CAT Sample Paper 2021 - Download Previous Year CAT Question Paper PDF
CAT Sample Paper 2021: The CAT 2021 sample papers are an excellent resource for preparing well for the CAT 2021 exam as they help in a comprehensive understanding of the CAT exam pattern and syllabus. Candidates who will appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) can enhance their preparation by solving the sample paper of CAT 2021. By referring to the CAT sample paper 2021, candidates can learn the complete CAT exam pattern, marking scheme and get an overview of the exam. CAT 2021 will be conducted tentatively on November 28. Read this complete article to know more about CAT sample paper with answers, download steps and more.

CAT Exam Pattern 2021
Before downloading the CAT sample paper online, it is important that the candidates are fully equipped with the CAT exam pattern. This will indicate the number of sections and questions that can be asked in each section. With the help of CAT 2021 exam pattern, the candidate can easily know what type of questions will be asked in the CAT question paper. Let’s take a look at the CAT exam pattern 2021.
CAT 2021 Exam Pattern
Section as per IIM CAT Exam Pattern 2021 | Total Questions | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Maximum Marks |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 | 18 | 8 | 78 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 24 | 18 | 6 | 72 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 26 | 18 | 8 | 78 |
Total | 76 | 54 | 22 | 228 |
According to the CAT 2021 exam pattern, there are MCQ and non-MCQ questions in the paper. The key to the questions will be the MCQs, in which students will have to choose the right option from one of four options. Also, there is a section time limit. Once the students are complete with the CAT 2021 exam pattern they are ready to download the CAT exam sample paper.
Also Read:
CAT 2021: When and how to start preparation
CAT 2021 Marking Scheme
The CAT sample paper pdf also specifies the marking scheme of the CAT exam 2021. The CAT 2021 marking scheme includes scores awarded for each correct answer and a wrong answer.
For each correct answer, candidates will be awarded three positive marks.
The wrong answer will deduct 1 mark.
If a candidate does not attempt any question, marks will not be awarded and deducted.
There is no negative mark for Non-MCQs.
When going to solve the CAT previous year question paper, the candidates should know the marking scheme like how many marks will be awarded and deducted. Then only the candidates are able to solve the CAT sample papers without any confusion.
CAT Question Paper 2021
Candidates can know the type and nature of questions asked in CAT 2021 with the help of CAT previous year paper. Judging CAT sample paper with solution pdf, candidates will learn about the questions and time taken in each category. In this article, we attached the past five year of CAT sample paper with the answer key. To download CAT sample paper by IIM, see the steps below:
Check How to Download CAT Sample Paper with Solutions PDF
The candidates who are all looking to download the CAT question paper with a solution are advised to follow the steps mentioned.
Step 1: First, go to the official Careers360 website.
Step 2: Then register with the required details or sign up with the google account.
Step 3: Once registered, visit the candidate's profile using their Careers360 login credentials.
Step 4: Next, find and click the link called “Sample Paper” at the left side of the page.
Step 5: Then it will take you to the question paper page. From there, filter the required question paper by choosing the exam, type.
Step 6: It will show the past year’s CAT sample paper book format.
Step 7: Finally, click the “Free Download” button to download the CAT sample paper 2021 pdf.
CAT Sample Question Paper 2021
By knowing the CAT previous year sample paper, candidates can check the difficulty level of the CAT question paper and prepare for the exam accordingly. Our team members worked hard to provide the candidates for the past five years of the CAT sample paper as section wise along with the CAT sample mock test paper.
CAT Question Paper | Download Link | |
CAT 2020 Question Paper with Solution | ||
CAT 2019 Question Paper with Solution | ||
CAT 2018 Question Paper with Solution | ||
CAT 2017 Question Paper with Solution |
Subject Wise CAT Sample Paper
With the help of knowing the CAT exam papers as section wise, the candidates are able to know how many MCQs and Non-MCQs are asked. Check here the CAT question paper as section wise.
Name of the Section | Download Link |
CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | |
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude |
CAT Sample Mock Test Paper
The purpose of the CAT Mock Test 2021 is to introduce candidates to the CAT 2021 exam pattern changes. The main purpose of offering the CAT mock test free online was conducted in a computer based manner to let the candidates know about the navigation process and other aspects of the general admission test.
Particulars | Download Link |
CAT Sample Papers | |
Mock CAT Questions |
Know How to answer the questions in CAT 2021?
Before going to start the CAT examination, the candidates must have to know how to answer questions in CAT 2021. Students should use the following options when answering the questions:
Save and Next: Students should select the answer, save it and move on to the next question.
Clear Response: Students will have the option to delete the answer to the question they already answered.
Mark for Review and Next: If the students is unsure about the answer, in such a case candidates have the option to mark it as a review, then answer it and then move on to the next one.
What does each colour on the panel represent?
Panel Colour | What it Indicates |
Green | The question was answered and not reviewed. |
Red | The question was not answered and is not marked for review. |
Violet | The question is marked for review and not yet answered. |
Violet with Green tick | The question was marked and answered for review. |
Grey | Question not viewed or visited. |
Also Check
CAT 2021 Mock Test Series Online
One Year Study Plan for CAT 2021
Tips for using CAT Sample Paper 2021
After downloading the CAT sample paper, students are instructed to resolve the paperwork within the allotted time in order to have the right exam environment.
