CDAC C-CAT Exam Pattern – Sections, Marking Scheme, Duration
CDAC C-CAT Exam Pattern
The CDAC Computerized Common Admission Test (C-CAT) is a computer-based entrance examination conducted for admission to C-DAC’s Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate programmes. According to the official admission booklet, the exam consists of three independent sections (A, B and C), each containing 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. Candidates attempt one, two or all three sections depending on the course category they are applying for.
Official Exam Structure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Sections | 3 (Section A, B and C) |
| Questions per Section | 50 MCQs |
| Duration per Section | 60 minutes |
| Total Questions | Up to 150 MCQs |
| Maximum Duration | Up to 180 minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Each section is conducted in a separate one-hour slot. Once the allotted time for a section ends, candidates cannot return to it later.
Sections Covered
Section A
Tests general aptitude and fundamentals.
Topics include:
- English
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Logical Reasoning
- Computer Fundamentals
Section B
Tests programming and core computer science concepts.
Topics include:
- C Programming
- Data Structures & Algorithms
- Object-Oriented Programming (C++)
- Operating Systems
- Data Communication & Computer Networks
- Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data
Section C
Tests electronics and hardware concepts.
Topics include:
- Computer Architecture
- Digital Electronics
- Microprocessors
Marking Scheme
The official marking scheme is:
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 |
| Incorrect Answer | −1 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
Since every wrong answer carries negative marking, avoid random guessing. If you can eliminate two or three options confidently, an educated guess may still be worthwhile.
Which Sections Should You Attempt?
The sections you need to appear for depend on the admission category of your chosen course.
| Admission Category | Sections to Attempt |
|---|---|
| Category I | Section A |
| Category II | Sections A + B |
| Category III | Sections A + B + C |
Most software-oriented programmes such as PG-DAC, PG-DBDA, PG-AI, and PG-ITISS fall under Category II, meaning candidates usually attempt Sections A and B.
Programmes related to embedded systems and electronics, such as PG-DESD, typically require Category III, where all three sections are mandatory.
Always verify the category of your desired course in the latest admission booklet before applying.
Section B Topic Distribution (Previous Exam Trends)
Important: C-DAC does not publish an official chapter-wise weightage. The following distribution is based on trends observed across previous admission cycles and should be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed pattern.
| Topic | Approximate Questions |
|---|---|
| C Programming | 15–18 |
| Operating Systems + Computer Networks | 10–12 |
| Artificial Intelligence + Big Data | 9–12 |
| Data Structures & Algorithms | 9–12 |
| C++ & Object-Oriented Programming | 8–10 |
Actual weightage may vary from one C-CAT examination to another.
What Kind of Questions Are Asked?
Many aspirants focus only on programming problems, but previous C-CAT papers include a healthy mix of theory, conceptual questions, and code-based MCQs.
C Programming
Expect questions on:
- Output prediction
- Pointers
- Arrays
- Functions
- Structures
- Memory concepts
- Code snippets
Data Structures
Besides implementation questions, prepare:
- Time Complexity
- Space Complexity
- Searching
- Sorting
- Trees
- Stacks
- Queues
- Linked Lists
Time and Space Complexity are among the most frequently tested DSA concepts.
Operating Systems
Questions often cover:
- Processes
- Threads
- Scheduling
- Deadlocks
- Paging
- Virtual Memory
- File Systems
Many questions are straightforward concept checks rather than lengthy problem-solving exercises.
Computer Networks
Frequently tested topics include:
- OSI Model
- TCP/IP
- HTTP
- DNS
- DHCP
- Routing
- Switching
- TCP vs UDP
Also revise common abbreviations and their full forms, such as:
- MAC — Media Access Control
- DNS — Domain Name System
- DHCP — Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
- TCP — Transmission Control Protocol
- UDP — User Datagram Protocol
C++ & OOP
Expect direct theory questions on:
- Classes
- Objects
- Constructors
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
- Encapsulation
- Abstraction
- Virtual Functions
You may also encounter conceptual questions such as:
- Top-down vs Bottom-up programming
- Features of object-oriented programming
- Differences between C and C++
Revision Is Extremely Important
Many C-CAT questions are direct concept-based rather than complex coding problems.
For example, previous papers have included questions on:
- Inventors of C and C++
- OOP principles
- Networking abbreviations
- Operating system fundamentals
- Definitions and terminology
A thorough revision of every subject in the final weeks before the exam can significantly improve your score.
Key Takeaways
- C-CAT consists of three independent sections with 50 questions each.
- Each section has a 60-minute time limit.
- The marking scheme is +3 for a correct answer and −1 for an incorrect answer.
- Category II candidates generally attempt Sections A and B, while Category III candidates attempt all three sections.
- C-DAC does not publish official chapter-wise weightage; topic distributions available online are based on previous exam trends.
- Revise theory thoroughly—many questions are direct concept or terminology-based rather than coding-intensive.