CAT is a computer-based test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their MBA and other management programs. The exam pattern consists of three sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section consists of 34 questions and has a time duration of 60 minutes. The questions are based on topics such as reading comprehension, grammar, para-jumbles, and vocabulary.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of 32 questions and has a time duration of 60 minutes. The questions are based on topics such as data interpretation, logical reasoning, and puzzles.
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section consists of 34 questions and has a time duration of 60 minutes. The questions are based on topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

The total time duration of the CAT is 180 minutes (3 hours). Each section is separately timed, and you cannot switch between sections during the exam.

CAT uses a scoring system based on percentile, which compares your performance to that of all other test-takers. Your percentile score is calculated based on your relative performance in the three sections.

It's important to note that the CAT exam pattern can vary slightly from year to year, and you should check the official CAT website for the most up-to-date information.

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The Quants section changed its pattern from 34 questions to 26 questions in CAT 2020 with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. Anyone can score 90+ percentile in quant if they focus on important topics which have more weightage.

Based on the recent trends, arithmetic and algebra carries a weightage of 60-70% of the total questions.

• Arithmetic : Time, speed and distance, Time and work, Percentages, Ratio-Proportions, Simple and compound Interest, Mixture and alligation, Averages, etc.
• Algebra : Linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, maxima and minima, area under the curve, sequence and series, logarithms and functions.
• Geometry : Plane geometry - triangles and circles, basic trigonometric identities, heights and distances and basic coordinate geometry, 3D- Mensuration (polygon formulas).
• Numbers : HCF and LCM, divisibility rules, factors and multiples, factorials, remainders and cyclicity.
• Modern Maths : Permutations and combinations, basic probability.

These are the important topics in quant, also there may be a few other questions too.

First of all the paper available on IIM Indore’s site is not a sample paper. It comprises some difficult questions from the last IPMAT paper. So yes, the questions asked are of the same difficulty level. However, some questions may be easier as the available sample paper covers the most difficult questions.

The Aptitude Test is especially challenging for the students from Commerce and Humanities stream. The Mathematical part is very difficult and those who did not opt for Maths after High School will have to prepare extra hard. To have an upper hand one needs to focus on higher Mathematics as well.

I have seen instances where students cleared Symbiosis and NM entrances but lost IPMAT as they couldn't clear the AT cutoff. 

Don’t forget to prepare for the other sections as well i.e., Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. They carry equal importance.

IIM Ahmedabad has set the CAT papers 2 times till now, 2009 and 2015. So I will show you the pattern of the paper both the years.

CAT 2009

Time: 150 mins

Number of Questions: 60

Sections:3(VARC,DILR and QA)

VARC Section(20 questions): Moderate-Difficult

The section included RCs and VA(all the basic topics that students practice while preparing).

DILR Section(20 questions): Moderate

DI(10 questions): DI sets were lengthy and involved tedious calculations. More speed was required and speed maths was a challenging part.

LR(10 questions): Pure logical, had little or no calculations.

QA Sections(20 questions): Easy-Moderate

This section tested all basic concepts and formulas. Solving previous years papers will help you in this section.

If the exam is of 2 hours this pattern might be repeated 

CAT 2015

Time: 180 mins

Number of questions: 100

Sections: 3 (VARC,DILR and QA) 

VARC (34 questions): 20 questions were easy

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR:32 questions): 17–18 correct was good attempt) This section was the most challenging part of CAT 2015

Quantitative Ability(34 QUESTIONS)

The relative easiness of the Quant section was overshadowed by the tougher section, which preceded QA (ie DILR) and contributed to the fatigue factor. There was huge emphasis on Arithmetics and Geometry and even a non engineer could easily solve it.

If the exam is of 3 hours then this pattern could be repeated.