CAT 2024 Analysis

CAT 2024 analysis conducted by our experts will give insight into the candidates' performance and difficulty level in different sections. Conducted by IIM Calcutta, CAT 2024 was held in 3 Slots. Our section-wise analysis will help the aspirants understand the types of questions, topics covered and more. Read this article thoroughly to get a clear overview of CAT 2024.

Based on our overall analysis, it can be drawn that the CAT exam this year was comparatively lower in difficulty level. CAT 2024 sprung a few surprises for the students, beginning with an increase in total questions owing to 2 additional questions in the DILR segment. Secondly, the DILR section was considerably easier compared to the last few years when students could hardly crack 1 set in the section. This year, students reported attempting 2-3 sets. The verbal section was on similar lines. The quant section did throw a surprise in slot 2, but overall, even this section was easier compared to last year.

The overall cut-offs will definitely see an uptick this year.

Analysis: CAT 2024 Slot 1 paper was surprisingly easier compared to last year. The second surprise was the additional 2 questions in DILR. So the total number of questions increased to 68 from 66 last year. Students found the DILR section to be quite easy. In all sections, a quick scan of the paper would have thrown out easily doable questions with a high level of accuracy.

Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC):In terms of the level of difficulty, the verbal section can be labeled as moderate to difficult which is against the general trend of last few years. Given the tricky RCs in the section, accuracy will be the key.

There were 4 RC passages of medium length of 4 questions each. RC passages were taken from Behavioral Economics, Wildlife (extinction of an Australian species), Craftsmanship vs Materialism and one on culture changes because of OTT. The passages broadly revolved around the fields of Psychology, Social Studies, and Economics. Generally, it can be concluded that 2 RCs were easy to attempt, while the other 2 were a bit tricky with inference-based questions. While the passages were easy to read, the questions were a bit tricky.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR): This section was a happy surprise for students. As per the feedback from the students, all sets were doable; however, time was a constraint. There were a total of 5 sets, with 3 sets of 4 questions each and 2 sets of 5 questions each. Students were generally able to do 3-4 sets.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA):: The Quant section was easier compared to last year, with many easy questions spread across the section. Arithmetic had more than 10 questions, which were clearly doable. The students reported questions from Ratios, P&L, TSD, Avg, SI-CI etc. The overall attempt in the section has gone up compared to last year. The students with high accuracy will stand to benefit.

Analysis: Slot 2 had a similar structure as Slot 1; however, students reported a little more difficulty in the Quant section, wherein the questions were a bit tricky or required extensive calculations.  DILR and VARC were similar to Slot 1 and relatively easy compared to last year.

Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC)In terms of the level of difficulty, the verbal section can be labeled as relatively easy, in line with the morning slot.

There were 4 RC passages of medium length of 4 questions each. RC passages were on the following topics: Technology and its unintended consequences, European colonization and spices, peer review, and human-animal and conflict. General feedback is the same as the morning slot, wherein 2 RCs were easy to attempt while the other 2 were tricky.

There were no questions from para-jumbles.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): The DILR section again was much easier compared to the last few years. There were a total of 5 sets with three sets of 4 questions each and 2 sets of 5 questions each. Students were generally able to do 2-3 sets. As per general feedback, 3 sets were relatively easy, while two a bit difficult, given that they were time-consuming and calculative.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA): The Quant section posed a little challenge for students in this slot compared to slot 1. The arithmetic questions continued to dominate the section. The overall attempt in the section is expected to be lower than slot 1. The students with high accuracy will definitely stand to benefit.

Analysis: Slot 3 had more similarities with slot 1, wherein even the quant section was considerably easy. DILR and VARC were similar to Slot 1 and 2 and relatively easy compared to last year.

Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC):In terms of the level of difficulty, the verbal section can be labeled as relatively easy, in line with the morning slot.

There were Four RC passages of medium length of 4 questions each. RC passages were on the following topics:

1) Native languages going extinct

2) consequences of AI

3) NASA-based study on contamination of outer space/planets

4) Chinese wine

General feedback is the same as the morning slot, wherein 2 RCs were easy to attempt while the other 2 were difficult to comprehend.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR):  This section again was much easier compared to last few years. There were a total of 5 sets – with 3 sets of 4 questions each and 2 sets of 5 questions each. Students were generally able to do 2-3 sets. Per general feedback, 3 sets were easy, while 2 a bit difficult.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA): The Quant section seemed easier than even slot 1, with many students suggesting a higher number of attempts. The arithmetic questions continued to dominate the section with many straight questions of up to 2 lines. The overall effort in the section is expected to be slightly higher than slot 1. The students with high accuracy will stand to benefit.

CAT Exam Patterns from the past few years have shown the following trends that candidates should be aware of

This CAT 2024 analysis will look at the overall structure of the test, which hasn't changed much over the last few years.

The overall level of difficulty has gone up a little compared to previous years.

The section on Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning is often said to be the hardest.

The Quantitative Ability section has been getting harder over the past few years, with more algebra questions on the CAT 2023 test.

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has been pretty hard on most recent tests.

The marking scheme for CAT has typically been:

The CAT marking scheme typically includes +3 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect MCQs. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.

The CAT exam is 120 minutes long, with 40 minutes allocated to each section. Effective time management is critical to success.

The CAT 2024 exam analysis will occur after the exam. This CAT 2024 analysis will reveal difficulty-based question types and cutoffs. Candidates should wait for the official exam analysis before assessing their performance and competition.