CAT Syllabus 2018 – Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM C), the conducting body of Common Admission Test (CAT), do not release any official syllabus for the exam. Based on previous years’ question papers and exam pattern, a list of tentative topics and sub-topics is compiled by the experts which can be used as CAT syllabus 2018. With the help of most probable CAT 2018 syllabus, aspiring management candidates can prepare for the country’s most competitive management entrance exam in a more strategised manner. The CAT syllabus 2018 is majorly divided into three major sections - Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). These topics cover a vast range of sub-topics which are revealed in the tentative CAT 2018 syllabus in this article. The article also covers the CAT exam pattern, marking scheme and how to prepare for the exam.
CAT 2018 Exam Pattern
Before knowing about the CAT syllabus 2018 in details, let’s have a look at the exam pattern. It’ll allow the candidates to understand the syllabus section-wise. CAT 2018 will be conducted in online mode (computer-based). The duration of the exam would be 180 minutes (3 hours) and it’ll carry 100 questions divided into three sections. Here is the exam pattern for CAT 2018 based on last year’s exam.
CAT Exam Pattern
Section | Sectional Duration | No of Questions |
Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 1 hour | 34 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 1 hour | 32 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 1 hour | 34 |
Total | 3 hours | 100 |
All the sections carry both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs (subjective questions).
Marking Scheme – The usual marking scheme in CAT gives 3 marks for a correct answer and deducts 1 mark for an incorrect answer. No marks are given or deducted for un-attempted questions.
Now, let’s have a look at the CAT 2018 syllabus and the important topics under each section.
CAT Syllabus 2018 - Section wise
Section | Syllabus |
Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension - The Reading Comprehension passages are generally of medium length, carrying 250 to 500 words. Question types can be both direct or inferential.
English Language - Fact Inference, Judgment, Fill in the blanks, Grammar, Para Completion, Para Jumble, Sentence Correction, Verbal Reasoning, Analogies and Reverse Analogies, Synonyms Antonyms (Vocabulary Based), etc. |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | Data Interpretation - Bar Graph, Combination of Graphs, Caselet, Data Sufficiency, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Tables, etc.
Logical Reasoning – Assumptions, Blood Relations, Binary Logic, Clocks and Calendars, Constraint-based puzzles, Data Arrangement, Family Tree, Matching Puzzles, Proposition, Statements, Seating Arrangement, Sets, Syllogism, Venn Diagram, etc. |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | Major Topics – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Higher Maths, Mensuration, Modern Mathematics, Number System, Trigonometry etc.
Sub-topics - Arithmetic progression, Arithmetic mean, Average, Angles, triangles, sphere’s rectangles, cubes, cone, BODMAS, Clocks, Geometric progression, Geometric mean, HCF and LCM, Harmonic mean, Installment and payments, Lines, Median, Mode, Percentage, Partnership, Profit and loss, Ratio and proportion, Partnership, Pipe and cisterns, Speed and distance, Work & time etc. |
Prepare according to CAT 2018 Syllabus
The best way to prepare for CAT is by solving CAT sample papers and taking regular mock tests. By solving sample papers, candidates will automatically cover all the topics given in the CAT syllabus.
Click Here to download the CAT sample paper
IIMs also release the mock tests of CAT in the fourth week of October. With the help of sample papers and the official CAT mock test, aspirants will be able to prepare for CAT 2018. We bring a list of must read books for the CAT aspirants covering all the sections of the exam.
Click Here to check the list of must read books for CAT
CAT 2018 will be conducted on November 25, 2018 (Sunday) in online mode by IIM Calcutta. Prof. Sumanta Basu is the exam convener for CAT 2018. The admit card for CAT 2018 will be released tentatively in the fourth week of October. Around two lakh candidates appear for the exam every year for admissions in 20 IIMs and over 100 B-schools in India.
