CAT Syllabus: CAT (Common Admission Test) is an entrance exam for IIM aspirants who aim for top business schools in India. This article will give a brief overview of what’s in the CAT syllabus, including the main topics and how to prepare for the test effectively.
The CAT Syllabus covers various subjects that are important for MBA preparation. This includes sections like QA, VARC, and DILR. Let’s get into the detailed syllabus. We also advise aspirants to check the CAT Previous Papers to know the type of questions being asked in the exam.
CAT Syllabus Overview
| Sections | Topics |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Inference-based questions, Fact-based questions, Main-idea based questions, Tone of the author questions, and Purpose of the author questions.RC from Arts, Science, History, Humanities, Philosophy and Psychology etc.Para Summary, Odd-one Out, Para Jumbles and Para Completions are asked. |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Arrangement puzzles, Einstein puzzles, Venn-diagrams, Tables with Missing Values, Miscellaneous puzzles.Bar graphs, Pie charts, Histograms, Successive percentage changes, Profit changes across years and Growth over Years. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Maths, Number Systems, Logarithms, Mensuration and Probability. |
CAT Syllabus: VARC
The VARC section in the CAT exam tests the language comprehension skills. This section has 24 questions. These are further divided into two sections: Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. You must also work on your language and vocabulary skills to crack this section in the CAT exam.
| Section | Questions | Question Type | No. of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 4 RCs with 4 Questions each | MCQs | 16 |
| Verbal Ability | Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Sentence Completion | MCQs & TITAs | 8 |
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is asked majorly in the VARC section. As per the past years’ trends, you get to see 4 RCs in various genres. Generally, RCs are 500 – 600 words with 4 – 6 paragraphs. There are no grammar-based questions. But you should have knowledge of grammar to comprehend better.
Genres of CAT RCs
| Technology | Evolution | Discovery | Psychology |
| Science | Astrology | Law | Literature |
| Nature | Politics | Philosophy | Sociology |
| Animal | Crime | Environment | Fiction |
Question Types in CAT RCs
| Vocabulary/Phrase Based | Critical Reasoning Based | Central Theme Based |
| Tone-Based | Title Based | Structure-Based |
| Inference Types | Main Idea Based | Fact-Based |
Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability includes four major types of questions i.e. Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out and Sentence Completion/Placement. These usually test the usage of the English language and its correct & appropriate usage. Here, it requires your grammatical, sentence structure, and paraphrasing skills.
| Topic | Questions | Question Type | No. of Questions |
| Para Jumbles | Arranging the sequence of sentences | TITA | 2 |
| Para Summary | Choose the correct summary among the given options | MCQ | 2 |
| Odd One Out | Select the sentence that is not coherent with the paragraph formation | TITA | 2 |
| Sentence Completion | Place the sentence at the right gap to make a coherent paragraph | TITA/MCQ | 2 |
CAT Syllabus: DILR
DILR is an important section of CAT. It has 4 sets with 5 questions each. In total, the section has 20 questions. Usually, this section demands strong problem-solving skills. It is ideal if you can solve at least 2 out of 4 sets. This section is divided into two parts: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation sets test how good you are with numbers and data. This section requires strong calculation and number approximation skills. You can check the major topics of this section below:
| Tables | Bar Graph | Pie Chart |
| Reasoning based DI | Data Arrangement | Mathematical Puzzles |
| Line Graph | Venn Diagram | Radar Chart |
| Histogram | Caselets | Networks and Diagrams |
Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning tests the student’s ability and the clarity to approach and solve any problem strategically. It tests the logical aptitude of the candidate. You can check the major logical reasoning topics below.
| Sequencing | Binary Logic | Cubes |
| Routes | Games & Tournaments | 2D/3D Space LRs |
| Linear Arrangement | Circular Arrangement | Selection |
| Coin Picking | Conditional LRs | Case-based LRs |
CAT Syllabus: QA
This is one of the most important sections to prepare for the CAT exam. This section has vast concepts. As of last year, there were a total of 22 questions in this section. The major sections are Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths. Each topic has a sub-topic. You have a total of 40 minutes to solve this section.
| Time, Speed & Distance | Roots | Circles | Factors | Permutation |
| Time & Work | Modulus | 3D Geometry | Remainder | Averages |
| SI & CI | Graphs | Mensuration | Divisibility | Probability |
| Ratio Proportion & Variation | Maxima & Minima | Trigonometry | Properties of Numbers | Linear Equation |
| Profit & Loss | Quadratic Equation | Triangles | HCF & LCM | Combination |
| Percentages | Inequalities | Quadrilaterals | Factorial | Combinatorics |
| Mixture & Allegations | Logarithms | Coordinate Geometry | Euler Number | Sequencing & Series |
We advise the aspirants to visit various MBA preparation sites such as Cracku, Time, IMS and CL to maximize your online CAT Preparation.
