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August 10, 2022
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CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Check Detailed Pattern & Syllabus
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: The CAT 2022 exam is scheduled to be held on November 27, 2022, and the exam is scheduled for the three slots of 2 hours each. Candidates can expect a total of 66 questions in the examination from three sections. The CAT 2022 will be a computer-based test, and there will be a total of 3 sections in the examination. Candidates appearing for the CAT exam 2022 must be well aware of the CAT syllabus and exam pattern before starting their preparation.
There will be 22-23 questions from the VARC and QA sections, and 20-21 questions from the DILR section. Before starting the CAT exam preparation, it is important for the candidates to know about the complete details about CAT exam patterns. Read on to get more details regarding the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme.
CAT Exam 2022 Overview
CAT 2022 exam pattern and test procedure have been announced by IIM Bengaluru along with CAT notification. The candidate must be familiar with the CAT 2022 latest exam pattern and syllabus. This will help them in understanding the structure of the CAT question paper and marking scheme. The CAT 2022 will be conducted in three slots. Let us take a look at the important details related to the examination.
| Name of the Exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIM Bengaluru |
| Course | Post Graduate Management Courses |
| Participating Institutes | IIMs, IITs, IISc and other B-Schools |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Format | MCQs and Non-MCQs |
| Total Number of Questions | 66 |
| Time duration | 120 minutes |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Negative Marking | -1 for each incorrect answer (MCQs) |
| CAT Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2022 Exam Pattern
CAT 2022 Exam pattern and test procedure are announced along with the CAT notification. CAT question paper is divided into three sections such as VARC, DILR & QA. Candidates must solve both MCQ and Non-MCQ type questions. It is highly important for aspirants to understand all aspects of the CAT 2022 exam pattern in order to formulate a section-wise detailed strategy for CAT 2022. The exam pattern is the first and foremost step towards streamlining the plan according to CAT syllabus for scoring 99 percentile thus increasing the chances of getting shortlisted.
Having proper knowledge regarding the exam is of utmost importance. Hence, we have tabulated the important details regarding CAT below:
| Duration of Exam | 2 hours |
| Name of Section | Verbal ability & reading comprehension Data Interpretation & logical reasoning Quantitative aptitude |
| Section-wise Duration | 40 minutes for each section. 53 minutes 20 seconds for PwD candidates |
| Slot-wise Session | Slot 1: 8:30 A.M – 10:30 P.M Slot 2: 12:30 P.M -2:30 P.M Slot 3: 4:30 P.M – 6:30 P.M |
| Number of Questions | 66 |
| CAT Exam Total Marks | 198 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for every correct answer, -1 for wrong answer No negative marks for Non-MCQ |
CAT 2022 Paper Pattern
The CAT 2022 exam will be conducted in 3 slots on the same day for a time duration of 2 hours. The candidate must understand all the aspects of the CAT exam pattern for formulating a section-wise detailed strategy. Knowing the CAT 2022 exam pattern is the first and foremost step after knowing the CAT syllabus in order to score maximum marks and get admissions in top IIMs in the country.
Let’s have a look at the latest exam pattern of CAT 2022. The below table represents the total number of MCQ and Non-MCQs questions that are mentioned in this article. Let us have a glimpse of the details of different sections of the exam, total number of questions and maximum marks for each section are below:
| Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Maximum Marks |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | 19 | 5 | 72 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 20 | 15 | 5 | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 14 | 8 | 66 |
| TOTAL | 66 | 48 | 18 | 198 |
Overall & Sectional Duration of CAT Exam Pattern 2022
Candidates appearing for the Common Admission test can verify the overall and sectional duration. Each section must be completed within 40 minutes while PwD category candidates will be given 53 minutes and 20 seconds to answer the section correctly. Aspirants will not be allowed to switch between sections. After the completion of one section, the candidate will be able to move to the next one.
However, candidates can switch between questions within the same sections. With the help of having prior knowledge of the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, it is possible to know the subject and topics, marking scheme.
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Time Distribution
The time varies for different category aspirants varies widely. Let’s have a look at the below table for CAT exam sectional time distribution.
| Section | Total number of questions | Duration for all category | Duration for PwD category |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 questions | 40 minutes | 53 minutes & 20 seconds |
| Data Interpretation & logical reasoning | 20 questions | 40 minutes | 53 minutes & 20 seconds |
| Quantitative ability | 22 questions | 40 minutes | 53 minutes & 20 seconds |
| TOTAL | 66 questions | 120 minutes | 160 minutes |
CAT Exam 2022 Marking Scheme
CAT exam pattern includes a marking scheme under which candidates will get to know the total marks awarded for each correct answer and marks that must be deducted for the wrong answer.
