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CAT 2024 Slot 3 Difficulty Level: The one and only gateway for MBA aspirants willing to enter the top IIM colleges, is considered the CAT exam. CAT 2024 was administered by IIM Calcutta. The third and last slot of CAT 2024 on November 24, 2024, marked the end of the competitive testing cycle, which was held for over three lakh candidates across the country.
With 68 questions spanning three sections-One Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA)-the slot 3 exam had a balanced mix of categorical types and difficulty levels.
Knowing about the difficulty-levels of CAT 2024 Slot 3 would help aspirants assess themselves and prepare better for the CAT 2025 attempt. Here, we provide a deep dive into the complete CAT 2024 exam difficulty analysis, also analyzing each section separately.
CAT 2024 Section-wise Solved Papers | ||
Also Read, CAT Exam Analysis 2025
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Difficulty Level
With Slot 3 of CAT 2024 having moderate-difficulty level questions distributed evenly among easy, moderate and tough grades in all three sections - VARC, DILR, and QA, the pattern stayed exactly similar usually seen these past years; except for 68 questions in total.
| Section | Total Questions | Non-MCQ Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
| VARC | 24 | 2 | Moderate - difficult | 17-18 |
| DILR | 22 | 6-8 | Moderate | 12-13 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 8 | Easy to Moderate | 13-14 |
| Total | 68 | 16-18 | Moderate Overall | 45-47 |
This slot was moderately challenging, emphasizing time management and accuracy for a good percentile.
Also Read, CAT Previous Year Papers With Video Solutions, Download PDF
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Section-wise Difficulty Level
CAT 2024 VARC Analysis
The CAT VARC section featured 4 reading comprehension (RC) passages on topics such as AI, language, economics, and literature. The verbal ability questions included para-jumbles, odd one out, and summary-based questions.
| Aspect | Details |
| Number of Passages | 4 |
| Major Topics Covered | Reading Comprehension(AI, Language, Chinese Alcohol, Space), Para-Jumbles, Odd One Out |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 17-18 |
Candidates found inference-based and critical reasoning questions moderately tough but manageable with good reading skills.
CAT 2024 LRDI Analysis
The CAT DILR section included 4-5 sets encompassing puzzles, bar graphs, venn diagrams, and tables with missing values. The difficulty ranged from moderate to tricky, with a greater focus on analytical thinking.
| Aspect | Details |
| Number of Sets | 5 |
| Types of Sets | Table with missing values, Data Intrepretation, Line Graph, Bar Graph, Roots & Networks |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| Good Attempts | 3 sets - Two 4 question sets and one 5 question set. |
The reasoning sets required strong problem-solving strategies, and careful time management was critical.
CAT 2024 Quant Analysis
Quant in Slot 3 leaned towards moderately difficult questions, focusing on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Number System. Application-based and conceptual problems tested candidates’ depth of understanding and speed.
| Aspect | Details |
| Total Questions | 22 |
| Major Topics Covered | Geometry, Probabillity, Number system, Arithmetic, Algebra |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (Easier than CAT 2023) |
| Good Attempts | 13-14 |
Many questions were computation-intensive, reinforcing the importance of accuracy while managing time.
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Quantitative Aptitude Detailed Analysis
The CAT quant section split into easy, medium, and hard questions with the following distribution:
| Difficulty Level | Number of Questions |
| Easy | 6 |
| Medium | 8 |
| Hard | 8 |
This distribution underscores the challenge posed by harder questions predominantly in Algebra and Geometry, highlighting the need for strong fundamentals.
Also Check, CAT Exam Analysis 2024, Slot 1,2,3 Section-wise Analysis
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Difficulty Level: Conclusion
The CAT 2024 Slot 3 examination had a moderate difficulty level overall, with distinct challenges spread across sections. VARC had a predictable test of comprehension and verbal questions, and DILR measured analytical ability with medium-level puzzles and graphs. Quantitative Aptitude for Slot 3 was slightly on the easier side as compared to other sections, thus giving a huge advantage to those aspirants well prepared.
The detailed section-wise difficulty analysis and quantitative insights reveal that effective time management and accuracy are the factors that culminate into CAT excellence. Aspirants aiming for around 45-47 good attempts with very high accuracy across the sections can expect a percentile worth competing.
The Slot 3 exam analysis by Cracku decodes this year's exam pattern while also equipping future CAT aspirants with various aptitude solving strategies. Hence, continued practice, adaptability to changing question patterns, and focused preparation for weak sections lay the foundation for CAT 2025 and future success.
