How To Download These CAT Previous Year Papers?
If you are a CAT aspirant in search of CAT previous year question papers all in one place without any hassle, then CL has made your job easy by collating all these papers from 2014 to 2017. Follow the steps mentioned below to access these CAT PYQs as follows:
- Search for Career Launcher’s CAT previous year papers.
- Visit the page dedicated to CAT PYQs.
- Select the year for which you want to take the test and click on the button mentioned.
- You will be redirected to the respective CAT PYQ page.
- Click on the “Download PDF from Email” button, fill in your credentials, and sign up if you are a first-time visitor.
- Upon completion, the CAT question paper PDF with detailed solutions, will be sent to you directly via your registered email.
Latest Changes In The CAT Previous Year Question Papers
The CAT 2024 paper has seen some significant changes, with the addition of 2 questions in the DILR section, and para jumbles were absent from the VARC section. Here are the key changes that have been observed in CAT previous year papers:
- The paper comprised 100 questions from 2014 to 2019. Owing to the pandemic, the number of questions was reduced to 76 in CAT 2020 and further reduced to 66 questions in CAT 2021.
- The exam had a time limit of 3 hours till CAT 2019. In CAT 2020, there were significant changes, and the duration was reduced to 2 hours, with 40 minutes each for the individual sections. These changes were brought with the COVID restrictions in mind.
- On the other hand, the marking scheme has remained the same, with 3 marks being awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark deducted for each incorrect attempt.
- There is no negative marking for non-MCQs, although the reward for a correct attempt remains the same.
- In terms of the exam pattern, CAT has shifted from having 2 sections (CAT 2011 to 2014) to 3 sections.
- Prior to 2009, CAT was held as a paper-based test and established itself as one of the toughest exams in the country. Since CAT 2010, it has moved into the computer-based test mode.
Note: Almost all the top colleges also have an individual sectional cut-off that aspirants must clear. If the aspirant fails to meet the sectional cut-off, the overall score will not matter, and he/she will not be called for further rounds of the admission process.
Who Should Take These CAT Previous Year Question Papers?
It's extremely important for all the CAT 2025 aspirants to keep in mind that the questions that come in the actual CAT papers are often different from those seen in the majority of CAT mock tests. Mock questions can be either too difficult or too easy, whereas CAT questions tend to be more logical. Thus, CAT previous year papers can give you a good sense of what can be asked in the actual paper that you need to prepare for and what areas you lack. Since there is no fixed syllabus for CAT released by any supreme authority, the only reliable source left for students is CAT previous year question papers to have an understanding of what the CAT exam demands from them.
How To Utilize These CAT Exam Previous Year Papers?
Solving a CAT previous year paper is a great way to have a know-how of what the paper will demand from you. It will help you familiarise yourself with the type of questions asked in the exam and their difficulty level without any bias, as they are the actual CAT papers.
The best way to utilize them is by attempting them as an actual paper with a timer running in your head. Attempt the paper as a whole or just a sectional test; it is totally your call. Below are the steps on how you can attempt these CAT papers online:
- Solve these CAT previous year question papers as per the actual CAT timeline by keeping a ticking clock by your side.
- Give 40 minutes to each section and try to attempt as much as you can.
- Once you are done attempting the paper, try to solve the questions you were not able to complete because of the time crunch.
- Check for yourself how much you are able to solve and what areas you need to work on.
- Download the CAT Previous Year Question Papers PDF to review your performance and utilize the insights to plan your CAT preparation effectively.
To crack CAT, the most important thing is to test yourself and practice online, as the actual CAT paper will be conducted in a computer-based format.
Advantages Of Solving These CAT Previous Year Papers
Practising previous years’ CAT question papers can significantly contribute to your preparation for CAT 2025 and improve your test-taking strategy. Here are some pointers on how solving these CAT previous year papers can help you ace the exam:
- Understanding the Pattern: By going through CAT previous year question papers, you'll grasp the exam's pattern and the areas where questions are frequently asked from. This insight allows you to focus your preparation on key topics.
- Identifying Weaknesses: Analyzing your performance in past papers highlights your strengths and weaknesses. You can then concentrate on improving in areas where you might struggle.
- Time Management: Practising under timed conditions hones your time-management skills. You'll learn to allocate the right amount of time to each section, preventing you from getting stuck on any one question.
- Self-Assessment: Regularly attempting CAT exam previous year papers helps you track your progress. You can see where you've improved and where you still need work, allowing you to adjust your prep strategy accordingly.
Why Is It Necessary To Solve CAT Previous Year Papers?
The competition is tough, and it will be all the more difficult for you to emerge on the winning side without attempting the CAT exam previous year question papers.
CAT previous year papers help students understand the difficulty level of the exam, allowing them to manage their time effectively. By analyzing these papers, students can learn how much time each question might require; and become familiar with the types of questions asked each year. This way, they can allocate their time wisely across the different sections.
While the CAT syllabus covers a wide range of topics, these CAT previous year papers provide students with an idea of specific exam patterns and the types of recurring or common questions. Familiarity with the CAT previous year question papers also enables students to focus on the essential topics, avoid unnecessary distractions, reduce anxiety, and develop a relevant strategy without hassles. It also helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to allocate the right amount of time to work on their weak points.
Candidates are advised to practise at least past 10 years’ CAT question papers, which will definitely help them increase their speed and accuracy, enabling them to attempt more questions within the stimulated time and optimize their performance in CAT.
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