CAT 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key, Download PDF
CAT (Common Admission Test) 2024 was conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024, in online mode with a format including 68 questions to be completed within 120 minutes. CAT 2024 followed a strict sectional structure with three mandatory sections, each allotted 40 minutes, making time management and accuracy critical throughout the test.
CAT 2024 is a highly relevant benchmark because it reflects the current direction of the exam, where accuracy, selection strategy, and sectional balance matter more than attempting to answer as many questions as possible.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Question Paper & Answer Key PDF
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Question Paper & Answer Key PDF
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Question Paper & Answer Key PDF
CAT 2024 Shift Timings
Each slot in CAT 2024 followed strict sectional timing, making time allocation inside each section a critical factor for performance.
| Slot | Timing |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
CAT 2024 was a 2-hour online exam with a total of 66 questions, split into three sections VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section had a strict 40-minute time limit, making the paper heavily time-bound and accuracy-focused.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +3 / -1 (MCQ), +3 / 0 (TITA) |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes per section |
Cat 2024 exam structure remained stable compared to previous years, but the increase in question count slightly changed pacing across sections.
CAT 2024 Subject-Wise Question Distribution
CAT 2024 included a total of 68 questions distributed across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Reading Comprehension in VARC and Arithmetic in QA continued to dominate the paper and played a key role in shaping the overall scoring strategy.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| VARC | 24 |
| DILR | 22 |
| QA | 22 |
| Total | 68 |
CAT 2024 Exam Analysis
CAT 2024 did not introduce many major changes to the existing CAT Syllabus, but the nature of the questioning clearly evolved. One of the most important observations from the exam was that the question selection approach works significantly better to maximize attempts.
- VARC remained RC-driven and inference-heavy.
- DILR rewarded the quick identification of solvable sets.
- QA remained dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra but required more layered thinking.
- Time pressure remained consistent due to fixed sectional limits.
Overall, CAT 2024 continued the trend of testing judgment under pressure rather than pure calculation speed.
CAT 2024 Slot-Wise Paper Analysis
CAT 2024 introduced a slight shift in CAT Exam Pattern with 68 questions and 204 marks. The paper was moderate in difficulty and slightly easier than CAT 2023, leading to a mild rise in top IIM cut-offs.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 (Morning)
CAT 2021 Slot 1 was considered the most balanced of the three slots. While VARC remained stable, DILR required careful set selection, and QA leaned slightly calculation-heavy.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | RC passages are dominated and require careful reading and inference |
| DILR | Moderate | The selection of solvable sets played a key role in score-building |
| QA | Moderate | Arithmetic and Algebra formed the core |
| Overall | Moderate | Balanced paper with smooth progression |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 (Afternoon)
CAT 2021 Slot 2 increased execution pressure, especially in DILR and QA, where questions demanded more time per attempt.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | Close options increased elimination difficulty |
| DILR | Moderate–Difficult | Mixed logic sets required deeper interpretation |
| QA | Moderate–Difficult | Multi-step calculations increased time consumption |
| Overall | Moderate | Accuracy-focused paper |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 (Evening)
CAT 2021 Slot 3 was widely considered the most time-intensive slot due to heavier DILR sets and lengthy QA problems.
| Section | Difficulty | Key Observation |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate | RC-heavy with stable difficulty |
| DILR | Moderate–Difficult | Longer sets increased time pressure significantly |
| QA | Moderate–Difficult | Multi-step calculations slowed attempts |
| Overall | Moderate–Difficult | Most demanding slot in terms of time management |
What Made CAT 2024 Different?
CAT 2024 stood out not because of structural changes, but because of how the same structure results in different exam results under pressure. The addition of extra DILR weightage slightly shifted the balance of the paper. Candidates could no longer rely heavily on one section to compensate for another. Performance needed to be evenly distributed across VARC, DILR, and QA.
CAT 2024 Key Learning for CAT Upcoming Aspirants
CAT 2024 clearly highlights how the exam is evolving.
- VARC is increasingly about reading efficiency, not just comprehension.
- DILR is a test of selection strategy more than solving power.
- QA rewards conceptual clarity in Arithmetic and Algebra.
- Accuracy consistently beats serious attempt volume.
- Sectional discipline is non-negotiable under 40-minute limits.
CAT 2024 Toppers’ (100 Percentile Achievers)
CAT 2024 toppers list highlights the highest-performing candidates who secured a perfect 100 percentile in one of India’s most competitive MBA entrance exams. The results reflect a highly selective performance distribution across all three sections.
- A total of 14 candidates achieved 100 percentile in CAT 2024
- The toppers’ list was largely dominated by candidates from engineering backgrounds
- Apoorva Rajadhyaksha (IIT Bombay) was the only female candidate to score 100 percentile
- Indicates a strong representation of technical academic profiles at the highest percentile band
- Highlights the highly competitive scoring spread in CAT 2024 results
How to Use CAT Previous year Question Paper
CAT 2024 should be treated as a full-length mock rather than a practice set. A structured approach to using the CAT Previous Year Question Paper is listed below :
- Attempt all three slots under timed conditions.
- Analyse skipped and incorrect questions.
- Evaluate set selection decisions in DILR.
- Track time spent per section.
- Compare accuracy across sections.
The goal is not just solving the paper, but understanding decision-making under exam pressure.
| CAT Previous Year Question Paper | Detailed solutions |
|---|---|
| CAT QA 2018 Shift 1 | Attempt Now |
| CAT QA 2019 Shift 2 | Attempt Now |
| CAT DILR 2019 Shift 1 | Attempt Now |
| CAT DILR 2020 Shift 1 | Attempt Now |
| CAT VARC 2020 Shift 1 | Attempt Now |
| CAT VARC 2020 Shift 2 | Attempt Now |
CAT 2024 FAQs
Ques: How should CAT previous papers be used during preparation?
Ans: They should be treated as full-length practice tests to understand timing, question selection, and real exam pressure conditions.
Ques: What is the most important skill in the CAT exam?
Ans: The exam primarily tests decision-making under time constraints, where choosing the right questions is as important as solving them correctly.
Ques: Which sections usually impact the overall score the most?
Ans: VARC and DILR often play a decisive role because they are highly dependent on reading speed, interpretation, and logical selection.
Ques: Is it necessary to attempt all questions in CAT?
Ans: No, maximizing attempts is not the goal. Accuracy and smart selection of solvable questions matter more than attempting everything.
Ques: What is the right approach to CAT preparation overall?
Ans: A balanced preparation approach that combines concept clarity, regular practice, and timed mock analysis is considered most effective.
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