As we at VistaMind have always maintained, it is very unlikely that the pattern would change (given that the IIMs have already announced time limits for each section).
The number of MCQs and non-MCQs in each of the sections may slightly vary from the Mock Test given on the CAT website.
The CAT 2016 Pattern
| Sno | Section | No of Questions | MCQs/Non-MCQs | Total Marks |
| 1 | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 24/10 | 102 |
| 2 | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 24/8 | 96 |
| 3 | Quantitative Ability (QA) | 34 | 24/10* | 102 |
| 100 | 300 |
*The number of Non-MCQs in QA may vary from 4 to 10 (as per CAT2015 and the model mock test)
Total Number of Sections: THREE
Marks for each correct answer: + 3
Marks for each wrong answer (only for MCQs): -1
Marks for NOT attempting a question: 0
Total Marks Awarded: 300
Individual Section Pattern
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
As was the case last year, it appears that all the questions of Reading Comprehension would be MCQs (attracting +3/-1 marking scheme) whereas the questions in Verbal Ability would all be Non-MCQs and hence would not attract negative marking.
The broad idea of the VARC section seems to be given under
| Sno. | Type of Question | No of Questions | MCQs/Non-MCQs | |
| 1 | Reading Comprehension | 3 passages | 6 | MCQs |
| 2 | Reading Comprehension | 2 passages | 3 | MCQs |
| 3 | Para Jumbles | 4 | Non_MCQs | |
| 4 | Essence of Passage /Summary of Passage | 3 | Non_MCQs | |
| 5 | Odd Para Jumbles | 3 | Non_MCQs |
As can be seen, the Verbal Ability Section seems to be devoid of Grammar or Critical Reasoning. Having said that, since this is only a Model Mock Test, it is very dangerous to go with the philosophy that they will not give any other type of question.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The Mock Test given on the website, if true, would make a lot students unhappy! The test has 6 sets of DI with 4 questions each AND only 2 sets of LR of 4 questions each.
Also, only 4 questions out of the 32 given seem to be non-MCQs.
The DI sets given are traditional DI sets including Tables, Bar Charts, Pie Charts and Line Graphs!
There is little that can be inferred. It is more likely that there would still be 4 sets of DI and 4 Sets of LR with 1 set each from both these having non-MCQs.
Quantitative Ability (QA)
There is no surprise in the quant section too. As is the wont, the CAT paper will have liberal doses of questions from Numbers, Geometry, Arithmetic and Algebra.
The number of non-MCQs may vary from 4 to 10 questions as they did in CAT 2015.
GET TO WORK
Now that the pattern has been unveiled, and that there is no change from all the Smart CATs that we at VistaMind have given, you can safely continue your preparation in the same mold and redouble (if possible) your efforts in these last 40 days.
To utilize these 40 days for improving your marks, you may refer to another article on VistaMind https://backend.insideiim.com/strategies-for-cat-2016-40-days-to-go/?src=paperpattrn
Wish you all the best!
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About The Author:
ARKS Srinivas is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and has been the All India CAT Director at TIME. He is currently the CEO of VistaMind Education. VistaMind is the only National Level Training institute, which prepares students for CAT through LIVE ONLINE CLASSES. For more information, write to info@vistamind.com OR Visit cat.vistamind.com.
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