The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most popular aptitude tests in India, conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It serves as a prerequisite for admission to various management programs at IIMs, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and other top B-Schools. Aspiring CAT candidates should have a clear understanding of the CAT syllabus to effectively prepare for the exam. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the CAT syllabus for 2023, along with important topics and weightage distribution.
| Syllabus: CAT ALLSARKARI-NAUKRI.COM |
CAT Exam Pattern: An Overview
Before delving into the specifics of the CAT syllabus, let’s first understand the exam pattern. CAT is a computer-based test that assesses candidates in four major sections:
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI)
- General Awareness (GA) – this section does not have a specific syllabus and is not considered for calculating the overall percentile.
The CAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs, where candidates have to type the answer. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes, with each section allocated 40 minutes. It is important to note that there is negative marking for wrong answers in MCQs, while non-MCQs do not carry any negative marks.
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each section and explore the CAT syllabus for 2023.
Quantitative Ability (QA) Syllabus
The Quantitative Ability section tests candidates’ mathematical and analytical skills. It includes topics from various mathematical domains such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system, and modern mathematics. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the Quantitative Ability syllabus for CAT 2023:
Number System
- LCM and HCF
- Divisibility Rules
- Base Change
- Locating a Number’s Ones and Tens Place
- Cyclicity
- Remainders
- Prime Factorisation
- Factorials
- Indices and Surds
Arithmetic
- Time, Distance and Speed
- Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Ratios, Proportions and Variations
- Percentages and Averages
- Profit and Loss, Discount
- Mixtures and Alligations
Geometry and Mensuration
- Circles
- Triangles
- Polygons
- Coordinate geometry
- Lines and Angles
- Trigonometry
- Cone
- Cylinder
- Sphere
- Cube/Cuboid
- Prism Pyramid
Algebra
- Inequalities and Modulus
- Functions and Groups
- Linear and Quadratic Equations
- Polynomials
- Logarithms
- Algebraic Identities
- Maxima and Minima
Modern Mathematics
- Permutations and Combinations
- Probability
- Set Theory & Venn Diagram
- Binomial Theorem
- Arithmetic progression, Geometric progression, Harmonic progression
Candidates should thoroughly understand the concepts and formulas related to each topic in the Quantitative Ability syllabus. Practicing different types of questions and solving previous years’ CAT papers will help them gain confidence and improve their problem-solving speed.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Syllabus
The VARC section evaluates candidates’ language skills, comprehension abilities, and critical thinking. It primarily consists of Reading Comprehension passages and questions related to grammar, vocabulary, and para-jumbles. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension syllabus for CAT 2023:
Reading Comprehension
- Comprehension passages with questions
- Inference-based questions
- Vocabulary-based questions
- Tone and attitude-based questions
Para Jumbles
- Rearrange jumbled sentences for clarity.
Para Summary
- Summarizing a paragraph by choosing the most appropriate sentence
Odd One Out
- Identifying the sentence that does not fit into the given paragraph
Para Completion
- Completing a paragraph by choosing the most suitable sentence
To excel in the VARC section, candidates should focus on improving their reading speed and comprehension skills. Regular practice of reading articles, newspapers, and novels will enhance their vocabulary and understanding of complex passages.
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) Syllabus
The LRDI section assesses candidates’ logical reasoning and data interpretation skills. It includes questions based on various logical puzzles, seating arrangements, data tables, graphs, and caselets. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation syllabus for CAT 2023:
Data Interpretation
- Tables
- Data Caselets – Reasoning-Based DI
- Column Graphs
- Bar Graphs
- Venn Diagrams
- Line Charts
- Pie Charts
- Scatter Plot
- Radar Chart
- Routes and Network
- Bubble Chart
Logical Reasoning
- Binary Logic
- Games and Tournaments
- Arrangements
- Team Formations
- Order and Ranking
Candidates should practice solving different types of logical puzzles and improve their data interpretation skills. Analyzing and interpreting data accurately is crucial for answering questions in this section.
