CAT 2024 Exam Updates: Insights from Slots 1 & 2 and What to Expect in Slot 3

The CAT 2024 exam has kicked off with the first two slots completed, showcasing a moderate difficulty level. Stay tuned for live updates on answer keys, question paper analysis, and insights leading up to the final slot.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 is currently underway, with the first two slots already completed on November 24, 2024. Conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, this year's exam is significant for the approximately 300,000 candidates vying for admission into various postgraduate management programs across India.

Exam Overview

Schedule and Timings

The CAT 2024 exam is divided into three slots:

• Slot 1: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
• Slot 2: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Slot 3: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Candidates must adhere to specific reporting times to ensure a smooth entry process:

• Slot 1 Reporting Time: 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM
• Slot 2 Reporting Time: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
• Slot 3 Reporting Time: 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Exam Format

The CAT exam consists of three sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 questions
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 20 questions
3. Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 questions

In total, there are 66 questions, with a total duration of 120 minutes (40 minutes per section). The marking scheme awards +3 marks for correct answers and deducts -1 mark for incorrect ones, while non-MCQ questions do not incur negative marking

Live Updates and Analysis

Slot Analysis

As of now, both Slot 1 and Slot 2 have concluded. Initial reports suggest that the difficulty level of the exam was moderate, consistent with previous years. Candidates have expressed confidence in their performances, particularly those who practiced extensively through mock tests.

Answer Key and Predictions

The answer key for the CAT exam will be released shortly after the final slot concludes. Candidates will have the opportunity to challenge any discrepancies in the answer key before the final results are announced, which are expected in late December

Expected Cut-offs

While specific cut-off scores will depend on various factors including overall performance and section-wise difficulty, experts predict that competitive scores will likely remain consistent with trends from previous years. Candidates are advised to monitor updates closely as analyses from education experts become available following each slot's completion

The CAT 2024 exam is a pivotal event for aspiring management students in India, serving as a gateway to prestigious institutions like IIMs and other top B-schools. With two slots completed successfully, candidates are now gearing up for the final session of the day. Continuous updates regarding answer keys and performance analyses will be crucial for candidates as they await their results.