CAT 2023 Slot 1 brought forth a mix of familiar patterns and intriguing challenges, with a total of 66 questions divided among Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
The VARC section presented a mix of inference-based questions, with a focus on reading comprehension from diverse topics such as philosophy, history, languages, and knowledge perception. The Verbal Ability segment included a variety of question types, challenging candidates with parajumbles, paragraph summary, and paragraph completion exercises.
This breakdown gives a clearer understanding of the perceived difficulty levels for each set in the DILR section, ranging from moderate to difficult and easy. Candidates needed to strategize their approach based on these difficulty levels to optimize their performance in this section.
The QA section included a significant focus on algebra, which was described as tough for majority of students but basic for those well-prepared. Arithmetic questions covered various topics, with a mix of difficulty levels, more or less easy to moderate. Geometry and Number System questions were also part of the section. Overall, the section required candidates to navigate through a diverse set of questions with varying complexities.
Overall the exam was Doable and not very tough when compared to 2022. VARC was more inference based, but had Reading comprehension passages all from the predicted Topics. DILR was Moderate in difficulty terms but felt a little Time consuming and lengthy.
CAT 2023 tested students Not on Speed but on Logic and Analytical skills, a sincere student with well rounded preparation of concepts and a good practice of mocks would make their way to the IIMs . CAT tested students on their actual knowledge instead of mere guesswork. Like the Expected pattern Videos and analysis done on Sanjeet Sir, Convenor of CAT. This paper was influenced by his expertise and inclination of statistica, algebra , geometry and statistical models.
Negative marking existed for the Multiple choice questions; 1/3rd ie 0.33 negative marks. Type in The answer Questions didn’t have any negative marking similar to the CAT 2022.
The exam was not very difficult, it was manageable provided your concepts were clear. CAT has always been an ardent lover of concepts and logic than calculations, speed and time when compared to other competitive exams this has come out more prominently this year.
Navigating the Verbal, DILR, and QA Challenges
Sectional Analysis:
Overall Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
VARC 24 Questions:
Reading comprehension was dominated in the verbal section. There were 4 passages with 4 Questions each. More inference-based questions and not factual, there were close options too so it needed little focus while solving.
TITA Verbal ability was overall Moderate.
2 Out of Context (OOC) Questions, involving 5 statements with tricky connections.
2 Parajumbles Questions, each with 4 statements.
2 Parasummary Questions, with options that were easy but closely related.
2 Paragraph Completion Questions, which were very easy to solve.
Summary of Questions
Reading Comprehension 16 Questions
The Reading comprehension was based on the following themes:
Passage 1: Jungle and Economy, Hunter-Gatherers, Wolf Conservation
Passage 2: Oceans and Territories
Passage 3: Lifestyle Comparison of Old and New Generations
Passage 4: Comparison of South and North Korea, with a focus on clothing differences
DILR 24 Questions
The DILR section presented a challenging set of questions, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right set for maximum efficiency. Most candidates found two sets doable. The REAL CAT mocks had very similar sets.
Summary of Questions
Set 1: Professors and Departments - Candidates were required to choose a candidate to vote for, with constraints such as not selecting more than two candidates.
Set 2: VISA Office - Ten applicants until 2 pm with 15-minute slots, and two booths processing visas for three countries. Questions focused on slot distribution and the number of visa processes possible for each country within the given slots.
Set 3: Similar to Slot 1 of CAT 2022 Routes - Involving a colony with six houses, pricing conditions, and road allotment. This set was of moderate difficulty.
Set 4: Statistics-based set on restaurant table set ratings, involving average-rated tables.
Quants 22 Questions: (TITA 8)
The QA section was rated as moderate to tough, with a higher level of difficulty compared to CAT 2022. Even candidates with weaker quantitative abilities managed to attempt around 8 questions, while those with a stronger background could answer 10-12 questions.
The algebra (7 questions) were more basic and not considered tough.
Mixture and Alligation: 1 question.
Venn Diagram (VPAR): 2 questions.
Time, Speed, and Distance (TSD): 2 questions (1 easy, 1 lengthy).
Modern Maths & Percentage mixed question: 1 question.
Clocks & Calendars: 1 question.
Geometry questions and Number system questions were present.
Summary of Questions:
Considering the difficulty level of the paper, aiming for a 99 percentile would ideally require attempting 45 or more questions with a strong 90% accuracy.
Analysis By: Sumit Singh Gandhi ( CEO, Founder CATKing ) - CATKing is a premier MBA Coaching institute of Maharashtra which focuses on strategic, engaging and high quality education.
