CAT 2023 Slot 2 Exam Analysis: Paper Review, Difficulty Level, Good Attempts

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: The Indian Institute of Management, IIM Lucknow is administering the Common Admission Test, CAT today: November 26, 2023. IIM CAT 2023 is being conducted in three slots. The second slot has now been concluded at 2:30 PM. The CAT 2023 question paper comprises verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.

According to the CAT 2023 marking scheme, 3 marks will be granted for each correct answer in MCQ-type questions and -1 will be deducted for every wrong answer. Whereas, in non-MCQ questions, 3 marks will be awarded for each correct answer and there will be no negative marking.

Candidates appearing for CAT 2023 Slot 2 can check out the exam analysis by candidates, type of questions, exam difficulty level, and expected cut-off here.

CAT Exam 2023 Slot Timings

CAT Analysis 2023: Slot 1 & Slot 2

• CAT Slot 1 was a moderate difficulty level
• CAT 2023 slot 1 Quant was the toughest, VARC and DILR were moderate
• CAT previous year questions were repeated in CAT slot 1
• Quant majorly had questions on algebra, arithmetic, simple-compound interest
• VARC had 4 passages, 2 questions on para jumbles, 2 summaries, and 2 odd ones out
• DILR had 4 sets with 5 questions each - mean median mode, restaurant ratings, number breaking
• The overall difficulty level of CAT slot 2 was also moderately difficult
• The VARC section of CAT slot 2 was the same as CAT slot 1 (Moderate in nature)
• The DILR section of CAT slot 2 was moderately difficult
• CAT slot 2 quant section was difficult as compared to last year

Keep checking this page for initial responses from candidates and individual slot analysis!

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis by IMS

The structure of CAT 2023 Slot 2 remained largely the same as in 2022, with 66 questions in all. However, the DILR and Verbal sections saw some changes in segmentation and the number of MCQs and TITA. The Verbal Section saw a minor change in segmentation with the Odd Sentence Questions coming back after 2021. The VA Section had 2 questions each Summary, Paragraph Jumbles, Paragraph Completion, and Odd Sentence questions. 

The marking scheme was +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Qs.

Based on the feedback received from several candidates who have appeared in the first slot, our initial estimate of the percentiles and scores*** is as follows. These estimates will be suitably revised soon after the CAT releases the response sheets.

*** Students are advised not to take any B-School application decision based on these initial estimates. They serve only as the first indicator of likely performance.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

The VARC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. As in the past several years, there were no direct Grammar or Vocabulary questions. The passages were mainly Easy except for the one on Historical Fact. About 12 RC questions could be attempted with high accuracy. The out-of-context-sentence (Odd Sentence) questions made a comeback this year, replacing one each of Summary and Paragraph Jumbles. So, the section had 2 questions each of Summary (MCQ), Paragraph Jumbles (TITA), Paragraph Completion(MCQ), and Odd Sentence questions (TITA).

One question in the Verbal Ability section was marked with an alert icon and indicated that it was a Mandatory Question.

 In VA, 6 or 7 attempts with high accuracy were possible. Overall, the section was Easy.

An attempt of 17 to 19 questions with an accuracy of approximately 70% will be a good performance in VARC.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

 Last year, there were a total of four sets, each comprising five questions. This pattern has been maintained in CAT 2023. Overall, the Level of difficulty of the section was Medium to Difficult.

Overall the level of difficulty of this section was on par with the DILR Section of Slot 1 of CAT 2023.

Overall, an attempt of 10 to 12 questions with an accuracy of approximately 75-80% will be a good performance.

Quantitative Ability

This section was slightly tougher in terms of level of difficulty compared to CAT 2023 Slot 1 QA and was dominated by Algebra (8 questions), followed by Arithmetic (7 questions). There were 3 questions on Geometry, 2 questions on Modern Math, and 2 questions on Numbers. In Arithmetic, the questions were on SICI, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Mixtures and Allegations, and Profit and Loss. In Algebra, the questions were dominated by Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations, Modulus, Maxima -Minima, Inequality, and polynomials, etc. In Modern Math, the questions were on Logarithms, Sequences, etc. In Geometry, the questions were on Triangles, Rectangles, Coordinate Geometry & Parallelogram, etc. In Numbers, questions were on indices and the number of factors

Number of TITA (8 questions) and MCQ (14 questions) in this section:

Selecting the right questions to attempt was the key. Overall, an attempt of 9 to 11 questions with an accuracy of approximately 75-80% will be a good performance.

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis by CATKing

According to the experts, CAT SLOT 2 surprised students with relatively Verbal Sections: 3/4 RC were easy to Moderate, with a  Twist of 1 Mandatory Question - Odd one OUT, Reading comprehension dominated the exam; the Second Section: DILR Section was on the Difficult side with 1 out of 4 sets was easy to Moderate, and Non-Engineers had some difficulties to solve 2nd /3rd and 4th Set,  In the Quants section, Algebra & Arithmetic dominated the exam, Geometry / Time speed distance was doable,  All the algebra questions came in right at the start which was a little intimidating for a few. Students found Quants and DILR sections to be difficult sections, A Few of the Sets had reminisces of the 2019 Exam (A similar coin-based set had appeared ). CAT Convenor ( Sanjeet Singh Phogat’s)  background in Operations was seen in the exam with his love of Statistics and Algebra. Overall ll the exam was moderate to difficult.

