CAT 2023 Exam Analysis: IIM Lucknow Sets the Bar with Three Challenging Shifts, Expected Cutoff, Provisional Answer Key, and More

Updated: November 28, 2023, 11:19 AM IST

CAT Exam 2023 Live Updates: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow conducted the CAT 2023 exam on November 26, offering candidates three distinct shifts, each presenting its own challenges. From 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, aspirants navigated through a comprehensive assessment that tested their managerial aptitude.

Sectional Analysis: A Balancing Act in 40 Minutes

In each session, candidates faced the challenge of answering questions in 40 minutes across three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). Many found QA and DILR manageable, but the comprehension section posed a bit of a time-consuming hurdle.

Read | CAT Exam 2023 – Dates, Registration, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Scopes

Anticipation Builds: CAT 2023 Results Expected in January 2024

With the CAT results for 2023 slated for release in the second week of January 2024, aspirants await their fate. The iimcat.ac.in the website will precede the official announcement by hosting the CAT 2023 answer key, allowing candidates to gauge their performance.

IIM Selection Process Unveiled: Next Steps for Aspirants

The IIM selection process involves shortlisting candidates for interviews or group discussion rounds. The criteria for shortlisting for MBA admission vary across IIMs, and the list of shortlisted candidates will be made available on the respective IIM websites. Interview letters will be directly sent to the shortlisted candidates, marking the next crucial step in their journey.

Read | AILET 2024 Admit Card Live: Steps to Download Admit Card, Exam Date and City Centers, Exam Pattern, and More

Shift-wise Difficulty Levels: A Moderation to Difficulty Spectrum

While the consensus among candidates leans towards the first shift being moderate, the afternoon and evening sessions of CAT 2023 ventured into the realm of moderate to complex. This varied difficulty spectrum added an element of unpredictability to the test, challenging candidates to adapt their strategies on the go.

Slot 1 Alignment: Meeting Expectations

The general assessment of CAT 2023 slot one by Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director at T.I.M.E, revealed a smooth unfolding of the morning session. While the exam displayed a higher complexity level than its predecessor, it adhered to the expected criteria, maintaining consistency with established frameworks from previous years.
Bhushan Bapat, Head of Academics, CAT Division at Supergrads by Toprankers, analyzed slot 1, highlighting the return of odd one-out questions in VARC. DILR sets were ranked as moderate to challenging, and QA presented surprises with fewer questions than the previous year that could be solved swiftly.

Section-wise Dive into Slot 2 Challenges: VARC, DILR, and QA

A detailed analysis of slot 2 provides insights into the challenges candidates face. VARC featured heavy critical reasoning, while DILR sets were lengthy and required conceptual understanding, including statistics. QA presented surprises, with fewer level 1 questions, contributing to the overall moderate difficulty of the section.

Read | Top MBA Colleges in India 2023: Rankings, Admissions, Placements & Courses

Slot 3 Analysis: CATKing Breaks Down the Difficulty Levels

CATKing’s analysis of slot 3 reveals a comparatively higher difficulty level than the previous two slots. To secure a 99 percentile, candidates were advised to attempt 45 or more questions with a robust 90% accuracy. The difficulty levels across sections varied, with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension being moderate to difficult, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning posing a difficult challenge, and Quantitative Ability labelled as very difficult.

Gautam Puri, Vice Chairman and MD of Career Launcher, contributed to the CAT 2023 analysis, emphasizing the elevated difficulty of slot 3, particularly in the QA section. This insight provides a glimpse into the evolving nature of the CAT exam, which demands adaptability from aspiring management students.

IIM Call Scores: What It Takes to Secure a Seat

Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director CAT at T.I.M.E., provided insights into the scores needed to secure an IIM call. For the first slot, a net score of 47-50 was deemed sufficient, with specific scores suggested for DILR (9-11), VARC (15–17), and QA (8-10). These benchmarks offer candidates a clearer picture of their performance.

No Negative Marks for Non-MCQs: A Strategic Shift

CAT 2023 brought a notable change by eliminating negative marks for non-MCQ-type questions. This strategic shift encourages candidates to approach these questions strategically, offering an opportunity to enhance their overall scores.

Record Registrations: CAT 2023 Sees Unprecedented Numbers

With over 3.3 lakh students registering for CAT 2023, the exam witnessed a 30% increase from the previous year, marking the highest registration numbers in the history of CAT. Prof. Sanjeet Singh, the exam convener from IIM Lucknow, noted the significant rise in applicants, reflecting the growing interest in management education.

Percentile Calculation Unveiled: Ensuring Fairness in Evaluation

The percentile calculation process for CAT 2023 involves determining the total number of candidates, assigning ranks based on scaled scores, and calculating percentiles using a transparent formula. This ensures a fair representation of a candidate’s performance, rounded to two decimal points.

CAT 2023 is a testament to the evolving nature of management entrance exams. The challenges across shifts and sections underscore the need for adaptability and strategic preparation. As candidates eagerly await their results, the impact of CAT on the landscape of management education in India remains profound.