The CAT 2024 Slot 2 has been completed and the candidates are now exploring areas such as the broad level of difficulty, the sectional analysis, and their strategic planning. Enormous effort has been put to examine it in depth, by the present authors, so as to examine the elements of positioning with respect to each Slot. Particular mention will be given to the format of the exam, section details and the preparation for the remaining slots.
Overall Difficulty Level: A Comparative Perspective.
According to many candidates, the Paper 2 of the CAT 2024 was manageable and moderate, however faced mixed bag of challenges in certain parts. Some claimed to have been used to Schedule 1, but others argued that it wasn’t entirely the case especially Slot 2 in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section which was of a high level. As for the makeup of the exam, their arguments complemented very well with the makeup of the exam as per the official CAT mock tests and hence no surprises.
Section-Wise Analysis of CAT 2024 Slot 2
- Varc: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Passage Composition: It consisted of 4 RC passages. The passages contained a variety of questions ranging from basic to inferencing questions. Topics included environmental issues, effects of innovation, relations between humans and animals.
CAT Exam Slot 2 Key Observations:
Moderate to easy level classifications of two of the passages.
Computation level i.e. depth of comprehension that some of the passages required was of two more and had more challenging in comprehension the questions of this depth.
Argument type questions, questions of ‘true/false/ except’ and summary type questions across various levels.
Verbal Ability: Three paragraph summaries and analyzes as well as two “odd sentence out” pieces were provided to the students. This was not difficult for most questions but elimination meant working with options more closely.
Difficulty: Moderate. The optimal time and accuracy depended on the strategic selection of passages.
- Data Interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR)
Structure: Similar to Slot 1, the DILR had five sets in the second section which included;
Four questions in three sets;
Five questions in two sets.
Insights:
These added more complexity as the bubble charts and bar diagrams were introduced.
Complexity in hearing puzzles arose with sudoku type arrangements and the scheduling problems.
Difficulty: More complex than in Slot 1. Candidates were forced to select the most manageable ones that had a good chance of boosting accuracy.
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Topics Covered Include:
- Time, speed and distance, work and time rates under Arithmetic, –
- under Geometry: Right Angled triangle and co-ordinate geometry.
- Under Algebra; Functions and quadratic equations
- and Numbers which involved profit & loss, percentages
CAT Exam Slot 2 Key Trends
This a clear conviction more so from the questions that were asked which involved the use of coordinate geometry and arithmetic in the section.
Especially in compound and simple interest questions that were repetitive from the past CAT papers.
Difficulty: Perhaps moderate to difficult with some calculations taking too long.
Key Learnings for Candidates Appearing for Slot 3
- Familiar Patterns but Unpredictable Challenges
As with Slot 1 and 2, there were familiar patterns with Slot 3, but also unfamiliar ones in the form of framing questions differently or using other types of visual data such as bubble charts etc which should highlight the need to be ready for various situations.
- Importance of Section and Question Selection
For VARC: One can skim through the passages in order to see if they might be familiar to them, thus saving time. Target the high scoring areas e.g. Paragraph summary or odd sentence out questions.
For DILR: Set selection is very important. Begin with sets that involve simpler figures or simple logical puzzles in sequence to build strength.
For QA: Answer questions from topics in which you have a lot of knowledge, such as arithmetic or algebra, so that you can quickly gain more points.
- Time Management is Key
Equally important is the proper time allocation across sections do not spend too much time on questions which are too difficult answer, plan to step forward and select other questions Magga Notai Questioning is a strategy.
Cut-Off Expectations: Aiming for 99 Percentile
With regard to other Slot 2 discussions it is assumed that aiming for a 99 percentile cut off means answering ten eleven to twelve questions in each section which is somewhat above the cut off in CAT 2023. Do not attempt to go overboard with attempts so as to jeopardise accuracy.
Preparation Advice for Upcoming Aspirants
Abandon escalation approach just because its supposed to be an easier target, targeting higher cut offs is expected, but achieving them will hinge on accuracy.
Prepare for Non Conformist Charts: In DILR in particular one can expect to see non-standard ways of presenting the data which is perhaps in tables.
Use Mocks To The Point: Look through past CAT papers and mocks issued offcially to get use to some of the typical question angles in terms of difficulty and types.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Complicate There is the Risk Of Losing
The CAT 2024 Slot 2 reinforced the need for developing a sense of strategy and being flexible throughout the test. It is crucial for candidates to retain their composure, focus on key abilities and have a structured approach to the test. Also good luck to those who are taking Slot 3 and beyond – its your practice and calmness which will take you a long way.
