CAT Syllabus
CAT Syllabus has been consistently the same since the last 10 years with a little variation in the type of questions and the number of questions from various topics. Therefore, it is expected to remain unchanged for CAT 2020 as well. However, if any changes are made in the CAT 2020 syllabus, they will be highlighted in the official notification which will be out by the last week of July, 2020.
Although the syllabus for CAT is vast, most of its Maths and English based questions are based on the middle school level (Class 9 and 10) curriculum. CAT is an annual, computer-based test conducted by IIM, which acts as a gateway for more than 100 B-schools in India, including all the IIMs. It is conducted in more than 156 cities across the country.Â
Given the vast syllabus and stiff competition, CAT requires dedicated preparation. The exam is divided into three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC); Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR); and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section is 60 minutes long and candidates cannot switch between the sections during the exam. The number of questions in each section varies between 32-34, but the total number of questions including all sections is 100.Â
Sections | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
Quantitative Ability | 32-34 | 60 Minutes |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 32-34 | 60 Minutes |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 30-32 | 60 Minutes |
Total | 100 | 180 Minutes |
The CAT marking scheme includes negative marks for wrong answers. Hence, candidates need to be very careful in answering questions. The final score is awarded out of 300. The CAT marking scheme for 2020 is expected to be same as CAT 2019 which was:
The three sections of CAT contain many topics and subtopics which appear in the exam year after year. Some of these topics hold more weightage than others whereas some are easier to attempt. Here, we will understand about each section and what topics frequently appear in them.
CAT 2020 Syllabus for VA-RC covers a number of topics which test a candidate’s language and comprehension skills. A brief about the CAT 2019 syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension passages are given below:Â
DI-LR is the second section of the CAT question paper and is to be solved after the completion of the VA – RC. The sectional time limit for DI – LR is 60 minutes.
Some key points in this section are:
This section is expected to be easier on difficulty levels for CAT 2020 as IIMs are trying to get more non-engineering students for better diversity. QA focuses on numerical problems and will test a candidate’s mathematical knowledge, speed, accuracy, and precision.
Some key points of this section are:
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus |
Number Systems | Tables | English Usage or Grammar |
Profit, Loss and Discount | Caselets | Vocabulary Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms) |
LCM and HCF | Bar Graphs | Fill in the blanks |
Speed, Time and Distance | Line Charts | Sentence Correction |
Percentages | Column Graphs | Cloze Passage |
Time and Work | Venn Diagrams | Jumbled Paragraph |
Ratio and Proportion | Pie Chart | Meaning-Usage Match |
Averages | Other Basic Reasoning Questions | Analogies or Reverse Analogies |
Quadratic Equations & Linear Equations | Calendars | Summary Questions |
Complex Numbers | Number and Letter Series | Verbal Reasoning |
Simple and Compound Interest | Clocks | Facts-Inferences-Judgments |
Logarithm | Venn Diagrams | Reading Comprehension |
Sequences and Series | Cubes | |
Inequalities | Seating Arrangement | |
Probability | Binary Logic | |
Surds and Indices | Logical Matching | |
Set Theory & Function | Logical Sequence | |
Permutation and Combination | Syllogism | |
Mixtures and Alligations | Logical Connectives | |
Trigonometry | Blood Relations | |
Coordinate Geometry | ||
Geometry | ||
Mensuration |
Sections | Suggested Books for Preparation | Author/s |
Quantitative Aptitude | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs | Sarvesh K. Verma | |
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | CAT 2020 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha | |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma | |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster | |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Sharma and Upadhyay | |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
The syllabus of CAT 2020 examination includes three sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section has many sub-topics. Read this article to have a better understanding.
CAT tests a number of things in a candidate. It tests knowledge, comprehension & verbal skills, data interpretation skills, pressure handling skills, time management and much more. Other than this, it also covers a vast syllabus. The competition level of the exam is also high with more than 2.44 lakhs applicants in CAT 2019. All of these factors combined make CAT a tough exam. However, a dedicated and planned preparation can help any candidate get a good percentile in the CAT exam.
Yes, calculators are allowed during the CAT exam. All the applicants will be provided with an on-screen calculator during the test. Personal calculators are not allowed.
CAT does not ask General Knowledge questions. All the questions are from three sections namely Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
The IIMs do announce a test pattern along with CAT notification. Over the last 10 years, the variation in the number of questions from each section has been observed. However, the syllabus has remained almost unchanged.
The CAT syllabus is prescribed by the IIM admission body which comprises representatives from all Indian Institutes of Management.
The total marks of the CAT exam is 300. Each question carries 3 marks which are awarded for the right answer. For each wrong answer in MCQ, 1 mark is deducted. Negative marks are not awarded in non-multiple-choice questions. Further, unattempted questions do not lead to any negative marking.
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