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

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

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CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 23 Aug 2024, 06:08 PM IST

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.

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
Know CAT Evolution Over the Years: Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 10 Years
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.
Read more-

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

Year

Test-taking window

Slots

20231 day3 slots
20221 day3 slots
2021
1 day
3 slots
20201 day3 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

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

Year

No. of Applications Registered

No. Of Applicants Appeared

20233.5 lakh2.88 lakh
20222.55 lakh2.22 lakh
20212.30 lakhs1,91,660
20202.3 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

CAT Evolution Over the Years

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

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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

Year

Number of Questions

Sections

Marking Scheme

Duration

Conducting Body

Other Element

2023Total 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-
2022Total 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 hoursIIM Bangalore-
2021Total 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 minutesIIM 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

IIM Kozhikode

-

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

IIM Calcutta

-

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

IIM Lucknow

-

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

IIM Bangalore


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

IIM Ahmedabad

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

IIM Indore

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

-

2007Total 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 answer150 minutes--
2006Total 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 answer150 minutes--
2005Total 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 answer150 minutes--

Download CAT sample papers free PDF here.

Related topics- How To Crack CAT

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

Thank you for your question!

KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).

CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.

CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.

Hello it will clear your doubt!

Hello Aspirant,

  1. I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.

Here's why:

  • "a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.

  • "The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.

  • "an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."

  • "a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.

  • "the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."

Hello Kapish

You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.

Here's the link: CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR: CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360

Thank You!!!


Hello Divya,

Yes, candidates with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT provided that the degree is from a recognized (UGC approved in India or accredited abroad) institution. The leading B-schools in both India and abroad do not look down upon online degrees as long as the degree is from a recognized body, they will mostly be looking at your test scores, academic performance, work experience, and profile holistically. What matters is the legitimacy of the institution and how you showcase your abilities, not whether your degree was obtained online or in-person.

Yes, someone with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT, provided the degree is from a UGC recognized university. Top B-schools in India (like IIMs) and abroad generally accept online degrees if they are valid, and you won’t be marked down just because it’s online. What matters more is your entrance exam score, academic record, work experience, and overall profile.