How Many Questions Should I Attempt to Get a 99 Percentile in CAT?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive exam in India, taken by aspirants aiming for admission into prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools. Scoring a 99 percentile in CAT is a significant achievement, but the number of questions you need to attempt to reach this benchmark depends on several factors, including the overall difficulty of the exam, your accuracy rate, and the specific section you're targeting.

Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern

Before delving into the number of questions required for a 99 percentile, it’s important to understand the CAT exam pattern. CAT is divided into three sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section has a specific time limit, and the number of questions can vary slightly every year. Typically, CAT consists of around 66 questions, with 40 minutes allocated for each section.

• VARC: 24 questions
• DILR: 20 questions
• QA: 22 questions

Target for a 99 Percentile in CAT

CAT is a relative scoring exam, meaning your percentile depends on how well others perform. To achieve a 99 percentile, you need to be among the top 1% of the test-takers. Based on trends from previous years, a score between 98 to 105 marks out of 198 is generally needed for a 99 percentile. However, the number of attempts varies based on the difficulty of the exam and your accuracy.

Ideal Number of Questions to Attempt

Considering a safe strategy for achieving a 99 percentile involves the following estimations based on accuracy and difficulty:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Attempt: 16–18 questions
• Accuracy: Around 85–90%
• Expected Net Score: 40–45 marks

VARC is known to be challenging for many aspirants, especially with tricky reading comprehension passages. Aim to attempt about 16–18 questions with a strong focus on accuracy. A higher number of correct answers can significantly boost your overall score.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Attempt: 12–14 questions
• Accuracy: 85–90%
• Expected Net Score: 36–42 marks

DILR tends to be the most unpredictable section, and even top scorers often find it tough. Here, solving fewer questions with high accuracy is the key. Attempting 12–14 questions can be sufficient if you maintain a high level of accuracy.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Attempt: 14–16 questions
• Accuracy: 85–90%
• Expected Net Score: 38–44 marks

For many aspirants, QA is either a strength or a weakness. Focus on clearing the basics and accuracy here. Attempting 14–16 questions with accuracy can fetch you a solid score to complement the other sections.

The Importance of Accuracy Over Attempts

It’s important to remember that accuracy plays a more crucial role than the number of attempts. Since CAT has negative marking (1 mark deduction for every incorrect answer), reckless attempts can lower your score. Therefore, rather than attempting more questions, focus on ensuring that the questions you answer are correct.

• Negative Marking: For every incorrect answer in MCQs, you lose 1 mark.
• No Negative Marking: For non-MCQs (Type In The Answer or TITA), there is no negative marking, so attempt all of these questions.

Section-Wise Strategy

VARC:

Focus on reading comprehension passages carefully and answer confidently. For verbal questions, practice para-jumbles, para-summary, and odd-sentence out, as these are typically scoring areas.

DILR:

Try to identify 2–3 sets that seem manageable and attempt those with high accuracy. It’s better to leave tougher sets for the end to avoid time wastage.

QA:

Concentrate on easier questions first to secure marks quickly. Topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry often have simpler questions.

To secure a 99 percentile in CAT, you should aim to attempt around 45–48 questions with a minimum accuracy of 85–90%. The actual number of questions can vary depending on the exam’s difficulty level, but maintaining a balance between attempts and accuracy is crucial. Practice mock tests regularly, analyze your performance, and fine-tune your strategy to increase your chances of scoring in the 99 percentile range.

Good luck with your CAT preparation!

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Xavier Peter

Xavier Peter is a seasoned guide for undergraduate courses, dedicated to enriching the academic journeys of his students. He holds an MA from Delhi University, where he also completed his BA (Honors). With a strong academic background and a commitment to education, Xavier strives to provide insightful guidance and support to his students, helping them excel in their studies and beyond.