CAT 2022 Slot 3 Analysis

The third slot of CAT 2022 took place today between 4.30 pm and 6:30 pm.

The structure of CAT 2022 remained largely the same as in 2021. However, the DILR and Verbal sections saw some changes in segmentation and the number of MCQs and TITA. All three slots had the same pattern. The Verbal Section had 2 paragraph completion questions instead of the anticipated Odd Sentence questions.
Overall, Slot 3 was slightly more difficult than the first two slots owing to more difficult QA and LRDI Sections, though it had an easier VARC section.

The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Qs.

Based on the feedback received from several candidates who have appeared in the THIRD slot, our initial estimate of the scores and percentiles*** is as follows: We shall release the revised estimates once the response-sheet is released.

*** The students are advised not to take any B-School application decision based on these initial estimates. They serve only as the first indicator of likely performance.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

The VA-RC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. The passages were of Easy-Medium difficulty level except for the one on Impact of Oriental Literature. Overall, the section was easier than in the first two slots. About 12 questions could be attempted with high accuracy in RC alone. The 2 Para-completion questions, which were new, consisted of a key sentence followed by a paragraph with four numbered blanks. One had to identify the blank in which the key sentence would correctly fit. There were 3 paragraph jumbles in TITA format, and 3 summary questions as MCQs. In VA, 5-6 attempts with high accuracy were possible.

An attempt of 17 or 18 questions with high accuracy (85-90%) will be a good performance in VARC.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

In CAT 2021 there were a total of 4 sets out of which two sets had 6 questions while the remaining two had 4 questions each. This pattern has not been followed in CAT 2022 slot 3 also, as the DI-LR section had a total of 4 sets of 5 questions each.

Given below is the LOD and Topics of the Sets in the DI-LR Section

Overall, an attempt of 9 to 11 questions with high accuracy (85-90%) will be a good performance.

Quantitative Ability

This section was Medium in terms of Level of difficulty and was dominated by Arithmetic (8 questions), followed by Algebra (5 questions). Apart from this, there were 4 questions on Geometry, 2 questions on Numbers and 3 questions on Modern Maths. In Arithmetic, the questions were on Averages, Mixtures and Alligations, Time-Speed-Distance and Time & Work. Modern Math consists of Functions, Progression and P&C. In Geometry, there were questions on Triangles and Quadrilaterals. In Algebra, there were questions on Quadratic equations and linear equations etc.

Selecting the right questions to attempt was the key. Students should have been able to attempt about 13 questions in the given time with 85-90% accuracy.

This section was very much similar as CAT 2022 slot 1 and slot 2 in structure with 8 TITA and 14 MCQ questions

THE PROCESS

No shoes and no metallic objects including metal jewelry were allowed. Only the admit card and the ID proof were allowed. As in the previous years, the authorities took possession of the admit cards. The candidates were given a small pad with IIM CAT Logo on the cover (32 pages) for rough work and a pen – which were also taken away at the end of the exam.

TEST INTERFACE

The test interface was quite user-friendly and exactly the one provided in the official CAT Mock Test. There were no subdivisions within each section. A simple calculator was provided, and not a scientific one. There was an arrow provided near the question palette which when clicked expanded the question window to full-screen view by hiding the question palette & vice versa

At the end of the test, a summary of the number of questions attempted, visited, and not visited was displayed for each section.

There was a button marked ‘Question Paper’ that opened up a screen containing all the questions of the section. This was used by students for planning their approach for the section.

*** The scores and percentiles mentioned in this analysis are indicators based on the feedback from students and IMS experts. They are in no way related to the results which IIMs are expected to declare in January 2023. You are advised to wait for the results.