CAT Exam Pattern 2022
Saurav Anand
|
June 7, 2022
CAT Exam Pattern 2022
Before taking the CAT 2022 test, one needs be aware of the CAT exam pattern. Along with the CAT 2022 exam dates and notice, the exam design and test method will be revealed. Candidates wishing to take the CAT 2022 must be conversant with the most recent CAT pattern and syllabus 2022. According to the CAT test format, the exam will be held in three slots on the same day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, as the computer-based examination (CBT).
The CAT 2022 exam was held on November 27, 2022, in three two-hour intervals. IIM Ahmedabad, which held CAT this year, entirely revised the test design for CAT 2022, with fewer questions. Some aspects of the CAT exam pattern, such as the number of sections, scoring method, sectional and total time limit, remained unchanged. The same CAT trend is anticipated to repeat again for CAT 2022. On November 27, 2022, IIM Bangalore is slated to hold the CAT 2022 Exam.
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Highlights
| CAT 2022 Exam Components | CAT 2022 Pattern |
|---|---|
| Test duration | 2 hrs (120 Minutes) |
| Test sessions/Slots | 3 (Morning, Afternoon and Evening) |
| Total questions | 66 |
| Total score | 198 |
| Number of Sections in CAT question paper | 3 (VARC; DILR; QA) |
| Time Allotted for Each Section in CAT exam | 40 Minutes |
| Total questions in VARC Section | 24 |
| Total Questions in DILR section | 20 |
| Total Questions in QA section | 22 |
CAT Exam Syllabus 2022
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), which administers the test, is yet to release the CAT exam syllabus 2022. Candidates can, however, examine the themes on which the questions are asked based on past year’s CAT question papers.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Verbal Ability English Usage or Grammar Close Passage Synonyms Antonyms Facts-inferences-judgments Jumbled Paragraph Reading Comprehension Verbal Reasoning |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Caselets Blood Relations Calendars Bar Graphs Column Graphs Tables Cubes Clocks Binary Logic Line Charts Combination of two or more types linked to each other Syllogism Venn Diagrams Pie Chart Number and Letter Series Seating Arrangement |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Algebra Higher Maths Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Arithmetic |
Top Features of CAT Exam pattern
The CAT 2022 Notification will be released by IIMs in the latter week of July or the first week of August 2022 on the CAT official website as well as in news outlets. The following are the main characteristics of the CAT 2022 test.
- The CAT 2022 exam is scheduled for November 27, 2022.
- The CAT is a computer-based test, not an online exam.
- The examination is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quant
- In the CAT 2022 test, there are two sorts of questions: MCQs and Non-MCQs.
- Negative marking is applied to MCQs for incorrect answers, but not to non-MCQs.
- Negative-marking questions (MCQs) account for 70% to 75% of all questions.
- For MCQ style questions, you must select and click on the right answer from four alternatives.
- Questions with no negative marking (non-MCQs) account for 25% to 30% of all questions.
- Non-MCQ answers must be typed in the designated space on the computer screen.
- Each right answer is worth + 3 points.
- Negative marking (applicable for incorrect MCQ answers): -1 mark
- Sections will be moved in the following order, beginning with section one: VARC, then DILR, and finally QA.
- Each section is timed separately. You have 40 minutes to complete each section. You cannot go to the next segment until the individual time of the previous section has expired.
- Attempt MBA Universe.com’s CAT Mock Tests, CAT Sample Papers, and Previous CAT Test Papers to examine the pattern of the CAT Exam 2022 and your degree of preparedness.
- In mid-October 2022, IIMs will provide a tutorial to help students comprehend the format of the CAT 20221 Test and question pattern on the CAT 2022 website.
- The CAT 2022 exam will be administered in 155+ locations throughout the country.
CAT Marking Scheme 2022
The CAT test design contains the marking scheme, which explains how many points are granted for each correct response and how many points are removed if the applicant answers the question wrong.
Three points will be granted for each right answer.
One mark will be deducted for each incorrect response.
