Editing Common Admission Test (section)

== Exam pattern ==
The Common Admission Test (CAT), like virtually all large-scale exams, utilizes multiple forms, or versions, of the test. Hence there are two types of scores involved: a [[raw score]] and a scaled score.

The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or left attempted. Candidates are given '''+3 points''' for each correct answer and '''-1 point''' for each incorrect answer, no negative marking for '''TITA''' (Type in the Answer) questions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MBA Entrance Exams in India - Check Exam Dates, Fees & Pattern |url=https://www.learningroutes.in/blog/mba-entrance-exams-india}}</ref> No points are given for questions that are not answered. The raw scores are then adjusted through a process called equating. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called 'scaling'.

The change in the total number of questions and number of questions per section in CAT can vary by year. On the whole, there are 68 number of questions combining each section. The very first section which is the verbal ability and reading comprehension contains 24 questions, further bifurcating 16 questions of reading comprehension and 8 questions of verbal ability, then next section is of data interpretation and logical reasoning which contains 22 questions and the last section is of quantitative ability which contains 22 questions making it to 66 questions in total.

CAT is conducted in three slots/sessions (Morning Slot, Afternoon Slot, Evening Slot).<ref>{{Cite web |title=All You Need to Know About Common Aptitude Test |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/cat-2023-all-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-common-aptitude-test-101699952868348.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

===CAT Pattern and Duration===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAT 2023 Mock Test Navigation Guide |url=https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/EForms/CAT23/CAT_2023_Mock_Test_Navigation_Guide.pdf |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526101858/https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/EForms/CAT23/CAT_2023_Mock_Test_Navigation_Guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Three 40-minute sessions will be held to conduct the CAT 2024 exam. A total of 120 minutes will be given. The CAT exam pattern will consist of  [[Multiple Choice Question]] and non-multiple-choice questions or TITA {Type In The Answer} questions. The three sections in the exam are as follows:

* '''Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)'''
* '''Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)'''
* '''Quantitative Ability (QA)'''

-> 24 questions are asked in VARC (8 Questions from VA and 4 RCs each asking 4 questions each).

-> DILR section has gone under significant changes. In 2024, IIM C asked 22 questions in 5 sets changing number of questions from CAT 2023.

-> 22 questions are asked in QA, 22 independent questions are asked from topics such as [[Arithmetic]], [[Algebra]], [[Geometry]], Number System & Modern Math.

There will be a maximum score of 204 marks and 68 total questions in the CAT exam pattern.

Candidates cannot jump between the three sections while taking the exam. The order of the sections is fixed: '''VARC -> DILR -> QA'''.