CAT (Common Admission Test) Syllabus

An in-depth article on the syllabus of different areas of CAT

The CAT syllabus covers all essential topics in math, English, and reasoning. Based on the basic principles in these areas, the questions are structured in a sophisticated manner, in order to test the decision-making abilities as well as the time management skills and analytical capabilities of applicants. The CAT exam is the most well-known and highly competitive exam, drawing candidates from all streams of education.

The first step to your preparation for CAT is to be prepared with complete details and knowledge about CAT Syllabus and crucial areas.

According to a well-known African saying, "Knowledge is like a garden: if it's not nurtured, it can't grow."

The CAT filter is the main one utilized by all the 20 IIMs as well as a host of other famous colleges like S.P. Jain, FMS, MDI, etc. for admission into these MBA programs. The test is designed to determine the applicant’s ability to succeed in MBA training.

While IIMs do not have a general syllabus for the CAT we have compiled a complete list of subjects based on the CAT exams of previous years. This article provides all the important areas of the CAT syllabus, as well as the weighting of commonly asked questions.

CAT Syllabus: An Overview

The CAT exam has three parts. It is comprised of MCQ and non-MCQ questions. There are penalties for incorrectly answering MCQs. Before diving into the essential questions of CAT, you should know the pattern of its examination:

CAT Exam Pattern

Important Topics of CAT

Here is a brief overview of the CAT Syllabus to aid your understanding:

CAT Syllabus: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

The CAT Verbal Ability is one area that has witnessed significant changes in topics and structures in the last couple of years. Looking at the subjects that were covered in the CAT's previous test it is essential to be prepared for the following subjects:

·         Reading Comprehension, the exam consisted of 16 RC questions as well as 4 passages on the exam.

·         Paragraph Summary: This is a different subject that has been gaining attention in the past couple of years.

·         Para-jumbles and Misfit Sentences These two subjects are now a common part of the test over the past few years.

If you examine the subjects listed above and the topics, you'll be able to observe that there is a deficiency in a substantial number of subjects. This is because more than 70% of VARC is devoted to RC questions exclusively. It should be noted that there were only eight Questions on VA in the CAT of 2021. the majority of which were not MCQs. However, the pattern is constantly changing, and it is important to be aware of all relevant subjects that have appeared over the past few years. Here are some other key aspects of VARC:

Sentence Completion

Grammar and Utilization (including questions based upon common Grammar mistakes, confusing words, and Phrasal Verbs)

Verbal Reasoning: Fact-Inference-Judgement

Vocabulary-based tests (mainly Fill in the blanks).

Remember that grammar-based questions assess the candidates' ability to spot and correct grammar errors. Tests typically test proficiency in high school grammar and cover areas such as the use of prepositions, articles, and modifiers, the agreement between subject and verb and Parallel constructions, Phrasal verbs redundancy, etc.

Topic-wise Distribution of VARC

Based on our analysis in the VARC section of the previous year's papers on CAT we have highlighted the relative weightage of the various subjects:

CAT Syllabus: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

In the DILR section, there is almost the same amount of questions on questions on Data Interpretation as well as Logical Reasoning. The majority of these questions are sets that have two to six questions each. Here are the major areas of CAT DI as well as the LR, respectively:

·         Tables, Caselets, Graphs Column Graphs Line Charts, and Venn Diagrams, and Pie Charts Mixing of more than two types connected to one another

·         Games & Tournaments, Number and Letter Series, Calendars; Cubes, Clocks, Venn Diagrams, Binary Logic, Seating Arrangement; Syllogism; Logical Sequence; Logical Connectives; Blood Relations.

Topic-wise Distribution of DILR

DILR sets are available in diverse representations and are based on the weightage given:

CAT Syllabus: Quantitative Ability (QA)

Quantitative abilities are a vast area of a CAT test. In the past few years, there's been a greater emphasis on questions based on maths in the QA. The CAT 2021 test featured the vast majority of questions based on arithmetic. Another subject with a lot of significance is Algebra. There were some questions that were based on geometry. Make sure you study the following subjects for a successful CAT QA

·         Number Systems; LCM and HCF; Profit, Loss and Discount; Percentages; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; Simple and Compound Interest; Ratio and Proportion; Averages

·         Quadratic Equations; Linear Equations; Complex Numbers; Logarithm; Binomial Theorem; Sequences and Series; Surds and Indices; Inequalities

·         Probability; Permutation and Combination; Set Theory; Functions; Mixtures and Allegations

·         Geometry; Trigonometry; Coordinate Geometry; and Mensuration.

Topic-wise Distribution of QA

The table below highlights the importance of diverse topics from different domains of Quant:

To improve your score, you must stay up to date with the to improve your CAT Syllabus and the most important areas where the majority of questions are asked. Once you've developed your understanding of various areas, you must put in the time to practice the concepts. Also, be sure to check out the official CAT website to find mock tutorials that will be released in October.

FAQs regarding CAT Syllabus

Can I complete the CAT syllabus in a couple of months?

Yes, you are able to complete your CAT syllabus in a matter of months, if you plan your preparation in a systematic, organized, and efficient manner.

The syllabus of CAT varies each calendar year.

There is no formal syllabus for CAT, there are no significant changes in the subjects. However, the weighting of different subjects has undergone adjustments every few years.

Does the CAT syllabus identical to other MBA entrance exams?

Yes, the syllabus for the CAT is the same as that of the other entrance exams for management such as XAT, MAT, etc.

Which section of CAT is most difficult?

CAT is typically challenging in the sense that it is difficult. In regards to time and effort, VARC mostly takes more time than other parts. This is due to the long and complicated Reading Comprehension passages.

Which part of CAT has the highest importance?

There is very little variation in the weightage assigned to various sections of the CAT. From all three sections, VARC carries the highest scores.

In which month should I finish the CAT syllabus and start taking practice tests?

While there isn't a set date for the CAT exam preparation schedule the majority of applicants want to complete the syllabus in September. The remaining two months, it is possible to take time to practice test-taking mock tests.

Do I have to have a degree in English to be able to pass the CAT?

There are no required college-level skills for the verbal section. However, you should have a decent vocabulary to pass the section.

Do I have to have a degree in Mathematics to be able to pass the CAT?

The syllabus for CAT is very simple and doesn't need graduation expertise.

Do I have to prepare for CAT by doing test prep?

The problem is that this method proves to be ineffective. It is important to have a solid grasp of concepts before you can take mock tests.

Does there exist negative markings in the CAT?

Yes, CAT has negative marks for MCQs however there is no penalty for incorrect answers in non-MCQ parts.