CAT Total Marks 2024: Pattern, Marking Scheme, Time Duration And Eligibility

Overview: What are the CAT total marks? The CAT exam will be conducted on 24 November 2024. To learn about the CAT exam pattern and CAT exam total marks, continue reading!

• The CAT exam consists of a total of 66 questions and overall 198 marks.
• The CAT exam 2024 consists of three sections viz VARC, DILR and QA, with each section having a sectional timing of 40 minutes.
• Knowing the CAT exam pattern and CAT marking scheme helps you decode your understanding of the CAT exam 2024.

Read on to get the complete details about the CAT total marks in 2024!

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Also Read | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year

CAT Exam 2024: Highlights 

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by one of the IIMs in India every November. CAT is a computer-based exam conducted online only. CAT 2024 has three major sections: VARC, DILR, and QA, each with a 40-minute sectional time. The CAT exam total marks are based on the score from 66 questions across these sections, which assess a candidate's aptitude in verbal ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative ability

To get a better understanding, have a look at the key highlights of the CAT exam 2024 and CAT total marks:

Particulars	Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute	Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2024	Sunday, November 24, 2024
CAT Exam Timings	To be notified
Registration Fees	SC/ST/PwD - INR-1250/- GEN - INR 2500/-
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
Number of Applications in the CAT exam	3.28 lakh (in 2023)
Exam Purpose	Admission in IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered Through CAT Exam	MBA/ PGDM
CAT Entrance Exam Sections	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA)
Mode	Online Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
No. of test cities for the CAT Exam	150
Website	https://iimcat.ac.in/

Also Read | CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

CAT Total Marks 2024: Exam Pattern (Expected)

CAT exam duration, orThe Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted with a standard time limit of 120 minutes, or 2 hours, with sectional timings, where each section has a time limit of 40 minutes. This allows individuals to develop effective test-taking strategies. The CAT exam total marks are based on the total of 66 questions typically divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).. 

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Section	Number of MCQs	Number of Non-MCQs	Total Questions
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	21	3	24
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	14	6	20
Quantitative Ability	14	8	22
Total	49	17	66

Also Read | CAT Exam Preparation Books 2024 

CAT Total Marks 2024: Marking Scheme 

When considering CAT exam pattern total marks, it is important to understand the marking scheme. This includes awarding marks for correct answers and deducting marks for incorrect ones. To perform well, it is crucial to be thoroughly prepared with the CAT exam syllabus. 

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQ-type questions. Here's a detailed breakdown of the CAT exam marking scheme:

Type of Questions	CAT Marking Scheme	CAT Negative Marking Scheme
MCQ	+3 marks will be provided for every correct answer	-1 is deducted for every incorrect answer
Non-MCQ (TITA- Type in the answer)	+3 marks will be provided for every correct answer	There is no negative marking for TITA questions

Also Read | CAT exam pattern 2024

CAT Total Marks 2024: Pattern Over The Years

The CAT exam has changed over the past few years. In 2011, the total marks were 60. This increased to 100 in 2014, then decreased to 76 in 2020, and finally to 66 in 2023 and so on.

The total marks for the CAT exam 2024 will remain the same as in 2023, and the pattern will also be similar. To better understand the CAT exam paper total marks, here is a simplified version:

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Conducting Body	Year	Number of Question	CAT exam time duration	CAT exam Difficulty Level
IIM Bangalore	2022	66	2 hours	Moderate
IIM Ahmedabad	2021	66	2 hours	Moderate to High (Expected)
IIM Indore	2020	76	2 hours	Moderate to High
IIM Kozhikode	2019	100	3 hours	Moderate to High
IIM Calcutta	2018	100	3 hours	Moderate to High
IIM Lucknow	2017	100	3 hours	Moderate
IIM Bangalore	2016	100	3 hours	Moderate to difficult
IIM Ahmedabad	2015	100	3 hours	Moderate to difficult
IIM Indore	2014	100	2.50 hours	Moderate to Easy
IIM Indore	2013	60	2:20 hours	Moderate to Easy
IIM Indore	2012	60	2.20 hours	Moderate to Easy
IIM Calcutta	2011	60	2.20 hours	Moderate

Also Read | CAT Exam 2024 Shift Timings

Importance of Understanding CAT Exam Marks 2024

You might be wondering why it is important to understand CAT total marks or CAT 2024 Exam pattern. By pre-understanding CAT total marks, its sectional mark analysis helps you develop an effective exam strategy. 

Some more reasons to familiarise yourself with the CAT exam total marks: 

• Knowing the total marks, sectional weightage, and scoring pattern helps candidates to allocate their time and resources efficiently.
• Understanding the marking scheme enables aspirants to focus on their strengths and improve their weaknesses.
• A clear understanding of the marking scheme enables aspirants to set realistic targets.
• Knowing the scoring pattern helps aspirants track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Understanding the CAT exam marks enables aspirants to make informed decisions about their preparation, such as which sections to focus on and how to allocate their study time.
• By understanding the CAT exam marks, aspirants can better prepare and increase their chances of success.

Download All About Analytical Writing Test at IIM-A

Read more: CAT Exam Reasoning Syllabus 2024

Conclusion 

As we wrap up, a basic understanding of the CAT total marks is important for developing an effective preparation strategy for CAT 2024. By knowing the total marks, sectional weightage, and scoring pattern, aspirants can allocate their time and resources efficiently, focus on their strengths, and improve their weaknesses.

With a clear understanding of the marking scheme, candidates can set realistic targets, track their progress, and increase their chances of success in the CAT exam.

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