CAT Exam Syllabus 2024
The Common Admission Test or CAT is attempted by candidates willing to pursue management programs at the post-graduation level. Candidates should work hard and practice consistently along with a clear understanding of the CAT syllabus to crack the exam with ease.
Read ahead to learn more about CAT exam syllabus 2024.
CAT 2024: HIGHLIGHTS
Based on the previous year’s exam pattern, the CAT exam syllabus and paper pattern are split up in the following manner:
| COMPONENTS | DETAILS |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-based |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Time allotted | 2 hours |
| Total number of Questions | 66 |
| Number of Questions Section-wise | VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22 |
| Time Allotted for each Section | 40 minutes per section |
CAT SYLLABUS 2024: OVERVIEW
The CAT is a computer-based test held every year by one of the IIMs (according to rotation policy). The exam syllabus is quite vast. Although IIMs does not release any fixed exam syllabus but as per previous year’s papers it is anticipated that the CAT exam is bifurcated into three sections: Verbal Ability (VARC), Data Interpretation (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
CAT SYLLABUS 2024: IMPORTANT TOPICS
Before getting into the comprehensive syllabus structure, it is important to know the important topics from each section of the CAT exam syllabus.
- VARC
RC passages Based Questions, Para-Jumbles & Para- Summary, and Inferences, Sentence Completion - DILR
Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Graphs, Tables, Data Caselets, Blood Relation - QA
Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Time, Work, and topics of middle school mathematics
CAT SYLLABUS 2024: SECTION-WISE BREAKUP
Candidate should score well in each section to get a good percentile. Hence, candidates should understand the section-wise breakage to enhance their preparation. Here is the detailed bifurcation of each section:
VARC
- MCQs asked: 19
- Non-MCQs asked: 5
- Total Questions: 24
- Question Type:
- 4 passages of reading comprehension (RC) with 4 questions each
- 3 Para jumbles
- 2 Para completions
- 3 Para summary
DILR
- MCQs asked: 15
- Non-MCQs asked: 5
- Total Questions: 20
- Question Type: 4 sets of 5 questions that include topics such as bar graphs, missing data, and puzzles
QA
- MCQs asked: 14
- Non-MCQs asked: 8
- Total Questions: 22
- Question Type: Arithmetic, Algebra with 4 questions of geometry
CAT SYLLABUS: SECTION-WISE ANALYSIS
Based on CAT 2022 exam pattern, the weightage inferred for the following topic is:
| CAT Syllabus Sections | Topics | Weightage for 2022 |
| Reading Comprehension | RC passages | 24% |
| Verbal Ability | Jumbled paragraph, Para Summary and Inferences | 10% |
| Logical Reasoning | Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Clocks & Calendars, Directions, Sequences, and Logical Connectives | 16% |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Graphs, Charts, and other visualization arrangements | 16% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Systems, Geometry, Trigonometry, Percentages, Mensuration, Averages, Arithmetic | 34% |
The CAT aspirant should be thorough with the CAT exam syllabus and the CAT exam pattern and accordingly devise a study plan for CAT 2024. Aspirants should know their strengths and weaknesses and then attempt the questions to ensure high accuracy and a good score in the CAT exam.
CAT VARC SYLLABUS 2024
Candidates get 40 minutes to answer verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC) questions. Reading comprehension has the maximum weightage under this section and therefore needs more attention.
The detailed VARC section topics are listed below:
| Grammar | One-Word Substitution | Verbal Reasoning |
| Sentence Correction | Errors in tenses | Analogies |
| Fill in the blanks | Preposition | Parts of speech |
| Verbal logic | Para jumbles | Different use of the same word |
| Jumbled paragraphs | Articles usage | Foreign language words used in English |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Types of clauses | Subject-verb agreement |
Here is the tabular form that shows the important VARC topics, questions asked and the weightage it carries:
| VARC TOPICS | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Jumbled Paragraphs | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Summary | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| VA-Odd Sentence Out | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| TOTAL | 24 |
CAT 2024: Best Books for VARC Preparation
- Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (Gautam Puri)
- The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (Nishit Sinha)
- Past Years’ CAT Questions (G.K. Publications)
CAT DILR SYLLABUS 2024
DILR is the second section of the CAT exam with two subsections:
- Data Interpretation
- Logical Reasoning
Under this section, the aspirant’s ability to read and analyze the visual representations of data is tested. Compared to other CAT exam sections, this section remains unspecified and is quite difficult to attempt. Here the questions asked cover a wide range of topics moreover the CAT aspirant should have mastery in logical reasoning and data representation.
The DILR section of the CAT exam comprises questions on Data Arrangement, Missing Data, Set theory, Number based reasoning, Abstract Data, etc.
