Congratulations to all aspirants who tackled the CAT 2024 exam this year! Whether you're reflecting on your performance or preparing for next year, understanding the nuances of this year's paper is a critical step. Let’s dive into an in-depth analysis, unpacking the key takeaways and changes observed across all three slots.

Prashant Sir's Experience @ CAT 2024

Taking the CAT after a break was an invigorating experience. While I’ve been taking the exam regularly over the years, I occasionally step away for some time. Returning to it after a while brought back the familiar competitive thrill that I genuinely enjoy. The moment I sat down for the test, it was as if an automatic mechanism kicked in—I found myself pushing to solve as much as I could. It was a natural, almost reflexive process. Overall, it was an interesting and enjoyable attempt.

I took the Slot 3 exam and found the VARC section particularly engaging. I wouldn’t call it exceptionally tough, but it was definitely challenging in an interesting way. Having been in the field of CAT preparation and training students for so many years, I felt that the VARC section would have posed significant challenges for students who aren’t habitual readers or aren’t entirely comfortable with the language. While the vocabulary wasn’t overly difficult, it wasn’t exactly straightforward either. The nuanced use of language stood out—sentences with complex structures and even tricky framing in the questions. For instance, there was a question with a triple negative, which tested not just comprehension but attention to detail and reasoning. These small but crucial skills added an extra layer of difficulty. For me as a faculty member, it was enjoyable, but I can see how it might have been daunting for students.

Moving on to the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) sections, I’ll preface my thoughts by acknowledging that these aren’t my primary areas of expertise. My focus has always been on VARC, and I haven’t actively solved a math problem or an LRDI set in the last 16-17 years. With that context in mind, I was still able to solve around 7-8 questions in each section. What I found was that approaching the exam with a relaxed mindset made a significant difference. Since I wasn’t rushing, I could spot questions that seemed manageable and focus on solving them.

Interestingly, there were questions even someone like me—who hasn’t engaged with math for nearly two decades—could solve. This shows that with a decent amount of preparation, CAT provides ample opportunities to perform well. This was a key takeaway for me: with the right approach, even without rigorous preparation, you can make respectable attempts. For aspirants, this means that with focused and consistent preparation, navigating CAT is absolutely achievable.

As for the test center, it was decent overall. However, I feel the invigilation and general decorum in the hall could be improved. While it didn’t bother me much—since I didn’t have anything at stake—small disruptions can be distracting for students who are already under pressure. This is an area where the CAT authorities could make some improvements.

Key Takeaway for Aspirants

For those preparing for CAT 2025, here’s my advice: feel hopeful and optimistic. This is a manageable exam with the right preparation and mindset. Dedication, consistency, and smart strategy can help you navigate it with confidence. The CAT is not an insurmountable challenge—it’s a test that rewards focused effort.

How Did CAT 2024 Compare to CAT 2023?

The overall consensus is that the CAT 2024 paper was slightly easier than CAT 2023. However, it wasn’t without its surprises. While familiar patterns appeared in many sections, there were notable shifts that could influence your preparation strategy for the future.

Section-Wise Observations

• DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning): A significant change this year was the addition of two extra questions, making this section marginally longer than before. While the level of difficulty remained moderate, the increased question count required sharper time management and quicker decision-making skills.
• VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension): A striking omission this year was the absence of para jumbles, a staple of previous CAT papers. This might have thrown some aspirants off guard, emphasizing the importance of adaptability during the test. The remaining question types followed the expected pattern, with a slightly easier difficulty level compared to 2023.
• Quantitative Ability (QA): The QA section retained its usual structure and difficulty, catering well to those with strong conceptual clarity and practice.

Slot-Wise Difficulty Levels

Among the three slots, Slot 3 emerged as the most challenging, especially in the DILR and VARC sections. In contrast, Slots 1 and 2 were more manageable, with Slot 2 being rated the easiest by most test-takers.

What Can You Learn from This Analysis?

• Adaptability is Key: The omission of para jumbles in VARC highlights the need to be ready for unexpected changes. During preparation, focus on a diverse range of question types rather than relying on fixed patterns.
• Time Management Matters More Than Ever: With the DILR section introducing more questions, practice prioritizing high-scoring sets and moving on from tougher ones.
• Strategize Slot-Wise: If you're aiming for CAT 2025, plan mock tests under varying difficulty levels to build resilience across all scenarios.

