CAT 2024 featured moderate difficulty, challenging QA, easier VARC, and manageable DILR, with 45+ good attempts ensuring high percentile success.

The CAT exam analysis 2024 reflects that the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024, was rather challenging across the three slots. With 68 questions spread across three sections VARC, DILR, and QA the paper was meant to test aspirant’s analytical, verbal, and quantitative abilities. The difficulty level of the question paper in CAT 2024 varied slightly from the previous edition while QA remained the most challenging section.

It has CAT 2024 Slot 1 analysis, explores CAT 2024 exam insights, and brings forth the good attempts in CAT 2024 and CAT 2024 expected cut-offs for the management aspirants targeting the IIMs and other premier B-schools.

CAT 2024 Slot-Wise Analysis and Exam Insights

The CAT 2024 was conducted in three slots with the same pattern, each with different difficulty levels. Slot 1 was overall moderately difficult, with nuances from section to section:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Number of Questions: 24

Analysis: VARC was straightforward while undertaking the reading and verbal ability portions. Most questions were direct, but a few tricky reasoning puzzles added some variety.

Good Attempts: 18-20 questions

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Questions: 20

Analysis: DILR was standard this time compared to other years. However, some sets would need calculations and interpretations to be very precise. Questions related to logical reasoning needed quick solving.

14-16 attempts should be good

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Questions: 24

Analysis: QA was the most tricky part of Slot 1. The focus on algebra, arithmetic, and geometry made this part time-consuming. Several questions checked the conceptual clarity and accuracy in pressure situations.

Good Attempts: 13-15 questions

Overall CAT 2024 Question Paper Difficulty

The difficulty level of the CAT 2024 question paper was one notch higher than Slot 1 of the 2023 exam. The reduced time of 120 minutes, or 40 minutes for each section, added to the pressure of time management. A score in the 95-105 range in Slot 1 is expected to be at the 99th percentile, so strategic selection of questions would be key for maximizing scores.

CAT 2024 Good Attempts and Percentile Trends

Good attempts” will depend on accuracy. For Slot 1, the following is an anticipated split:

VARC: 18-20 attempts with 85%+ accuracy

DILR: 14-16 attempts with 80%+ accuracy

QA: 13-15 attempts with 75%+ accuracy

Total attempts on all three sections to be around 45-50 with a high accuracy level that might push candidates into the top percentile bracket.

CAT 2024 Cut-Off Predictions

This is because the cut-off marks for top institutes like IIMs always depend on sectional and overall performance. Tentative cut-off trends for the 99th percentile are as follows:

General Category: 95-105 marks

OBC-NCL/EWS: 85-95 marks

SC/ST/PWD: 70-80 marks

Sectional cut-offs are equally important for shortlist considerations:

VARC: 34-36 marks

DILR: 28-30 marks

QA: 32-34 marks

Takeaways for CAT 2024 Aspirants

Slot-Wise Difficulty Insights: Slot 1 was a moderately tough slot with QA requiring maximum efforts, followed by VARC and DILR as relatively less demanding.

Strategic Accuracy Success Plan: 120 minutes to solve 68 questions. In such a scenario, accuracy is the key.

Expected Cut-Off Marks: Considering the difficulty level is higher compared to previous years, a cut-off would see a mere reduction from last year’s cut-offs.

This could add to the analytical approach of aspirants who would be using score calculators and percentile predictors to assess their positions. Further, insights into the CAT 2024 examination pattern will continue to evolve as data from Slots 2 and 3 is analyzed but initial trends suggest a competitive yet achievable benchmarking for top B-schools.

For detailed insights and expert discussions on CAT 2024 slot-wise analysis, register for our webinar to gain a comprehensive breakdown of scores, good attempts, and strategies for the next steps in your B-school journey.