Be sure to analyze your performance and manage time effectively when solving previous year CAT sample papers.
Focus on the areas where you were strong and weak.
After completing the sample CAT question paper, candidates are advised to have their performance analyzed by guides or experts.
Benefits of Solving CAT Sample Paper
There are a lot of advantages of solving the CAT previous year question papers. By solving the two or more CAT sample papers in a week, the candidates can get more knowledge in the CAT syllabus and topics. It will lead the candidates to crack the CAT 2021 easily and get a good cutoff in the actual exam.
Improving Accuracy, Time Management and Speed
Solving the maximum CAT sample paper will help the candidates to try the real CAT question paper more quickly and accurately by knowing the real CAT question paper with different question variations.
It is necessary to keep track of the time taken while solving the CAT sample papers as it will prepare the candidates to solve the CAT question paper within the stipulated time and devise various strategies to solve the paper effectively.
Creates the Exam Environment
Solving the sample paper of CAT will help the candidates to know the nature and types of questions asked in CAT 2021. Also, students can test their performance against the candidates listed for IIM in a particular year.
Evaluate the Preparation Level
Students can identify their weak and strong areas with the help of previous year sample papers of CAT 2021. Also, if you take an average of 100 questions per year, students will have 1000 good practice questions if they solve the 10 year CAT exam paper.
Prepare for Other Entrance Exams
Students can find and solve some questions in IIFT/ SNAP/ XAT, copies of CAT questions.
Students are hereby advised to be fully equipped with the CAT 2021 syllabus. From the first week of August 2021 students were able to fill out the application form online. CAT 2021 will be tentatively held on the last Sunday of November 2021 (November 28, 2021).
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CAT Sample Paper 2021 - Download Previous Year CAT Question Paper PDF
Question: Can I use calculators when giving CAT 2021?
Answer:
Students will be barred from bringing calculators into the exam hall, However screen calculators will be enabled. Know the CAT 2021 exam day guidelines here.
Question: How many sections will there be in CAT 2021?
Answer:
There are three sections in CAT 2021 such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Question: How do I mark myself after completing the CAT 2021 sample paper?
Answer:
After completing the CAT sample paper, candidates should mark themselves according to the CAT 2020 marking scheme.
Get 3 marks for each correct answer
Wrong answer will deduct 1 mark
Marks will not be deducted for incorrect or un-attempt questions
Question: Is the marking scheme similar to MCQ and Non-MCQ?
Answer:
Yes the scheme for referring to all types of questions is the same. But, there is no negative mark for Non-MCQs.
Question: What is the best book for solved CAT papers?
Answer:
There are a lot of solved CAT exam paper books available online and e-commerce sites.
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2021 by Arun Sharma
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT 2021 by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant
Quantum CAT 2021 by Arihant Publications
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Questions related to CAT
Is it true that top scorers in cat are called for iima interview irrespective of their academics?
According to my knowledge IIMAhmedabad callstop50scorersfrom eachacademicdisciplineirrespective of their academicrecord.
Good luck!
Which managemnet course is best for Automobile Engineer?
hi,
I assume you are asking about mba or post graduate diploma in management courses. generally mba course or pgdm is of 2 years duration. I have mentioned the stream name with college details of automobile specialization below:
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai- MBA Automobile Dealership Management
Jagannath University, Jhajjar- MBA Marketing and Automobile Management
Vel Tech Business School, Chennai- MBA Automobile Dealerships Management
I am a final year UG student(2018-2021) and I am appearing for CAT 2021. Is this considered as a one year gap?
Aishwarya,
Candidates studying in final year of undergraduation can also apply for the CAT 2021. As this is your final year and you are writing CAT 2021, then it is not considered as one year gap. One year gap means, a period of one year taken by a student as a break between any two levels/stages of study. Example: if you do not give CAT this year and direclty go for job. And after one year you decide to write CAT , then the one year in which you earned work experience will be considered as GAP as you took a break of one year in your academics.
And for information about CAT 2021, visit here:
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat
Thankyou!
I have a low score in CAT (34 percentile) as well as XAT(20 percentile). Should I apply at IIFM, Bhopal? I really like that college but I dont know if I should apply or not!
Dear aspirant,
With this percentile in CAT and too in CAT it is impossible for you to get call from this college as the sectional cut off for each section(overall) 80 Percentile and for each subject it is 50 percentile.
For more information kindly visit the link given below-
https://www.careers360.com/colleges/indian-institute-of-forest-management-bhopal
Which is the best CAT Institute in Hyderabad Time Or CL or IMS
Hello,
Time, CL and IMS are coaching institute for CAT examination.
These three are best institute for preparation. Fees are almost same IMS and TIME. And CL fees are quitly higher than these institutions.
Time is good, because they give very important study materials. They have very good teacher and help in online tests also.
IMS also good as well as Time institutions. It's very good for solutions.
Now come to the CL, Career launch is best. Because their study materials, studying style is different from another institution. Infact they are help you in any time by online also.
This review all over India according, so now it's your choice which institute you have to choose.
All the best.