Know CAT Evolution Over the Years: Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 10 Years

CAT evolution over the years in terms of mode of examination, number of questions, registered students, exam pattern, etc., can be seen. CAT is a widely accepted MBA entrance exam for admission to top B-schools and 1000+ colleges in India. Some of the prominent CAT changes over the years are, the number of exam slots increased from two to three and the questions were decreased to 66 from 76.

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This Story also Contains

1. CAT Test Taking Window Over the Years
2. CAT Registration trends over the past 13 years
3. CAT Evolution Over the Years

With different IIMs conducting CAT exam, there were major changes in the CAT pattern and difficulty levels as well. The distribution of questions in each section was different. It has been observed that IIMs over the past few years have introduced several changes, therefore Careers360 brings to you the CAT evolution over the years to keep candidates on track with the changes and changes that might appear in coming years. Let’s take a closer look.
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CAT Test Taking Window Over the Years

The table below states the number of slots and windows in which the CAT was held over the past few years. Since 2015, the CAT exam pattern has been upheld to a great extent. The exam is also now held in a single day in three slots i.e. Morning, noon and evening. Let us see what CAT now unveils.

Past Year Test Taking Window

CAT Registration trends over the past 13 years

Over the past 13 years, the year 2023 saw the highest number of registrations. Check the complete list of the total number of registrations every year in the table below:

Number of registrations over the years

CAT Evolution Over the Years

2009

• Change from paper-based test to computer-based test

It was in 2009 that for the first time, the CAT was held in computer-based mode or online mode. Getting acquainted with the online test, it was the biggest challenge for the test takers. Before 2009 the exam used to be conducted in a paper-based mode, wherein the students used to mark their answers on the OMR sheet.

• Exam Duration

Due to the shift in the examination mode, the exam duration also increased to 2 hours and 15 minutes. With the shift in the mode of exam and duration, the test takers witnessed many technical glitches which led to a re-test of CAT.

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2011

• Reduction in the number of sections

In 2011, IIM Calcutta conducted CAT. The authorities deducted the number of sections in CAT from three to only two sections. The two sections were a combination of 2 subjects each:

• Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

• Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability.

However, the number of questions remained the same that is 60. Each section consisted of 30 questions.

• Sectional Time Limit

With the reduction in the number of sections, authorities imposed the section-time limit to attempt a particular section. The students welcomed this change as it helped them in effective decision-making and reduced the chances of wasting time on a particular question.

2014

• Increase in the number of questions

This year saw a drastic change by the increase in the number of questions. Earlier there used to be 30 questions in each section, however, in 2014 it was increased by 20 questions each. Therefore, making it to 50 questions in each section.

2015

• Introduction to on-screen calculators

With the introduction of on-screen calculators, it came as a relief to the candidates of CAT in solving Mathematical problems.

• Change in the exam pattern

This year again saw a change in the completion of the exam pattern of CAT in the following ways:

• The number of the section was again increased to three as it was till 2010.

• Non-MCQ questions were introduced from 2015 onwards, wherein candidates have to type the answer in one-liners.

• The duration of the exam was increased from 170 minutes to 180 minutes.

2016

• Change in Schedule

CAT is usually held in the last week of November. However, in 2016 it was for the first time that CAT was held in the first week of December that is on December 4 in two slots.

2019

• Application Form

In 2019 several changes were introduced in the application process of CAT:

• The registration fee increased by Rs. 100, from Rs. 1800 to Rs. 1900 for general/NC-OBC categories. Also, it increased by Rs. 50 for SC/ST/PwD categories from Rs. 900 to Rs. 950.

• New CAT exam centres were added.

• New payment partners were added:

  • PayU

  • BillDesk

  • Paytm

CAT 2020

• The total number of questions was reduced to 76 from 100
• The test slots were three instead of two
• The test started with the Verbal Section (26 Qs - 18 RC and 8 VA.) The second section was the DI-LR with 24 Qs ( DI 18 + LR 6 questions). The third section was Quantitative Ability (26 Qs.) Each section was timed for 40 minutes. One could not go back and forth between sections. The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Questions.

CAT 2021

• The total number of questions was reduced to 66 from 76
• The test slots were three instead of two

CAT 2022

• The CAT exam fees increased this year.
• The CAT test cities changed to 151.

CAT Pattern changes over the years

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