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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 ComponentsCAT 2022 Pattern
Test duration2 hrs (120 Minutes)
Test sessions/Slots3 (Morning, Afternoon and Evening)
Total questions66
Total score198
Number of Sections in CAT question paper3 (VARC; DILR; QA)
Time Allotted for Each Section in CAT exam40 Minutes
Total questions in VARC Section24
Total Questions in DILR section20
Total Questions in QA section22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b65gO-2tNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgPJyIuWFBU

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.

SectionTopics
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 QuestionsCorrect AnswerIncorrect Answer
MCQ3-1
Non-MCQ30

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:

SectionsNumber of QuestionsTypeDifficulty Level
VARC2416 RC questions, 8 VA questionsTough
DILR20Two DI sets ( 4 and 6 questions)
Two LR set ( 4 and 6 questions)
Moderate to Tough
QA22Dominated by Arithmetic (11 questions) and Algebra (5 questions)Moderate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtkO9P7F96k&list=PLnaOXEjCd3dun1AYsPJmHpnDpzgLzm2Gw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txFBhZ0lzKE

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.

ComponentIIMs CAT 2022SNAP 2022
Total Questions6660
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam2 hours1 hour
Type of QuestionsMCQs, non MCQs60 MCQs
Answer Options for MCQs44
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer3 for All questions1 for all questions
Negative MarkingMCQs with 1/3 negative marking;25% for all questions
No negative marking for Non-MCQsNA
Exam Difficulty LevelDifficultModerate
Number of Sections33
Section-1: Name and Number of QuestionsVerbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24General English, RC,VR,VA-15
Section-2: Name and Number of QuestionsData Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25
Section-3: Name and Number of QuestionsQuantitative Ability:22Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20
Facility to Choose Order of SectionsNo, has to follow pre defined sectional orderYes, any question from any section within overall time limit
Individual Sectional Time LimitEach section with 40 minute time limitNo
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score20 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ft65yI2CdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihibW_PeQPY

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.

ComponentIIM CAT 2022XLRI - XAT
Total questions66100
Overall time limit to attempt the exam2 hours3 hours
Type of questionsMCQs, and Non-MCQsMCQs
Answer options for each MCQ45
Marks awarded for each correct answer31
Negative markingMCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK
Exam difficulty levelComparatively highHigh
Number of sections33 (Main sections)
1 (GK score not counted)
Name of section-1 with number of questionsVerbal Ability & Reading Comprehension -24English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26
Name of Section-2 with number of questionsData Interpretation & Logical Reasoning-20Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28
Name of Section-3 with number of questionsQuantitative Ability-22Decision Making-21
Facility to choose order of sectionsNo, has to follow pre defined sectional orderAny question from any section within overall time limit
Individual Sectional time limitEach section with 40 Minute time limitNo
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMBXLRI, 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.

ComponentIIM CAT 2022MAT
Total Questions66200
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam2 hours2½ hours
Question FormatMCQs, and Non-MCQsAll MCQs
Answer Options for MCQs44
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer31
Negative MarkingMCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs0.25 mark
Exam Difficulty LevelDifficultEasy to Moderate
Number of Sections35
Section-1: Name and Number of QuestionsVerbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:24Language Comprehension: 40
Section-2: Name and Number of questionsData Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 40
Section-3: Name and Number of QuestionsQuantitative Ability:22Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 40
Section-4: Name and Number of QuestionsNot ApplicableMathematical Skills: 40
Section-5: Name and Number of QuestionsNot ApplicableIndian & Global Environment: 40
Facility to Choose Order of SectionsNo, should follow pre defined sectional orderYes, any section/question within overall time limit
Individual Sectional time limitYes, each section with 40 minute time limitNo, Candidate to complete the test in 150 minutes
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of othersChrist 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:

ComponentIIM CAT 2022NMAT Exam Pattern 2022
Total questions66108
Overall time limit to attempt the exam2 hours2 hours
Type of questionsMCQs and Non-MCQsAll MCQs
Answer options for MCQs45
Marks awarded for each correct answer31
Negative markingMCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQsNo negative marking
Exam difficulty levelComparatively highModerate
Number of sections33
Name of section-1 with number of questionsVerbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24Language Skills-36
Name of Section-2 with number of questionsData Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:20Logical Reasoning-36
Name of Section-3 with number of questionsQuantitative Ability: 22Quantitative Skills-36
Facility to choose order of sectionsNo, has to follow pre defined sectional orderYes, but once chosen has to follow
Individual Sectional time limitEach section with 40 minute time limitYes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 62 minutes
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMBNMIMS, 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:

EventsCAT Important Dates
CAT Notification Date 2022July 31, 2022
CAT Registration Start DateAugust 5, 2022
Last Date to Apply for CAT exam 2022September 15, 2022
CAT 2022 Registration & Application FeeRs.2300/-
CAT 2022 Admit card Download Start dateOctober 25, 2022
Last Date for CAT 2022 Admit Card DownloadNovember 27, 2022
CAT 2022 Exam dateNovember 27, 2022
CAT 2022 Result dateJanuary 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 DivisionOverview of Topics in the CAT Syllabus 2022Weightage 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%

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