The CAT 2023 Exam will be a Computer Based Test (CBT). The exam pattern for CAT has changed in the previous years owing to the pandemic. So, here is a breakup of the syllabus according to the previous exam pattern-
|
Key Components |
Details |
|
Time allotted |
2 hours |
|
Total No. of Questions |
66 |
|
No. of Questions Section-wise |
VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22 |
|
Time allotted per section |
40 minutes each |
|
Mode of Examination |
Computer-based |
|
Medium of Examination |
English |
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Given the vastness of the CAT Exam Syllabus, aspirants need to understand how to maximize their scores in each section. The preparation for the exam can be strengthened by understanding the section-wise breakage of CAT along with the weight various sections and topics hold.
|
Section |
MCQs |
Non-MCQs |
Total Question |
Details |
|
VARC |
19 |
5 |
24 |
4 passages of RC with 4 questions each. 3 parajumbles, 2 para completions, 3 parasummary |
|
DILR |
15 |
5 |
20 |
4 sets of 5 questions each covering topics of bar graphs, missing data and puzzles |
|
QA |
14 |
8 |
22 |
Dominated by arithmetic and algebra with 4 questions of geometry |
|
Total |
48 |
18 |
66 |
Going through each topic that is likely to be included in the CAT 2023 Syllabus will help each aspirant devise their own list of strengths and weaknesses and accordingly prepare a study plan for CAT 2023. Picking up the right questions and ensuring that the attempt accuracy is high will ensure that the candidate scores well in the CAT Exam. Here is a list of the topics a candidate should cover in each section of the exam.
|
CAT Syllabus Sections |
Topics |
Weightage for 2022 |
|
Verbal Ability |
Para jumbles, Para summary, and Inferences |
10% |
|
Reading Comprehension |
RC passages |
24% |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Blood Relations, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks & Calendars, Logical Connectives and Sequences |
16% |
|
Data Interpretation |
Tables, Graphs, Charts and other forms of visualization |
16% |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Geometry, Trigonometry, Averages, Percentages, Number Systems, Arithmetic, Mensuration |
34% |
The VARC section is the first section of the exam which must be completed in 40 minutes. The Reading Comprehension part of the section dominates with approximately 70% weightage of the total score of this section. Given below are the topics that should be covered in the CAT VARC syllabus 2023:
|
CAT VARC Syllabus |
|
|
Jumbled Paragraph |
Reading Comprehension |
|
Summary Questions |
Para Completion |
|
Odd-sentence-out |
|
The second section of the CAT exam, the DILR section is the most undefined as compared to the other sections in the CAT Exam Syllabus. The two subsections of the DILR section in the CAT syllabus 2023 are:
Data Interpretation: Data will be presented in the form of a graph, chart, or another form of visualization and you will be required to solve the questions given based on the information given.
Logical Reasoning: Here you may be given information in a non-structured manner and you may be required to structure it and derive the outcome to solve the questions given.
Given below is a brief overview of the topics covered for the CAT DILR syllabus-
|
CAT DILR Syllabus |
||
|
Tables |
Caselets |
Logical Sequence |
|
Bar Graphs |
Line Charts |
Syllogism |
|
Column Graphs |
Venn Diagrams |
Logical Connectives |
|
Pie Charts |
Calendars |
Blood Relations |
|
Number and Letter Series |
Clocks |
Binary Logic |
|
Cubes |
Seating Arrangement |
Logical Matching |
The number of questions in the DI and LR sub-sections are generally equally distributed, which means that the students who are more comfortable in one of the sub-sections can still clear the cut-off if they attempt that part of the CAT 2023 Paper well.
However, the CAT DILR Section has been changing slightly in recent years. The questions are a combination of DI and LR rather than the regimented, separate DI and LR questions that were tested earlier.
