CAT Exam Pattern 2023 - Check Section-Wise CAT Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme, Syllabus

CAT Exam Pattern 2023

CAT 2023 exam pattern is expected to be the same as CAT 2022. In 2021, the CAT exam pattern and series of questions were changed from 76 to 66. IIM Lucknow, the conducting body for the CAT exam 2023, has not announced any changes in the CAT exam pattern this year. The CAT exam 2023 will be conducted in three shifts in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

To have a better understanding of the exam, check out the links below:

Test takers must familiarize themselves with the CAT 2023 exam pattern and the syllabus before beginning their preparation for the exam. MBA aspirants will be able to know the exact CAT 2023 exam pattern through the official CAT mock test 20232 that is now being conducted on the official website. 

Like 2022, CAT 2023 will have a total of 66 questions from three sections, Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). Students can expect around 24 questions from the QA section, 22 questions from the VARC section, and 20 questions from the DILR section. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes, and each section has a time limit of 40 minutes.

The exam was conducted in 150 cities across various states in India. Know the detailed section-wise CAT exam pattern 2023 and all other important details here.

Also Read:CAT 2023 Notification

Highlights of CAT Exam Pattern 2023

Some of the major highlights of the CAT 2023 exam pattern can be checked below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2023

Candidates will get 40 minutes per section in the CAT exam 2023. CAT does not allow you to switch sections in the middle of the question paper. The table provided below will help you understand the number of questions asked in each section of the exam and the time allotted to each section.

Also Read: CAT Predicted Question Paper - Important Topics, Chapters, Analysis

CAT 2023 Section-Wise Exam Pattern

The section-wise CAT 2023 exam pattern and expected difficulty level for each section are provided in the table below:

CAT 2023 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Pattern

The VARC section of CAT tests a candidate's English language skills and how well he can interpret the given paragraphs in the exam and understand their core ideas. Verbal Ability questions are mostly asked from three topics namely Para jumbles, picking the odd sentence out, and sentence correction & completion while the Reading Comprehensions are around various topics and the latest trends.  

CAT 2023 VARC Marks Distribution

70% of the questions from this section are from reading comprehension. All the RCs questions are asked in a set of 4. The graph provided below will allow you to know the marks distribution of the CAT exam pattern VARC section

CAT 2023 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Pattern

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT tests a candidate's ability to interpret data and understand logical assumptions. DILR questions are asked in a set of 4 and the questions from this section are time-consuming. Time management skill is essential to crack this section. 

CAT 2023 DILR Marks Distribution

Questions for the DI LR section are not fixed in the CAT exam pattern. However, candidates can check the graph provided below to get an idea about the expected questions from the DI LR section.

CAT 2023 Quantitative Aptitude Pattern

The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT has only numerical-based questions from different middle-level Maths topics. The majority of the questions are asked from the Geometry and Number system. Algebra, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Work/days, and Compound interest are some other important topics for this section

CAT 2023 QA Marks Distribution

Around 30% of the total questions from this section are expected to be asked from the arithmetic section. Candidates can check the expected marks distribution in the Quantitative Section of the CAT 2023 examination here.

Types of Questions in CAT 2023

CAT exam pattern 2023 comprises mainly two types of questions i.e. multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and non-MCQs.

Aspirants must know the number of questions asked in each section of the CAT exam 2023 question paper to attempt the questions timely. Time management and maintaining a faster solving speed throughout the exam are essential to scoring well in the CAT exam. A proctored mock test will help you understand the CAT exam pattern 2023 better. 

Points to Remember:

• In each section, some questions may not be of multiple-choice type. Instead, require direct answers. Also, the use of the basic onscreen calculator for computation is allowed. The calculator on the screen of the exam window is available to ease up calculations during the exam. Computations can be done by scrawling the mouse on the screen of computer.
• Candidates will get 40 minutes for questions in each section in the CAT exam pattern 2023.
• As per the CAT exam pattern, switching from one section to another while answering questions in sections is not allowed.
• Candidates should work on tutorials, which will be available on the CAT 2023 website, to understand the format of the test, 

CAT 2023 Marking Scheme

The candidate needs to be aware of the marking scheme of the CAT exam 2023 as given in the CAT exam pattern.

Following are some of the major points that you should keep in mind:

• The total marks are 198.
• Each question in the CAT exam 2023 will carry three marks.
• The candidate will be awarded 3 marks for every correct answer.
• For every incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted.
• No marks will be deducted if a student does not attempt a question.
• This marking scheme is applicable only for multiple choices questions.
• For Non-MCQs, there is no negative marking, and the marks allotted to every question is three.

