In this article, you can access the CAT 2021 Question Papers for Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3, along with their solutions and answer keys. You will also find a slot-wise analysis of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) sections.
Use these papers as timed practice tests, review your mistakes and identify the concepts that need more work.
CAT 2021 Question Paper PDF Download: All Slots
Download the question papers and solutions for all three CAT 2021 slots from the table below.
| CAT 2021 Slot | Question Paper PDF | Solutions PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | Download question paper | Download solution |
| Slot 2 | Download question paper | Download solution |
| Slot 3 | Download question paper | Download solution |
Note for the website publisher: Replace each placeholder URL with the corresponding hosted PDF link before publishing. These are not live download links yet.
CAT 2021 Exam Pattern
CAT 2021 was conducted in three slots on 28 November 2021. The paper contained 66 questions divided across three sections, with a separate 40-minute time limit for each section.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
The three sections test different skills:
VARC: Reading comprehension, interpretation, verbal reasoning and paragraph-based questions.
DILR: Logical reasoning, interpreting data, identifying relationships and solving structured sets.
QA: Mathematical concepts, quantitative reasoning and problem-solving.
For effective practice, follow the original sectional time limits rather than treating the paper as one unrestricted two-hour test.
CAT 2021 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis
VARC Analysis
The Slot 1 VARC section included reading comprehension passages and verbal ability questions. The supplied paper covers topics such as utopian societies and ancient Maya ideas about personhood.
When attempting this section, focus on understanding the author's argument, identifying the central idea and distinguishing between statements supported by the passage and options that go beyond it.
Preparation takeaway: Practise reading comprehension under timed conditions. Review incorrect answers to understand whether the issue was passage comprehension, inference or option elimination.
DILR Analysis
The Slot 1 DILR paper included sets involving research papers across journal issues, a smoothie business and raw materials, relationships, and sales graphs.
These types of questions require you to organise information carefully before attempting calculations or drawing conclusions.
Preparation takeaway: Spend time identifying the structure of each set. Build a table, diagram or other representation where appropriate, and choose sets based on how clearly you understand the information—not just how familiar the topic looks.
Quantitative Aptitude Analysis
The QA section tested quantitative problem-solving through numerical and word-based questions, including algebraic reasoning and other mathematical applications.
Preparation takeaway: Strengthen fundamentals before moving to timed mixed-question practice. During review, distinguish between questions you could not solve and questions you could solve but handled inefficiently.
CAT 2021 Slot 1 Answer Key
The following answer key is transcribed from the supplied Slot 1 solutions PDF. For worked explanations, refer to the solutions download in the table above.
VARC — Questions 1–24
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | 13 | B |
| 2 | A | 14 | B |
| 3 | A | 15 | B |
| 4 | A | 16 | A |
| 5 | D | 17 | A |
| 6 | A | 18 | 5 |
| 7 | B | 19 | 4312 |
| 8 | D | 20 | D |
| 9 | A | 21 | 4 |
| 10 | C | 22 | 2341 |
| 11 | B | 23 | A |
| 12 | A | 24 | 2143 |
DILR — Questions 25–44
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | A | 35 | A |
| 26 | 8 | 36 | D |
| 27 | C | 37 | A |
| 28 | C | 38 | B |
| 29 | D | 39 | 3 |
| 30 | A | 40 | 4 |
| 31 | A | 41 | C |
| 32 | B | 42 | B |
| 33 | B | 43 | 1 |
| 34 | 6 | 44 | A |
QA — Questions 45–66
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | C | 56 | C |
| 46 | D | 57 | 35 |
| 47 | A | 58 | 120 |
| 48 | D | 59 | A |
| 49 | C | 60 | 99 |
| 50 | B | 61 | 32 |
| 51 | 47 | 62 | D |
| 52 | 1000 | 63 | 200 |
| 53 | B | 64 | B |
| 54 | B | 65 | A |
| 55 | 70 | 66 | A |
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis
VARC Analysis
The Slot 2 VARC section included passages on knowledge and scepticism, endangered languages, linguistic diversity and digital preservation.