Here is the list of the topics that might be included in DILR sections:
| Seating Arrangement | Syllogism | Clocks and Calendars |
| Series | Blood Relations | Venn Diagram |
| Data Arrangement | Statements | Tables |
| Binary Logic | Pie-Charts | Direction Sense |
| Family Tree | Proposition | Coding-Decoding |
| Assumptions | Data Sufficiency | Puzzles |
| Bars & Line Graphs | Sets & Caselets | Data Structures |
| Logical Matching | Cubes | Column Graphs |
Usually, the number of questions asked in the DILR section is equally distributed which allows aspirants to score well in sub-sections they are good at and clear the cut-off.
Read ahead to know the number of questions asked in each subsection and their level of difficulty.
| SUB-SECTIONS | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Data Interpretation | 4 | Easy |
| Data Interpretation | 4 | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 6 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning | 6 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 20 | Moderate to Difficult level |
CAT 2024: Best Books for DILR Preparation
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning (R.S. Aggarwal)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (Gautam Puri)
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT (Arun Sharma)
CAT QUANT SYLLABUS 2024
In the Quantitative Aptitude section, 22 questions are asked. A few topics are extremely important and are frequently asked every year in the CAT exam.
Here is the detailed QA syllabus:
| Number Systems | Speed, Time & Distance | Profit, Loss, and Discount |
| Percentages | HCF & LCM | Averages |
| Time & Work | Ratio & Proportion | Logarithm |
| Sequence and series | Inequalities | Complex Numbers |
| Surds & Indices | Permutation and Combination | Geometry |
| Set Theory & Function | Mensuration | Mixtures and Allegations |
| Probability | Trigonometry | Coordinate Geometry |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Quadratic Equations | Probability |
Looking at the last few year’s CAT exam syllabus, the Arithmetic section has the highest weightage whereas Number Systems and Modern Mathematics have the lowest.
Below is the description of the CAT Quant syllabus:
| TOPIC | EXPECTED QUESTIONS | WEIGHTAGE | DIFFICULTY LEVEL |
| Arithmetic | 8-9 | 25% | Moderate |
| Algebra | 6-7 | 23% | Moderate |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 4-5 | 29% | Moderate |
| Modern Maths | 1-2 | 9% | Moderate |
| Number System | 1-2 | 15% | Moderate |
CAT 2024: Best Books for QA Preparation
- NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6-10)
- Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations (RS Aggarwal)
- The Complete CAT Digest, by Tata McGraw-Hill (Arun Sharma)
CAT 2024 SYLLABUS: Latest Changes
There have been certain changes in the CAT exam over the last few years. Below table show the latest changes:
| SYLLABUS & EXAM PATTERN | CHANGES (2019-2020) | CHANGES (2020-2021) |
| Total Questions asked | Decreased to76 from 100 | Decreased to 66 from 76 |
| Total Questions of VARC | Decreased to 26 from 34 | Decreased to 24 from 26 |
| Total Questions of DILR | Decreased to 24 from 32 | Decreased to 20 from 24 |
| Total Questions of QA | Decreased to 26 from 34 | Decreased to 22 from 26 |
CAT PREPARATION TIPS
You must be wondering, how to cover the CAT syllabus.
Here are some CAT preparation tips for CAT aspirants.
- Familiarize yourself with the CAT syllabus and the exam pattern
Before beginning with the CAT preparations, it is important to understand the CAT syllabus and the exam pattern to strategically plan a study pattern. - Read, Read, & Read
Regularly reading books and newspapers not just improves reading speed but grammar and vocabulary too. - Acquire Time Management Skills
Candidate should be able to attempt all the questions in the 40 minutes allotted for each section. In that case, divide your study plan so that you get to practice each section every day. - Practice and take as many mock tests
One of the best ways for preparing for the CAT is by attempting mock tests and practicing previous years’ CAT papers. Appear for as many mocks as you can to enhance accuracy, time management, and self-assessment. Whereas practicing last year’s paper helps in finding some common concepts even if the exam pattern has changed. - Focus
Before moving on to problem-solving, understand the basics of each topic. - Clear your Doubts
To enhance the chance of scoring well, aspirants should get their doubts cleared leaving no room for confusion.
CONCLUSION
More than 2 lakh aspirants appear for the CAT exam every year and approximately 2% of the candidates make it to IIMs. Although, it is one of the most difficult entrance exams still there is no particular CAT syllabus for MBA. Hence, aspirants should understand that CAT tests their basics and they should work for it.
CAT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The VARC section is difficult to attempt as they have tough RC passages.
More or less the CAT exam syllabus has stayed the same for the last few years. Moreover, IIM do not issue a specific syllabus.
For each correct answer, 3 marks are awarded whereas 1 mark is deducted for the wrong ones. TITA questions does not have any negative markings.
The CAT 2024 syllabus comprises three sections namely VARC, DILR, and QA.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can attempt the CAT exam as IIMs have not published anything about the specific number of attempts allowed to an aspirant. But before applying for admissions, it is important to learn about the MBA eligibility criteria of IIMs.
CAT 2024 exam duration is 120 minutes (2 hours) where candidates are allotted 40 minutes to attempt each section out of 3. PwD candidates are allotted 53.20 minutes for each section which means they get 159.60 minutes to complete CAT 2024 exam.
