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To score a 99 percentile in CAT 2024, test-takers need to aim for a raw score of 76 marks. Experts suggest that those targeting a 99+ percentile should accurately answer at least 50% of the questions.
Therefore, CAT 2024 candidates should focus on two key factors: the number of correctly answered questions and effective time management.
Each year, over 2 lakh MBA aspirants take the CAT exam to gain admission to top IIM colleges and other prestigious business schools in India. Despite a drop in CAT registrations last year, scoring in the top 2000 was still necessary to achieve a 99 percentile.
How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2024: Simple Tips
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Get familiar with the CAT exam structure, including the number of sections, question types, and time allocation.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a realistic daily and weekly study schedule that covers all CAT sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
- Focus on Basics: Build a strong foundation by mastering the basic concepts in all sections before moving to advanced topics.
- Practice Regularly: Solve CAT previous years papers and take CAT Free Mocks frequently to identify weak areas and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Practice time-bound exercises to enhance your ability to answer questions quickly and accurately under exam conditions.
- Analyze Mock Tests: After each mock test, analyze your performance to understand your mistakes and learn from them.
- Focus on High-Scoring Areas: Identify and strengthen your grip on topics that you find easier and can score well in.
- Improve Reading Skills: For the Verbal Ability section, read diverse materials like newspapers, novels, and journals to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
- Revise Regularly: Set aside time for regular revision to ensure that you retain concepts and formulas.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself informed about any changes in the exam pattern or syllabus.
Also Read, CAT Exam Analysis 2024
How Many Questions to Attempt to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2024?
Experts advise answering only the questions you're confident about in the CAT exam, as mistakes can significantly impact your score. To achieve a 99+ percentile, aim to correctly answer at least 50% of the questions, maintaining good accuracy in all sections.
First-time test takers should be familiar with the exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme. The CAT exam is scheduled for November 24, 2024, across three slots in various cities.
Attempts Required to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2024: Section Wise
Each section of the CAT 2024 exam will have a time limit of 40 minutes. However, the number of attempts per section isn't evenly distributed because the time needed to attempt each question differs.
The table below provides more details on section-wise attempts needed to achieve a 99 percentile in CAT.
| CAT Sections | Total Number of Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 14-15 |
| DILR | 20 | 10-12 |
| VARC | 24 | 17-18 |
| Total | 66 | 40-45 |
Also Read, CAT Answer Key 2024
CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024
Based on the 2023 data, the following table shows the percentile ranges corresponding to overall and sectional raw CAT scores. This information will help you plan a proper CAT Exam strategy to achieve a 99 percentile in the Exam.
| Percentile | Score |
| 100 | 142.90 |
| 99.99 | 119.76 |
| 99.9 | 101.09 |
| 99.5 | 84.29 |
| 99 | 76.15 |
| 95 | 54.86 |
| 90 | 46 |
| 80 | 34.36 |
CAT Marking Scheme and Exam Pattern
The authorities have not yet announced any changes to the CAT 2024 exam pattern, so it is anticipated that the pattern from last year will be used.
In 2021, the number of questions in the CAT exam decreased from 76 to 66. For more details, refer to the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam mode | Online (CBT) |
| Duration of CAT exam | 120 Minutes |
| Number of sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| Sectional time limit | 40 minutes each for VARC, DILR, and QA |
| Total number of questions | 66 (VARC: 24, DILR: 20, QA: 22) |
| Type of questions | MCQs and TITA questions |
| Total marks | 198 Marks |
| CAT marking scheme | +3 marks for every correct attempt |
| -1 for every wrong attempt | |
| No negative marks for TITA questions |
How does the concept of the Scaled Score and the Normalisation Process Work?
This section will explain how the scaled score and normalization process work so you can better understand how the CAT percentile is calculated:
- Since CAT 2024 will be conducted in three different sessions, the difficulty level of each session may vary.
- To ensure a fair comparison of test performances, the authorities use a normalization process to calculate a scaled score.
- The CAT percentile represents the percentage of test-takers who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate.
- For example, if someone achieves a 90 percentile in the CAT, it means they performed better than 90% of all the candidates who took the exam that year.
Also Read, CAT Response Sheet 2024
Top Strategies to Improve Speed and Accuracy in CAT 2024
Here are some simple tips and techniques to help you succeed in CAT 2024:
- Practice regularly: Work on as many CAT sample papers and mock tests as you can. Focus on solving them accurately within the given time.
- Manage your time wisely: Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you’re stuck, move on to the next one.
- Prioritize questions: Sort the questions into easy, medium, and hard categories. Start with the easy ones and avoid questions you’re unsure about.
- Avoid guessing: Guessing can decrease your score because of the negative marking for incorrect answers.
