CAT Exam Analysis is a process that reveals all the details about the exam considering sectional weightage, pattern, difficulty level and topics covered. Check CAT analysis is one of the most important strategies to ace start preparing for the exam in a planned way.

What is CAT Exam Analysis?

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive exam in India for admission into prestigious management institutes like the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and other top business schools. Here’s a structured analysis of the CAT exam:

Sections and Format

CAT typically consists of three sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Tests language skills and comprehension ability through passages and questions on grammar, vocabulary, and critical reasoning.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Assesses the ability to interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs, and to solve logical reasoning puzzles.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA): Evaluates mathematical and problem-solving skills covering topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number theory.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: The exam is usually conducted in a single session of 2 hours.
• Question Types: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs (where candidates have to type the answer).

Difficulty Level

• Varies Year to Year: CAT is known for its variable difficulty levels. Some years see more challenging questions, while others may have a more manageable paper.

Preparation Strategy

• Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding fundamental concepts in each section.
• Mock Tests: Regular practice with mock tests to simulate exam conditions and improve time management.
• Revision and Analysis: Reviewing mistakes in mock tests to identify weak areas and improve performance.

Scoring and Percentiles

• Scaled Scores: CAT uses a scaled scoring system to ensure fairness across different exam sessions.
• Percentile Calculation: Percentile scores are calculated based on the relative performance of candidates compared to others.

Post-Exam

• Admission Process: Scores are used by various management institutes for shortlisting candidates for further rounds, which may include Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

Trends and Changes

• Adaptive Changes: CAT has evolved over the years, adapting to changes in technology and educational standards.
• Sectional Changes: The distribution and weightage of sections may vary slightly from year to year.

Tips for Aspirants

• Start Early: Begin preparation well in advance to cover all topics thoroughly.
• Balanced Approach: Give equal attention to all sections to maximize overall score.
• Stay Updated: Follow official announcements and previous year trends for insights into exam patterns.

Overall, cracking CAT requires a strategic approach, consistent practice, and a thorough understanding of the exam format and content. Each year, successful candidates demonstrate not just academic prowess but also strong analytical and problem-solving skills.To help the candidates, a detailed CAT exam analysis for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is given here.

CAT Exam Analysis of Previous Years – Last 9 Years Data

Note the table below to gey year-wise CAT analysis articles for the last 9 years. These articles will help you to get detailed information about previous years’ CAT Exam Analysis for 2021, 2025, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

CAT aspirants are always suggested to check the previous years’ CAT exam analysis while preparing for the CAT exam. A detailed analysis of the CAT previous years’ papers is given above. CAT 2023 is expected to be conducted in the last week of November 2023. Over the past few years, though the exam saw some changes in the pattern, the question types always remained the same. The changes over the past few years are given below.

CAT Analysis – Change in Question Paper Pattern

In the table below, we have shared brief information about year-wise changes in the CAT exam pattern.

CAT Exam Analysis (2015 to 2021)

Over the past few years, the CAT exam has undergone some changes with respect to the pattern and time duration. In CAT 2020, the QA sections included 26 questions, the DILR section included 24 questions and the VARC section included 26 questions. The question-type breakdown for CAT 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 are mentioned below.

What is Advantages of Checking CAT Exam Analysis?

Checking CAT exam analysis offers several advantages for aspirants preparing for the exam:

1. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: Exam analysis helps aspirants understand which sections they performed well in and which areas need improvement. This insight allows for targeted study and practice.

2. Understanding Question Trends: By reviewing exam analysis, aspirants can identify recurring question types, topics with higher weightage, and overall exam patterns. This helps in focusing preparation efforts on the most relevant areas.

3. Improving Time Management: Analysis of time taken per question or section can highlight where aspirants might be spending too much or too little time. This information is crucial for optimizing time management strategies during the actual exam.

4. Benchmarking Performance: Exam analysis provides aspirants with percentile scores, which indicate how their performance compares with that of other test-takers. This helps in setting realistic goals and understanding one’s standing in the competition.

5. Strategic Preparation: Armed with insights from exam analysis, aspirants can adjust their study plans and strategies accordingly. They can prioritize weak areas, revise effectively, and simulate exam conditions through mock tests.

6. Predicting Future Trends: By tracking changes in exam patterns and difficulty levels over time, aspirants can anticipate potential shifts in the CAT exam format. This proactive approach ensures they are well-prepared for any surprises.

7. Feedback for Improvement: Exam analysis offers valuable feedback on performance, highlighting specific areas that need more attention or refinement. This feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement in preparation.

8. Boosting Confidence: Understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses through exam analysis can boost confidence. Aspirants feel more prepared and confident going into the exam, which can positively impact their performance.

9. Decision Making for Retakes: For those considering retaking the CAT exam, detailed analysis of previous attempts can guide decisions on whether to retake, where to focus efforts, and how to improve for better results.

In essence, checking CAT exam analysis is not just about reviewing past performance but about leveraging insights to enhance future preparation strategies. It empowers aspirants to optimize their study efforts, improve their competitive edge, and ultimately achieve their desired scores for admission to top management institutes.

Watch The Below Video on CAT Exam Analysis 2022

CAT aspirants can also check the previous year’s papers to practise and prepare more effectively for the exam.

For complete assistance on CAT Preparation, stay tuned to CAT GURU’S. Comment on any CAT-related queries below to get quick assistance.