CAT Syllabus Weightage Analysis
To understand the importance of different topics within each section, let’s analyze the weightage of the CAT syllabus for the past few years. It should be noted that this analysis is based on previous year’s CAT papers and may vary slightly for CAT 2023.
Quantitative Ability (QA) Syllabus Weightage
The Quantitative Ability section carries a significant weightage in the CAT exam. Important topics such as Arithmetic and Algebra dominate the question paper every year. Here is a weightage analysis of the Quantitative Ability syllabus for CAT:
| Topics | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
| Arithmetic | 8-9 | 7-10 | 10 | 14 |
| Algebra | 4-9 | 6-8 | 6-8 | 11-13 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3-4 | 3-5 | 5-6 | 4-6 |
| Number System | 1-3 | 1-2 | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Modern Math | 0-3 | 1 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Overall | 22 | 22 | 26 | 34 |
The above table represents the approximate number of questions from each topic in the Quantitative Ability section, based on previous years’ CAT papers. Candidates should allocate their preparation time accordingly, focusing more on topics with higher weightage.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Syllabus Weightage
The VARC section emphasizes reading comprehension and language skills. The majority of questions in this section are based on reading comprehension passages. Here is a weightage analysis of the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension syllabus for CAT:
| Topics | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 |
| Para Jumbles | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Para Summary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Odd One Out/Para Completion | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The above table represents the approximate number of questions from each topic in the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section, based on previous years’ CAT papers. Candidates should practice reading comprehension passages and improve their vocabulary and grammar skills to perform well in this section.
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) Syllabus Weightage
The LRDI section tests candidates’ logical reasoning and data interpretation abilities. Here is a weightage analysis of the Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation syllabus for CAT:
| Topics | Number of Sets in PYQP 2017-22 |
| Reasoning Based DI | 10 |
| Matrix and Grid | 7 |
| Matrix Arrangement | 7 |
| Venn Diagram | 7 |
| Scheduling and Matrix | 6 |
| Unconventional and Hybrid Games and Tournament | 6 |
| Mathematical AR | 4 |
| Order and ranking | 3 |
| Missing Data | 3 |
| Arithmetic Caselet | 3 |
| Logic Based Table | 3 |
| Routes and Networks | 3 |
| Gantt Chart | 2 |
| Maxima-Minima Concept | 2 |
| Algebra Caselet | 2 |
| Arithmetic Based DI | 2 |
| Misc | 11 |
The above table represents the approximate number of sets from each topic in the Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation section, based on previous years’ CAT papers. Candidates should practice solving different types of logical puzzles and improve their data interpretation skills to excel in this section.
Additional Preparation Tips
In addition to understanding the CAT syllabus and weightage, here are some general preparation tips to help you ace the CAT exam:
- Time Management: CAT is a time-bound exam, so it is crucial to develop effective time management skills. Enhance speed and accuracy by practicing timed questions.
- Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement. Analyze performance, address weak areas, and boost your score
- Previous Year Papers: Solve previous years’ CAT papers to get acquainted with the exam pattern and types of questions. Understand difficulty levels for better preparation.
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on building a strong foundation of concepts in all the subjects. Understand the underlying principles and practice solving different variations of problems.
- Revision and Practice: Regularly revise the topics and formulas to reinforce your understanding. Boost problem-solving skills with diverse practice.
- Stay Updated: Stay updated with current affairs and general knowledge to prepare well for the General Awareness section, although it is not considered for calculating the overall percentile.
By following these tips and thoroughly preparing according to the CAT syllabus, you can increase your chances of achieving a high percentile and securing admission to the top management institutes in India.
In conclusion, the CAT syllabus for 2023 covers various topics in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation. Candidates should have a clear understanding of the syllabus, weightage distribution, and exam pattern to effectively prepare for the CAT exam. With dedicated practice and a strategic approach, you can achieve your desired score and pave your way to a successful management career.