CAT Previous Year Papers
The countdown to the CAT begins as soon as a candidate decides to aim for what is
undoubtedly the most formidable management entrance exam in the country and one of the
most challenging in the world. With endless
CAT study materials, practice books, mock
tests, the preparation for CAT is certainly a high-power roller-coaster ride. While immersing
yourself in every conceivable material for CAT preparation may seem like the best way
forward, often the right strategy for an exam like the Common Admission Test is to be smart
and not just diligent in your approach. One integral element for being smart with your
preparatory process is to start relying on
CAT previous year papers early on.
CAT Paper Pattern
When it comes to a competitive test like the CAT, the deciding factor is not so much the
CAT syllabus as the examination itself. If you look closely, the quantitative aptitude and
verbal and reading comprehensions are based on school-level basic concepts whereas the data
interpretation and logical reasoning is all about understanding and mastering some inherent
tricks and methods. The real challenge lies in a candidate’s ability to apply all this seemingly
‘basic’ knowledge to deduce the right answers. Practicing with
CAT question papers helps
you get there. To be able to do that well, you need to fully understand the CAT exam pattern.
The CAT is an online exam divided into three sections – Verbal and Reading
Comprehension section, Quantitative Aptitude section and Data Interpretation and
Logical Reasoning, comprising 100 MCQs (multiple choice questions) and descriptive
questions. The exam carries a total of 300 marks and is set in English language. The total
time for the examination is 180 minutes, with a sectional time limit of 60 minutes each. Every
right answer earns you 3 marks and you stand to lose 1 mark for every wrong answer.
The Verbal and Reading Comprehension section of
CAT exam aims to test candidates’
understanding of English language and grammar and consists of a total of 34 questions – 24
MCQs and 10 Non-MCQs. Quantitative Aptitude focuses on numerical problems and is
designed to assess precision, accuracy and speed. This section also consists of 34 questions –
24 MCQs and 10 Non-MCQs. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning is aimed at testing
logical thinking and the ability to derive sensible conclusions from a set of data. This section
comprises 32 questions –24 MCQ and 8 Non-MCQs.
The Right Approach to Solving CAT Past Year Papers
Even as you sit down to attempt the first-ever set of CAT past year papers, bear in mind
aiming to attempt 100 per cent of the questions is an unrealistic goal. No matter how well
prepared you are, some of the questions will still throw you off your game. It is, therefore,
important to be mindful of the B-schools you are aiming for and work toward getting past the
cut-off percentile for them. To help you do that on the day of the final exam, you need to
approach CAT previous year papers the right way:
- Go through all the questions in a section and zero-in on the ones you are absolutely
sure about and solve these first.
- Before you answer, read every question at least twice to make sure you fully
understand what has been asked. This is extremely important as the CAT is
notoriously fraught with trick questions.
- Once you are done attempting all the questions you are a 100 per cent sure about,
count to see if these are enough to make it past the cut-off.
- If not, focus your attention on question you may know the answer to.
- Take a calculated risk on each of these questions by trying to arrive at the right
answer by method of elimination – that is ruling out the options you know are not the
right answer and finally making an informed guess between the final two contending
options.
- Finally, leave out the questions about which you have absolutely you idea. With
provision of negative marking and a competitive percentile-based result, it is not
worth the risk.
- Follow this approach for all the CAT question papers you attempt and it will become
second to your nature by the time you sit for the actual exam.
Benefits of Attempting CAT Previous Year Papers
The importance of solving CAT previous year papers can be gauged from the fact that
earlier this year IIMs decided to officially release the CAT past year papers with solutions.
Here’s how you stand to benefit by incorporating these in your preparation process:
- It helps you learn time management techniques and arrive at the speed you must
maintain to get finish the exam.
- You get an insight into the pattern of questions in the exam. This helps you decide
which topics and concepts to focus on and which ones to skim through.
- You develop a keen eye for trick questions – a common feature in these exams.
- Assessing your performance after attempting CAT question papers gives you a
reality check on your preparation.
- It helps you grasp the difficulty level of the exam and get comfortable with it.
At KopyKitab, you can access the complete package of CAT previous year papers. Our
wide assortment of CAT previous year question papers pdf download is just what you
need to give your preparation a nudge in the right direction.