How to Navigate Between the Sections While Answering CAT 2023

Candidates should follow the instructions provided on the computer screen while answering the CAT exam questions. Candidates should note that the timer is provided on the upper right-hand side of the screen once the CAT exam starts. They will not be allowed to switch between sections. There will be a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Once the 40 minutes for one section are complete, candidates will not be able to answer more questions from that section.

What Each Color on the Palette Indicates in CAT 2023?

Check the table provided below to know what color on the panel indicates in the CAT 2023 exam pattern:

How to Answer Questions in CAT 2023

The computer screen of the CAT 2023 exam will be provided with the following options. Candidates can access these options while answering the questions in the CAT exam pattern 2023:

• Save and next: This option will allow the candidates to choose the correct answer and skip to the next question
• Clear response: This option allows candidates to clear the response to the question that they have answered
• Mark for review and next: This option allows candidates to mark the questions for which they are not sure about the response. Candidates can answer the questions marked as "Mark for review" after completing the rest of the questions.

Candidates should note that they will not be allowed to use the keyboard while answering the questions in the CAT exam. They can answer the questions using the mouse only.

How to Tackle TITA Questions in CAT 2023

TITA Questions or Type in The Answer Questions are non-MCQ type questions in which a candidate has to type in their answer using an on-screen keyboard in the CAT exam. IIM Ahmedabad introduced TITA questions as non-MCQs in which direct answers are typed on the screen in 2015. TITA is not an official name for these questions and has only caught on as an acronym after their introduction.

Solving TITA Questions or non-MCQs in the CAT exam requires a different mindset and strategy than MCQs. Previous test results have shown that the accuracy of candidates in the TITA questions in CAT is lower than that in MCQs. Hence, candidates have to approach these questions much more carefully. While there is no negative marking for TITA questions in the CAT exam, they can be more time-consuming to solve and still cost you marks in the exam.

Tips to Solve TITA questions in CAT 2023

When solving TITA questions, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

• Always be aware of the time consumed when solving TITA questions. Keep a close look at the clock and make sure you don't get carried away and spend more time than necessary.
• Guesswork is not a good idea when solving TITA questions. Even though it will not cost you any marks if you attempt it incorrectly, it might waste your time. Work through the question and try arriving at the correct answer before you attempt.
• Keep your concepts clear. Having clear concepts is essential when attempting TITA questions as you have fewer shortcuts and tricks to solve them as compared to the MCQs.
• Keep TITA questions for the last. Some TITA questions can be attempted along with the rest of the question paper, but it is better to leave these questions for the end. This will help you in time management and prevent any unnecessary wastage of time.

CAT Preparation Strategy - What the Toppers Think

Candidates may check the preparation tips provided by the toppers after going through the CAT exam pattern. Some of the toppers tips for CAT 2020 are provided below.

• Candidates should practice the maximum number of CAT mock test papers. This will allow them to practice more types of questions and get familiar with the exam structure.
• Some of the toppers also said that candidates should select the books for the CAT exam wisely. They can choose books that contain sample papers of the CAT exam and some practice questions for each concept.
• Candidates should plan a proper schedule for their preparation. It will allow them to dedicate enough time to all important sections of the CAT exam.
• The CAT previous year papers will allow the CAT aspirants to know what type of questions were asked in the exam.

CAT Vs Other Top MBA Entrance Exams: Comparative Analysis

The CAT exam pattern 2023 is different from all other MBA entrance exams. Candidates can check the comparison between all the major MBA entrance exams from the infographics provided below.

CAT 2023 Vs XAT 2023

Here is the comparison between CAT and XAT exams.

CAT 2023 Vs NMAT 2023

Check the table below to know the difference between the exam pattern of IIM CAT and NMAT.

CAT 2023 Vs SNAP 2023

Provided below is the comparison between SNAP and CAT exam patterns.

CAT Vs MAT

Check the table provided below to know the difference between the exam pattern of MAT and CAT.

Also Read: CAT vs CMAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT & Other MBA Entrance Exams

Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years

The CAT exam pattern has changed several times over the years. Here are the changes which took place in the CAT exam pattern 2023 in the past ten years. Candidates can go through this table and find out the minute changes in the CAT exam pattern which has been made in the past few years.