These themes reward careful reading and the ability to follow an author's reasoning. Rather than relying on general knowledge about a subject, answer according to the information and logic presented in the passage.
Preparation takeaway: After each passage, summarise its main argument in your own words. For every incorrect answer, identify the exact part of the passage that supports or contradicts the option.
DILR Analysis
The Slot 2 DILR section included a restaurant-related set involving customer ratings, with factors such as behaviour, packaging, hygiene and timeliness, alongside information about tips.
Such questions test your ability to combine multiple conditions and avoid overlooking relationships between variables.
Preparation takeaway: Convert the information given into a structured table before calculating answers. Keep intermediate values organised, and verify that your final answer satisfies all the conditions in the question.
Quantitative Aptitude Analysis
The supplied Slot 2 paper includes questions involving integers, arithmetic progressions, digit conditions and quantitative relationships.
Preparation takeaway: Practise translating word problems into equations, checking mathematical restrictions and solving efficiently. When a question becomes calculation-heavy, assess whether you can make progress within the time available.
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Answer Key
The following answers are transcribed from the supplied Slot 2 solutions PDF.
VARC — Questions 1–24
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | 13 | B |
| 2 | D | 14 | D |
| 3 | A | 15 | C |
| 4 | B | 16 | A |
| 5 | C | 17 | B |
| 6 | D | 18 | 2413 |
| 7 | A | 19 | 1 |
| 8 | B | 20 | 5 |
| 9 | D | 21 | 3214 |
| 10 | A | 22 | D |
| 11 | C | 23 | C |
| 12 | B | 24 | A |
DILR — Questions 25–44
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 6 | 35 | A |
| 26 | 11 | 36 | D |
| 27 | B | 37 | B |
| 28 | C | 38 | D |
| 29 | C | 39 | 5 |
| 30 | C | 40 | C |
| 31 | 12 | 41 | 6 |
| 32 | D | 42 | B |
| 33 | B | 43 | B |
| 34 | A | 44 | A |
QA — Questions 45–66
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 7 | 56 | 5 |
| 46 | C | 57 | A |
| 47 | 4195 | 58 | D |
| 48 | D | 59 | C |
| 49 | 1000 | 60 | 250 |
| 50 | A | 61 | 10 |
| 51 | B | 62 | B |
| 52 | 45 | 63 | D |
| 53 | A | 64 | 30 |
| 54 | 5 | 65 | A |
| 55 | A | 66 | A |
CAT 2021 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis
VARC Analysis
The Slot 3 VARC paper included passages about language instinct, the ideas associated with Noam Chomsky and Steven Pinker, and the development of the unconscious.
These topics require readers to understand arguments, compare viewpoints and interpret abstract concepts. A strong approach is to identify the author's purpose and follow how the passage develops its argument.
Preparation takeaway: Practise reading unfamiliar subjects without getting stuck on individual words. Focus on the overall argument, the role of each paragraph and the evidence behind your chosen answer.
DILR Analysis
One of the sets in the supplied Slot 3 paper involves bottles containing pure and impure solutions, requiring reasoning about impurity concentration. The paper also tests structured logical reasoning and data interpretation.
Questions involving mixtures or changing concentrations can become confusing if the quantities and relationships are not recorded clearly.
Preparation takeaway: Write down the initial conditions, each change and the resulting quantities. Avoid relying on mental calculations when a small table or equation can reduce errors.
Quantitative Aptitude Analysis
The supplied Slot 3 QA paper includes questions involving shirt costs, work rates, percentages and numerical relationships.
Preparation takeaway: Revise arithmetic and algebra fundamentals, then practise mixed questions under a time limit. Pay attention to units, percentage bases and the difference between a numerical condition and what the question actually asks you to calculate.
CAT 2021 Slot 3 Answer Key
The following answers are transcribed from the supplied Slot 3 solutions PDF.
