The pattern (format) of the CAT paper in the last 12 years

1995 to 1998:
Total Questions - 185
Time - 120 minutes
Verbal Ability - 50 Q
Reading Comprehension - 50 Q
Problem Solving - 45 Q
Data Interpretation - 40 Q
In 1995 and 1996, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections were grouped and had a time limit of 1 hour.Similarly, the Problem Solving and Data Interpretation sections were grouped and had a time limit of 1 hour.There was no such time limit in 1997 and

1998.1999:
Total Questions - 165
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 :
55 Q
- Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 30 Q
Section 2 : 55 Q - Problem Solving - 55 QSection 3 : 55 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Verbal Reasoning - 24 Q

2000:
Total Questions - 165
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 55 Q - Verbal Ability - 15 Q and Reading Comprehension - 40 Q
Section 2 : 55 Q - Problem Solving - 55 QSection 3 : 55 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Verbal Ability - 24 Q

2001:
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 50 Q - Verbal Ability - 20 Q and Reading Comprehension - 30 Q
Section 2 : 50 Q - Problem Solving - 50 QSection 3 : 50 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Logical Reasoning - 19 Q

2002:
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 :
50 Q - Data Interpretation - 40 Q and Logical Reasoning - 10 Q
Section 2 :
50 Q - Problem Solving - 50 QSection 3 : 50 Q - Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 25 Q

2003 (re-exam format given):
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes

Section 1 :
50 Q - Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 25 Q
Section 2 :
50 Q - Data Interpretation - 30 Q and Logical Reasoning - 20 QSection 3 : 50 Q - Problem
Solving

2004:
Total Questions - 123
Total marks: 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1:Data Interpretation: 20Q of 1 mark eachData Sufficiency: 6 Q of 1 mark eachLogical Reasoning: 12 Q of 2 marks eachSection 2Math problems: 20 Q of 1 mark each
Math problems: 15 Q of 2 marks each
Section 3:
Verbal Ability: 10 Q of 0.5 marks eachVerbal Ability: 14 Q of 1 mark eachVerbal Ability: 5 Q of 2 marks eachReading Comprehension: 21 Q of 1 mark each

2005:
Total Questions - 90
Total marks: 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section :1Verbal Ability: 10Q of 1 mark eachVerbal Ability/Reading Comprehension: 20Q of 2 marks each
Section :2Math problems: 10Q of 1 mark eachMath problems: 20Q of 2 marks each
Section :3Data Interpretation/Data Sufficiency/Logical Reasoning: 10Q of 1 mark eachData Interpretation/Data Sufficiency/Logical Reasoning: 20Q of 2 marks each

2006:
Total Questions - 75
Total marks: 300
Time - 150 minutes
Section :1Data Interpretation/Data Sufficiency/Logical Reasoning: 25Q of 4 marks each
Section :2Math problems: 25Q of 4 marks each
Section :3Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension: 25Q of 4 marks each

There was no section wise time limit in from 1999 - 2006.

REMEMBER : It is essential that you demonstrate your competence in all the sections.

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