CAT Exam Analysis 2023 for Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 - Difficulty Level, Good Attempt, and Expected Percentile
CAT exam 2023 Slot 1 and Slot 2 difficulty levels ranged between moderate to high. Get the detailed CAT exam analysis 2023 for all the slots and expert reviews for ideal attempts.
Anil Solonki6 Dec, 2023
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CAT Exam Analysis 2023: The IIM Lucknow is conducting the CAT exam 2023 on Sunday, 26 November, in three shifts. Candidates who completed the CAT application need to report to the allotted exam center according to the reporting time mentioned on their admit card.
The first and the second shifts of CAT 2023 were held between 8:30 am-10:30 am and 12:30 pm-2:30 pm respectively. The third and the last CAT slot will begin at 4:30 pm and continue till 6:30 pm. All the participants must carry their CAT 2023 admit card and a valid ID proof to the exam center for the identity check. The first two slots of CAT 2023 were found to be moderate to difficult. PW experts will provide the comprehensive CAT exam analysis 2023 for Slot 3 once the exam concludes.Check your CAT Score- CAT Percentile Predictor Tool
Also Read:
| CAT 2023 Answer Key | CAT 2023 Slot 1 Answer Key |
| CAT 2023 Response Sheet | CAT 2023 Slot 3 Answer Key |
CAT Exam Analysis 2023 Slot-wise Details
Click the following links to view the slot-wise details of CAT exam analysis 2023:CAT Exam Analysis 2023
Following the conclusion of the CAT exam in all three shifts, the CAT exam analysis 2023 will be provided by PW experts. Candidates can get a detailed breakdown of the overall difficulty level, section-wise difficulty levels, ideal attempts in each CAt slot, and other crucial details of the exam. The expected difficulty levels for CAT 2023 are outlined in the table below:| CAT 2023 Exam Sections | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate |
| DILR | 20 | Moderate to Difficult |
| QA | 22 | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT Exam Analysis 2023 Slot-wise Details
Click the following links to view the slot-wise details of CAT exam analysis 2023:| CAT 2023 Exam Analysis Slot 1 | CAT 2023 Exam Analysis Slot 2 | CAT 2023 Exam Analysis Slot 3 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2023 Highlights
The table below shows the notable highlights of the CAT exam analysis 2023 for all 3 slots:| CAT Exam Analysis 2023 Highlights | |
| Test Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Test Sessions/Slots |
3 Slots
|
| Total Questions |
66 in each CAT Slot
|
| Number of Sections per CAT Slot | 3 (VARC; DILR; QA) |
| Marking Scheme |
|
Will CAT Exam 2023 Be Challenging?
CAT is the most challenging MBA entrance exam in India. This year, the CAT exam is expected to have moderate to high difficulty levels. According to expert opinions, the exam is likely to adhere to a similar pattern as the previous year, with a total of 66 questions. The VARC section will most likely have moderately difficult questions based on RC, grammar, vocabulary, etc. In the Quantitative section, questions from algebra and Arithmetic topics will be challenging. Additionally, the DILR section is expected to require extensive calculations and analytical skills. With a highly challenging CAT question and over 3.3 lakh candidates, the average number of attempts is likely to decrease. Consequently, the score required to achieve a higher percentile is expected to be lower. Here is the approximation of a good attempt for each section:- Difficult: 26-28
- Moderate: 33-35
- Easy: 40-42
Also Read - CAT Percentile Predictor and Calculator 2023
Today nearly 3.3 lakh students will be appearing for CAT exam 2023. This year IIM received the highest CAT application, creating a record. The overall difficulty level of CAT exam 2023 for all slots will likely be moderate.CAT Exam Analysis 2022: Sectional Breakdown
The section-wise CAT exam analysis 2022 is presented below, detailing the number and types of questions in each section, the ideal attempt, and the difficulty level.CAT Exam Analysis 2022 Slot 1
CAT exam Slot 1 featured an overall moderate difficulty level. In the VARC section, there were 4 Reading Comprehension (RC) passages, each followed by 4 questions. The remaining 8 questions were from Verbal Ability. The DILR section was most time-consuming and comprised 4 sets of 5 questions each. The Quant section in CAT 2022 Slot 1 consisted of 8 TITA questions, with MCQs being comparatively easier. The table below shows the CAT exam analysis 2022 for slot 1:| Section | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 13-15 |
| DILR | Moderate | 12-13 |
| QA | Moderate to Difficult | 9-10 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2022 Slot 2