No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions. In addition, no marks will be deducted for non-MCQs.
| Type of Questions | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 3 | -1 |
| Non-MCQ | 3 | 0 |
CAT Exam Analysis of Previous Years
The CAT 2021 paper was moderate to challenging, although the VARC part was difficult in all three slots. In comparison to VARC, the DILR and QA parts were simple. The third slot’s QA part was somewhat more difficult than slots 1 and 32. Check out the question breakdown of the CAT 2021 exam below:
| Sections | Number of Questions | Type | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 16 RC questions, 8 VA questions | Tough |
| DILR | 20 | Two DI sets ( 4 and 6 questions) Two LR set ( 4 and 6 questions) | Moderate to Tough |
| QA | 22 | Dominated by Arithmetic (11 questions) and Algebra (5 questions) | Moderate |
CAT Vs Other Top MBA Entrance Exams: Comparative Analysis
Given the current Covid pandemic condition, the CAT test format 2022 vs other examinations are as follows.
CAT 2022 Vs SNAP 2022
The commonalities between CAT 2022 and SNAP allow applicants to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparison of the two examinations is provided below.
| Component | IIMs CAT 2022 | SNAP 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 66 | 60 |
| Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam | 2 hours | 1 hour |
| Type of Questions | MCQs, non MCQs | 60 MCQs |
| Answer Options for MCQs | 4 | 4 |
| Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer | 3 for All questions | 1 for all questions |
| Negative Marking | MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; | 25% for all questions |
| No negative marking for Non-MCQs | NA | |
| Exam Difficulty Level | Difficult | Moderate |
| Number of Sections | 3 | 3 |
| Section-1: Name and Number of Questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 | General English, RC,VR,VA-15 |
| Section-2: Name and Number of Questions | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 | Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25 |
| Section-3: Name and Number of Questions | Quantitative Ability:22 | Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20 |
| Facility to Choose Order of Sections | No, has to follow pre defined sectional order | Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional Time Limit | Each section with 40 minute time limit | No |
| Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score | 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes. |
CAT 2022 Vs XAT 2022
The commonalities between IIM CAT 2022 and XAT 2022 allow applicants to synchronise their sectional and overall test preparation. A comparison of the two examinations is provided below.
| Component | IIM CAT 2022 | XLRI - XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 66 | 100 |
| Overall time limit to attempt the exam | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Type of questions | MCQs, and Non-MCQs | MCQs |
| Answer options for each MCQ | 4 | 5 |
| Marks awarded for each correct answer | 3 | 1 |
| Negative marking | MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs | 75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK |
| Exam difficulty level | Comparatively high | High |
| Number of sections | 3 | 3 (Main sections) 1 (GK score not counted) |
| Name of section-1 with number of questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension -24 | English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26 |
| Name of Section-2 with number of questions | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning-20 | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28 |
| Name of Section-3 with number of questions | Quantitative Ability-22 | Decision Making-21 |
| Facility to choose order of sections | No, has to follow pre defined sectional order | Any question from any section within overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional time limit | Each section with 40 Minute time limit | No |
| Top MBA colleges accepting exam score | 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB | XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB |
CAT Vs MAT
CAT 2022 and MAT have numerous commonalities, allowing candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparison of the two examinations is provided below.