The CAT 2023 slot 2 examination proved to be a moderate affair, standing in stark contrast to the challenges encountered in Slot 1. Let's delve into a comprehensive analysis of each section.

The verbal Ability section was relatively straightforward, with a mix of diverse passages. The questions were predominantly inference-based, with a few testing factual knowledge. Overall, the Verbal Ability section leaned more toward the manageable side.

The DILR section in CAT 2023 Slot 2 ranged from moderate to difficult. While the questions were not overly conditional, solving the set was crucial for answering all questions accurately.

Quantitative Aptitude in CAT 2023 Slot 2 was tougher than last year and the morning slot. The questions, while lengthy to read, were generally easy to solve for those whose concepts are clear. The exam started up with All Algebra 7 Questions coming together back to back intimidating the students who feared Algebra Module. Notably, the geometry questions were limited to two, deviating from the past trend. CAT 2023 Slot 2 displayed a fair mix of question types, presenting a balanced challenge to the candidates on the conceptual front. Selecting the questions that don’t eat up your time was inevitable.

Overall the exam was Moderate and a little tough when compared to 2022. VARC was more inference-based but had Reading comprehension passages all from the predicted Topics. DILR was Moderate in difficulty terms but felt a little time-consuming and lengthy.

CAT 2023 Slot 2 exhibited a moderate difficulty level overall, contrasting with the challenges faced in Slot 1. The Verbal Ability section was manageable, with a mix of easy and difficult passages, while the DILR section ranged from moderate to difficult.

The QA section maintained a moderate difficulty level with questions resembling the previous year's paper. Despite some complexity in topics like geometry and mathematical reasoning, the paper provided a balanced mix of challenges and familiar concepts, requiring candidates to showcase adaptability and problem-solving skills. Overall, CAT 2023 Slot 2 presented a fair and well-rounded assessment for aspirants.

Negative marking existed for the Multiple choice questions; 1/3^rd ie 0.33 negative marks. Type in The answer Questions didn’t have any negative marking similar to the CAT 2022. 

Navigating the Verbal, DILR, and QA Challenges

Sectional Analysis:

Overall Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

VARC 24 Questions:

Reading comprehension was dominated in the verbal section. There were 4 passages with 4 Questions each. More inference-based questions and not factual, there were close options too so it needed little focus while solving.

• TITA's Verbal ability was overall Moderate.
• 2 Out of Context (OOC) Questions, involving 5 statements with tricky connections.
• 2 Parajumbles Questions, each with 4 statements.
• 2 Parasummary Questions, with options that were easy but closely related.
• 2 Paragraph Completion Questions, 1 Question was tricky and 1 was doable out of the two

Summary of Questions

Reading Comprehension 16 Questions

The Reading comprehension was based on the following themes:

Passage 1:  Netflix in Europe (Cultural Shift): Easy to Read

This passage offered a straightforward exploration of how Netflix is changing in Europe, focusing on cultural shifts. The ease of comprehension made it accessible to candidates.

Passage 2: History Based: Doable

Marked by difficult vocabulary, this history-based passage posed a challenge for candidates. It tested not only comprehension skills but also the ability to navigate through intricate language.

Passage 3: Self-Care Type: Little Tricky

The passage, centered around self-care, introduced a degree of trickiness. Candidates needed to navigate through nuanced content, requiring a careful understanding of the context.

Passage 4 - Liberalism: Difficult

This passage delved into liberalism and presented a challenge with very long compound sentences. Comprehending the content proved difficult, and familiarity with Aeon might have provided an advantage.

In terms of other question types, the para jumbles were easy, as were the Out of Context questions. Para Summary questions were also on the easier side. Para Completion(Fill in the Blank) consisted of one tricky and one easy question, evaluating candidates' understanding of the passages' structure.

Overall, the VARC section offered a diverse set of challenges, requiring candidates to navigate through passages of varying complexity and showcasing their reading and comprehension skills. The questions had hints of inferences which required students to understand the author’s arguments and what strengthened and weakened it.

Ideal Attempts in VARC Section: 16-18 Questions

DILR 24 Questions

The DILR section in CAT 2023 Slot 2 presented a mix of moderate to difficult sets, demanding candidates' analytical prowess and time management skills. Let's delve into the specifics of each set.

Summary of Questions

Set 1: Ride - 3 Girls Taking Ride: Moderate

This set revolved around three girls taking rides at four different time slots, each associated with a different price.

Set 2: 3x3 Grid Box with Coins Placement: Difficult

A 3x3 grid box where coins were placed in rows, requiring calculations involving mean, median, and mode. This set posed a challenge due to its calculation-intensive nature. Candidates had to navigate through intricate computations to determine the placement of coins accurately.

