In the CAT exam, accuracy matters more than the number of attempts. Because of negative marking (−1 for every wrong MCQ), a student who attempts 18 questions at 90% accuracy usually outscores one who attempts 26 at 60%.
The smartest CAT strategy is high accuracy with a controlled, well-selected number of attempts, focusing on the right questions rather than trying to solve them all.
Ask any CAT topper what changed their score, and you will rarely hear “I started attempting more questions.” You will hear “I stopped making silly mistakes.” CAT is not a speed race where the person who ticks the most boxes wins. It is a decision-making test, and negative marking is the referee.
Let us settle the accuracy vs. attempts debate for good.
Why does Accuracy vs. Attempts even matter in CAT?
CAT gives you +3 for a correct MCQ and −1 for a wrong one. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions carry no negative marking, and unattempted questions cost nothing. This single marking rule is the reason accuracy beats volume.
The math is brutal. Every wrong MCQ is effectively a 4-mark swing — you lose the 3 you could have earned and take a 1-mark penalty on top. A few careless errors can pull your net score down by 10–15 marks, which in a competitive band can mean a 5–10 percentile drop.
The Numbers: Accuracy vs. Attempts Head to Head
Here is what actually happens on the scorecard when two students take different approaches to the same section.
|
Approach |
Attempts |
Accuracy |
Correct |
Wrong |
Net Marks |
|
Student A (volume) |
26 |
60% |
16 (approx) |
10 |
38 |
|
Student B (accuracy) |
18 |
90% |
16 (approx) |
2 |
46 |
Same correct answers, very different scores. Student B attempted fewer questions, made fewer mistakes, and walked away with 8 more marks — enough to shift a percentile meaningfully. This is the entire argument in one table.
So Do Attempts Not Matter at All?
Yes—but only when paired with accuracy. Attempting too few questions won't get you a high percentile, while attempting too many can hurt due to negative marking. The goal is to find the sweet spot: enough attempts to maximize your score without compromising accuracy.
A simple strategy is to set a target number of attempts for each section and avoid guessing once your accuracy begins to drop.
Section-Wise: Where Accuracy Wins the Most?
VARC — Accuracy Over Everything
Reading Comprehension rewards careful, evidence-based answering. Rushing through passages to attempt more questions is the classic VARC trap. For a 99 percentile, strong scorers often attempt around 20–22 questions with very high accuracy rather than answering everything.
DILR — Selection Is Accuracy
DILR is the most unpredictable section. Toppers rarely solve every set — they choose the right sets. Picking 3–4 solvable sets and nailing them beats attempting all sets and getting tangled. Set selection is itself an accuracy skill.
QA — Concept Clarity Prevents Errors
Quant rewards clean fundamentals. Most wrong answers here come from calculation slips and misread questions, not lack of knowledge. Slow down by two seconds, and your accuracy climbs.
How to Build Accuracy? (Not Just Speed)
• Use elimination smartly — if you can rule out two options, a guess shifts from 25% to 50% odds. Still unsure? Skip.
• Attempt TITA questions freely — they carry no penalty, so they are risk-free marks.
• Set a per-section attempt cap before the exam and stop when accuracy dips.
• Review every mock mistake and ask why it happened — pattern-fixing beats more practice.
• Track your accuracy percentage in every mock, not just your total score.
The Right Practice Material Makes Accuracy Easier
Accuracy is built on strong fundamentals and disciplined practice. GK Publications offers CAT guides, quantitative aptitude books, and previous-year solved papers designed around the real exam pattern, so you practise the way you will actually be tested.
Explore the CAT preparation books collection and the GP Ka Funda by Gautam Puri for concept-building and PYQ practice.
Common Mistakes That Kill Accuracy
• Panic guessing in the final five minutes — the fastest way to donate marks.
• Chasing every question because “more attempts feel productive.”
• Spending too long on one stubborn question and rushing the rest.
• Ignoring accuracy tracking during mock analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is accuracy more important than attempts in CAT?
Yes. High accuracy usually scores better than making more attempts with frequent mistakes because of negative marking.
2. What accuracy should I aim for in CAT?
Aim for 85–90% accuracy. Below 75%, negative marking can significantly reduce your score.
3. How many questions should I attempt for a 99th percentile?
There is no fixed number, but 40–48 well-chosen attempts with high accuracy is a good benchmark on a moderate paper.
4. Do TITA questions have negative marking?
No. TITA questions carry no negative marking, so they're worth attempting.
5. Can a few wrong answers affect my percentile?
Yes. Even 2–3 incorrect MCQs can lower your score and impact your percentile.
