CAT 2021 followed the CAT 2020 exam pattern of reduced time (2 hours) with 40 minutes allotted to each section. However, the number of questions in CAT 2021 was reduced to 66 questions from the 76 questions given last year ( in CAT 2020). Thus, the division of questions also saw a change:
VARC: 24 questions
DILR: 20 questions
QA: 22 questions
The marking scheme remained the same: +3/-1 for MCQs and +3/0 for non-MCQs. The overall level of difficulty for 2021 was slightly higher than that of CAT 2020. In terms of the section-wise level of difficulty, VARC was slightly more difficult compared to CAT 2020 while DILR maintained the same level of difficulty as the previous year. QA was slightly easier than CAT 2019, in terms of LOD. QA was difficult in slot 3 as compared to slots 1 and 2 which had a similar LOD.
An overall raw score of around 96-98 should fetch a 99 %ile in 2021.
2021 Paper Pattern & Section-wise expected score for 99%ile+
Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme |
Score for 99%ile |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
37-39 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
29-32 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
38-40 |
Total |
66 |
120 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
96-98 |