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CAT Previous Year Question Papers
Avantika Bhardwaj
Updated on 15th October, 2024 , 5 min read
CAT question papers are renowned for their high level of difficulty. Despite alterations in the exam pattern over the years, CAT question papers have consistently maintained their challenging nature. As part of their CAT exam preparation, candidates are advised to consult official CAT previous year papers to familiarize themselves with the complexity of the questions.
Engaging in regular practice with CAT previous year question papers should be a primary focus in the exam preparation schedule. This activity is best undertaken during the final month leading up to the CAT 2024 exam.
Why Solve CAT Previous Year Question Papers?
To comprehend the CAT pattern thoroughly, candidates should tackle CAT's previous year question papers from the last five years in the month leading up to the exam. Engaging with these papers, along with CAT sample papers, allows candidates to acquaint themselves with the exam's difficulty level, marking scheme, and the various question types that might appear in CAT 2024. The significant advantage of solving CAT's previous year questions lies in gaining familiarity with a wide array of question styles, including tough, easy, lengthy, tricky, and unexpected questions.
Individuals intending to take the CAT 2024 exam must incorporate the practice of CAT previous year question papers into their preparation strategy. This is especially crucial because the CAT exam has undergone some changes in the past two years. It is advisable to intensify practicing CAT question papers in October-November, once the syllabus is covered, and candidates are transitioning into the practice and revision phase of their preparation.
CAT toppers and mentors highly recommend solving a minimum of 30-40 mock tests during CAT preparation in 2024. Some high-achieving candidates have even attempted up to 80 mock tests. The following are the advantages of engaging with CAT previous year papers, sample papers, and mock tests:
- Understanding the latest CAT exam pattern and the marking scheme of each question.
- Enhancing speed and accuracy through regular practice with CAT question papers.
- Improving time management skills, a crucial aspect of CAT examination success.
- Preparing candidates for a wide range of question types encountered in the exam.
- Uncovering useful tricks and shortcuts for solving questions more efficiently.
When is the Right Time to Begin Practicing CAT Question Papers?
Begin working on CAT question papers and sample papers only after you have finished studying the CAT syllabus. Attempting CAT sample papers or previous year question papers without a solid grasp of the syllabus would be ineffective, as you may struggle to answer the questions accurately. Therefore, it is essential to first cover the entire syllabus thoroughly, understanding all the formulas and theorems, before moving on to CAT's previous year question papers or CAT sample papers. The optimal time to start practicing them is about three months before the exam. Given that CAT 2024 is scheduled for November 26, it is advisable to start practicing CAT exam question papers in September. If you have previously taken the CAT exam, you can work on practice questions and sample papers concurrently with your syllabus coverage. This is possible because you already possess a good understanding of the concepts, and your fundamental knowledge across all subjects is clear. After completing a set of chapters, attempting a CAT sample paper can help you assess whether you are progressing in the right direction or not.
CAT 2024 Question Paper
The CAT 2024 question paper pattern will be the same as last year because no change has been announced in the CAT exam pattern 2024. Check the overview of the CAT expected question paper for 2024.
CAT Sections | Number of questions | Marks |
VARC | 24 | 72 |
DILR | 20 | 60 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 66 |
CAT Previous Year Question Paper 2024 – Quick Highlights
The CAT question paper in 2023 remained consistent with the previous year and did not undergo any changes. In all three slots, the CAT papers from the preceding year exhibited a moderate to high level of difficulty. We have provided here the CAT paper analysis for the previous years' to help the candidates get an understanding about the CAT question paper and exam.
CAT Previous Year Question Papers | |
CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF - Free Download (To be OUT Soon) | |
CAT 2023 Question Paper
There were 66 questions in the CAT 2023 exam. The CAT VARC section had 24 questions, the CAT DILR section had 20 questions and the CAT QA section had 22 questions. No surprise questions were asked and the composition was the same as in earlier years. The difficulty level was moderate to tough for all test sessions. The Reading Comprehension passages were moderately tough. Check the table below for key highlights of CAT Question Paper 2023:
CAT Sections | Number of questions | Break up | Difficulty level |
VARC | 24 | 4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 parajumble questions, 2 parasummary questions, 2 paracompletion questions and 2 odd one out questions | Moderate |
DILR | 20 | 4 sets of 5 questions each | Moderate to difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 7 Algebra questions,7 Arithmetic questions, 3 Geometry questions, 4 Number System questions, 1 Modern Maths questions | Difficult |
Total | 66 | -- | -- |
CAT Question Paper 2023 – VARC
Below is the table displaying the distribution of topics in the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section of CAT question paper 2023 for slots 1, 2, and 3. In the first and second slots, Para Completion questions replaced Odd Sentence Out questions. However, in the second slot, there were no Para Completion questions.
