IIM Ahmedabad has concluded the second slot of Common Admission Test (CAT) 2021. The slot number 2 was held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. As per the analysis and review of slot 2 questions, candidate feedback, and opinion of CAT mentors, the second slot was as easy / difficult as first slot, comparable to last year’s CAT.
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Analysis – Overall
In general, slot number 2 was easier than slot number 1. Though this could appear so as slot 1 candidates were the first to face the pattern and in general slot 2 candidates are mentally better prepared for the test, having gone through slot 1 analysis.
However while in the morning slot more RCs were easily doable, in the second slot 2 were doable, 1 a tad difficult, and 1 difficult. Also, the types of questions in quant were different from slot 1. In short, some questions were trickier in the second slot as compared to the first slot.
The exam was held in English and consisted of two types of questions: MCQs and TITAs. The CAT Exam is a computer-based test that lasts two hours (CBT). Each section has a 40-minute time limit.
Also read: CAT 2021 Slot 1 Analysis
The total number of questions in the second slot was 66, same as in slot 1.
An overall raw score of around 100-105 should fetch a 99%ile in CAT 2021.
According to a student who took CAT 2021 slot 2, the English and QA parts were simpler than the other components.
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Analysis – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
In terms of difficulty, the VARC section was equivalent to last year’s CAT exam. There were 24 questions to be solved in 40 minutes.
- There were 4 RCs with 4 questions each.
- RC #1 was on politicians and power of truth.
- RC #2 was on languages and linguistics. This was slightly more difficult than the first one. It was a language based reading comprehension.
- RC #3 was on british colony. This was of medium difficulty level.
- RC #4 was on philosophy, and this was the toughest reading comprehension set.
- There were 3 para jumble questions, and 3 para summary questions. These questions were easy. However para summary was trickier than first slot.
- Two RCs were easily doable. One RC was semi-difficult, and one was most difficult.
Many candidates stated that VA was simple for them.
As usual, the VA was fantastic. A 99 percentile may be achieved with a 20-22 attempt and 75 percent accuracy, resulting in a score of 40-42. A score in the 85th percentile should be between 24 and 26.
Also read: CAT 2021 Slot 1 Review Published By Different Coaching Centers
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Analysis – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
The DILR section had 22 questions distributed across 4 sets(6+6+4+4). Sets were manageable. This part included case-based questions.
- There was one question set on deliveries.
- Then there was one set on customer rating.
- Then there was one set of questions on graph based. It was a horizontal graph with products, deliveries.
- There was a game based set of questions.
- DI – Questions were caselet based.
- Section was non calculation intensive.
- In both slot 1, 2, at least one DILR set was extremely easy.
An attempt of 12-13 with 90% accuracy, resulting in a score of 30-32, can be deemed excellent for the 99+ percentile in DILR in the specified time frame of 40 minutes. The 85 percent tile may be in the 18-20 range.
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Analysis – Quantitative Ability
In terms of difficulty level, the QA part of CAT 2021 was comparable to that of CAT 2019. It consisted of 22 questions that had to be answered in 40 minutes.
- 7-8 Questions were on Arithmetic. In morning slot there were around 10-12.
- Algebra , and Geometry questions were also dominating.
- 2-3 Questions were on time, speed, distance.
- 2-3 questions were on profit and loss
- 1 question was on log
- and 1 question was on function
- There were more TITA questions in quant than DILR, VARC
An attempt of 18-19 questions, with 80-85% accuracy, would be ideal for the 99+ percentile in the QA section of CAT 2021.
CAT 2021 Paper Pattern & Section-wise expected score for 99%ile+
| 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) | 40-42 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 Minutes | +3/-1 (for MCQs)+3/0 (for non-MCQs) | 32-34 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes | +3/-1 (for MCQs)+3/0 (for non-MCQs) | 46-48 |
| Total | 66 | 120 Minutes | +3/-1 (for MCQs)+3/0 (for non-MCQs) | 100-105 |
