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Updated on 13th September, 2024 , 4 min read
The CAT exam will be a total of 198 marks. The CAT examination will consist of two slots of 2 hours each day. The CAT total marks are different across sections. 24 marks are for the Verbal Ability Section, 20 marks for the Data Interpretation Section, and 22 marks for the Quant section respectively. Candidates are awarded 3 marks for each correct answer and the exam also has a negative marking of 1. So the candidates must be careful while writing the CAT exam to avoid negative markings. In case you are unsure about a question, it is advised that you do not attempt the question. Read the article in detail to know more about the CAT Total Marks.
Must Check: CAT Exam upcoming dates and events
The CAT exam 2024 will consist of 66 questions in total, which every candidate must complete in the assigned 120 minutes. The paper will include three sections, and 40 minutes will be allotted to complete each selection.
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Before understanding and evaluating the CAT Total Marks criteria, any aspirant must understand the CAT Paper Pattern and Syllabus. The CAT Paper and Syllabus are mentioned below:
Particulars | CAT Pattern 2024 and CAT Syllabus |
CAT exam time duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
Name of the Section | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Section-wise CAT exam duration | 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA). 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section. |
CAT slot timings | CAT slot 1 timing: 8:30 am - 10:30 am (Morning Session) CAT slot 2 timing: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session) CAT slot 3 timings: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Evening Session) |
How many questions in the CAT exam | 66 Questions |
CAT total marks | 198 marks |
Mode of the CAT 2024 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
CAT Marking Scheme | For every right answer, +3 will be awarded For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted No negative marks for Non-MCQs |
The administrative organization improves the CAT exam pattern. The main agenda of the CAT exam pattern is to check candidates' accuracy level in solving questions within the provided time duration. The details of CAT Exam Pattern 2024 are mentioned below:
Particulars | Details |
CAT exam duration | 120 minutes |
No. of questions | 66 |
Sections in CAT exam | 3 sections: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) QA (Quantitative Ability) |
Questions type | MCQs TITA |
Marking scheme | +3 for every right answer -1 for each wrong response |
Candidates must understand the CAT marking scheme, as it an important for them to calculate an effective exam strategy, doing critically think about the questions to attempt. The CAT total marks will be 198, with each question carrying 3 marks. For every wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted from the MCQs.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Marking Scheme | |||
---|---|---|---|
CAT Sections | Number of Questions | Marks Per Correct Question | CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ) |
DILR | 20 | 3 | -1 |
VARC | 24 | 3 | -1 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 3 | -1 |
CAT Exam Total Marks | 66 | 198 | – |
The Previous year's question paper presented a moderate to high level of difficulty. The question paper consists of three slots, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section which includes moderately difficult passages and questions. The CAT Exam Paper Analysis for 2022 is mentioned below:
CAT 2022 Sections | Number of Questions | Question Type | Difficulty Level |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 16 RC questions, 8 VA questions | Easy to Moderate |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | 4 sets of 5 questions each | Moderate to Difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | Dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra questions | Moderate to Difficult |
Total | 66 | — | Moderate to Difficult |
Following the CAT marking scheme, a candidate must know the CAT exam total marks. Candidates must know the CAT exam total marks granted for every correct answer and how many marks will be deducted if the candidate answers the questions incorrectly.
CAT exam section name | Number of questions | Marks per question | CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQs) |
VARC | 24 | 3 | -1 |
DILR | 20 | 3 | -1 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 3 | -1 |
The previous year’s CAT exam was tough, so taking as a reference, the CAT expected score vs percentile 2024 compared with CAT cutoff marks is mentioned below:
CAT Percentile | Score VARC | Score DILR | Score QA | Overall Score |
99.5 | 42 | 30 | 30 | 86 |
99 | 36 | 25 | 25 | 74 |
95 | 30 | 20 | 22 | 52 |
90 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 42 |
80 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 35 |
70 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 30 |
Read in Detail: CAT Marks Vs Percentile Analysis
Candidates can check the expected 2024 CAT exam cutoff presented below. Candidates must note that these are based on the past year trends, and may vary in reality.
IIMs | Cut Off (Percentile) |
99-100 | |
99 | |
99 | |
97-98 | |
97-98 | |
97-98 | |
95-96 | |
95-96 | |
95-96 | |
94-95 | |
94-95 | |
94-95 | |
94-95 | |
94-95 | |
92-94 | |
92-94 | |
92-94 | |
90 | |
90 | |
89-90 |
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