The CAT 2021 exam was conducted on 28th November 2021 across three slots with a total of 66 questions. Each section—VARC, DILR, and Quant—carried a different challenge.
While VARC was moderate in most slots, DILR turned out to be the trickiest, and Quant tested students with a high difficulty level, especially in Slot 1 and 2. With only 120 minutes to attempt, the exam required smart time management and accuracy.
For aspirants preparing now, analyzing CAT 2021 papers gives valuable insights into question distribution, difficulty trends, and the right strategy to attempt the paper effectively.
CAT 2021 Question Paper Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Date | 28 November 2021 (Sunday) |
| Number of Sessions | 3 (Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Sections | VARC (24), DILR (20), Quant (22) |
| Duration | 120 Minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer, –1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
Download CAT 2021 Question Paper PDF (All Slots)!
Don’t waste time searching for different links. We’ve compiled all three slots of CAT 2021 question papers in a single PDF for you. Practice them like real mocks, analyze your performance, and sharpen your preparation with authentic exam-level questions.
| Slots | PDF Link |
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 Question Paper | Click to Download |
| CAT 2021 Slot 2 Question Paper | |
| CAT 2021 Slot 3 Question Paper |
CAT 2021 Question Paper – Slot 1 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2021 slot 1 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 24 | 15–16 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 12–14 |
Mentor’s Insights:
Slot 1 was the most challenging of CAT 2021. Both DILR and Quant were on the tougher side, testing depth of concepts and patience. VARC was moderate to difficult, demanding careful comprehension.
For aspirants, the key learning is to stay calm when multiple sections feel heavy—maximize accuracy instead of chasing attempts.
CAT 2021 Question Paper – Slot 2 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2021 slot 2 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Moderate to Difficult | 20 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Difficult | 22 | 10–12 |
Mentor’s Insights:
Slot 2 balanced things slightly, but Quant still posed significant challenges. DILR was moderate to difficult, requiring smart set selection. VARC was moderate and became the scoring area for many.
This slot shows that your ability to identify “easy wins” in VARC or DILR can make a huge difference in overall percentile.
CAT 2021 Question Paper – Slot 3 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2021 slot 3 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 24 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Difficult | 20 | 10–11 |
| Quant | Moderate | 22 | 13–15 |
Mentor’s Insights:
Slot 3 was relatively better balanced. VARC and Quant were moderate, while DILR stayed tough as expected. Students who distributed time well and didn’t overinvest in DILR saw better results.
The lesson here: always walk into CAT with a flexible strategy and avoid overdependence on a single section.
CAT Question Paper 2021: Slot-Wise Comparison
| Section | Slot 1 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) | Slot 2 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) | Slot 3 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) |
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult / 15–16 | Moderate / 16–18 | Moderate / 15–17 |
| DILR | Difficult / 10–12 | Moderate to Difficult / 10–12 | Difficult / 10–11 |
| Quant | Difficult / 12–14 | Difficult / 10–12 | Moderate / 13–15 |
| Overall Paper | Toughest among the three | Balanced but heavy in Quant | Relatively manageable |
Practice More CAT PYQs:
- CAT 2025 Question Paper
- CAT 2024 Question Paper
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2020 Question Paper
- CAT 2019 Question Paper
Why Solve CAT 2021 Question Paper?
1. Get Familiar with Real CAT Exam Pattern
By attempting the CAT 2021 question paper, you experience the actual format—sectional timing, difficulty distribution, and question framing. This exposure helps you build confidence and align your preparation with the real CAT exam pattern rather than relying only on mock tests or coaching material.
2. Strengthen Core Concepts
Working on CAT 2021 papers allows you to apply fundamentals in Quant, VARC, and DILR the way IIMs test them. You will realize which concepts need revision and how to approach exam-level problems effectively. This makes your preparation sharper and more exam-oriented.
3. Improve Speed and Accuracy
We all know speed matters in CAT. Solving the CAT 2021 paper under timed conditions helps you improve both speed and accuracy. By practicing regularly, you learn when to attempt, when to skip, and how to manage precious 40 minutes in each section.
4. Identify Strong and Weak Areas
The CAT 2021 paper acts like a diagnostic test. When you solve it, you clearly see which sections you excel at and which need extra focus. This targeted analysis ensures that you spend your preparation time wisely, strengthening areas that can boost your percentile.
5. Build Exam Temperament and Confidence
Practicing CAT previous year papers like CAT 2021 builds the mental toughness you need on exam day. When you sit for the real test, you won’t panic at tricky questions. Instead, you’ll feel prepared, calm, and confident—exactly how toppers approach the CAT exam.
How to Use CAT 2021 Paper for Preparation?
1. Solve in Exam-Like Conditions
Attempt the CAT previous year papers with a strict timer—120 minutes, 40 minutes per section. This simulates the real exam pressure and helps you build stamina for handling the test day environment.
2. Do a Deep Analysis After Each Attempt
Don’t just check scores. Review every wrong and skipped question to identify if the mistake was due to concept clarity, calculation speed, or time pressure. This detailed analysis is where true learning happens.
3. Compare All Three Slots
CAT 2021 had three slots with slight variations in difficulty. By solving all slots, you experience a wider range of questions. This helps you adapt quickly in case your slot in the real CAT is tougher than expected.
4. Refine Section-Wise Strategy
Use CAT 2021 papers to polish strategies for VARC, DILR, and Quant. Practice selective reading in RCs, structured approach in DILR sets, and smart question filtering in Quant. This sharpens both accuracy and efficiency.
5. Reattempt to Track Progress
Don’t just solve CAT 2021 once. Reattempt it after a month to measure improvement in accuracy and speed. If your score goes up, you know your preparation is moving in the right direction.
More important resources for CAT exam:
| CAT Exam Pattern | CAT Previous Year Question Papers |
| CAT Exam Analysis | CAT VARC Syllabus |
| CAT Exam Eligibility | CAT Answer Key |
| CAT DILR Syllabus | CAT Exam Syllabus |
| CAT Admit Card | CAT Percentile vs Score |
FAQs About CAT Question Paper 2021
CAT 2021 was conducted on 28th November 2021 in three slots – morning, afternoon, and evening.
There were 3 slots in CAT 2021, each of 2 hours duration.
CAT 2021 had a total of 66 questions divided across three sections.
The exam was 120 minutes long, with 40 minutes allotted to each section.
CAT 2021 was moderate to difficult. DILR was toughest across slots, while Quant was tricky in Slot 1 and 2.
Slot 1 was considered the toughest due to challenging Quant and DILR.
Slot 3 was relatively more balanced, with moderate Quant and scoring opportunities in VARC.
Each slot had 4 Reading Comprehension passages in the VARC section.
A good attempt was around 35–40 questions with high accuracy.
Yes, CAT 2021 was slightly tougher, especially in DILR and Quant sections.
Yes. Each section had a fixed time of 40 minutes, and candidates couldn’t switch sections.
Yes, an on-screen calculator was provided during the exam.
DILR was considered the toughest section across all slots.