| Component | IIM CAT 2022 | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 66 | 200 |
| Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam | 2 hours | 2½ hours |
| Question Format | MCQs, and Non-MCQs | All MCQs |
| Answer Options for MCQs | 4 | 4 |
| Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer | 3 | 1 |
| Negative Marking | MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs | 0.25 mark |
| Exam Difficulty Level | Difficult | Easy to Moderate |
| Number of Sections | 3 | 5 |
| Section-1: Name and Number of Questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:24 | Language Comprehension: 40 |
| Section-2: Name and Number of questions | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 | Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 40 |
| Section-3: Name and Number of Questions | Quantitative Ability:22 | Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 40 |
| Section-4: Name and Number of Questions | Not Applicable | Mathematical Skills: 40 |
| Section-5: Name and Number of Questions | Not Applicable | Indian & Global Environment: 40 |
| Facility to Choose Order of Sections | No, should follow pre defined sectional order | Yes, any section/question within overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional time limit | Yes, each section with 40 minute time limit | No, Candidate to complete the test in 150 minutes |
| Top MBA colleges accepting exam score | 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of others | Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 600 MBA colleges |
CAT 2022 Vs NMAT 2022
The similarities between IIM CAT 2022 and NMAT by GMAC allow applicants to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparison of the two tests is provided below:
| Component | IIM CAT 2022 | NMAT Exam Pattern 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 66 | 108 |
| Overall time limit to attempt the exam | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Type of questions | MCQs and Non-MCQs | All MCQs |
| Answer options for MCQs | 4 | 5 |
| Marks awarded for each correct answer | 3 | 1 |
| Negative marking | MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs | No negative marking |
| Exam difficulty level | Comparatively high | Moderate |
| Number of sections | 3 | 3 |
| Name of section-1 with number of questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 | Language Skills-36 |
| Name of Section-2 with number of questions | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20 | Logical Reasoning-36 |
| Name of Section-3 with number of questions | Quantitative Ability: 22 | Quantitative Skills-36 |
| Facility to choose order of sections | No, has to follow pre defined sectional order | Yes, but once chosen has to follow |
| Individual Sectional time limit | Each section with 40 minute time limit | Yes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 62 minutes |
| Top MBA colleges accepting exam score | 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB | NMIMS, VIT, XIMB |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXRZe4hIqG4&t=4shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqrSpQ_80-I
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I apply for CAT 2022?
The following are the CAT 2022 essential dates, such as the CAT notification date, the CAT exam date, and other activities linked to the CAT exam 2022:
| Events | CAT Important Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT Notification Date 2022 | July 31, 2022 |
| CAT Registration Start Date | August 5, 2022 |
| Last Date to Apply for CAT exam 2022 | September 15, 2022 |
| CAT 2022 Registration & Application Fee | Rs.2300/- |
| CAT 2022 Admit card Download Start date | October 25, 2022 |
| Last Date for CAT 2022 Admit Card Download | November 27, 2022 |
| CAT 2022 Exam date | November 27, 2022 |
| CAT 2022 Result date | January 5, 2023 |
2. Can I apply for CAT 2022 now?
Ans. The CAT 2022 registration procedure will be entirely online, with application forms available at iimcat.ac.in. From the first week of August until the second week of September 2022, the CAT 2022 application window will be available for 5-6 weeks.
3. Will CAT 2022 be postponed?
Ans. The CUSAT CAT 2022 test will be rescheduled in accordance with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations. The statement stated, “Computer Dependent Test for PG will be held on 14th and 15th May 2022, for UG dates will be given later (would be postponed based on CBSE test),”
4. What is the syllabus of CAT 2022?
Ans. The CAT Syllabus will include all three sections: data interpretation and logical reasoning, verbal ability and reading comprehension, and quantitative ability. The following is the detailed curriculum for these sections:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:
Facts Inferences, Grammar, and English Usage Analogies and Reverse Analogies Decisions, Please fill in the blanks. Meaning/Usage Match, Verbal Reasoning Synonyms and summary questions Synonyms (Vocabulary Based), Reading Comprehension, Jumbled Paragraph, Sentence Correction, and Close Passage.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:
Arrangement of Seating, Syllogism, Caselets and Tables, Bar Graphs Blood Relations, and Column Graphs Venn Diagrams are a combination of two or more kinds that are connected together. Other are Calendars, Line Charts and Pie Charts, Cubes, and Clocks, Logical Matching, Number and Letter Series, Binary Logic, Connectives, and Sequence.
Quantitative Ability:
Functions and Geometry, Sequences and Series, Inequalities,Surds and Indices, Set Theory, Mixtures and Allegations Percentages, Simple and Compound Interest, Logarithm, Binomial Theorem, Complex Numbers, Quadratic & Linear Equations, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Number Systems, LCM & HCF, Speed, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Ratio & Proportion, Averages.
| Sectional Division | Overview of Topics in the CAT Syllabus 2022 | Weightage in exam |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Arithmetic, Modern Math, Number System Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry | 34-36% |
| Data Interpretation& Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams, Seating arrangement, Team formation, Clocks & Calendars | 30-32% |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Long & Short Passages Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph | 32-34% |