VARC — Questions 1–24
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | 13 | B |
| 2 | A | 14 | B |
| 3 | C | 15 | A |
| 4 | C | 16 | C |
| 5 | C | 17 | 3412 |
| 6 | D | 18 | 2314 |
| 7 | C | 19 | 4 |
| 8 | C | 20 | D |
| 9 | D | 21 | 3 |
| 10 | D | 22 | D |
| 11 | C | 23 | C |
| 12 | C | 24 | 3214 |
DILR — Questions 25–44
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | D | 35 | A |
| 26 | 1 | 36 | C |
| 27 | 2 | 37 | C |
| 28 | D | 38 | C |
| 29 | D | 39 | 3 |
| 30 | A | 40 | 1 |
| 31 | D | 41 | 3 |
| 32 | C | 42 | B |
| 33 | C | 43 | D |
| 34 | D | 44 | C |
QA — Questions 45–66
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | C | 56 | 34 |
| 46 | B | 57 | 8 |
| 47 | C | 58 | C |
| 48 | 12 | 59 | B |
| 49 | C | 60 | B |
| 50 | B | 61 | D |
| 51 | D | 62 | 3000 |
| 52 | 92 | 63 | 6 |
| 53 | B | 64 | 50 |
| 54 | A | 65 | B |
| 55 | 3500 | 66 | C |
How to Use CAT 2021 PYPs Effectively
Downloading the papers is only the first step. To get the most value from CAT previous-year questions, follow a structured process.
Step 1: Attempt a full paper under exam conditions
Choose one slot and attempt it as a mock test. Follow the 40-minute sectional time limits and avoid checking solutions while answering.
Step 2: Review your answers
Use the corresponding solutions PDF to check your answers. Categorise mistakes into:
Conceptual errors
Calculation mistakes
Misreading or misinterpreting the question
Incorrect question selection
Time-management issues
Step 3: Analyse your sectional performance
Review VARC, DILR and QA separately. A strong overall score can conceal a weak section, so assess both accuracy and the time spent on individual questions or sets.
Step 4: Reattempt questions you got wrong
After reviewing a solution, close it and solve the question again independently. This helps you determine whether you have understood the method or merely followed the explanation.
Step 5: Maintain an error log
Record the question, the reason for your mistake, the correct approach and the concept you need to revise. Revisit this log before your next mock test.
Step 6: Compare all three slots
Attempting multiple slots can help you experience different question combinations and practise adapting your strategy. Compare your own performance across the papers rather than assuming that a single slot represents every CAT paper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I download the CAT 2021 question paper PDF?
You can use the combined download table at the beginning of this article to access the Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 question papers. The publisher must replace the placeholder links with the actual hosted PDF URLs before the links will work.
2. Are solutions available for all three slots?
Yes. The supplied materials include separate solutions PDFs for Slots 1, 2 and 3. The article also provides slot-wise answer keys for quick checking.
3. How many questions were asked in CAT 2021?
CAT 2021 had 66 questions: 24 in VARC, 20 in DILR and 22 in QA.
4. How much time was allotted to each section?
Each section had a 40-minute time limit, making the total examination duration 120 minutes.
5. Should I solve all three CAT 2021 slots?
Solving all three can give you more practice across different sets of questions. Start with one paper, analyse your mistakes, and then attempt another to evaluate whether your strategy and accuracy have improved.
6. What is the best way to analyse a CAT previous-year paper?
Attempt the paper under timed conditions, check the answers, review every incorrect or guessed response, identify recurring weaknesses and practise those concepts before your next test.
7. Are the answer keys in this article sufficient for learning?
The answer keys are useful for checking responses, but an answer alone does not explain the reasoning. Refer to the relevant solutions PDF to understand the method and then reattempt the question independently.
Conclusion
The CAT 2021 question papers for Slots 1, 2 and 3 provide useful practice for aspirants preparing for the CAT exam. They help you work on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation, quantitative concepts and exam-time decision-making.
Download the papers, attempt them under timed conditions and use the solutions to identify what you need to improve. Consistent analysis and deliberate practice can make your preparation more focused and effective.
Start with one slot today, review your performance honestly and use what you learn to plan your next practice session.