The CAT 2022 Exam Pattern is expected to remain the same as last year. Candidates will get an idea of the official CAT exam pattern soon after official mock tests are released in the coming month. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) will conduct a computer-based Common Admission Test 2022 (CAT 2022) on November 27, 2022, in three slots. CAT 2022 will be administered for admission to multiple management courses/programs of IIMs.
Candidates must be well versed with the CAT exam pattern to get insights into the exam structure, marking scheme, sectional time limit, and other exam-relevant factors. The CAT exam is expected to contain a total of 66 multiple-choice questions for a total of 198 marks.
Along with the exam pattern, the candidates must check the CAT syllabus and CAT previous year’s question papers to understand the type of questions asked in the exam. This will help candidates to differentiate between important and unimportant topics for the exam.
Check this article to get complete details on the CAT 2022 exam pattern and marking scheme.
CAT Pattern and CAT Exam pattern 2022
It is worthy to note that the CAT pattern, which is a standard pattern, is considered in all the CAT exams and the same standardized pattern will be visible in CAT Exam pattern 2022 as well.
CAT 2022 Important Dates
The important dates for the CAT exam are illustrated below;
| CAT Registration Start Date | August 3, 2022 |
| CAT 2022 Registration End Date | September 21, 2022 |
| CAT Admit Card Release Date | October 27, 2022 |
| CAT 2022 Date | November 27, 2022 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Overview
The following table comprises a detailed overview of the CAT Pattern for the reference of the aspirants:
| Mode of exam | Computer-Based Test |
| Question Type | MCQ and Non-MCQ |
| Number of questions | 66 |
| Maximum marks | 198 |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes. 40 minutes per section |
| CAT exam sessions | Three |
CAT 2022 Exam Pattern: Sectional & Overall Time Limit
As per the CAT question paper pattern, the exam has a time limit in each section of the exam. It implies that candidates need to solve all the questions within the given time limit. They will not be allowed to switch from one section to another while answering questions in any section. There shall be three sections in the exam as stated below:
Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude
The following table comprises number of questions asked in each section along with the sectional time limit of the CAT exam:
| Sections | No. of Questions | Exam Duration | Exam Duration for PwD candidates |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 22 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | 20 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 24 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes | 160 minutes |
CAT Exam Pattern 2022: Marking Scheme
Along with the exam pattern, the candidate must be familiar with the CAT marking scheme before appearing for the exam. This will help them to prioritize the topics carrying more marks and prepare for the exam accordingly.
- The maximum marks for CAT 2022 exam will be 198
- Three marks will be allotted for each correct answer.
- There is the provision of a negative marking of one mark for MCQ based questions. No negative marking for Non-MCQs.
- No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
- The CAT marking scheme is shared below:
| Sections | Number of Questions | Marks | Negative Marking (MCQs) |
| VARC | 24 | 3 | -1 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 3 | -1 |
| DILR | 20 | 3 | -1 |
| Total | 66 | 198 | – |
How to excel or be well versed with the CAT Exam pattern?
It is recommended and advisable to practice the CAT previous year question papers in order to excel in the CAT exam. CAT previous year question papers can be of great help to understand the CAT exam pattern and gain insights.
CAT Syllabus 2022
The official CAT syllabus is not declared by the IIMs yet. After analyzing CAT previous year question papers and trends, we have listed below the expected topics for each section of the computer-based test:
| Sections | CAT Syllabus (Expected) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Percentages, Logarithms, Mixtures, Profit & Loss, Averages, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Functions & Graphs, Time & Distance, Mensuration, Statistics, Indices & Surds, Special Equations, etc |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Para-Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, Para-Jumbles, etc |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Syllogism, Blood Relation, Tables, Venn Diagram, Seating Arrangement, Data Caselets, Graphs, etc |
CAT Exam Pattern 2022- FAQs
Q1 How many sections are asked in the CAT exam?
Ans. The CAT question paper includes three sections such as VARC, DILR, and QA.
Q2 What is the sectional and overall time limit in the CAT 2022?
Ans. As per the CAT pattern, candidates will be assigned 40 minutes for each section. The overall exam duration shall be 120 minutes.
Q3. Is there any negative marking in CAT 2022?
Ans. Yes. There shall be a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer marked in MCQ questions of the CAT exam.