CAT 2023 Question Paper - VARC | No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Reading Comprehension | 16 (4+4+4+4) |
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles | 3 |
Verbal Ability - Summary | 3 |
Verbal Ability - Para completion | 2 |
CAT Question Paper 2023 – DILR
The DILR section of the CAT question paper 2023 comprised 20 questions, distributed equally among four sets in all three slots. Each set contained five questions.
CAT 2023 Question Paper - DILR | No. of Questions |
Data Interpretation + Logical Reasoning | 5 |
5 | |
5 | |
5 |
CAT Question Paper 2023 – Quantitative Aptitude
Below is the breakdown of the Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT question paper 2023, showcasing the distribution of questions in slots 1, 2, and 3.
CAT 2023 Question Paper - Quantitative Aptitude | No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Number System | 1 |
Algebra | 7-9 |
Arithmetic | 7-9 |
Modern Math | 1-2 |
Geometry & Mensuration | 3-4 |
Examine the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning topics from CAT 2023 Question paper slots 1, 2, and 3 provided below. The complexity of these sets varied from easy to moderate.
CAT 2023 Slot 1 DILR Topics | CAT 2023 Slot 2 DILR Topics | CAT 2023 Slot 3 DILR Topics |
Token University Team 15 Girls Get Together Metrolines | Revenue / cost Cosmetic item sales Diagram- 4 destination Salesman & four colonies | Bar graph of death calculation Reasoning city - 5 days COVID cases Games tournaments Scheduling |
Reading Comprehension Passages in CAT 2023 Question Paper
Please find below the topics of Reading Comprehension passages from CAT Question paper 2023 slots 1, 2, and 3. The passages varied in difficulty, ranging from easy to challenging, and each passage was approximately 500 words in length.
CAT 2023 Slot 1 RC Topics | CAT 2023 Slot 2 RC Topics | CAT 2023 Slot 3 RC Topics |
Ghosts and their mysteries how we can’t find their history Chinese Copy of articles Two levels of emotional thinking STOICS | Music Engineering technology Octopus Philosophy | Social reorganization increasing crime rate Software if more easy humans are not capable to get solutions) Indian history American migration / urbanization increasing |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find CAT previous year papers and sample papers for practice?
CAT previous year papers and sample papers are available on various online platforms, including official CAT websites, coaching institute websites, and exam preparation apps.
How can I assess my progress while practicing CAT question papers?
Completing a set of chapters and then attempting a CAT sample paper can help you evaluate your progress. It allows you to identify areas where you need more practice.
Are there any specific strategies for effective time management during CAT?
Regular practice with CAT question papers enhances your time management skills. Focus on solving questions within allotted time frames to improve your efficiency.
Can I practice CAT question papers if I have already taken the CAT exam once?
Yes, you can continue practicing CAT question papers, especially focusing on areas where you need improvement. It helps reinforce your concepts and identify your progress.
What changes have been observed in CAT exam patterns recently?
CAT exam patterns have remained consistent, but it's essential to stay updated through official sources, as slight modifications may occur in question distribution and types.
Is it necessary to complete the syllabus before practicing CAT question papers?
Yes, completing the syllabus is crucial before attempting CAT question papers. A solid understanding of concepts and formulas is necessary to answer the questions accurately.
How many mock tests should I attempt during CAT preparation?
CAT toppers and mentors recommend attempting at least 30-40 mock tests. Some candidates even attempt up to 80 mock tests to enhance their exam readiness.
When is the ideal time to start practicing CAT question papers?
It's best to start practicing CAT question papers three months before the exam, focusing on them intensively in the final month leading up to CAT 2024, which is scheduled for November 24.
How can practicing CAT previous year papers benefit my preparation?
Engaging with CAT previous year papers familiarizes you with the exam's complexity, helping you adapt to various question styles, including tough, easy, lengthy, tricky, and unexpected questions.
Why are CAT question papers known for their high level of difficulty?
CAT question papers are renowned for their challenging nature due to their intricate and complex problem-solving approach, which tests candidates' analytical and critical thinking skills.