CAT 2022 Slot 1 Exam Analysis: Fewer Non-MCQs; VARC, DILR Question Pattern Changed; Total Questions remain same Moderate Difficulty Exam; Check Cut offs for 99 Percentile

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Updated on November 27, 2022
MBAUniverse.com, India’s No.1 MBA portal has released its indepth CAT 2022 slot 1 exam analysis on November 27, immediately after the Morning slot of CAT exam has got over. MBAUniverse.com expert team has assessed the key changes in CAT exam, overall and sectional difficulty level and is the first to publish CAT 2022 exam slot 1 analysis with likely cut offs.
CAT 2022 Slot 1 Exam Analysis

IIM Bangalore has made many changes in CAT 2022. Slot-1 of CAT 2022 exam had different type of questions in VARC and No Table or graph driven questions were placed in DILR section. The CAT 2022 became a different experience for the test takers. Check detailed CAT Analysis below 

CAT 2022 Analysis: Key Highlights

  • Total Question remain same 66 as were last year
  • Number of Non MCQs reduced to 15 from 18
  • VARC had new type of questions on fill in the blanks with sentences
  • ‘Odd Sentence Out’ questions missing from VARC section
  • DILR with 4 problem sets was found easier than last year

CAT Exam Slots & Time of Analysis Release
Below are the CAT Time slots and time to release the Slot wise CAT Analysis by MBAUniverse.com

CAT 2022 Exam Slot
MBAUniverse.com CAT Analysis Released
CAT Morning Slot: 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM
11 AM (Released)
CAT Afternoon Slot: 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM
3 PM
CAT Evening Slot 4.30 PM to 6.30 PM
7 PM
Overall CAT 2022 Exam Analysis
9 PM

CAT Exam 2022 Slot 1 Analysis
CAT 2022 Slot 1 Exam got over at 10.30 AM across 150+ Cities in India on November 27. As per information shared by candidates and our expert team who took the exam in Delhi NCR, this year’s CAT question paper had 66 total questions as were last year. CAT 2022 slot-1 was rated as moderate difficulty level with a few questions at higher difficulty level.

CAT 2022 Slot 1 Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

  • CAT 2022 Overall Exam Difficulty Level: Moderate with few questions difficult
  • Total Questions: 66 Same as last year
  • Questions split (MCQs and Non-MCQs): MCQ 51; Non MCQs 15            

CAT 2022 Slot-1 Analysis: Question Paper Pattern
The CAT 2022 slot-1 question paper with key changes had the following pattern and sectional composition.

CAT 2022 Exam Components
CAT 2022 Pattern
Test duration
   2 hrs (120 Minutes)
Test sessions/Slots
   3 (Morning, Afternoon and Evening)
Total questions
   66
Total score
  198
Number of Sections in CAT question paper
    3 (VARC; DILR; QA)
Time Allotted for Each Section in CAT exam
 40 Minutes
Total questions in VARC Section
  24
Total Questions in DILR section
  20
Total Questions in QA section
  22

 Source: MBAUniverse.com CAT Exam Analysis

CAT 2022 Exam Slot 1 Analysis: Sectional Composition
CAT Exam 2022 Section Wise Analysis shares below the CAT exam 2022 section wise analysis with sectional order from Section-1 to Section-3, number and type of questions in each section, questions with and without negative marking and total maximum marks available for each section for the 2 hours CAT exam.

CAT 2022 exam components
Total questions
Total MCQs (With negative marking)
Total Non-MCQs (Without negative marking)
Highlights
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
24
21
3
4 RC Passages with 16 Qs; VA had 8 Qs divided in 3 MCQs & 5 Non MCQs on Para jumbles, Para Summary, and Out of Context Sentences
Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
20
16
4
LR – 10 Ques
DI – 10 Ques
All in Sets of 3 & 4 Qs
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA)
22
14
8
High on Arithmetic. Other on Log, Geometry, Roots, Algebra
Total
66
51
15
 --