A Word of Encouragement

CAT is as much a test of your mental toughness as it is of your academic abilities. The changes observed this year remind us that success in competitive exams comes from preparation, adaptability, and confidence. No matter where you stand today, your effort and commitment will always propel you forward.

Prepare smart, stay consistent, and remember—you have what it takes to excel!

When it comes to MBA admissions through CAT, it’s crucial to focus on percentiles rather than raw scores. Why? Because CAT isn’t just about performing well; it’s about outperforming your peers. Your percentile reflects your rank relative to other test takers, making it the ultimate benchmark for success.

Decoding Percentiles and Scores

The CAT percentile is calculated based on your raw score, which depends on both the number of questions you attempt and the accuracy of your responses. In the CAT 2024 exam, out of a total of 68 questions, aiming to attempt 30-35 questions with an accuracy rate of 85-90% can potentially secure you a 99+ percentile—a coveted score for top-tier B-schools.

Below is an estimated table mapping CAT 2024 scores to percentiles, helping you gauge where you might stand and strategize accordingly:

CAT 2024 Exam Analysis - Key Highlights for Each Slot

Understanding the nuances of each slot in the CAT 2024 exam can help you better prepare for future attempts or evaluate your performance. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key observations and comparisons across all slots.

CAT 2024 Slot 3 Exam Analysis: Key Takeaways

• Overall Pattern and Comparison: Slot 3 mirrored Slot 1 in terms of structure and was relatively easier than the CAT 2023 paper. However, some sections displayed subtle differences in difficulty.
• VARC Section:
  • No para jumbles were included in this slot.
  • The section was easier than CAT 2023 but slightly more difficult compared to Slots 1 and 2.
  • Difficulty Ranking for VARC: Slot 3 < Slot 2 = Slot 1.
• DILR Section:
  • Two to three sets in the section were manageable, though some were tricky.
  • DILR was comparable to Slot 2 but slightly more challenging than Slot 1.
  • Difficulty Ranking for DILR: Slot 3 = Slot 2 < Slot 1.
• QA Section:
  • QA came as a slight surprise in Slot 3. It was easier than CAT 2023 but marginally tougher than Slots 1 and 2.
  • Difficulty Ranking for QA: Slot 3 < Slot 2 = Slot 1.

CAT 2024 Slot 2 Exam Analysis: Key Takeaways

• Overall Pattern and Comparison: The exam format was nearly identical to Slot 1 and significantly easier than CAT 2023.
• VARC Section:
  • No para jumbles were part of the VARC section.
  • The difficulty level was consistent with Slot 1 and easier than CAT 2023.
• DILR Section:
  • Three to four sets were highly doable, maintaining the same pattern as Slot 1.
  • Overall, it was simpler compared to CAT 2023.
• QA Section:
  • Quantitative Ability was straightforward, on par with Slot 1, and significantly easier than CAT 2023.

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Analysis: Key Takeaways

• Overall Pattern and Comparison: Slot 1 was far less challenging than CAT 2023.
• VARC Section:
  • VARC followed an easy-to-moderate difficulty level and was more accessible than in CAT 2023.
• DILR Section:
  • The DILR sets were significantly simpler compared to CAT 2023, allowing more test-takers to attempt them with confidence.
• QA Section:
  • Quantitative Ability in Slot 1 was straightforward and required strong conceptual knowledge but was far less demanding than CAT 2023.

Key Observations Across All Slots

• The VARC section saw the absence of para jumbles in all slots, which was a notable deviation from previous years.
• The DILR section maintained a manageable level of difficulty with minor variations in specific slots.
• The QA section was uniformly easier than CAT 2023, with Slot 3 introducing slight complexity compared to the first two slots.

Final Thoughts

The CAT 2024 paper showed predictable trends in some areas while introducing subtle changes in others. Whether you’re analyzing your performance or planning your next attempt, use these insights to align your preparation strategy. Remember, success in CAT is all about staying adaptable, practicing consistently, and fine-tuning your approach.