CAT 2022 Slot 2, conducted from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, covered a similar overall difficulty level to Slot 1. The reading comprehension passages in Slot 2 were a bit challenging to understand and interpret. The 4 RC passages covered topics such as Octopus, Philosophy, Music, and Technology. The DILR section in CAT 2022 Slot 2 was challenging, comprising 14 MCQs and 6 TITA questions. Additionally, the QA section had a similar difficulty level as Slot 1, with algebra questions proving more difficult. Candidates can refer to the table below for CAT 2022 Slot 2 exam analysis:| Section | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 12-14 |
| DILR | Moderate | 10-11 |
| QA | Moderate to Difficult | 14-15 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2022 Slot 3
The CAT 2022 Slot 3 questions mirrored the paper structure of the first two slots. The VARC section included 4 RC passages with application-based questions covering inference & judgments, negative connotations, and contradicting views. In the DILR section, only 1 set of bar graphs was easy, while the other 3 sets were difficult. However, the quant paper in Slot 3 was comparatively easier than the other two slots. Still, candidates needed a solid understanding of the question-solving approach rather than merely applying formulas.| Section | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 13-14 |
| DILR | Difficult | 14-16 |
| QA | Moderate to Difficult | 14-16 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2021
CAT 2021 presented a moderate overall difficulty level. Candidates who achieved nearly 97-99 overall score successfully secured a 99 percentile. The exam duration for the CAT exam 2021 was similar to CAT 2022, allocating 40 minutes to each section. However, there was a reduction in the number of questions in each section. CAT 2021 featured a total of 66 questions, with the section-wise distribution as follows:| Section | No of Questions | Difficulty Level | Ideal Attempts |
| VARC | 24 | Moderate | 15-18 |
| DILR | 20 | Moderate | 10-12 |
| QA | 22 | Easy | 15-17 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2020
The CAT 2020 exam introduced major modifications to the previous years' structure. The exam duration was reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours. Additionally, the questions were also reduced from 100 to 76. However, the marking scheme retained its structure. The overall difficulty level of CAT 2020 Slot 1 was slightly higher than that of CAT 2019. Regarding the section-wise difficulty level, VARC proved to be lengthy and slightly tricky. Additionally, the DILR section was relatively more difficult than the previous year. Quantitative Ability (QA) questions were more simple than CAT 2019. The table below shows the details of CAT exam analysis 2020:| Section Name | Total Questions | Good Score for 99%ile |
| VARC | 26 | 40-42 |
| DILR | 24 | 32-34 |
| QA | 26 | 46-48 |
Also Read - CAT Score Vs Percentile 2023, IIM CAT Score And Percentile Calculator
CAT 2023 Qualifying Cut Off
The qualifying cut off percentiles for CAT 2023 are officially released by the IIMs after the declaration of the CAT result. Each IIM releases its individual CAt cut off percentile to select candidates for MBA admissions through its official website. Presented below are the expected CAT 2023 cut off percentiles for various IIMs:| IIM Centre | 2023 Qualifying Cut-off |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 80 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 80 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Raipur | 93 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 |
CAT Exam Analysis 2023 FAQs
Which CAT slot is comparatively easier?
Determining the easier CAT slot is challenging as each slot comprises a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. Additionally, the difficulty level can vary between slots 1, 2, and 3 across different years.
What is the most challenging subject in the CAT exam?
According to the CAT exam analysis from the past two years, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions are notably challenging, while QA questions are moderately difficult.
What is the overall difficulty level of the CAT exam?
The overall difficulty level of the CAT exam is generally perceived to be between moderate to tough.
What is considered a good attempt in CAT?
A CAT score of 85+ is considered commendable and can facilitate admission into top IIMs.
Does the CAT exam difficulty level impact the CAT cutoff?
Yes, the difficulty level of the CAT exam influences the CAT cut off. It is a significant factor in determining the cutoff.
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