Source: MBAUniverse.com analysis

Sectional CAT 2022 Exam Analysis
CAT 2022 Exam Sectional Analysis for each section by experts at MBAUniverse.com is as below:

Key Highlights of CAT Exam 2022 Sectional Analysis

  • Each of the 3 Sections with 40 Minutes Individual Time Duration
  • Candidates Not allowed to move to next section till 40 minutes are over
  • No change in Order of Sections in CAT 2022 with Section-1 VARC, Section-2 DILR, Section-3 Quant
  • Candidates found it difficult to use CAT On Screen Calculator and preferred own calculation methodology

Section Wise CAT Analysis at a Glance:
Below is shared the section wise CAT analysis at a glance followed by detailed Sectional CAT Analysis

Section-1: VARC

  • Total No of Questions: 24
  • No of MCQS – 3
  • No of NMCQs – 21
  • 4 RC Passage with 16 Questions
  • New Type of VA questions to fill in the sentence in the blanks appeared
  • Odd sentence out type questions not appeared
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate with 2-3 questions difficult

Section-2: DILR

  • Total No of Questions: 20
  • No of MCQS – 14
  • Non MCQS – 4
  • LR 2 Sets: Each set was followed by 5 Questions
  • DI 2 Sets: Each set was followed by 5 Questions
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

Section-3: Quantitative Ability

  • Total No of Questions: 22
  • No of MCQS – 14
  • Non MCQS – 8
  • Arithmetic commanded major part

Section wise CAT 2022 Analysis in Detail
Detailed section wise CAT exam 2022 analysis is shared below:

Section-1: VARC Analysis for CAT 2022
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension was the first section in CAT 2022 question paper. Key highlights of the section are:

  • VARC section had 24 Questions
  • Total Maximum marks allotted for the section were 72
  • Number of MCQs were 21
  • Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were 3 (Reduced from 5 last year)
  • Number of RC Passages: 4 passages,
  • Number of RC Based questions: 16, each passage was followed by 4 questions  
  • Type of RC Based Questions: MCQs asking to explain and draw inference from the passages,  phrases, vocabulary,  Synonyms/Antonyms, Statement/Argument as used in RC passages,
  • Difficulty Level: Overall difficulty level was moderate. 2 RC Passages were found of a little higher difficulty level
  • Good Attempts of 14 to 16 questions with 85% accuracy can fetch a high percentile
  • Cut off Expected for 99 Percentile: Score of 36-40 marks

Question Composition in VARC Section 

Question Topics
No. of Questions
Type of Questions
RC-1: Stoicism Founded in 300 BC
4
MCQs
RC-2: Critical Theory of Technology
4
MCQs
RC-3: Chinese have two different Concepts
4
MCQs
RC-4: Stories Concerning Undead
4
MCQs
Verbal Ability: Para summary
3
MCQs
Jumbled Para
3
Non MCQs
Fill in the Sentence in the blank at correct place in the para
2
MCQ
Odd Sentence Out from Jumbled Paragraph
No, Missing in CAT 2022
--

Section-2: DILR Analysis for CAT 2022
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was the second section in CAT 2022 question paper. The section, which is known for its tricky language and time consuming process, was found moderate by the test takers. Key highlights of DILR section analysis in CAT 2022 are

  • DILR section had 20 Questions
  • Total Maximum Marks assigned for the section were 60 in CAT 2022
  • Number of MCQs were 16
  • Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were 4 (Reduced from 5 last year)
  • Number of DI Problems: 2 Sets
  • Number of DI Questions: Each problem set followed by 5 questions
  • Type of DI Based Questions: All questions were based on Text and Data, True and False Statements, Mathematical calculations  
  • Number of LR Problems: 2 Sets
  • Total LR Questions: 10 (5 for each problem set)
  • Type of LR Based Questions: Two problem sets and each followed by 5 questions
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Good Attempts of 11 to 13 questions with 85% accuracy can fetch a high percentile
  • Cut off Expected for 99 Percentile: 32 to 34 marks

