The Common Admission Test 2024 commonly known as CAT 2024 was successfully conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, on November 24th, 2024. Conducted in three slots across available test centers in 170 cities of India, nearly 3 lakh candidates appeared for the Computer-Based Test.
The pattern of the exam had undergone some significant changes this year, thus making a CAT 2024 analysis a robust resource for aspirants who would want to assess their performance, trend questions, and estimate cutoffs for the top MBA programs.
In this blog, we will provide a detailed CAT 2024 exam slot 1 analysis. Check below to get all the important details of all the three slots, mentioning the difficulty level and the types of questions asked etc.
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CAT Exam Slot Analysis
Overview of the CAT 2024 Exam
The CAT 2024 has maintained the same three-part format but has increased the number to 68. The sections mainly comprise of
- VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA: Quantitative Ability
Total sectional time was 40 minutes, maintaining the overall duration of the examination to 120 minutes. Unlike previous years, the number of DILR questions has been increased from 20 to 22. Para jumbles have been completely removed from the VARC section.
CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis – Key Highlights
The CAT exam Slot 1 analysis is important because it offers critical information about the difficulty level, pattern of questions, and trends followed by the sections.
Important Takeaways from the CAT exam Slot 1 analysis as follows:
- Overall Difficulty Level: The slot 1 ranging between easy to moderate level, and hence accessible to all well-prepared candidates.
- VARC Section: This section consisted of four Reading Comprehension (RC) passages, and thus it constituted a substantial part of the questions. There were no para jumble questions which was a distinctive hallmark of any previous year CAT.
- DILR Section: The set consisted of five sets, of which three had four questions and two had five. Most of the students can easily find these sets to be reasonable and thus will spend time on those sets
- QA Section: Arithmetic was a majority constituent part of this section with nearly all questions in this chapter. All the questions were easy but a few needed much calculation and thinking mainly based on logic.
- DILR Question Presentation: The major set of DILR questions came in set-based formats, meaning the candidate would have to solve a number of problems interlinked and get them done within the shortest time possible.
CAT Slot-Wise Analysis
CAT exam Slot 1 analysis: Section-wise
CAT Exam Slot 1 was conducted from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on 24th November 2024. The sections were easy to moderately tough overall. Students expressed that each section had a well-balanced number of questions.
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VARC – CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis
The total questions for the VARC section were 24 in number, out of which 16 questions belonged to the RC section. The RC comprises two easy passages and two complicated ones covering a diverse range of topics for the students undertaking CAT.
Key Highlights:
- Para jumbles were missing, depicting a significant change in the pattern
- Questions on para summary, para completion, and odd-one-out were dominated.
- Difficulty level was easy to moderate.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| RC Passage 1 | 4 | Doable |
| RC Passage 2 | 4 | Doable |
| RC Passage 3 (Inference-based) | 4 | Tricky |
| RC Passage 4 (Inference-based) | 4 | Tricky |
| Para Summary | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Para Completion | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Odd-One-Out | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
It is reported from the students that 14–16 questions could be attempted within the given time and help above-average scores in this section.
DILR – CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis
The DILR section contained 22 questions, which were split into five sets. The distributions of DI and LR in the sets are three DI and two LR sets.
Key Observations:
- DI sets involved careful computations, but could be done within the time frame.
- LR sets were close to being on the moderate level.
- The section was easy to moderate, and there were about 10–11 questions doable.
| Set Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Set 1 (DI) | 4 | Moderate |
| Set 2 (DI) | 4 | Moderate |
| Set 3 (DI) | 4 | Moderate |
| Set 4 (LR) | 5 | Moderate |
| Set 5 (LR) | 5 | Moderate |
QA-CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis
The QA section was average. It covered both Arithmetic and Algebra. However, Geometry, Modern Mathematics, and Number Systems featured less.
Key Observations:
- Arithmetical questions dominated, accounting for approximately 10–11 questions.
- Algebraic questions were next with 5–6 questions.
- Geometry, featuring circle, radius, etc questions was more prominent compared to the earlier years.
| Topic | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 10–11 | Easy |
| Algebra | 5–6 | Moderate |
| Geometry | 3 | Moderate |
| Modern Mathematics | 1 | Moderate |
| Number System | 2 | Moderate |
CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis – Key Highlights
The pattern of CAT Slot 2 was the same as that of Slot 1 and hence had the same feel with candidates having a more familiar structure and experience as compared to that of CAT 2023.
The key takeaways from the CAT Exam Slot 2 analysis are as follows:
- General Pattern and Difficulty of the Exam: Slot 2 was very similar to Slot 1, thus consistency between both slots. Both Slots 1 and 2 were easy compared to the CAT 2023 paper; the candidates found the difficulty level more manageable.
- VARC Section: Just like Slot 1, in Slot 2 too, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section was not para jumbled, just like previous years. This section was not as challenging as CAT 2023 and the pattern of this section was very close to Slot 1.
- DILR Section: 3-4 sets in DILR were reportedly solvable, according to most of the candidates. The Slot 2 DILR section was easier compared to CAT 2023 in its pattern. It followed exactly the same pattern as Slot 1, and thereby, candidates could score with much more confidence.
- QA Section: The Quantitative Aptitude section in Slot 2 was comparatively easier than the slot presented during CAT 2023. Its level of difficulty and topic wise distribution was quite analogous to Slot 1, providing familiar ground for the candidates to go on a winning spree.
Overall, CAT Exam Slot 2 was easier compared to CAT 2023. While there wasn’t much change in the sections’ relative difficulty level compared to Slot 1, there was consistency across the sections. From Slot 1, candidates who changed their strategy most probably found the exam manageable and performance-friendly.
CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis: Section-wise
The overall difficulty levels of Slot 1 and Slot 2 are the same but vary in the types and difficulty levels of questions showing up in each slot. Here’s a comparison:
VARC – CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis
The Slot 2 VARC continued with the trend of Reading Comprehension and verbal ability questions. Since RCs were simple to understand, the section was approachable for most candidates.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| RC Passage 1 (Carnivorous) | 4 | Easy |
| RC Passage 2 (Invention) | 4 | Easy |
| RC Passage 3 (Spices) | 4 | Easy |
| RC Passage 4 | 4 | Easy |
| Para Summary | 3 | Easy |
| Para Completion | 3 | Easy |
| Odd-One-Out | 2 | Moderate |
DILR – CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis
Slot 2 DILR contained exactly five sets like Slot 1. However, it had two DI sets and three LR sets. The sets were mainly straight-forward but still had a medium level of toughness overall.
| Set Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Set 1 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 2 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 3 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 4 (DI) | 5 | Moderate |
| Set 5 (DI) | 5 | Moderate |
QA – CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis
The QA segment remained quite on par with Slot 1, with Arithmetic still holding the maximum number of questions from Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Math also appeared.
| Topic | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 7–8 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 6–7 | Moderate |
| Geometry | 3 | Moderate |
| Number System | 2 | Moderate |
CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis – All Highlights
The CAT Slot 3 exam followed the same overall trend as the previous slots, and there was a similar pattern and a difficulty level, but some differences could be seen across sections.
Here are the takeaways:
- Over all Exam Pattern and Difficulty: The pattern in Slot 3 was quite similar to Slot 1, so it was so for the candidates too. Slot 3 was slightly difficult as compared to other slots.
- VARC Section: VARC Section in Slot 3, like all slots, did not have para jumbles. It was overall easier than CAT 2023 but seemed to be slightly more difficult than VARC of Slot 1 and Slot 2.
- DILR Section: Was roughly comparable to Slot 2 in terms of DILR as it did have 2-3 solvable sets. However, the DILR for Slot 3 was perceived to be a bit more tricky and indeed needed more time and logical effort than Slot 1.
- QA: The QA of Slot 3 had some mixed content, and it showed up at the end of the slot as perhaps the most shocking component of the exam. While it was softer than CAT 2023, QA in Slot 3 was slightly harder than the same section in Slot 1 and Slot 2.
Overall, it is balanced in terms of difficulty. CAT 2024 slot 3 was much tougher than the previous slots were for Sections QA and VARC. If this is set aside, the exam was easier than CAT 2023, thereby giving scope to candidates to do their level best.
CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis: Section-wise
CAT Exam 2024, Slot 3 was conducted from 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm had a slightly higher difficulty level in the examination as compared to the earlier slots, especially in the VARC section. Lets us see:
VARC – CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis
This section consisted of four passages, two of which were lengthy and inference-based. Candidates found these passages to be moderately challenging.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| RC Passage 1 (Solar System) | 4 | Easy |
| RC Passage 2 (Colonial History) | 4 | Moderate |
| RC Passage 3 (Literature) | 4 | Moderate |
| RC Passage 4 (Travel) | 4 | Easy |
| Para Summary | 3 | Easy |
| Para Completion | 3 | Easy |
| Odd-One-Out | 2 | Challenging |
DILR – CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis
The DILR section was uniformly consistent with five sets. However, candidates were of the opinion that the DI sets in Slot 3 were much trickier compared to the ones in the earlier slots.
| Set Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Set 1 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 2 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 3 (LR) | 4 | Easy |
| Set 4 (DI) | 5 | Moderate |
| Set 5 (DI) | 5 | Moderate |
QA – CAT Exam Slot 3 Analysis
The QA part remained static too at 22 questions. Arithmetic and Algebra continued their dominance, while the Geometry and Modern Mathematics questions made each paper somewhat different.
| Topic | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 10 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 4–5 | Moderate |
| Geometry | 1–2 | Moderate |
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FAQs
- How was the overall difficulty level of CAT 2024?
Ans: As such, the overall level of difficulty of CAT 2024 is supposed to go from the moderate to difficult level, and this could change with sections and time slots in various ways. Candidates must prepare themselves for some sections being time-consuming while others are relatively speedier based on the topic covered. - How was the difficulty level of CAT 2024 as compared to previous year?
Ans: Early slot analyses indicate that CAT 2024 would be easier than CAT 2023. However, it demands preparation to its core. Sectional challenges may vary; hence, strategic preparation becomes the key. - What percentage in CAT gets a candidate an admission to IIMs?
Ans: Admission to IIMs generally requires a CAT percentile between 93 and 97+, depending on the specific IIM and the programme. Top-tier IIMs, such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, generally demand high percentiles. - Are percentile scores alone a criterion for the admission process in IIMs?
Ans: Though a percentile is significant, for admission to IIMs, apart from percentage cut-off, other factors such as academic performance, work experience, diversity, performance in PI and WAT, are considered. - What should be the preparation strategy for other examinations of MBA?
Ans: Candidates should focus on building strong conceptual clarity, practicing mock tests, and, most importantly, analyzing their performance regularly. Time management and sectional strategies, especially for moderate-to-difficult sections, are mostly most important to success.
Conclusion
The overall difficulty level of the CAT exam was moderate with slight changes in question distribution and patterns. Section-wise percentiles and cutoffs should march in perfect harmony with these observations. Perhaps DILR questions added and para jumbles removed could yet turn the overall performance trends around.
