CAT Negative Marking
It is important to note that there is no negative marking for non-MCQ-type questions. For the 51 MCQs, you lose 1 mark every time you attempt a question incorrectly. This can hamper your overall percentile. Thus even if you answer a higher number (or all) of questions but most of them are incorrect, you will end up missing your score. Here is a table explaining this concept:
| Types of CAT Question | Marking for Correct Answers | Marking for Wrong Answers |
| MCQs | +3 | -1 |
| Non-MCQs | +3 | 0 |
Note: The total number of questions out of 51 MCQs only since there is a negative marking for each of them. The non-MCQs are score boosters as there will be no negative marking for them.
Is there a negative marking in the CAT exam?
Yes. there’s a negative marking in the CAT exam; on every incorrect answer, you’ll lose 1 mark. However, it’s worth noting that each correct answer invites 3 marks.
What is the negative marking scheme for the CAT exam?
The CAT exam gives 3 marks for each right answer and deducts 1 mark for each wrong answer in multiple-choice questions (MCQs). However, there is no penalty for incorrect answers in non-MCQs.
Is there a negative marking for TITA questions in CAT?
In the CAT exam, there are no penalties for incorrect answers in TITA questions. TITA stands for "Type in the Answer," which are questions where you need to type your response rather than selecting from multiple choices.
What is the marking scheme for the CAT examination?
The grading system or the CAT exam marking scheme for 2024 is outlined as follows:
- Total achievable marks: 198
- For every correct answer: 3 marks are awarded.
- For every incorrect answer in multiple-choice questions (MCQs): 1 mark is deducted.
- No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
- No marks are deducted for questions that are not multiple-choice (non-MCQ).
In the CAT examination, what is the total number of questions?
The CAT exam typically comprises 66 questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
What is the total mark allocation for the CAT exam?
The CAT exam consists of 198 marks in total. In the exam, there are a total of 66 questions, and each question carries 3 marks.
What is the highest possible score in the CAT examination?
The top achievable score in the Common Admission Test (CAT) is 180. This total is reached by adding the highest scores possible in each of the three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The CAT exam consists of a total of 198 marks.
What are the marks distributed section-wise in the CAT examination?
The CAT exam comprises three sections. And the marks allocation for each section in the 2024 edition is as follows -
- VARC: 24 questions, 72 marks
- DILR: 20 questions, 60 marks
- QA: 22 questions, 66 marks
The entire CAT exam consists of 66 questions carrying a total of 198 marks.
What are the minimum marks required to pass the CAT examination?
In order to succeed in the CAT exam, an applicant needs to achieve a minimum of 40% in every individual section and an overall score of at least 50%. However, typically, the final cut-off marks and percentiles for the CAT exam are quite high, often surpassing the 90th percentile.
What is the duration of the CAT examination?
The CAT exam lasts for 120 minutes, which is equivalent to two hours. It consists of three sections, each with a time limit of 40 minutes.
What is the pattern of the CAT examination paper?
Here is a table summarizing the CAT paper pattern in simple words:
|
Section |
Number of questions |
Marks |
Time duration |
|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
24 |
72 |
40 minutes |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
22 |
60 |
40 minutes |
|
Quantitative Ability |
22 |
66 |
40 minutes |
|
Total |
66 |
198 |
120 minutes |
Do non-MCQ questions exist in the CAT examination?
The CAT exam includes questions that are not multiple-choice questions (MCQs), commonly referred to as Type in the Answer (TITA) questions. These questions have been a part of the CAT exam since 2015. Unlike typical CAT questions with multiple-choice options, non-MCQ questions do not provide choices. Instead, students must directly type their answers into a text box displayed on the screen.
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