CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024, conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, kicked off smoothly on November 24, with Slot 1 concluding at 10:30 AM. The exam, aimed at aspirants vying for admission to prestigious management programs across the country, maintained its three-slot format.
While there were a few technical issues, they were swiftly addressed, ensuring minimal disruption for test-takers.Mr Ramnatah Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director at T.I.M.E shared a detailed section-wise analysis of the exam.
A notable change in this year’s exam was the slight increase in the number of questions, from 66 in 2023 to 68 in 2024, he noted. The additional two questions were incorporated into the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section. Below is an overview of the exam pattern:
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Total |
68 |
120 Minutes |
General Impressions: Easier Than Last Year
Experts and test-takers alike found Slot 1 of CAT 2024 slightly easier compared to the 2023 exam. Despite the marginal increase in questions, the overall difficulty level was balanced, and candidates who had prepared well could navigate the paper comfortably. This perspective is shared by Ramnatah Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director at T.I.M.E, who provided a detailed section-wise analysis of the exam.
Section-Wise Analysis CAT 2024 Slot 1
CAT 2024 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The VARC section followed a familiar pattern, consistent with the previous three CATs. It comprised questions on Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Summary, Para Odd One Out, and Sentence Placement. For candidates accustomed to CAT’s format, this section was predictable, and those with good reading speed and comprehension skills could manage well within the time limit.
CAT 2024 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section experienced a slight change with two additional questions this year, bringing the total to 22. The section included two sets of 5 questions each and three sets of 4 questions each. One of the sets was reported to be relatively straightforward, offering some relief in an otherwise challenging section. Candidates with strong problem-solving and analytical skills likely found this section manageable.
CAT 2024 Quantitative Ability (QA)
The QA section remained consistent with previous years, featuring 22 questions drawn from standard topics frequently tested in CAT. Students familiar with T.I.M.E.’s study material and practice exercises would have found this section approachable. It required a good mix of conceptual understanding and speed to tackle the questions effectively.
Overall, Slot 1 of CAT 2024 can be classified as slightly easier than last year’s exam. While the increase in DILR questions was a minor surprise, the overall pattern remained predictable. Candidates who invested time in structured preparation were well-equipped to handle the challenges of the paper.
