XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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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.
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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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.
Year | Test-taking window | Slots |
2023 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2022 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2021 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2020 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2019 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2018 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2017 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2016 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2015 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2014 | 2 days | 4 slot |
2009-13 | 20 days window | 40 slots |
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:
Year | No. of Applications Registered | No. Of Applicants Appeared |
2023 | 3.5 lakh | 2.88 lakh |
2022 | 2.55 lakh | 2.22 lakh |
2021 | 2.30 lakhs | 1,91,660 |
2020 | 2.3 Lakh (Approx) | 1.90 lakh |
2019 | 2,44,169 | 2,09,926 |
2018 | 2,40,338 | 2,09,405 |
2017 | 2,31,000 | 1,99,632 |
2016 | 2,32,434 | 1,95,000 |
2015 | 2,18,664 | 1,79,602 |
2014 | 1,96,988 | 1,67,829 |
2013 | 1,94,516 | 1,73,714 |
2012 | 2,14,000 | 1,95,000 |
2011 | 2,05,000 | 1,86,000 |
2010 | 2,04,000 | 1,85,000 |
2009 | 2,41,000 | 2,30,000 |
2008 | 2,90,000 | 2,76,000 |
2007 | 2,50,000 | 2,30,000 |
2009
Change from paper-based test to computer-based test
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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
CAT 2021
CAT 2022
Year | Number of Questions | Sections | Marking Scheme | Duration | Conducting Body | Other Element |
2023 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 2 hours | IIM Lucknow | - |
2022 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 2 hours | IIM Bangalore | - |
2021 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 120 minutes | IIM Ahmedabad | - |
2020 | Total 76 questions (24 in one section and 26 in the other two sections) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 120 Minutes | IIM Indore | |
2019 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 180 Minutes | - | |
2018 | There were a total of 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | - | |
2017 | Total number of questions were 100 (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | - | |
2016 | The number of questions was 100 divided into three sections (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | ||
2015 | Total number of questions were 100 (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | Introduce On-Screen Calculator/ Induction of Non-MCQ | |
2014 | Total 100 Questions (50 per sections) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (Not in order) | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 170 Minutes | The test was divided into two sections | |
2013 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Indore | - |
2012 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Kozhikode | - |
2011 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Calcutta | - |
2007 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
2006 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
2005 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
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Hello aspirant,
The question papers for CAT MGU University can be found on their official website, or you can also visit careers360 website for the same.
The link of which, I am attaching here,
https://university.careers360.com/articles/mgu-cat-2025
Regards
Hello Anshuman!!!
You have gotten 86% in 10th, which is a good score. 70% in graduation is not the best but decent. But the main problem is your 12th score which is 62%.
You would be already aware that the Top IIMs (BLACKI) give a big emphasis on your academic score. Let me tell you one example of IIM Ahmedabad,
According to a research i read a few days ago, in IIM Ahmedabad,
70.8%
of students has 90+ percent in 12th,
25.8%
has 80-90 percent and around
3.8%
has less than 80% with the bracket of 60-69 having only
0.26%
students of the total batch. Nearly same is the case of the other top IIMs like IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore.
Statistically, getting into these TOP IIMs is possible with 62% in 12th is possible (0.26% has done it) but practically you cannot get into these TOP IIMs unless you top the CAT exam.
See, I don't wish to dishearten or demotivate you but I wish to tell you the truth. Although the probability of you getting into these TOP IIMs is very less, but trying is better than doing nothing. You have a good score in 10th which will certainly help you. The least you could do is try your best.
My advice would be that you should not focus on these things like "Will I get top IIM" or negative talk like " I got low marks I won't qualify" etc.
The main focus should be on your preparation.
Give 100% in your preparation because that's the only thing in your hand. You can't change your 10th/12th/Graduation scores but you can put some more effort in your preparation which would certainly help to get better percentile.
Keep working hard and give your best. You might surprise yourself!!! And if not BLACKI, there are many other good colleges like FMS, MDI, newer IIMs etc.
Hello,
Yes, with a 622 rank in IPU CET for MBA and being a Delhi candidate, you have a good chance of getting admission in MAIT (Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology).
You don’t need to worry about not giving the CAT exam. IPU CET rank is enough for admission in MAIT under the CET quota.
Just make sure to keep MAIT high in your preference list during counselling.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
A NEET 2025 score of 333 marks, an All India Rank (AIR) near 3,56,000, and belonging to the SC category from Andhra Pradesh suggest a fair possibility of obtaining an MBBS seat within the state quota, especially in private medical colleges under Category A (government quota seats in private institutions).
In Andhra Pradesh, SC category cut-offs for Category A seats in private institutions generally vary from 320 to 370, influenced by the college and the counselling round. Government medical colleges tend to be more competitive, with the SC cut-off for MBBS frequently rising, often exceeding 400 marks.
Although obtaining a government MBBS seat is improbable, you stand a feasible opportunity in private medical colleges within A category (which offer lower tuition than B and C categories). In Round 2 or the Mop-Up round, you can anticipate improved opportunities, since cut-offs generally decrease when other students move to superior colleges or vacate seats.
Colleges such as NRI Medical College (Guntur), Katuri Medical College (Guntur), Great Eastern Medical School (Srikakulam), Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences (Eluru), and Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences (Kadapa) are among those where seats could become available for SC students in subsequent rounds under Category A.
Hope this helps. All the best!
Yes, candidates who qualify in CUSAT CAT can gain admission to various participating institutes based on their rank. These include engineering colleges associated with CUSAT, such as its own School of Engineering in Kochi, Model Engineering College, and over 20 government and private engineering colleges across Kerala like College of Engineering Thrikkaripur, Co-operative Institute of Technology Vadakara, and MG College of Engineering Thiruvallam. The final seat allotment is based on your rank and your choice of program during the counselling process.
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