What is the syllabus of the CAT exam?

What is the syllabus of the CAT exam? 

The CAT exam tests candidates across three sections — VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. VARC checks language and comprehension skills, DILR measures analytical and logical reasoning abilities, and Quantitative Aptitude evaluates mathematical and problem-solving skills. 

Together, these sections assess overall aptitude for management studies.

The following are the main focus points for the CAT syllabus:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning.

• Includes reading comprehension passages and inference-based questions.

• Tests language proficiency and understanding skills.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Covers data interpretation through tables, graphs, and charts.

• Involves solving puzzles, Set theory- Venn diagrams, and logical reasoning sets.

• Measures analytical and decision-making abilities.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, and number systems.

• Focuses on mathematical concepts and accuracy in problem-solving.

• Tests numerical ability and speed in calculations.

How to Crack the CAT Exam,

Cracking the CAT exam needs good preparation, a smart strategy, and confidence to perform under pressure. Understanding the exam pattern, practice each section well, take mock tests regularly, and manage your time wisely to improve your chances of success.

Following is the CAT Exam Syllabus Guide to crack the CAT exam:

For preparing VARC, you need: 

• Read a wide range of topics like history, science, art, and philosophy to become familiar with different subjects. 

• Use quality reading sources such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Aeon Essays for better language exposure.

• Maintain a consistent reading habit for 30 minutes to an hour daily, covering 1–2 articles to build comprehension and vocabulary. Practice active reading by summarizing passages and identifying the author’s main ideas while reading.

For Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA) skills improvements

• Focus on comprehension: Read quickly, but make sure you fully understand the content; avoid skimming without focus.

• Practice with diverse passages: Work on RC passages from different topics to handle any subject in the exam, and build vocabulary. Learn and use new words every day to strengthen your language skills.

• Attempt wisely: Answer only the questions you’re confident about instead of risking marks by guessing all. Practice different question types by focusing on VA questions like Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out by applying logic and grammar.

• Use elimination strategy: Remove incorrect options first to increase your chances of selecting the right answer.
  
  

For preparing for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 

• Practice diverse sets: Work on different types of puzzles, graphs, and data sets to build familiarity.

• Improve calculation speed: Strengthen your mental math to handle Data Interpretation quickly.

• Select easy sets first: Learn to scan questions and pick the simplest ones to solve efficiently. Focus on accuracy: Aim for correct answers rather than attempting too many questions.

• Take mock tests: Practice full-length mocks to build stamina and identify weak areas. Study previous years’ CAT papers to understand common question patterns.

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA):  Build a strong foundation in key topics like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Practice regularly: Solve a wide range of questions and take mock tests frequently. 

It is important to read extensively to improve Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), practice consistently with different types of passages, and focus on building strong vocabulary and grammar skills. Regular reading of newspapers, editorials, and articles can enhance comprehension speed and accuracy, helping you perform better in the VARC section.

How much weightage does each section carry in the CAT exam?

The CAT exam is divided into three major sections — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). 

Each section carries roughly equal weightage, ensuring that performance in all areas matters for a high percentile.

• The VARC section usually holds around 34–37% weightage, testing a candidate’s reading comprehension, grammar, and verbal reasoning skills.

• Both the QA and DILR sections contribute approximately 32–33% each to the overall score.

This balanced structure highlights the need for consistent preparation across all three areas rather than focusing only on one section.