Overview
IIM Ahmedabad (www.iimcat.ac.in) conducted the CAT 2023 exam on 27th November 2023 in 3 slots. According to reports from a leading education portal, approximately 2.31 lakh candidates have registered successfully for CAT 2023 exam compared to 2.28 lakh candidates in the previous year.
The CAT entrance exam is divided in three sections – VARC, DILR and Quant. Each section has its defined sectional time limit of 40 minutes, indicating that candidates get only 40 mins to attempt/solve questions from each section.
CAT 2023 - Exam Highlights
The exam was conducted in 159 test cities across the country at various test centres. As per the reviews of the test takers, CAT 2023 was moderately difficult and lengthy too. There were 2 types of questions in the CAT Exam (MCQs and non-MCQs).
Candidates had 120 minutes time to solve 66 questions compared to 76 questions in previous year exam.
The CAT 2023 exam was conducted in 3 slots as mentioned under:-
- Morning session (8:30 am - 10:30 pm)
- Afternoon session (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
- Evening session (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm)
Difficulty Level of CAT Exam
Candidates who appeared for the exam mentioned that overall it was moderately difficult exam with VARC being relatively easy compared to other sections. Quantitative Aptitude and DILR was Moderate to difficult. Candidates who have been able to achieve the below mentioned good attempts per section, slot-wise, can expect a good percentile in the CAT exam.
|
Section
|
No. of Good Attempt Questions
|
|
|
Slot 1
|
Slot 2
|
Slot 3
|
|
VARC
|
15-20
|
16-18
|
17-18
|
|
DILR
|
8-12
|
10-14
|
13-14
|
|
Quant
|
15-18
|
15-17
|
16-18
|
CAT 2023 – Type of Questions
As per the exam pattern, candidates get +3 to attempt the MCQ correctly and -1 is deducted for wrong attempt. However, the non-MCQ questions do not invite any negative marking in the exam. Last year, candidates had to attempt 76 questions to clear the CAT exam. However, this year IIM Ahmedabad reduced the limit to 66 questions for the aspirants.
Take a look at the classification of type of questions asked in the exam.
|
Sections
|
MCQs
|
Non-MCQs
|
Total
|
|
VARC
|
19
|
5
|
24
|
|
DILR
|
15
|
5
|
20
|
|
QA
|
14
|
8
|
22
|
|
Total
|
48
|
18
|
66
|
CAT Exam Analysis – Initial Impressions
As the CAT exam was conducted in 3 slots, so here is the slot-wise analysis of the MBA entrance exam for your better understanding:-
VARC: The Verbal Section of CAT 2023 Slot 1 Exam was relatively easier as compared to previous year and the other two sections. There were total of 4 reading comprehensions in the CAT exam.
DILR: The DILR section moderately difficult and was a lengthy section. The DILR section comprises 2 Sets of 4 Questions and 2 Sets of 6 Questions each. In Slot 1, one set was purely of DI and 2 Sets were of LR.
Quantitative Aptitude: This year, candidates had to solve 22 questions in the Quantitative Aptitude Section compared to 24 questions provided last year. Questions from topics of Arithmetic, Moderate Function, Arithmetic Dominating, Integral Solution Arithmetic Apple and Easy mensuration were seen in the exam.
CAT 2023 - Expected Cut-off
The minimum marks required by a candidate in the CAT exam to make it to the next selection rounds of the B-schools is called CAT cut-off. Here is the summary of the expected cut-off for the CAT exam:-
|
Section Name
|
Expected Cut off for Slot 1
|
|
VARC
|
50-53
|
|
DILR
|
41-45
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
43-46
|
|
Total
|
124-132
|
What after CAT Exam – CAT Answer Key
After the exam is over, candidates can expect to download CAT answer key 2023 tentatively in the first week of December 2023. After downloading the CAT answer key and cross-checking the respective response sheets from the exam website, candidates will be able to calculate the expected raw scores in the exam.
In case of doubts, exam takers can challenge the official CAT answer key which requires filling an online form by paying an application fee as mentioned on the official website. Valid objections will be accepted and final answer key will be released after a few days along with the CAT result.
CAT Exam Result
The CAT Exam result is expected to be released in the second week of January 2024 in online mode. Candidates will be able to download the CAT scorecard issued by the CAT exam organising body. It should be noted that CAT exam result 2023 will be valid till December 31, 2024 for admission to the PGDM 2024-24 batch. The CAT result will be announced at the official website dedicated to the CAT exam i.e. iimcat.ac.in.
All the Best!