CAT 2021 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

CAT 2021 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 18 PYQ-pattern questions in this set — freshly worded in that year's pattern, not the original questions. Answers and solutions open under each question.

1. Q1 · Para Completion

   Read the paragraph and choose the sentence that best completes it. Climate models have grown increasingly sophisticated, incorporating vast datasets and machine learning algorithms. Despite these advancements, predicting regional weather patterns decades into the future remains fraught with uncertainty. Factors such as oceanic currents and feedback loops introduce variables that can shift outcomes dramatically. ___________ Which sentence best completes the paragraph?

   • A. Therefore, climate science has reached its absolute limits and cannot improve further.
   • B. This underscores the importance of refining models and maintaining humility about long-term forecasts.
   • C. Regional weather patterns are now perfectly predictable for the next century.
   • D. Oceanic currents have no impact on climate variability whatsoever.
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The paragraph emphasizes ongoing challenges and uncertainties, so option B logically extends that theme with a call for refinement and caution.

2. Q2 · Para Summary

   Read the paragraph and select the option that best summarizes it. The proliferation of social media platforms has democratized content creation, allowing individuals to reach global audiences without traditional gatekeepers. However, this accessibility has also enabled the rapid spread of misinformation and polarized discourse. Platforms are now experimenting with algorithmic transparency and fact-checking partnerships to mitigate these harms, though critics question whether self-regulation is sufficient. Which option best summarizes the paragraph?

   • A. Social media has empowered users but also facilitated misinformation, prompting platforms to attempt self-regulation amid skepticism.
   • B. Traditional gatekeepers have been entirely replaced by social media algorithms.
   • C. Algorithmic transparency has fully solved the problem of online misinformation.
   • D. Critics universally support self-regulation by social media companies.
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   The paragraph balances the benefits and challenges of social media and notes both platform efforts and critics' doubts, making A the most accurate summary.

3. Q3 · Scatter & Radar Charts

   A radar chart shows the performance scores (out of 10) of five students (A, B, C, D, E) across five subjects: Math, Science, English, History, Geography. Student A scored 8, 7, 9, 6, 8 respectively. Student B scored 9, 8, 7, 7, 9 respectively. Which student has the higher total score and by how much?

   • A. Student A by 2
   • B. Student B by 2
   • C. Both have equal scores
   • D. Student B by 1
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Student A total: 8+7+9+6+8 = 38. Student B total: 9+8+7+7+9 = 40. Difference is 40-38 = 2, so Student B is higher by 2.

4. Q4 · Bar Charts

   A bar chart displays the number of books sold by a bookstore in five genres: Fiction=320, Non-Fiction=280, Mystery=240, Romance=300, Science=260. If the bookstore wants the average sales across all genres to be 300, how many additional books need to be sold in total?

   • A. 80
   • B. 100
   • C. 120
   • D. 140
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Current total sales = 320+280+240+300+260 = 1400. Required total for average 300 across 5 genres = 300×5 = 1500. Additional books needed = 1500-1400 = 100.

5. Q5 · Syllogism

   Statements: • All managers are leaders. • Some leaders are innovators. • No innovator is a follower. Conclusions: I. Some managers are innovators. II. No leader is a follower. III. Some leaders are not followers. Which conclusion(s) logically follow(s)?

   • A. Only I
   • B. Only III
   • C. Only I and III
   • D. None of these
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   I is invalid because 'some leaders are innovators' does not guarantee 'some managers are innovators.' II is invalid because only 'some leaders' (those who are innovators) are confirmed not to be followers. III is valid: since some leaders are innovators and no innovator is a follower, some leaders are definitely not followers.

6. Q6 · Arithmetic

   A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above its cost price and then offers a discount of 25% on the marked price. What is his profit percentage?

   • A. 5%
   • B. 10%
   • C. 15%
   • D. 20%
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Let cost price = 100. Marked price = 140. After 25% discount, selling price = 140 × 0.75 = 105. Profit = 105 - 100 = 5, so profit percentage = 5%.

7. Q7 · Modern Math

   A die is rolled twice. What is the probability that the sum of the numbers on the two rolls is 8?

   • A. 1/9
   • B. 5/36
   • C. 1/6
   • D. 7/36
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Total outcomes = 6×6 = 36. Favorable outcomes for sum = 8: (2,6), (3,5), (4,4), (5,3), (6,2) = 5 outcomes. Probability = 5/36.

8. Q8 · Modern Math

   A 4-digit number is to be formed using the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 without repetition. How many such numbers are divisible by 5?

   • A. 48
   • B. 96
   • C. 108
   • D. 120
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   For divisibility by 5, units place must be 0 or 5. Case 1: Units = 0, then first 3 positions from {1,2,3,4,5} with first ≠ 0: 5×4×3 = 60. Case 2: Units = 5, then first digit from {1,2,3,4} (not 0 or 5): 4 choices, then 2nd and 3rd from remaining 4 digits: 4×4×3 = 48. Total = 60 + 48 = 108.

9. Q9 · Pie Charts

   A pie chart represents the market share of five smartphone brands in a city. Brand A holds 25%, Brand B 20%, Brand C 30%, Brand D 15%, and Brand E 10%. If the total market is valued at ₹800 crore, what is the value of Brand C's market share?

   • A. ₹200 crore
   • B. ₹240 crore
   • C. ₹160 crore
   • D. ₹300 crore
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Brand C holds 30% of ₹800 crore, which equals ₹240 crore.

10. Q10 · Word Analogies

    Select the option that best completes the analogy: PALLIATE : INTENSIFY

    • A. Aggravate : Worsen
    • B. Mitigate : Alleviate
    • C. Conceal : Reveal
    • D. Suppress : Repress
    Answer and solution

    Answer: C

    Palliate means to reduce severity, while intensify means to increase it—they are antonyms; similarly, conceal and reveal are antonyms.