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CAT 2021 Slot 2 did not throw any major surprises as compared to CAT 2021 Slot 1. The element of ambiguity regarding the number of questions was resolved in CAT 2021 Slot 1 itself. The CAT 2021 Slot 2 pattern continued to be along the same lines as the morning slot with 66 questions in total to be solved in 2 hours with 40 minutes allotted to each section.
Based on the expectation and CL predictions, CAT aspirants had to face 66 questions in 2 hours with the section-wise distribution of questions as follows:
The marking scheme remained the same: +3/-1 for MCQs, and +3/0 for non-MCQs. The overall level of difficulty for CAT 2021 slot 2 was slightly higher than that of CAT 2021 Slot 1. This increasing trend in LOD across the slots was seen last year as well. In terms of section-wise level of difficulty, VARC of Slot 2 was slightly difficult compared to VARC of Slot 1. DILR was similar to Slot 1 DILR which went back to CAT 2020 level and was moderate to difficult in terms of LOD. QA of Slot 2 was slightly lengthy as compared to QA of Slot 1.
An overall raw score of around ~97-98 should fetch a 99%ile in CAT 2021 Slot 2.
CAT 2021 Paper Pattern & Section-wise expected score for 99%ile+
For CAT 2021 Score calculator & Percentile Prediction, Check CAT 2021 Exam Corner
| 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) |
37-39 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
29-32 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
39-42 |
Total |
66 |
120 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
~97-98 |
The CAT 2021 VARC section of Slot 2 continued to be slightly tricky in terms of the questions asked, making it similar to CAT 2020. As compared to VARC of Slot 1, it was slightly more difficult. This was a slightly lengthy section, which was contrary to expectations. There were a total of 24 questions to be attempted in 40 minutes.
5 questions were Non-MCQs (all in Verbal). The RC passages were around ~500 words each. 2 were easy to read. Questions were moderate with tricky options.
Since there were 4 passages, 2 would have been an ideal attempt. 4 would have been a risk.VA was easy, as usual.
Overall, a score of 37-39 can be considered enough for a 99+%ile. All the TITA (Non MCQ questions) should have been attempted, as usual.
CAT 2021 VARC Question-wise Breakup:
| Topic | No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Score/ Attempt |
Reading Comprehension |
16 (4+4+4+4) |
12 (with 8-9 correct attempts) |
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles |
3 |
7 (with 5 correct attempts) |
Verbal Ability - Summary |
3 |
|
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles (Odd-sentence out) |
2 |
Slot 2 DILR was similar to what was seen in DILR of Slot 1, in terms of LOD. The DILR section had 20 questions distributed across 4 sets (4+4+6+6). DILR went back to CAT 2020 level of difficulty. Again, the number of non-MCQs was 5. 2 Sets (of 4 questions) were manageable in the given time frame.
A score of 29-32 marks can be considered ideal for a 99+ percentile in DILR.
CAT 2021 DILR Question - wise Breakup:
| Subject | Topic |
No of Questions |
Ideal Attempt |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
Bar Chart (DI) |
4 |
4 |
Games & Tournament |
4 |
4 |
|
Ravi the delivery man |
6 |
~3-4 questions of 1 out of the 2 sets could be attempted if a student focused on only 1 set. |
|
Assignment (Value perception of different products) |
6 |
Contrary to expectations, the QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 2 was slightly more difficult than QA of Slot 1. Of the 22 questions, 15 questions could easily be attempted in 40 minutes. The section had 8 non-MCQs. As seen in the Slot 1 QA section, the Slot 2 QA section continued to be dominated by Arithmetic followed by Algebra. And was similar in terms of LOD as well, just a tad bit lengthy making it easy to moderate as compared to CAT 2021 Slot 1 QA section.
A score of 39-42 would be ideal for a 99+ percentile in the QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 2.
CAT 2021 QA Questions- wise Breakup:
| Topic | No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Attempt |
Number System |
2 |
1-2 |
Algebra |
5 |
2 -3 |
Arithmetic |
11 |
7-9 |
Modern Math |
1 |
0-1 |
Geometry & Mensuration |
3 |
2 |
Candidates would have done well to maintain their calm and follow the guidelines shared by Career Launcher, in all its sessions. The overall cutoff for a 99+ percentile is expected to range around 97-98, as predicted, pre- CAT 2021.