The first slot of the CAT 2024 exam set the tone for this year’s test, offering candidates a balanced mix of approachable and moderately challenging questions. Slot 1 showcased a predictable pattern across sections, with VARC being notably easier compared to previous years, while DILR and QA sections demanded sharp decision-making and time management skills. With 68 questions spread across three sections—VARC, DILR, and QA—this slot provided ample opportunities for those who prepared strategically. In this detailed analysis, we break down the exam structure, section-wise performance, and key takeaways to help you understand what worked and how this slot compares with CAT 2023.
Overall Exam Structure
Responsive Table
Section
Number of Questions
Duration (Minutes)
MCQs
TITA
Difficulty Level
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
24
40
22
2
Easy
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
22
40
10
12
Easy-Moderate
QA (Quantitative Ability)
22
40
14
8
Moderate
Total
68
120
48
20
Moderate
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The VARC section featured 4 RC passages and a mix of verbal ability questions. The section was rated as easy, with good opportunities for high attempts and accuracy.
Breakdown of VARC
Responsive Table
Question Type
Number of Questions
MCQs
TITA
Difficulty Level
Doable Questions
RC: Utility & Human Economics
4
4
0
Moderate
2
RC: Entertainment/Netflix
4
4
0
Easy
3
RC: Australian Spices
4
4
0
Easy
3
RC: Craftsmanship
4
4
0
Moderate
4
Paragraph Completion
3
3
0
1 Easy, 2 Moderate
2
Paragraph Summary
3
3
0
1 Easy, 1 Medium, 1 Difficult
1-2
Odd Sentence Out (TITA)
2
0
2
1 Easy, 1 Medium
1-2
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section maintained a balance between data-heavy and logical reasoning sets. It was rated as easy to moderate, with the right selection of sets playing a crucial role.
Breakdown of DILR
Responsive Table
Set Number
Topic/Area
No. of Questions
MCQs
TITA
Difficulty Level
Doable Questions
1
Candlestick (Shares-Based)
4
3
1
Easy
4
2
Tournament (Teams)
5
0
5
Medium
3-4
3
Blogger-Based Bar Graph
4
2
2
Moderate
2-3
4
Set Theory Bar Graph
4
1
3
Moderate
2-3
5
Caselet (Percentages)
5
5
0
Medium
3-4
Quantitative Ability (QA)
QA in Slot 1 leaned towards being moderate. Arithmetic dominated the section, making it accessible for candidates with good conceptual clarity in this area.
Breakdown of QA
Responsive Table
Topic/Area
No. of Questions
MCQs
TITA
Difficulty Level
Doable Questions
Arithmetic (TSD, Percentages, Ratios)
8
6
2
Easy
6-7
Algebra (Log, Equations, Functions)
7
5
2
Moderate
4-5
Geometry (Circles, Coordinate)
3
2
1
Moderate
2
Modern Math (P&C, Probability)
3
1
2
Moderate-Difficult
1-2
Numbers
1
0
1
Moderate-Difficult
1
Percentile vs. Score for CAT 2024 Slot 1
Responsive Table
Percentile
VARC Score
DILR Score
QA Score
Overall Score
99.9
48
49
48
120-124
99.5
40
43
43
106-110
99
36
40
35
95-98
95
20
29
18
68-70
90
17
23
14
59-61
Key Observations for Slot 1
Sectional Trends:
VARC was the easiest, giving an edge to candidates strong in language skills.
DILR required careful selection of sets but had doable questions.
QA, while moderate overall, rewarded candidates who prioritized Arithmetic and Algebra.
Overall Difficulty: Slot 1 was easier than CAT 2023, with a balanced paper and a manageable difficulty level across sections.
Preparation Takeaways:
Build strong basics in Arithmetic and RCs for scoring opportunities.
