The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2023, a paramount examination for MBA aspirants, marks a significant milestone in their academic journey. This article offers an insightful glimpse into the CAT 2023, focusing on its execution, pattern, and participant experiences on the exam day.
Exam Overview
- Date and Slots: CAT 2023 took place on November 26, 2023, across three different time slots.
- Cities and Centers: The exam was held in over 160 cities, reflecting a broad geographic reach.
- Participant Count: More than 100,000 candidates appeared for the first slot of the exam, out of a total of 3.30 lakh applicants.
Exam Pattern and Structure
- Overall Difficulty Level: Moderately difficult, with a total score of 198 marks.
- Questions: The exam comprised 66 questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
- Scoring: +3 marks for correct answers and -1 for incorrect answers (MCQs only). Non-MCQs had no negative marking.
- Sectional Time Duration: Each section had a 40-minute duration.
Sectional Breakdown
- VARC: Featured 24 questions including 4 Reading Comprehension passages and questions on Para jumbles, Odd one Out, and Para Summary. The difficulty was moderate.
- DILR: Comprised 20 questions with sets in both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Notably, there were no questions involving Pie Charts or Graphs.
- QA: Consisted of 22 questions, with a notable emphasis on Algebra and Arithmetic, spanning a range of difficulty levels.
Performance Predictions for High Percentiles
- Good Attempts and Accuracy: A balanced combination of good attempts and high accuracy was essential. For instance, achieving a 95 percentile required around 35-41 good attempts with approximately 85% accuracy.
- Section-wise Performance: VARC needed 13-15 good attempts, DILR 8-10, and QA 14-16, with corresponding accuracy levels to achieve the 95 percentile range.
Conclusion
CAT 2023, with its challenging yet engaging structure, tested the aspirants' aptitude across various domains. The meticulous preparation, strategic approach, and focused execution were the key factors contributing to success in this competitive examination. As aspirants await their results, this analysis offers a comprehensive overview of what transpired on the D-day, providing insights into the exam's dynamics and the level of competition.
