CAT 2022 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

CAT 2022 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 26 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 · Odd Sentence Out

   Four sentences are given below. Identify the sentence that does not fit logically with the other three. 1. Archaeological evidence suggests that early human societies practiced agriculture much earlier than previously believed. 2. Advances in radiocarbon dating have revised our understanding of Neolithic timelines. 3. The industrial revolution fundamentally altered labor markets and urban demographics. 4. New excavations in the Fertile Crescent have unearthed tools indicative of systematic crop cultivation. Which sentence is the odd one out?

   • A. Sentence 1
   • B. Sentence 2
   • C. Sentence 3
   • D. Sentence 4
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Sentences 1, 2, and 4 all discuss early agriculture and Neolithic archaeology, whereas sentence 3 pertains to the industrial revolution, making it the odd one.

2. Q2 · Reading Comprehension

   Read the passage and answer the question. Philosophers have long debated whether moral truths are objective or culturally contingent. Proponents of moral relativism argue that ethical norms vary across societies and that no universal standard exists. Yet this stance itself presupposes a universal claim: that all moral systems are equally valid. This paradox has led some scholars to propose a middle ground—recognizing cultural diversity while maintaining that certain core principles, such as prohibitions against arbitrary harm, transcend specific contexts. Which of the following best describes the paradox mentioned in the passage?

   • A. Moral relativism claims all moral systems are equal, which is itself a universal moral claim.
   • B. Objective morality cannot account for cultural variations in ethical norms.
   • C. Core moral principles are universally accepted across all human societies.
   • D. Cultural diversity eliminates the possibility of any shared ethical standards.
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   The passage states that moral relativism makes a universal claim (all systems are equally valid), which contradicts its own premise of no universal standards, making A correct.

3. Q3 · Pie Charts

   A pie chart represents the budget allocation (in percentage) of a company: R&D = 25%, Marketing = 30%, Operations = 20%, HR = 15%, Others = 10%. If the total budget is ₹8 crores, what is the amount allocated to Marketing?

   • A. ₹2.0 crores
   • B. ₹2.2 crores
   • C. ₹2.4 crores
   • D. ₹2.6 crores
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Marketing allocation = 30% of ₹8 crores = 0.30 × 8 = ₹2.4 crores.

4. Q4 · Tables-based DI

   The table below shows the number of cars sold by four dealers (A, B, C, D) over three months (Jan, Feb, Mar): | Dealer | Jan | Feb | Mar | |--------|-----|-----|-----| | A | 40 | 50 | 60 | | B | 55 | 45 | 65 | | C | 48 | 52 | 58 | | D | 62 | 58 | 70 | Which dealer had the maximum percentage increase in sales from Jan to Mar?

   • A. Dealer A
   • B. Dealer B
   • C. Dealer C
   • D. Dealer D
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Percentage increase: A=(60-40)/40×100=50%, B=(65-55)/55×100≈18.2%, C=(58-48)/48×100≈20.8%, D=(70-62)/62×100≈12.9%. Dealer A has the maximum increase of 50%.

5. Q5 · Blood Relations

   Pointing to a photograph, Rajeev says, "She is the daughter of the only son of my grandfather." How is the woman in the photograph related to Rajeev?

   • A. Sister
   • B. Daughter
   • C. Mother
   • D. Niece
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   The only son of Rajeev's grandfather is Rajeev's father. The daughter of Rajeev's father is Rajeev's sister. Therefore, the woman in the photograph is Rajeev's sister.

6. Q6 · Clocks & Calendars

   If 15th August 2021 was a Sunday, what day of the week was 15th August 2023?

   • A. Monday
   • B. Tuesday
   • C. Wednesday
   • D. Thursday
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   From 15 Aug 2021 to 15 Aug 2023 is exactly 2 years = 730 days. 2021 to 2022 has 365 days (not a leap year), 2022 to 2023 has 365 days (not a leap year). Total = 730 days. 730 mod 7 = 2 odd days. Sunday + 2 days = Tuesday.

7. Q7 · Binary Logic / Truth-Tellers

   In a group of four people—P, Q, R, and S—each person is either a truth-teller (always tells the truth) or a liar (always lies). P says, 'Q is a liar.' Q says, 'R and S are both liars.' R says, 'P is a truth-teller.' S says, 'Q is a truth-teller.' How many of them are truth-tellers?

   • A. 1
   • B. 2
   • C. 3
   • D. 0
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Assume P is a truth-teller, then Q is a liar. Q being a liar means 'R and S both liars' is false, so at least one is a truth-teller. R says P is a truth-teller (true), so R is a truth-teller. S says Q is a truth-teller (false since Q is a liar), so S is a liar. Thus, P and R are truth-tellers (2 total).

8. Q8 · Games & Tournaments

   In a knockout tournament with 32 players, how many matches are required to determine the winner?

   • A. 30
   • B. 31
   • C. 32
   • D. 16
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   In a knockout tournament, every match eliminates exactly one player. To determine one winner from 32 players, 31 players must be eliminated, so 31 matches are needed.

9. Q9 · Modern Math

   In how many ways can the letters of the word 'PROMISE' be arranged such that all vowels come together?

   • A. 720
   • B. 1440
   • C. 360
   • D. 480
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Vowels in PROMISE are O, I, E (3 vowels). Treating them as one unit, we have 5 units (PRMIS + vowel-block). These 5 units can be arranged in 5! = 120 ways. The 3 vowels within the block can be arranged in 3! = 6 ways. Total = 120 × 6 = 720.

10. Q10 · Modern Math

    There are 4 roads connecting city A to city B, and 3 roads connecting city B to city C. A person wants to travel from A to C via B and return from C to A via B without using any road more than once. In how many ways can this be done?

    • A. 72
    • B. 144
    • C. 36
    • D. 108
    Answer and solution

    Answer: A

    For A to B to C: select 1 of 4 roads A→B and 1 of 3 roads B→C = 4×3 = 12 ways. For return C to A via B: use different roads, so 3 of remaining 2 roads B→C and 1 of remaining 3 roads A→B = 2×3 = 6 ways. Total = 12×6 = 72.