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CAT 2021 Slot 3 came with no surprises and followed the same pattern of CAT 2021 Slot 1 and Slot 2. The element of ambiguity regarding the number of questions was resolved in CAT 2021 Slot 1 itself. The CAT 2021 Slot 3 pattern continued to be along the same lines as the morning and afternoon slot with 66 questions in total to be solved in 2 hours with 40 minutes allotted to each section
Based on the expectation and CL predictions, CAT aspirants had to face 66 questions in 2 hours with section-wise distribution of questions as follows:
The marking scheme remained the same: +3/-1 for MCQs, and +3/0 for non-MCQs. The overall level of difficulty for CAT 2021 slot 3 was similar to that of CAT 2021 Slot 1 and Slot 2. However the LOD across the three sections of the three slots varied slightly:
CAT 2021 VARC Slot 3 >= CAT 2021 Slot 2 >= CAT 2021 Slot 1
CAT 2021 DILR Slot 3 < CAT 2021 DILR Slot 2 >= CAT 2021 DILR Slot 1
CAT 2021 QA Slot 3 > CAT 2021 QA Slot 2 > CAT 2021 QA Slot 1
An overall raw score of around ~94-96 should fetch a 99%ile in CAT 2021 Slot 3.
CAT 2021 Paper Pattern & Section-wise expected score for 99%ile+
For CAT 2021 Score calculator & Percentile Prediction, Check CAT 2021 Exam Corner
|
Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme |
Score for 99%ile |
|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
36-39 |
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
30-33 |
|
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
34-36 |
|
Total |
66 |
120 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) +3/0 (for non-MCQs) |
92-95 |
Following the trend of VARC of Slot 1 and Slot 2 there were a total of 24 questions to be attempted in 40 minutes.
5 questions were Non-MCQs (all in Verbal). The RC passages were around ~500 words each. 2 passages were easy to read whereas the other 2 passages were difficult to read.
Since there were 4 passages, 3 would have been an ideal attempt. All 4 would have been a risk.
VA was fine, as usual. Para Jumbles had short answers and 2 were very easy. Summary questions had very close options. Para Jumbles (Odd Sentences) were of a higher level of difficulty as the options were tricky.
Overall, a score of 36-39 can be considered enough for a 99%ile in VARC Slot 3. All the TITA (Non MCQ questions) should have been attempted, as usual.
CAT 2021 VARC Question-wise Breakup:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Score/ Attempt |
|
Reading Comprehension |
16 (4+4+4+4) |
12-14 |
|
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles |
3 |
2-3 |
|
Verbal Ability - Summary |
3 |
1-2 |
|
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles (Odd-sentence out) |
2 |
2 |
Slot 3 DILR was slightly easier than what was seen in DILR of Slot 2 and similar to DILR of Slot 1, in terms of LOD. The DILR section had 20 questions distributed across 4 sets (4+4+6+6). DILR went back to CAT 2020 level of difficulty. Again, the number of non-MCQs was 5. As compared to 1 easy set (of 4 questions) in slot 1 and slot 2, Slot 3 had 2 easy sets of 4 questions each. However the other 2 sets were difficult.
A score of 30-33 marks can be considered ideal for a 99+ percentile in DILR.
CAT 2021 DILR Question - wise Breakup:
|
Subject |
Topic |
No of Questions |
Ideal Attempt |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
|
Bar Chart |
4 |
3-4 |
|
Pure & Impure Solutions |
4 |
3-4 |
|
|
Javelin Tournament |
6 |
2-4 |
|
|
Review of Academic Qs |
6 |
2-4 |
The QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 3 was lengthy and calculation intensive thereby increasing its level of difficulty. It had 22 questions to be attempted in 40 minutes. The section had 8 non-MCQs. As seen in Slot 1 and Slot 2 QA section, the Slot 3 QA section continued to be dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra.
A score of 34-36 would be ideal for a 99+ percentile in the QA section of CAT 2021 Slot 3.
CAT 2021 QA Questions- wise Breakup:
|
Topic |
No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Attempt |
|
Number System |
- |
- |
|
Algebra |
6 |
2-3 |
|
Arithmetic |
11 |
7-8 |
|
Modern Math |
1 |
1 |
|
Geometry & Mensuration |
4 |
2 |
Candidates would have done well to maintain their calm and follow the guidelines shared by Career Launcher, in all its sessions. The overall cutoff for a 99 percentile is expected to range around 92-95, as predicted, pre- CAT 2021.