CAT has evolved from a speed based simple test into a test which demands more proficiency in concepts and fundamentals.It is designed in such a way that it tests a candidate’s analytical and logical abilities.

Earlier CATs (prior to year 2000) had 180 questions to be solved in 2 hours. For the years 2001, 2002, and 2003 the paper consisted of 3 sections of 50 questions per section.

In 2004, the IIMs introduced the concept of differential marking for the first time. The paper had 123 questions in three sections with 50 English, 35 Mathematics, and 38 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The 2005 CAT contained 90 questions, 30 in each section, each having subsections containing questions with different numbers of marks.

CAT 2006, conducted on November 19, was a 2.5-hour exam instead of the traditional 2-hour exam. The test had 75 questions, 25 questions per section and 4 marks per question, making it a 300-mark paper. There was a penalty of 1 mark for a wrong answer. The paper also proved to be a break from the previous pattern in that it had 5 answer options instead of the usual 4.

In 2007, the CAT exam was held on Sunday, November 18th. It contained 25 questions in each of the three sections, each question having 1 mark negative for each wrong answer. This was the same pattern as CAT 2006.

The CAT 2008 examinations be held on November 16, a Sunday, across all test centers in India.

Categories: CAT 1999, CAT 2006 Analysis, CAT 2007, CAT Papers, Common Admission Test (CAT), MBA
Tags: CAT 2008 examination, CAT Exam, CAT Papers