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CAT 2008 Analysis
CAT 2008 had total 90 questions: DI: 25, Quant: 25 and Verbal: 40
There were 4 sets 111, 222 ,333 and 444
This page will get updated frequently, so keep checking
Overall, the CAT 2008 paper was of a slightly difficult level. Also it was noticed that the CAT 2008 paper was more adequate than previous years, primarily because of more choices in the English section. There was an increase in the total number of questions � from 75 to 90 (as compared to the last year), with English section comprising of 40 questions (an increase of 15 from last year) and Quant and DI having 25 questions each.
The Quant section was less difficult than last two years, though not in an absolute sense. It was closer to CAT 2006 than CAT 2007 in terms of level of difficulty. Although the number of questions remained 25 as last year, the questions were relatively much simpler and it was quite possible to solve around 15 questions with a high accuracy level in 50 minutes.
There were only two Data Sufficiency questions but they were more tricky and confusing as compared to the rest. There were more problems involving counting principles, and Modern Math constituted almost 25% of the section. However the questions were quite easy and tested only reasoning from basic concepts.
Geometry took a back seat, while Algebra and Arithmetic remained at the forefront just like last year. The question on finding the circumradius was quite tough to conceptualize.
DI, however, was slightly on the a tougher side for CAT 2008. The DI section was a good mixture of calculation and reasoning based questions. A good selection of questions would have led to the attempt of 12 � 14 question in around 40 minutes
The English section, with more choices, was easier to handle. The verbal section of CAT 2007 was fairly straightforward: 13 VA/VR questions and 12 RC questions (4 passages with 3 questions each).
Verbal Ability/Verbal Reasoning questions had some new takes on old constructs, like Jumbled Paragraphs, which featured five sentences with the first sentence fixed, and in some cases whole paragraphs jumbled instead of single sentences. Grammar/usage/vocabulary-based questions were presented in a novel way in two different types of questions. Complete the Theme questions were the only familiar construct.
The four passages in Reading Comprehension were fairly short, and except for one passage, quite easy to read. They varied in subject: one was on art and literary history, one on sociology, one on historiography and one on philosophy of science. The questions ranged from very simple and direct to challenging and inferential ones.
Overall, this section was of medium difficulty and slightly easier than CAT 2006. A student with good language concepts and reading skills should not have faced any insurmountable difficulties here.
Expected cut-offs:
Quant: 31-34
VA: 46-50
DI: 30-35
Overall: 120 + for calls from one or two IIMs, 132+ for upto four IIMs and 142+ for all six IIMs
CAT 2008 Results will be announced in JAN 2009, but this interactive analysis and CAT 2008 percentile score will give you an idea about where you stand.
Along with this I think it will make sense to have a step by step solution for CAT 2008 questions, this will be helpful for CAT 2009 aspiring candidates.
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