The analysis is out and the overall exam was not very tough as compared to 2020. However, DILR was a little time consuming and lengthy, says SUMIT SINGH GANDHI
The CAT 2021 first cut analysis is out. The surprise was in the number of questions we saw. 66 total questions which is a 10 questions reduction from CAT 2020 and that provided a good time for the students to give a better performance.
Overall the exam was doable not very tough when compared to 2020 with DILR was a little time consuming and lengthy. VARC was more inference based. Overall it had 66 questions and I am proud this is what I had predicted and our students gave 6 practice mocks of total 66 questions in last two months.
CAT 2021 tested students on speed, 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. The reduction in questions from CAT 2020 helped students have a better time allocation and not have a crisis.
It was an exam with No twist it was all planned well prepared students should be able to outperform, data interpretation and logical reasoning section was a little difficult and time consuming, we saw the changes in reading comprehension passages with dominance of inference based questions. But this wouldn't affect the overall criteria for a student selection in IIMs.
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 2020.
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.
Feedback from some of the students after the CAT 2020:
“The paper was overall easy, pretty much similar to CAT2020. Thankfully the verbal section went off well to kickstart the exam on a good note. What was surprising was to see no conventional data interpretation questions like the tables, graphs and pie charts. The exam has been as per the expectations so hoping to get good results and making all proud. Awaiting for IIM-A” – Nikhil
“The paper was very structured but lengthy and time crunching. VARC was time consuming with concerns with the inference based questions in all Reading comprehensions not many factual questions. LR/DI was the trick section set selection was the key so now let’s hope for the best.” – Shreya
“A not very tough paper, overall moderate with verbal coming only from 3 areas of RC, parajumbles and inference based questions. DI section was time consuming but manageable. Overall moderate difficulty level so hoping for some good result” – Sumeet
Sectional Analysis:
Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
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 easy.
3 questions on parajumbles, 3 questions on parasummary, 2 questions on odd one out. The odd one out was tougher than always.
Overall a happy day for students who know their basics and have preached their books with building conceptual clarity and like Rahul Sir always says “Success comes to those who work for it. Keep working hard and you will see the results!” The exams in terms of difficulty level were very close to our real CAT exams and closest to RC 19.
For an in-depth analysis on each section, overall cut-off, which colleges to apply and how to gear up ahead stay tuned to the CATKing Youtube Channel.
Those going in for Slot 2 and 3, Stay confident and just give the best shot at it. Would recommend all students to relax, chill and take a break. You have worked real hard for the exam and done your best. Now let the karma play its role and come back with a bang for the series of exams lined up ahead, one day one exam can never give an idea about one’s aptitude nor decide your career path.
Slot 2
Overall easier to last year. The paper has done good justice to the time management and attempts with the 66 questions. Selection of questions will be important just like CAT 2021.
Sectional Break up: Verbal (24 Qs), DILR (20), Quants (22) questions.
VARC was more inference based with reading comprehension topics coming from the recommended reads.
DILR was easier than 2020, last year we saw it increasing with every next slot, no such surprise this year. Selection played a key role in cracking this section, games and tournament and the graph based questions were very easy to tackle, the third one based on online food delivery ratings was moderate.
Quants was focussed on Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra, modern maths felt missing .
Overall it had 66 Questions and it was on the lines this was on the lines of Real CAT Mocks and students gave 6 practice mocks of total 66 questions in last 2 months, RC 31, 28 seemed well connected to the students for VARC, DILR.
Slot 3
Overall the exam was doable and not very tough when compared to 2020. 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. Quants was tougher than the Slot 1 and 2.
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 last year.
The writer is CEO, Director CATKing
