The CAT 2024 exam has come and gone, and as always, it has left aspirants with a mix of emotions. Some candidates found the test challenging, while others felt confident. With varying opinions circulating, it’s essential to understand the key elements of the paper, including its difficulty level, question types, and overall structure. Whether you aced the exam or are looking for insights to improve your strategy for the next attempt, it’s crucial to assess every aspect of the paper in detail. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the CAT 2024 exam, sharing feedback on the sections, question distribution, and key trends, along with tips for future aspirants. Make sure to go through the entire article for an in-depth understanding of the CAT 2024 paper and how to best approach your preparation moving forward.
Increased Number of Questions
In CAT 2024, there was a noticeable increase in the total number of questions, rising from 66 in previous years to 68 this year. This change reflects a slight shift in the exam’s structure, potentially increasing the overall challenge for aspirants. The questions were distributed across three sections as follows: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) with 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) with 22 questions, and Quantitative Ability (QA) with 22 questions. The addition of two extra questions has sparked varied reactions among candidates, with some finding it manageable, while others felt the pressure of completing the paper within the time constraints. This shift underscores the need for a more strategic approach to time management and thorough preparation across all sections.
Section-wise Breakup
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Difficulty– Moderate to Difficult
Total Number of Questions – The total number of questions in VARC was 24.
Reading Comprehension (RC)- 4 passages with 4 questions each = 16 questions
Heavy focus on inference based questions
Para-jumbles– None; Para-completion- 2; Summary- 4 ; Odd one out- 2; TITA Questions- Only 2
Structure- The structure of the VARC section in Slot 2 of the CAT 2024 exam appeared to be somewhat haphazard, with the Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA) questions not following a clear, logical order. The RC passages and VA questions were interspersed unpredictably, making it difficult for some candidates to maintain a smooth flow while attempting the section.
Topics- Online Research of Data & History
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Difficulty- Easy to Moderate
Total Number of Questions- The total number of questions in DILR was 22
Sets- 3 sets ( 4 questions each); 2 sets ( 5 questions each)
DI Based on Topics– Bar graph & Bubble Sets
Sets of Reasoning based on Topics- Games & Tournament, Selection & Distribution & Voting including a Sudoku based set
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Difficulty level- Easy & Doable
Total Number of Questions- 22
Topic Distribution- Arithmetic: 6-7 questions based on TSD, Averages, Mixtures, Time & Work, Profit & Loss
Algebra: 8-10 questions; Geometry-3- 4 questions; Number System- 0 question; PnC & Probability- 2-3 questions
CAT 2024 Exam Slot 2 Analysis
Slot 2 of the CAT 2024 exam presented a balanced mix of challenges and manageable sections. The English section, while similar in structure to previous years, was slightly trickier this time, with more complex Reading Comprehension passages and some Verbal Ability questions that required deeper analysis. The Quantitative Ability (Maths) section was relatively doable, with questions covering a range of topics that were fair and not overwhelmingly difficult. The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section was a bit tougher compared to previous years, with a few sets that were more intricate and time-consuming. However, 3 of the sets were still easily doable, allowing candidates to score well if they managed their time effectively. Overall, while Slot 2 presented some challenges, it was a well-rounded paper with sections that could be tackled strategically with proper preparation.
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