Check out the article to learn about the CAT 2022 exam pattern.

The CAT(Common Admission Test) is a standardized entrance test for those who want to pursue an MBA in management and business administration. The IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) alternately administer this test. Besides IIMs, a majority of the top B-schools in India evaluate the CAT score for enrollment. CAT exam is an assessment that determines if a student is qualified for a management position by assessing his or her skills and competence. 

CAT exam preparation becomes extremely significant if you are about to graduate from college, have worked in the industry, and are considering pursuing an MBA from a reputed B-school. Having a thorough overview of CAT Exam Pattern 2022 would enable applicants to recognize the various segments and create their most effective individual game plans. Read on to get detailed info regarding the CAT syllabus and pattern.

You can also read MBA without CAT: Top CAT exam alternatives in 2022.

CAT Exam Key Points

ParticularsDetailsTotal Number of Questions66Total Number of Sections3 (VARC, DILR, QA)Time Duration120 minutes (40 minutes each section)Mode of ExamComputer-basedTypes of Questions MCQ and TITA

CAT 2022 syllabus

The three sections of the CAT Exam Pattern are as follows:

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)QA (Quantitative Ability)

Understanding the exam format is only useful if the individual is also conversant with the CAT 2022 syllabus. The exam format and curriculum will impact the approach a candidate takes to CAT. The most typical CAT subjects are listed below.

Verbal ability and reading comprehension

English language is the main topic of the VARC part. The following are the key concepts addressed in this section:

Jumbled ParagraphsVerbal ReasoningSummary QuestionsFacts-inferences-judgmentsReading Comprehension

Data interpretation and logical reasoning

Data interpretation and logical reasoning make up the two sections of the DILR portion of the CAT. As per the CAT question papers for the past three years, this is the component that demands the most effort. The topics that are discussed most often include:

Bar graphVenn diagramSeating ArrangementCaseletsSyllogismBlood Relations

Quantitative aptitude

Candidates must thoroughly review the full syllabus to have a good chance of doing well in this section. The CAT exam syllabus and format for the quantitative aptitude portion include the following:

Number SystemsAlgebraArithmeticModern MathTrigonometryAllegations and MixturesSequence and Series

What is the CAT 2022 exam pattern?

The 2-hour CAT Exam is administered as a computer-based test (CBT). There is a 40-minute time limit for each section. The rough breakdown of the CAT exam question pattern section-by-section structure is provided below.

Name of SectionsTotal number of QuestionsMCQsNon-MCQsVARC          24            19              5DILR          20            15              5QA          22            14              8Total          66            48              18

1. CAT VARC Exam Pattern

There are a total of 24 questions in the VARC section of the CAT 2022. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections make up the majority of the Verbal Section, according to the CAT exam pattern of the previous three years. The challenging nature of this section in CAT last in 2021 took many hopefuls off guard; this should serve as a warning to those preparing for the exam this year. Simply because the complexity level in a few of the prior years was less shouldn’t be seen as justification to disregard this component of the CAT exam.

Reading Comprehension

More than 67% of the question comprises this portion (16 questions out of 24). MCQs, alongside a handful of TITA (Type in the Answer) queries, make up the question type. There will be 4 passages in the reading comprehension section, each with 4 questions.

Verbal Ability

It is a subsection with just 8 questions. Three para jumble questions, two odd sentence para jumble questions, and three para summary-based questions make up the expected breakdown of the questions.

2. CAT DILR Exam Pattern

The second portion of the CAT exam is called Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The VARC component of the CAT Exam must first be submitted before candidates are permitted to attempt it. It is by far the most active part of the CAT, with new categories of problems appearing virtually annually. Given that each set awards between 12 and 18 marks, it is advised to exercise extreme caution when choosing the questions.

Here is the breakdown of the sets based on the CAT DILR exam pattern:

There will be 2 sets of 6 questions each. There will be 4 questions in each of the other 2 sets. Bar graphs, layouts, missing data, and puzzles are the most frequently questioned subjects.

3. CAT Quant Exam Pattern

The majority of candidates spend the most time practicing for this section. Compared to the other sections, the CAT exam structure and material for this component are the most detailed. For the majority of candidates, it is the portion that can decide the outcome of the exam.

There are 22 questions in the quant section overall. Since there are no sub-sections in the CAT quant exam format and all the questions are designed to test candidates’ mathematical abilities. As per past trends, geometry and arithmetic are also often asked questions.

Important points to consider

Candidates cannot change the sequence of the sections, nor can they switch between sections. The exam is always administered in the following order: VARC, DILR, and then Quant.

Every incorrect response receives a negative marking of 1 in the MCQ format. There are no failing grades on the TITA questions.

Candidates will be offered 4 alternatives for the MCQs, and for the non-MCQs, the response must be entered.

The candidates will have access to an on-screen calculator during the test.

The given on-screen clock allows candidates to check the time.

The candidates will be given a sheet to work on roughly. 

Once the exam is over, candidates must turn in the sheet.

You can also check out, How can an online MBA degree help you?

CAT exam 2022 time duration

According to the authorized CAT test format, candidates must finish each component within the allotted time, after which the monitor will instantly advance to the following section. Later modifications or revisions will not be accepted. The table below provides an overview of the number of questions and time given for each portion of the CAT exam:

Name of sectionTime limit for general studentsTime limit for PwD studentsVARC          40 minutes53 minutes 20 secondsDILR          40 minutes53 minutes 20 secondsQA          40 minutes53 minutes 20 secondsTotal        120 minutes160 minutes

CAT exam sectional weightage

Sectional weightage for the CAT curriculum is as follows:

Name of SectionWeightageVARC                                34%DILR                                32%QA                                34%

Get admission to a top online MBA program without CAT

MBA is among the most popular post-graduate programs that can advance your business career. Several prestigious management colleges across the country and overseas offer this two-year program. Most of India’s business schools, including the IIMs, give preference to students who appear for competitive exams. However, some top B-schools also offer direct MBA admissions without the CAT exam. 

Several private institutions offer direct admission to their MBA programs based on the results of the candidate’s prior board examination, their university entrance exams, individual interviews, or a combination of these. Additionally, several MBA schools have their managerial entry tests.

So, how to start an MBA preparation? Before choosing an MBA program in India without the CAT, applicants must bear the following considerations in mind:

Make a list of top MBA schools according to your preference and keep it updated. Candidates must consider the institute’s faculty, placement cell, cost, and other factors in addition to the name of the institution.

The UGC (Universities Grant Commission) or AICTE must give the college its seal of approval.

Students choosing to pursue an MBA without the CAT in India should stay away from agencies and consultants and instead contact the college directly.

Candidates will receive clear and precise info regarding the program and the institution by contacting the college or university directly, ensuring that they are not misled. 

Applicants must explore the university campus to view the facilities and other infrastructures.

Look into the specialties the colleges have to offer. Candidates should consider which MBA specialization they would wish to pursue as well as whether the college they are considering offers that particular specialization.

An Online MBA offered by the prestigious Manipal University Jaipur does not require a CAT score as the eligibility criteria for enrollment. Once you enroll in the course, you may learn on the go and stay in touch with your classmates and instructors through discussion boards and other tools. Every student has access to additional resources and tools to make sure they are prepared for the industry. 

To know more, check out, How can an online MBA degree help you?

The faculty at MUJ is made up of competent, seasoned professionals that enhance valuable insights and empower you to confidently forge your course for success. Real-world case studies are introduced in the curriculum to help you build and refine your critical thinking abilities. So, enroll in this program on the Online Manipal website to pave the way for your successful future.

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