CAT 2024 exam witnessed changes in the exam pattern. Unlike other years this year the total number of questions was 68 instead of 66. The extra two questions appeared in the DILR section of CAT 2024. Apart from this there were some prominent changes in the exam pattern. For instance, there was no parajumble question in VARC. Apart from this there were changes in the total number of questions as well. However, CAT marking scheme is still the same. Read below to know more details about CAT exam pattern 2024, topic wise weightage and marking scheme.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern Highlights
| Particulars | Highlights |
| Mode of CAT exam | Computer Based Test |
| Language of question paper | English |
| Duration of exam | 120 minutes40 minutes per section |
| CAT Exam Slot Timings | CAT Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AMCAT Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PMCAT Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| Total Number of questions | 68 |
| CAT total marks | 204 |
| Number of answer choices | 4 |
| Question Type | MCQ and non-MCQ |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 Details
CAT exam has a total of 3 sections and the duration of the exam is 2 hours.
CAT Exam Duration
| Section | Time |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 mins |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 40 mins |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 mins |
| Total | 120 Mins |
Total Number of Questions in CAT 2024 for Each Section
| Section | Total Number of Questions |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 |
| Total Questions in CAT 2024 | 68 |
CAT 2024 Marking Scheme
- As per the CAT exam pattern +3 marks are awarded for each correct answer.
- -1 is given for an incorrect answer
- There is no negative marking in CAT for questions that are unattempted
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 – MCQ and Non MCQ Questions
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 2 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 12 | 10 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 48 | 20 |
CAT 2024 Important Topics and Weightage
Considering the CAT exam pattern trends here is the CAT section wise important topics and its weightage.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Section
This section has numerical based mathematics questions and in 2024 there were a total of 22 QA questions in CAT.
- Around 8 questions are from basic Arithmetic.
- From number system, there were 1-3 questions.
- 5-7 Algebra questions in CAT.
- Geometry and Mensuration has 3 questions.
- 0-3 questions are from modern maths.
CAT VARC Question Pattern
This section tests the English language of the candidates along with their ability to comprehend passages. In CAT 2024, there were no questions on parajumble.
- Sentence correction & completion
- Para Jumbles
- Summary-based questions
CAT DILR Section
This section assesses logical reasoning and ability to interpret data.
- It has 2 sets of data interpretation and logical reasoning each, or it can have a combination of both.
- Bar graphs, arrangements, missing data, and puzzles (games) are the focus.
CAT Exam Pattern Trend
| CAT Year | Total Questions | CAT Exam Time Duration | CAT Sections |
| 2024 | 68 | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2023 | 66 | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2022 | 66 | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2021 | 66 | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC |
| 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 | 170 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 | 150 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 – FAQs
There was a slight change in the CAT exam pattern 2024. This year the exam had a total of 66 questions. Apart from this VARC section in CAT 2024 did not have any para jumble questions.
CAT marking scheme is as follows –
+3 is awarded for each correct answer
1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer
No negative marking for unattempted questions
There is no negative marking for TITA as well.
CAT exam has a total of 3 sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). The total time is 120 minutes and for each section in CAT candidates are given 40 minutes.
