exam with the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section, followed by Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and finally, the Quantitative Aptitude section. They cannot skip or rearrange the order of these sections.

Ques. Is there any difference in the time limit for PwD (Persons with Disabilities) students?

Ans. Yes, PwD students are provided additional time compared to other candidates. For CAT 2023, PwD students will have a time limit of 53 minutes and 20 seconds for each section.

Ques. What is the marking scheme for the CAT 2023 exam?

Ans. Each question in the CAT 2023 exam carries three marks. There is a negative marking of minus one (-1) for every incorrect answer in multiple-choice questions (MCQs). However, there is no negative marking for not attempting a question.

Ques. Are all questions in the CAT 2023 exam multiple-choice?

Ans. No, while most questions in the CAT 2023 exam are multiple-choice, there might be some questions in each section that require candidates to type their answers on the screen. So, the CAT 2023 is a combination of both MCQs and non-MCQ type questions.