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Difficulty level of CAT 2024 is what every CAT aspirant speculates about. The CAT 2024 difficulty level can be estimated using different possible ways. The CAT 2024 exam is conducted on November 24, 2024. CAT 2024 will be conducted by the IIM Calcutta. From a general perspective, the difficulty level of CAT 2024 will be between moderate to hard. As per the CAT exam trends, the difficulty level of QA and DI sections will be higher. Read this article to know the overall and sectional-wise difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam.
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The difficulty level of CAT 2024 exam sections should also be watched out for. The difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam is also the key factor that will affect the CAT cutoff subsequently. The CAT 2024 exam will have 66 questions distributed across three sections VARC, DILR, and QA. Based on the expected difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam, candidates can start the CAT preparation 2024.
Historically, the difficulty level of the CAT exam is seen to be moderately difficult most of the time. The VARC and DILR sections are easy to moderate generally and the Quant section is moderate to difficult. Candidates mostly find the QA section to be the most difficult. The VARC section contains 24 questions while the DILR and QA sections contain 20 and 22 questions respectively.
The total number of questions asked in CAT 2024 is around 66. CAT question paper 2024 comprises MCQ and non-MCQ type questions. CAT exam paper includes questions from topics such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The expected sectional-wise difficulty level of the CAT 2024 is mentioned in the below table. The expected difficulty level of the CAT exam pattern is determined based on the analysis of the previous year's CAT question papers.
The total number of CAT questions asked from the CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section is 24. The total time to solve the VARC section is about 40 minutes. Candidates can secure a good score in the VARC section if total number of good attempts is 15-16.
CAT VARC Question Types | Number of Questions | Expected difficulty level of the CAT VARC Section |
MCQ | 20 | Moderate - Difficult |
Non-MCQ | 4 | |
Total | 24 |
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Candidates can expect 22 questions from the CAT quantitative aptitude section. it comprises 14 MCQ and 8 non-MCQ questions. CAT exam takers can meet the section cutoff for the QA section by making good attempts of 10-12.
CAT QA Question Types | Number of Questions | Expected difficulty level of the CAT QA Section |
MCQ | 14 | Difficult |
Non-MCQ | 8 | |
Total | 22 |
The overall difficulty level of the CAT LRDI section can be moderate to difficult. Candidates who made 10-12 good attempts can easily meet the CAT LRDI sectional cutoff marks to get shortlisted for the top B-schools in India.
CAT LRDI Question Types | Number of Questions | Expected difficulty level of the CAT LRDI Section |
MCQ | 12 | Moderate - Difficult |
Non-MCQ | 8 | |
Total | 20 |
The expected difficulty level of CAT 2024 is as usual moderately difficult. To have a better idea of the probable difficulty level of CAT 2024 the difficulty level analysis of previous three-year CAT exams is provided through the table given below. It will help candidates to decipher the CAT difficulty level for this year.
Year | Section | Number of MCQs | Number of TITAs | Good Number of Attempts | Difficulty Level |
2023 | VARC | 20 | 4 | 16-19 | Moderate |
DILR | 12 | 8 | 9-12 | Easy to Moderate | |
QA | 14-15 | 7-8 | 9-11 | Moderate to Difficult | |
2022 | VARC | 21 | 3 | 16-18 | Moderate |
DILR | 14 | 6 | 10-12 | Easy to Moderate | |
QA | 14 | 8 | 13-15 | Easy to Moderate | |
2021 | VARC | 19 | 5 | 15-17 | Moderate |
DILR | 14 | 6 | 10-12 | Easy to Moderate | |
QA | 14 | 8 | 14-15 | Moderate to Difficult |
The CAT difficulty level is influenced by a lot of factors. A few of these factors and their effects are explained below.
Test Structure and Pattern: The test structure and pattern of the CAT exam determines the difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam. The CAT conducting body usually decides the structure and pattern of the CAT exam.
Question Setting Approach: Questions in the CAT exam are designed to assess the various abilities that a candidate possesses like decision making, problem-solving, number crunching, dealing with complex data, etc.
Adaptive Nature: CAT’s adaptive testing format adjusts the difficulty level of questions based on the response of a candidate. It makes the CAT exam more difficult and unpredictable.
Candidate Preparation: The CAT exam also tests the preparation level of the candidate. Candidates with a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts will find the questions more solvable and better manage the given duration of time as compared to others.
Check out: CAT Exam Analysis For Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 Question Paper in 2024
Cracking CAT alone is not enough for getting into an IIM. Candidates must also clear the WAT and PI rounds for the applied IIM to get a callback for the final selection through the merit list.
The CAT cutoff for IIM CAT 2024 can be expected to be above 90 for most IIMs. This is only the qualifying cutoff a candidate can apply to an IIM. The final selection cutoff is generally much higher between 98-100.
There are three sections in the CAT exam 2024 namely, VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude).
Considering the timing of the CAT 2024 exam, an aspirant should start their preparation ideally at the beginning of the year. To crack the CAT exam in one go, a solid preparation of 8 to 9 months should be good enough.
The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
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Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
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