The CAT QA Syllabus has the maximum portion since it covers everything related to mathematics that one studies in school. Some of the major topics in the CAT QA Syllabus are:
Some of the topics covered in the CAT quant syllabus are as follows:
|
CAT Quant Syllabus |
||
|
Number Systems |
HCF & LCM |
Profit, Loss and Discount |
|
Speed, Time & Distance |
Percentages |
Simple and Compound Interest |
|
Averages |
Ratio & Proportion |
Time & Work |
|
Linear Equations |
Quadratic Equations |
Complex Numbers |
|
Logarithm |
Sequence and Series |
Inequalities |
|
Surds & Indices |
Probability |
Permutation and Combination |
|
Set Theory & Function |
Coordinate Geometry |
Geometry |
|
Mixtures and Alligations |
Mensuration |
Trigonometry |
There is a plethora of books to begin CAT preparation and strengthen your performance. However, before you jump into the preparation it is necessary for you to understand the CAT syllabus and exam pattern to formulate an exam strategy. The study resources you choose must include a comprehensive understanding of CAT, its syllabus, and exam pattern along with examples and a question bank for practice.
So, here are the best books to begin your CAT preparation
Books for Overall CAT Preparation
|
CAT Sections |
Book |
|
VARC |
Past Years' CAT Questions (G.K. Publications), Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (Gautam Puri) |
|
DILR |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (Gautam Puri), How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT (Arun Sharma), A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning (R.S. Aggarwal) |
|
QA |
NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6-10), CAT Quantitative Aptitude (Gautam Puri), Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations (RS Aggarwal) |
Here are a few tips for CAT aspirants to prepare the CAT syllabus 2023-
Understand the CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Before starting your CAT preparations, it is imperative that you familiarise yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern to identify the best strategy to study.
Acquire the Habit of Reading: The reading comprehension section focuses on reading as one of the most essential skills. Candidates can improve their speed, grammar and vocabulary by regularly reading books, newspapers etc.
Familiarize yourself with Equations and Maths Calculations: For the mathematical portion of the exam, aspirants must be quick and accurate at mental calculations. Memorizing formulae and practicing equations will help with speed and accuracy.
Practice Mocks and Previous Year Papers: Aspirants should regularly practice mocks and previous year papers to analyze their performance and familiarise themselves with the CAT paper.
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The CAT syllabus has observed no changes over the past few years. However, the CAT exam pattern has gone through a few changes including a change in the number of questions and the time limit of the exam. So, before you start your CAT journey it is ideal that you are well-versed with the latest exam pattern and syllabus.
|
Number of Questions |
Time Allotted |
|
|
CAT 2021-2022 |
66 |
2 hours |
|
CAT 2020 |
76 |
2 hours |
|
CAT 2015-2019 |
100 |
3 hours |
|
CAT 2014 |
100 |
2 hours 50 minutes |
|
CAT 2013 |
60 |
2 hours 20 minutes |
Apart from the basic CAT exam syllabus, it might be useful to have a look at CAT 2022 to set a benchmark.
Get an understanding of the CAT cut-off
There is no CAT Syllabus 2023 that is explicitly mentioned on the CAT Official Website due to the fact that CAT does occasionally pull a surprise on the candidates. However, every question in the CAT is solvable since it tests the candidates' knowledge of the basics. Therefore, every candidate should ensure that they are thorough in terms of their preparation for the basics. If the aspirant prepares according to the CAT syllabus, the room for unpleasant surprises is greatly reduced.
CAT preparation should begin with a comprehensive understanding of the CAT syllabus and exam pattern. Aspirants should focus on their weaknesses and identify their strengths. Practicing mocks will also allow aspirants to
No, the CAT syllabus has stayed more or less the same for the past few years. This is a deduction based on an analysis of the previous papers as the convening IIMs do not issue any defined CAT syllabus.
The marking scheme of CAT 2023 will remain the same as in previous years. Every correct answer will be awarded 3 marks and 1 mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. TITA questions will not have any negative markings.
The VARC section is divided into two parts; reading comprehension and verbal ability. Aspirants should focus on vocabulary, grammar, parasummary, parajumbles, and para completion.
The IIMs do not release an exact syllabus for CAT. Based on past trends, the CAT syllabus focuses on school-level English and Mathematics. So for CAT 2023, the main topics covered in the syllabus for each section are as follows:
The first step to beginning preparations for CAT includes getting familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern after which you can focus on building a strong foundation and learning the concepts. For quants, you can begin with preparing Arithmetic and read more to enhance your vocabulary for VARC. From there you can build further by practising mock exams, reviewing past papers, and revising consistently.