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CAT 2023 Question Paper | PDF Free Download
The CAT 2023 Question Paper was found to be extremely difficult compared to that of CAT 2022. IIM Lucknow successfully convened CAT 2023 across 156 cities in India.
The difficulty level of CAT question paper 2023 was similar across the slots, except for VARC and QA in Slot 2. DILR proved to be the toughest section across all the slots. The difficulty level of the CAT Exam escalates with each passing year.
So, it is just as important to solve CAT Question Papers and take mock tests for CAT preparation as to study the conceptual aspects. Candidates will gain a better understanding of the exam format and question pattern as they solve more past papers.
In this article,
- CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF Download.
- CAT 2023 Question Paper Format
- Marking scheme for CAT 2023 Exam Question Paper
- CAT 2023 Question paper Analysis
- CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 1
- CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 2
- CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 3
Solving the CAT 2023 question paper and comparing the results with the CAT 2023 question paper answer key pdf will give you a taste of what an exam setting is like.After identifying which sections require improvement, you can work on improving them by reviewing your answers with the CAT 2023 question paper with solution pdf below:
CAT 2023 Question Paper – SLOT 1 PDF With Solution |
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VARC – 2023 – Slot 1 |
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QA – 2023 – Slot 1 |
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DILR – 2023 – Slot 1 |
CAT 2023 Question Paper – SLOT 2 PDF With Solution |
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VARC – 2023 – Slot 2 |
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QA – 2023 – Slot 2 |
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DILR – 2023 – Slot 2 |
CAT 2023 Question Paper – SLOT 3 PDF With Solution |
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VARC – 2023 – Slot 3 |
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QA – 2023 – Slot 3 |
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DILR – 2023 – Slot 3 |
CAT 2023 Question Paper format:
The CAT 2023 exam pattern underwent major changes due to the pandemic. The number of questions were slashed from 100 to 76, with a reduced time duration from 180 minutes to 120 minutes
Name of the Section |
No. of Questions section-wise |
Time-Allotted for each section |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
26 |
40 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
26 |
40 minutes |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
24 |
40 minutes |
Total |
76 |
120 minutes |
Marking scheme for CAT 2022 Question Paper:
The marking scheme remained the same for MCQs with +3/-1 pattern and the Non-MCQs were unchanged with a +3/0 pattern. The CAT Question paper 2023 was more challenging than that of CAT 2022 with lengthy VARC passages. DILR was similar to CAT 2019-20. The QA section, however, was a relief and easy section in comparison to the CAT 2022. A score of 42 on the VARC section, 34 on the DILR section, and 44 on the QA section was equivalent to 99%ile.
CAT 2023 Question Paper Analysis:
The below table will give you an overview of the question type, difficulty levels of Slot 1 -Slot 3 and the total number of questions in each section.
Sections |
Level of Difficulty |
Total. No.of.Questions |
MCQ |
TITA |
VARC |
Moderate- Difficult |
26 |
22 |
4 |
Quants |
Easy-Moderate |
26 |
18 |
8 |
DI-LR |
Moderate-Difficult |
24 |
19 |
5 |
Total |
Moderate |
76 |
59 |
17 |
CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 1:
All three sections were moderate to difficult, with VARC proving most challenging. The CAT 2022 Question Paper for the first slot contained 57 multiple choice questions and 19 non-multiple choice questions. In terms of difficulty level, VARC was on the difficult side while QA and DILR were easy to moderate.
CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 2:
The CAT 2023 Slot 2 VARC & QA section showed no surprises and was similar to Slot 1. CAT 2023 Slot 2 followed the same pattern as Slot 1. Comparatively speaking, the DILR section was tougher than those in Slot 1 of CAT 2023. There were 76 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes, as in Slot 1. Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the questions.
- VARC: 26 questions in 40 minutes
- DILR: 24 questions in 40 minutes
- QA: 26 questions in 40 minutes
Overall, 99%ile was achieved if one scored 42 marks in the VARC section, 34 marks in the DILR section, and 44 marks in the QA section.
CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 3:
Slot-3 in the CAT 2023 was more challenging than slot 1 and slot 2. Slot-3 in CAT 2023 was the hardest of the three slots overall, and by section. No wonder, there were not many variations in Slot 3, when compared between Slot 1 and 2.
Watch The Below Video for CAT 2023 mock analysis:
Frequently Asked Questions on CAT Question Paper 2023
- The CAT Exam 2023 question paper contained a total of 76 questions instead of 100.
- Instead of a 180-minute test, the CAT 2023 test was held for a time duration of 120 minutes.
The validity of CAT (Common Admission Test) scores typically lasts for one year. This means that if you take the CAT exam in a particular year, the score is valid for admission to management programs in that year and possibly the next year, depending on the policies of the individual institutions you are applying to. However, it’s always advisable to check with the specific institutions where you plan to apply, as their policies may vary slightly.
Q3 Which section of the CAT question paper 2023 was the toughest ?
CAT question papers and their perceived difficulty can vary widely from year to year and also depend on individual perspectives and strengths. Typically, the Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) sections are included in the CAT exam.The DILR section and the VARC section were the most challenging sections. VARC had a lot of tricky questions, and the variation in the number of DILR questions also left students feeling challenged.