Set 3: Competition with Numbered Balls 1-9:  Very Easy

Three individuals in a competition taking out balls numbered 1-9. This set was comparatively straightforward, testing candidates on basic logical reasoning. It provided a breather amid more complex sets.

Set 4: Start and End of 5 Companies: Moderate

Involving the start and end of five companies with the amount raised in each year. This set introduced many complex conditions but was overall manageable. 1 Crore Revenue was mentioned

The DILR section in CAT 2023 Slot 2 demanded a balanced approach from candidates, testing their ability to handle both moderately complex and challenging scenarios with the need for strategic decision-making on which sets to tackle first.

Quants 22 Questions: (TITA 8)

CAT 2023 Slot 2 brought forth a dynamic mix of questions in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section, consisting of 22 questions. Here's a summarized breakdown of the crucial observations:

General Observations:

• Questions exhibited a striking resemblance to the previous year's paper, reflecting a consistent trend in QA.
• Geometry saw a reduction in weightage, with only 2 questions dedicated to this topic.
• The questions in this slot did not encompass a blend of concepts but demanded intricate calculations involving numerous multiplication factors.
• Functions, including graphs, assumed a pivotal role, receiving higher weightage in this slot.

Section Overview:

The initial set of 7-8 questions predominantly delved into algebra before transitioning to arithmetic questions.

Four Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions were embedded within the section.

Question Distribution:

• The overall difficulty level of QA was assessed as moderate, with an emphasis on intricate calculations.
• Algebra emerged as a prominent focus, featuring 3-4 sequence and series questions.
• Geometric progressions were also seen
• Geometry, though reduced in weightage, retained significance with 2 questions.
• The section's likeness to CAT 2017 was notable, suggesting a degree of continuity in the examination pattern.

Analysis by Sumit Singh Gandhi (Rahul), CEO Founder CATKing

CAT 2023 Slot 2: Section-wise Analysis

VARC: 16 RC questions heavy on critical reasoning. 2 passages tough with easy questions. 2 passages easy with tricky questions. 2 questions on Para Jumbles (TITA), 2 questions on Para Jumbles Odd Variety (TITA), 2 questions on Para Summary and 2 questions on missing sentence.

DILR: All four sets had 5 questions each with 2 sets having 4 out of 5 questions as TITA questions. One set on a 3x3 grid with a box having coins from 1 to 9 and median values are given. One set on 3 people taking rides from 9 am till 5 pm. One set on companies generating rev from start year till end year with some missing values. One set on a 2-day average for three people getting numbers between 1-9. 2 sets were definitely doable.

QA had questions from Geometry, SICI, time and work, factor theory, ratio, and percentage, the difference between max possible and min possible values concept, TSD, Numbers, and averages. Heavy on algebra. Time-consuming questions.

Analysis by Bhushan Bapat, Head of Academics, CAT Division at Supergrads by Top rankers

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis- Initial Response

CAT slot 2 examination analysis shows that the LRDI section is feasible and 2 questions are asked from the Median box, which the candidate finds quite long. CAT slot 2 does not have any Venn diagrams or Linear Equations. Overall, the difficulty level of the CAT slot 2 Quant section is moderate. In CAT slot 1, there were more arithmetic questions. In CAT slot 2, a few questions were asked in the Quant section. The difficulty level of the Quant section is moderate and the difficulty of the questions in the Quant section is 14-15.

CAT 2023 slot 2 analysis- VARC

As per the initial response by candidates, the CAT slot 2 VARC section was easy to moderate. However, comparing it to last year’s VAC section, it was challenging with 4 RCs, 2 questions from PARA Completion, and 4 questions from PARA JUMBLES.

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis- Quant

In the quant part of CAT slot 2, there were twenty questions in all. The CAT slot 2 quant had a modest overall difficulty level, with 14 to 15 questions manageable. One of the Sequence and Series questions was challenging. This slot has more math questions than CAT slot 1. 

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis- LRDI

The LRDI section was doable based on the sectional analysis of CAT slot 2. The Median and Boxes were the subjects of the first round of LRDI questions. The candidates felt the LRDI part for CAT slot 2 was rather long. Regarding Venn Diagrams, Linear Equations, Games, and Tournaments, no questions were asked.

CAT 2023 Slot 2 RC Passages

CAT Slot 2 Analysis: Difficulty level, Exam Pattern

The CAT 2023 difficulty level and question paper are different for each slot. The difficulty level of CAT slot 1 is moderately too long. Some CAT slot 2 candidates said that the difficulty level of this slot was similar to that of CAT slot 1.

CA 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: Which Slot Was Easy?

Both slots were deemed moderate by the students' responses. However, the CAT slot 2 analysis indicates that it is much simpler than the previous slot.

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis- Overall

• VARC: It was easier than previous year and the same as CAT 2023 slot 1
• LRDI- Difficult as last year and as per CAT 2023 slot 1
• QA- The overall difficulty level of this section was difficult as compared to CAT slot 1

Also Read: CAT 2023 Exam Analysis: Check Slot 1 Paper Review, Difficulty Level, And Expected Cut Off Here