CAT 2021 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Analysis

Following the trend of VARC of Slot 1 and Slot 2 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 passages were easy to read whereas the other 2 passages were difficult to read.

Since there were 4 passages, 3 would have been an ideal attempt. All 4 would have been a risk.

VA was fine, as usual. Para Jumbles had short answers and 2 were very easy. Summary questions had very close options. Para Jumbles (Odd Sentences) were of a higher level of difficulty as the options were tricky.

Overall, a score of 36-39 can be considered enough for a 99%ile in VARC Slot 3. 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)

12-14

Verbal Ability - Parajumbles

3

2-3

Verbal Ability - Summary

3

1-2

Verbal Ability - Parajumbles (Odd-sentence out)

2

2

CAT 2021 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Analysis

Slot 3 DILR was slightly easier than what was seen in DILR of Slot 2 and similar to 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. As compared to 1 easy set (of 4 questions) in slot 1 and slot 2, Slot 3 had 2 easy sets of 4 questions each. However the other 2 sets were difficult.

A score of 30-33 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

4

3-4

Pure & Impure Solutions

4

3-4

Javelin Tournament

6

2-4

Review of Academic Qs

6

2-4

CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Analysis

The QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 3 was lengthy and calculation intensive thereby increasing its level of difficulty. It had 22 questions to be attempted in 40 minutes. The section had 8 non-MCQs. As seen in Slot 1 and Slot 2 QA section, the Slot 3 QA section continued to be dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra.

A score of 34-36 would be ideal for a 99+ percentile in the QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 3.

CAT 2021 QA Questions- wise Breakup:

Topic

No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ)

Ideal Attempt

Number System

-

-

Algebra

6

2-3

Arithmetic

11

7-8

Modern Math

1

1

Geometry & Mensuration

4

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 92-95, as predicted, pre- CAT 2021.

Go through the previous year CAT exam analysis to be prepared for surprises