CAT Exam Pattern 2023

CAT 2023: Exam Highlights

Some of the major points to keep in mind with regard to the CAT exam pattern are:

CAT 2022 Notification

CAT Exam Pattern 2023

The CAT 2023 Exam Pattern will constitute 3 sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
•  Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

The CAT Exam is held as a Computer Based Test (CBT) with a duration of 2 hours. Each section has an individual time limit of 40 minutes each. The CAT 2022 Exam Pattern is given below which should give you an idea about what you can expect in CAT 2023.

CAT 2023 Exam Date

CAT VARC Exam Pattern

The VARC section in CAT 2023 is expected to have 24 questions in total. In the verbal section, the CAT exam pattern of the past years indicates that the section consists of two primary components, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.

Reading Comprehension:

• This section accounts for over 67% of the question (16 questions out of 24)
• Question Format: MCQs with a few TITA (Type in the Answer) questions
• There will be 4 passages comprising 4 questions each.

Verbal Ability

• Relatively small subsection with only 8 questions
• The expected division of the questions, as per CAT 2022, is 3 parajumbles, 2 para completions, 3 parasummary

CAT DILR Exam Pattern

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning is the second section of the CAT Exam. Candidates will be able to attempt it only after they submit the VARC section in the CAT Exam. It is by far the most dynamic section in CAT with new types of questions being introduced almost every year. It is advisable to be very careful when it comes to the selection of the questions.

Based on the CAT DILR exam pattern, here is the breakup of the sets:

• The section will have 4 sets comprising 5 questions each.
• Each set lends a maximum of 15 marks.
• The most common areas questioned include bar graphs, arrangements, missing data and puzzles (games).

CAT Quant Exam Pattern

This is the section that most candidates prepare extensively. This is because the CAT exam pattern and syllabus for this section are the most fleshed out among all the other sections. It is the section that can make or break the exam for most candidates.

• The quant section has a total of 22 questions.
• As the CAT quant exam pattern has no sub-sections all the questions are focused on the mathematical skills of the candidates.
• Based on past trends, the questions are dominated by arithmetic and algebra and also include geometry.

CAT Exam Pattern: Important Points to Remember

• Candidates cannot choose the order of the sections or move back and forth between sections. The fixed order of the exam is- VARC, followed by DILR and then Quant.
• CAT has two types of questions- MCQ-based and TITA (type in the answer). The MCQ type has a negative marking of 1 for every wrong answer. The TITA questions have no negative marking.
• In the MCQs, candidates will be given 4 options and in the Non-MCQs, the answer must be typed.
• An on-screen calculator will be provided to the candidates during the exam.
• Candidates can check the time with the help of the on-screen clock provided.
• A sheet will be provided to the candidates for rough work. Candidates must submit the sheet upon the completion of the exam.

CAT Exam Pattern: Slot-Based Division

CAT 2023 is divided across three slots throughout the day. Candidates will have the slot they must appear for mentioned on their admit cards. Here is the tentative slot-based division of the paper-

• Morning: 8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Afternoon: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
• Evening: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Exam Pattern: CAT Marking Scheme

Similar to the previous year's exam pattern, the marking scheme for the MCQ and TITA questions is different. Here is an overview of the marking scheme for CAT 2023-

Marking the Answers: CAT 2023

As mentioned before, the CAT 2023 exam is computer-based. Therefore candidates will be required to input their responses into the computer. Candidates will have to select one of the given options when putting in the answers-

1. Save and Next: Candidates will select the answer, save it and then move to the next question.
2. Clear Response: Candidates can delete the response to the question they answered.
3. Mark for Review and Next: For answers that candidates are unsure about, they can mark it for review, answer it and then go to the next question.

CAT Exam Pattern Analysis: Changes Over the Years

Owing to the pandemic the CAT exam pattern saw some major changes. The number of questions and time allotted have both been reduced since the arrival of covid-19. The exam pattern for CAT 2022 comprised 66 questions to be completed in 2 hours. However, before this, the exam pattern remained the same for five consecutive years till 2019. Here is a view of the exam pattern across the past 10 years.

FAQs

What is the CAT exam pattern?

The CAT 2023 exam pattern is expected to be on the same lines as CAT 2022. There were minor changes in the pattern for VARC and DILR. However, the number of questions and division among the sections remained the same. Click here (direct to CAT exam pattern 2023 heading)  for the detailed exam pattern

How many sections are in CAT 2023?

There are three sections in CAT

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Aptitude

How to apply for CAT 2023?

CAT 2023 registrations are expected to begin in August 2023 tentatively. Those who wish to appear for CAT must meet the requirements of the eligibility criteria and fill out the registration form to sit for the exam.

When do you apply for CAT 2023?

Those who wish to appear for CAT 2023 can apply once the registrations are open, tentatively in the first week of August 2023. You must fill out the registration form correctly, upload the documents and pay the registration fee to complete the process and get the admit card. .

Is a calculator allowed in CAT?

No, calculators are not allowed inside the examination hall. Candidates should memorize ad practice the basic equations and formulae required for CAT.

For more information, click here

Conclusion

As you can see, CAT is completely capable of shifting the paradigm of the CAT exam pattern and has done so over the years. In order to counter this, the candidates need to prepare for each topic in the syllabus and hone their test-taking skills. With the help of these two skills in their armory, any curveball thrown by CAT would not be much more than a temporary hesitation on the part of the candidate.