- For each correct answer, three marks are awarded.
- For each wrong answer, one marks will be deducted.
- No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
- No marks will be deducted for Non-MCQs.
CAT Syllabus 2022
The CAT 2022 examination will consist of 3 different sections, that has to be completed within 2 hours. The topics to be covered in these sections are given below:
| Section | Topics |
| Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Verbal Ability English Usage or Grammar Close Passage Synonyms Antonyms Facts-inferences-judgments Jumbled Paragraph Reading Comprehension Verbal Reasoning |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Caselets Blood Relations Calendars Bar Graphs Column Graphs Tables Cubes Clocks Binary Logic Line Charts Combination of two or more types linked to each other Syllogism Venn Diagrams Pie Chart Number and Letter Series Seating Arrangement |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Algebra Higher Maths Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Arithmetic |
What Does Color on the Panel Represent?
When candidates log in to the exam, a different color panel just shows up on the screen. Each color has a significant meaning. Let’s have a look at the different panel colors.
| Panel Color | What it Indicates |
| Red | The question was not answered and not marked for review |
| Green | The question was answered and not marked for review |
| Grey | Question not visited |
| Violet | Question is marked for review and yet not answered |
| Violet with Green tick | The question was marked and answered for review |
CAT Mock Tests 2022
Candidates who are willing to appear for CAT 2022 must visit the official website and appear for a mock test. IIM Bengaluru will release CAT mock test one month before the commencement of the examination. This will help candidates in becoming familiar with the exam pattern, and this will also help candidates to attend the questions within the given time. By appearing in a mock test, candidates can get an idea of how to move between sections.
Important Points Regarding CAT Exam Pattern
- CAT consists of 66 questions and the total marks will be 198 marks that is divided into 3 sections such as VARC will have 24 questions, DILR will have 20 questions & QA will have 22 questions.
- CAT exam will include both MCQ as well as Non-MCQ questions.
- Candidates must make use of a screen calculator for calculation during the exam.
- Screen lock will appear on the screen as the exam is logged in.
- Candidates will be provided for rough work which should be submitted at the exam hall while leaving the hall.
- The computer screen will open only after the notification is provided by the invigilator.
- All computer screens in the exam hall run simultaneously.
- Candidates must accommodate themselves on the computer designated to them.
- Exam has to be attempted in prescribed order, and the candidate should not switch between sections.
It is to be noted that candidates have to clear all three sections separately in order to qualify CAT 2022.
CAT Exam Dates 2022
Let us take a look at the important dates for CAT 2022. Candidates are advised to make a note of these dates and not miss any deadlines.
| Event | Tentative Date |
| Release of CAT Notification 2022 | July 30, 2022 |
| CAT Online Registration Begins | August 3, 2022 – 10:00 P.M |
| Last date to fill CAT Application Form | Sep 14, 2022 – 05:00 P.M |
| Release of CAT Admit Card | October 27, 2022 – 05:00 P.M |
| CAT Exam Date 2022 | November 27, 2022 |
| Release of CAT Answer Key | First week of December 2022 |
| Challenge of CAT Answer Key | First week of December 2022 |
| Final Answer Key Release Date | Last week of December 2022 |
| Release of CAT Result | To be announced |
FAQs on CAT Exam Pattern 2022
Let us take a look at a few frequently asked questions related to the CAT Exam Pattern 2022.
Q.1: What is CAT exam pattern 2022?
Ans: CAT 2022 is a Computer Based Test that mainly includes 3 sections, i.e VARC, DILR, QA sections, and the a total of 66 questions have to be completed within 2 hours.
Q.2: Define the CAT Marking scheme 2022?
Ans: The total score of CAT Exam is 198. Three marks are awarded for correct answers and one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
Q.3: How many MCQs and Non-MCQs will be asked in CAT 2022?
Ans: A total of 48 MCQs and 18 Non-MCQs will be asked in CAT 2022 exam.
Q.4: What is the sectional time limit in CAT exam 2022?
Ans: The sectional time of the CAT exam is 40 minutes for general candidates, and 53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates.
Q.5: Is there any specific order for answering sections in CAT 2022?
Ans: CAT Applicants must answer the question in a pre-specified order, and this will remain the same for all candidates. The time duration is 180 minutes.
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We hope this article on CAT Exam Pattern 2022 has provided you the detailed marking scheme, pattern and syllabus of the examination. Stay tuned to Embibe for more updates related to the CAT Exam 2022.
