The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024, conducted by IIM Calcutta, concluded its third and final slot on November 24, 2024, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. With 68 questions spread across three sections, CAT 2024 Slot 3 analysis presented a moderately challenging paper, with varying levels of difficulty across sections.
This detailed analysis provides insights into the exam pattern, section-wise difficulty levels, ideal attempts, and expected scores to help aspirants evaluate their performance and predict their percentile.
Check InsideIIM's CAT 2024 Percentile Predictor and Interview Shortlist Chances At IIMs, IITs, and FMS! - Click Here!
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Analysis & Paper Pattern
The CAT 2024 Slot 3 exam followed the same pattern as Slots 1 and 2, with minor changes in question types and distribution. Each section was allotted 40 minutes, and no early submissions were allowed.
Key Highlights:
- Number of Questions:
- VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension): 24
- DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning): 22
- QA (Quantitative Ability): 22
- Marking Scheme:
- +3 for every correct answer.
- -1 for incorrect answers (MCQs only).
- No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Section-Wise Analysis and Difficulty Levels
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The VARC section in Slot 3 was moderate, with 16 Reading Comprehension (RC) questions and 8 Verbal Ability (VA) questions. A notable change was the absence of para jumbles, replaced by Paragraph Completion and Summary questions.
Key Features:
- RC Topics:
- Impact of AI (4 questions): Easy-Moderate
- Endangered Languages (4 questions): Moderate
- Chinese Liquor Brand Success (4 questions): Easy-Moderate
- Regulating Outer Space Activities (4 questions): Moderate
- VA Topics:
- 3 Paragraph Completion (1 Easy, 2 Moderate)
- 3 Summary Questions (1 Easy, 1 Moderate, 1 Difficult)
- 2 Odd Sentence Questions (1 Easy, 1 Moderate, TITA)
Ideal Attempts:
| Difficulty | Good Attempts | Accuracy Target |
| Moderate | 17–18 | ~75% accuracy |
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section was moderately difficult, with five sets of questions—two sets had 5 questions each, and three sets had 4 questions each. The section included a mix of MCQs and TITA questions.
Key Features:
- Set Topics:
- Nutrients in Food Grains (4 questions): Easy-Moderate
- GDP Table Analysis (4 questions): Easy-Moderate
- AC Temperature (Line Graph, 5 questions): Moderate-Difficult
- OTT Subscribers (Bar Graph, 4 questions): Easy-Moderate
- ATM Network Distribution (5 questions): Moderate
- Question Distribution:
- MCQs: 12
- TITA: 10
Ideal Attempts:
| Difficulty | Good Attempts | Accuracy Target |
| Moderate-Difficult | 10–11 | ~75% accuracy |
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
The QA section in Slot 3 was the easiest of all slots. It heavily focused on Arithmetic, followed by Algebra and Geometry.
Key Features:
- Topic Distribution:
- Arithmetic (8 questions): Easy-Moderate
- Algebra (5 questions): Moderate
- Geometry & Mensuration (3 questions): Moderate
- Modern Math (1 question): Easy
- Number System (1 question): Moderate
- Question Distribution:
- MCQs: 14
- TITA: 8
Do check out the following:
- InsideIIM's CAT 2024 Percentile and Interview Shortlist Predictor
- OMETs Prep: Take SNAP Mock Tests Here and XAT DM Mock Tests Here!
- Start Your WAT-PI Preparation Early! Check Out InsideIIM's MBA Admissions Bootcamp - WAT-PI Edge S05!
Ideal Attempts:
| Difficulty | Good Attempts | Accuracy Target |
| Easy | 13–15 | ~80% accuracy |
CAT 2024 Slot 3: Overall Difficulty Comparison and Ideal Scores
Difficulty Level Across Slots:
| Section | Slot 3 | Slot 2 | Slot 1 |
| VARC | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Easy-Moderate |
| DILR | Moderate-Difficult | Moderate | Easy-Moderate |
| QA | Easy | Easy | Easy |
CAT 2024 Slot 3: Expected Score vs Percentile:
| Percentile | VARC Score | DILR Score | QA Score | Total Score |
| 99.9 | 48 | 46 | 48 | 118–123 |
| 99.5 | 40 | 40 | 43 | 103–108 |
| 99 | 36 | 37 | 35 | 92–95 |
| 95 | 19 | 27 | 18 | 55–57 |
| 90 | 16 | 21 | 14 | 45–47 |
CAT 2024 Slot 3: Key Takeaways
- The VARC section was moderately challenging, requiring a careful selection of RC questions to maximize accuracy.
- The DILR section posed a higher difficulty, emphasizing analytical skills and time management.
- The QA section, dominated by Arithmetic, provided a breather for well-prepared candidates.
Conclusion: CAT 2024 Slot 3 upheld the trend of a moderately challenging test, with significant emphasis on time management and question prioritization. With 68 questions in total, aspirants who attempted 40–45 questions with good accuracy are well-positioned for high percentiles.
Stay tuned for detailed analyses of CAT 2024 Slots 1 and 2, and don’t forget to check your CAT answer key and response sheet once available!
