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The Common Admissions Test (CAT) is the most well-known of the many IIM entrance tests. Many ambitious people hope to one day earn an MBA from a highly regarded university. The CAT Exam is required of all students who wish to enrol in an MBA program. Admission to the IIMs and other top business schools in India is contingent upon scoring well on the Common Admissions Test (CAT).
About the CAT 2021 Exam
The IIMs in India were the ones that came up with the idea for the CAT exam, and they set it up as a three-hour test. However, in 2021, the schedule was different because of the Covid-19 protocol.
The CAT Exam 2021 lasts for two hours and is divided into three groups:
- i) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- ii) Quantitative Ability
iii) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Each examination segment is allotted 40 minutes of the candidates’ time. Disabled applicants, meanwhile, will be given an extra 13 minutes and 20 seconds to finish each task.
About 2.31 million people have signed up to take the CAT in 2021. This test is given once a year, on a yearly rotating basis, by each IIM. On November 28, 2021, students in over 158 locations took the CAT.
CAT 2021 Question Paper PDFs
Here, from the below-provided links, the candidates can download the free PDF for CAT 2021 Paper. Download them and start practising and improve your preparation level-
Also see:
- CAT Mock Test
- CAT Question Papers
- Best books for CAT Preparation
- CAT 2022 Eligibility Criteria
- CAT 2022 Syllabus
- CAT 2022 Exam Pattern
- CAT Result
CAT 2021 Exam- Analysis Of Slot 1
Students expected the CAT exam to follow last year’s pattern and avoid surprises, but they were wrong. CAT 2021 Slot 1 contained 66 questions in three sections, 10 fewer than the previous year. The examination could have been comparable to prior CAT exams in format, structure, and complexity, with modest difficulty variations across sections.
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CAT 2021 Exam- Type Of Questions in Slot 1
There were 20, 24, and 22 questions in each of the three sections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). A 40-minute sectional time restriction was set. Slot 1-segmentation:
| Sec.No. | Section Name | The total number of questions | No. of Multiple Questions | Number of Non-MCQs (TITA Ques.) |
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| III | Quantitative Ability | 22 | 15 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 66 | 49 | 17 |
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CAT 2021 Exam- Level Of Questions in Slot 1
- Verbal Ability
The verbal component is moderate to hard. Accuracy will determine your score. There were four medium-length RC passages with four questions each. Para jumbles had 3, Para Summary had 3, and the odd one out had 2. Five TITA questions were odd ones and para jumbles. The TITA questions were absent from the RC.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
This segment was the hardest last year. Two sets had six questions each, and two had four. Most students tackled the calculation-intensive bar graph set of 4 questions. The AR, profit and loss time, and work set of 6 questions had missing values from the table.
Data reasoning has 4 and 6 questions. 5 TITA questions. A typical AR set had several variables and logical linkages connected to people and journals of different types. Few pupils attempted more than 2 sets.
- Quantitative Aptitude
The Quant portion was slightly easier. Most standard issues were covered, including Profit & Loss, TSD, Time & Work, and Alligation. Three somewhat challenging geometry questions were asked. Two linear, two APGP, and one inequality question comprised algebra. The quant portion was achievable. Even though the questions were easy, they took time, like last year. The best method was to omit difficult questions.
CAT 2021 Exam- Analysis Of Slot 2
Slot 2 of the CAT 2021 was the same as Slot 1, but the Quant section was hard and long. Slot 2 featured 66 questions in 3 standard sections.
CAT 2021 Exam- Type Of Questions in Slot 2
VARC, DILR, and QA had 24, 20, and 22 questions, respectively. Sections had 40-minute time limits and were ordered. Slot 2-segmentation:
| Sec No. | Section Name | The total number of questions. | Multiple Choice Ques. | Number of Non-MCQs (TITA Ques.) |
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| III | Quantitative Ability | 22 | 15 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 66 | 49 | 17 |
CAT 2021 Exam- Level Of Questions in Slot 2
- Verbal Ability
The verbal section is moderate to easy. A decent score depends on effort and accuracy. There were four medium-length RC passages with four questions each. Para jumbles had 3, Para Summary had 3, and the odd one out had 2. Five TITA questions were odd ones and para jumbles. TITA questions were absent from RC. Para summaries were challenging.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
As in previous years, this segment was the hardest but significantly simpler than Slot 1. Two sets had six questions each, and two had four. Bar Graph – Product packaging & sent (easiest Distribution & operations, Games & Tournaments Table, and Data Interpretation were the sets. 5 TITA questions.
- Quantitative Aptitude
The Quant part was more difficult and time-consuming than Slot 1. The most common themes include profit and loss, time and work, alligation, etc. Geometry had three easy questions. Slot 1’s algebra questions were similar to those in Slot 2. The quant portion was more challenging and would have decreased attempts by 3–4. The best method was to omit difficult questions. The TITA questions were 6-8.
CAT 2021 Exam- Analysis Of Slot 3
Slot 3 of the CAT 2021 was similar, but the maths section was challenging and took a long time. Slot 3 featured 66 questions in 3 standard sections.
CAT 2021 Exam- Type Of Questions in Slot 3
There were 24 problems in “Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC),” 20 problems in “Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR),” and 22 problems in “Quantitative Aptitude (QA).” A 40-minute sectional time restriction was set. Slot 3-segmentation:
| SecNo. | Section Name | The total number of questions. | No. of Multiple Questions | Number of Non-MCQs (TITA Ques.) |
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| III | Quantitative Ability | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 66 | 48 | 18 |
CAT 2021 Exam- Level Of Questions in Slot 3
- Verbal Ability
The verbal component is moderate to hard. Good and mediocre scores depend on the attempt, accuracy, and passage selection. There were four medium-length RC passages with four questions each. The para jumble had 3, the para summary had 3, and the odd one out had 2. Five TITA questions were odd ones and para jumbles. TITA questions were absent from the RC. The para summaries were challenging.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Like Slots 1 and 2, this segment has been the hardest in recent years. Two sets had six questions each, and two had four. 1) AR set of 6 questions – 3 people taking interviews and picking questions (doable), 2) Mixture & Alligations – mixing pure and impure liquid (tough), 3) Games & tournaments-Javelin Throw (lengthy and difficult), and 4) Bar Graph – 4 member project team (easy). 5 TITA questions.
- Quantitative Aptitude
Students found the Quant part time-consuming but easier than Slot 2. They were accurately depicted. Four geometry questions were easy. Algebra questions resembled Slot 1. Quant was slightly challenging and would have decreased attempts by 3–4 TITA questions. A higher grade was important since the segment was easy yet time-consuming.
Slot 1 of CAT 2021 started with anticipation over question number. In 2021, the questions were lowered from 76 to 66. As in previous years, verbal was medium, DILR was the hardest, and quant was modest to hard, as in previous years. Slot 3 had more DILR and Quant attempts and scored well.
Tips to Prepare CAT Exam
Master CAT preparation with these tips:
- Study Plan: Create a detailed study schedule covering all subjects and topics.
- Quality Resources: Use recommended books, online resources, and mock tests.
- Practice Regularly: Solve past papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Practice solving questions within time limits.
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding concepts deeply.
- Mock Interviews: Prepare for GD-PI rounds.
- Stay Healthy: Maintain a balanced routine for peak performance.