Question Composition in DILR Section

Question Topics
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
DI Set1: Five interviewers in a process
5
Moderate
DI Set 2:  15 girls and some boys in graduating class planning get together  
5
Moderate
LR Set-1: Metro Lines in a City
5
Moderate to High
LR Set-2: University Holding Team Evaluation Performance of 4 women players
5
Moderate

Section-3: Quantitative Ability Analysis in CAT 2022
Quantitative Ability (QA) was the 3rd and last section in CAT 2022 question paper. This section had more number of questions based on Arithmetic with highest number of Non-MCQs. Many candidates, especially from Non-Mathematics and Non-Engineering background, who are not well versed with Trigonometry, Solid Geometry, Algebra, Integers had an opportunity to crack the QA section by solving Arithmetic questions with 90% accuracy level to cross the IIM cut offs.  Key highlights of the QA section in CAT 2022 were:  

  • QA section had 22 Questions in CAT 2022
  • Total Maximum marks allotted for the section were 66
  • Number of MCQs: 14
  • Number of TITA questions (Non-MCQs): 8 (Same as last year)
  • More Questions were based on Arithmetic
  • Type of Arithmetic Based Questions: Percentage, Ratio, Interest, Number System, Time, Speed
  • Other QA Question topics: Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Trigonometry
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to high
  • Good Attempts: 14 to 16 questions with 85% accuracy can fetch high percentile to clear the cut offs
  • Cut off Expected for 99 Percentile: A score of 36 to 40 marks can get 99 sectional percentile

Question Composition in Quant Section

Question Topics
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
Arithmetic: Interest, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, Averages 
11
Moderate
Algebra
 3
Moderate
Geometry/Solid Geometry/Coordinate Geometry
4
Moderate to High
Number system & Modern Math
4
Moderate

Overall Predictions for 95 -98 Percentile: Good Attempts, Accuracy Level
The table below displays the required good attempts in CAT with Accuracy level needed for 95 -98 percentile range:

Section in CAT exam 2022
Good Attempts
Accuracy Level
Raw Score
Likely percentile in CAT 2022
Section-1: VARC
13-15
85
34-38
95
Section-2: DILR
 8-10
90
26-30
95
Section-3: QA
14-16
85
35-40
95
Overall
35-41
85
95-108
95

Watch for MBAUniverse.com detailed Overall & Sectional CAT 2022 Analysis for Slot-2 and Slot-3

MBAUniverse.com CAT 2022 Exam Analysis Slot-2, Slot-3 Soon: Key Coverage Areas
MBAUniverse.com CAT 2022 Analysis Slot 2, Slot 3 and overall will also be published and it covers the following:

  1. CAT Exam Pattern key changes
  2. Variation as compared to last year in Topics, Type of Questions for each section
  3. Changes in questions split (MCQs and Non-MCQs) 
  4. Surprise elements in CAT 2022 Exam paper
  5. Exam Difficulty Level: Overall & Section wise Analysis by Experts
  6. Required Good Attempts: Overall and Section wise
  7. Sectional Cut off Predictions
  8. Overall CAT 2022 cut offs predictions by Experts to help the aspirants to assess their performance and check their call chances by top B-schools
  9. Percentile Predictions & Cut off CAT score range

CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis by Top CAT Coaching Institutes & Experts
MBAUniverse.com also separately publishes the CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis  from top CAT coaching institutes & CAT experts like TIME, IMS, CL, Arun Sharma with their take on exam difficulty level, sectional and overall changes and expected cut offs. The time schedule for release of CAT Test Slot 1 Analysis from top coaching institutes is as given below:

CAT 2022 Exam Slot-1: Nov 27, 2022

Slot 1 CAT 2022 Exam Analysis by IMS -Release Time

Slot 1 CAT 2022 Exam Analysis by CL – Release Time

Slot 1 CAT 2022 Exam Analysis by T.I.M.E. – Release Time

CAT Exam Analysis 2022 Slot 1: 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM

12.00 Noon

1.00 PM

1.30 PM

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates for CAT 2022 Exam