CAT 2024 exam analysis: Key changes in pattern, difficulty, and cut-offs

The CAT 2024 exam introduced significant changes, including an increase in questions and adjustments in the DILR and VARC sections. This analysis delves into the updated pattern, difficulty levels, and expected cut-offs across slots.

In Short

• CAT 2024 increased questions from 66 to 68
• DILR section now has 22 questions, previously 20
• VARC section dropped Para Formation questions

The CAT 2024 exam introduced notable changes, increasing the total number of questions from 66 to 68, with the DILR section accounting for this rise. This year, the DILR section featured 22 questions, up from 20 last year, structured as two sets of 5 questions and three sets of 4 questions each.

Another significant change occurred in the VARC section, where the long-standing para formation questions were omitted for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, this year’s VA questions were mixed with RC passages rather than grouped separately, potentially disrupting the flow for students accustomed to seeing RC passages in a block format.

In terms of difficulty, the VARC section remained consistent with last year’s moderate-to-difficult level across all three slots. However, the DILR section was slightly more approachable this year, offering more solvable questions. The QA section also leaned towards a simpler level compared to CAT 2023, with many questions falling in the moderately difficult range.

Slot comparisons revealed slight variations in difficulty: Slot 2 was marginally tougher than Slot 1, while Slot 3 was the easiest of the three.

EXPECTED PERCENTILE CUT-OFFS

VARC Section:

• 85th percentile: Morning (20-22), Afternoon (19-21), Evening (22-24)
• 95th percentile: Morning (29-31), Afternoon (28-30), Evening (31-33)
• 99th percentile: Morning (39-41), Afternoon (37-39), Evening (41-43)

DILR Section:

• 85th percentile: Morning (16-18), Afternoon (16-18), Evening (18-20)
• 95th percentile: Morning (22-24), Afternoon (22-24), Evening (25-27)
• 99th percentile: Morning (32-34), Afternoon (32-34), Evening (35-37)

QA Section:

• 85th percentile: Morning (15-17), Afternoon (13-15), Evening (16-18)
• 95th percentile: Morning (25-27), Afternoon (22-24), Evening (26-28)
• 99th percentile: Morning (36-38), Afternoon (32-34), Evening (38-40)

Overall scores for select percentiles:

• 90th percentile: Morning (57-59), Afternoon (53-55), Evening (60-63)
• 95th percentile: Morning (69-71), Afternoon (65-67), Evening (73-75)
• 99th percentile: Morning (92-95), Afternoon (87-90), Evening (97-99)

These insights aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of CAT 2024’s challenges and expectations. For further details, feel free to reach out.

---The detailed analysis has been shared Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director, T.I.M.E.