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CAT exam syllabus includes topics such as Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). The syllabus of CAT 2024 is prescribed by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and is said to be the toughest exam syllabus among all MBA entrance exams in India. The important topics from the CAT syllabus 2024 include algebra, geometry, arithmetic, practicing vocabulary and reading comprehension, solving para-jumbles, coding and decoding, and series completion. The CAT exam syllabus for MBA is huge and requires extensive study over a period of time. Read all the details related to the CAT syllabus and pattern below.
Free Study Material: VARC | DILR | Quant | Chapter-wise Practice MCQs
CAT 2024: 60-day study material | CAT'23 Official Question with Solutions (Slot 1, 2, 3)
Test: 20 Free Mock Test | 10 Year PYQs | Most Scoring Concepts
CAT 2024 is the basis for MBA admissions to 21 IIMs and other leading BSchools like SPJIMR, IMT, Great Lakes, TAPMI, MDI Gurgaon, IITs to name a few. With good competition to boot, the exam can be cracked by anyone who is thorough with the CAT syllabus. Check out and download the CAT exam syllabus pdf link below.
CAT question paper 2024 will be based on VARC, DILR, and quantitative aptitude topics. Check below the CAT syllabus 2024 highlights for CAT Preparation:
Such high weightage topics from CAT 2024 syllabus pdf will help in cracking the CAT exam.
Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult? Answer: The CAT syllabus is considered one of the most challenging syllabus in India as it tests a wide range of skills. The CAT exam syllabus tests the comprehension, logical, and quantitative skills of the candidates. Q: Is 6 months sufficient for CAT preparation? What are the subjects of the CAT? Answer: You can crack CAT in 6 months if you prepare well. If you prepare to reach your full potential by setting different goals every day, you will achieve them. The CAT exam is divided into three sections, namely- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Q: Which slot of CAT is difficult? Answer: When compared to slot 2 and slot 3 of the CAT syllabus, slot 1 is difficult. |
IIMs do not release the official CAT syllabus pdf. Instead, coaching experts have compiled topics from previous year CAT question papers to devise the syllabus of CAT exam. Read on to know the most important topics in the CAT syllabus for MBA and how best to prepare for it as per the CAT exam subjects.
CAT exam is perceived as one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India. However, with good preparation, anyone can crack CAT 2024. The first step towards cracking CAT 2024 exam is to get a grip on the topics in CAT syllabus 2024. Figure out what sections are tough, as this is a personal feeling.
Some find DILR to be daunting, while others find Quant topics to be difficult. Instead of being influenced by opinions, it is always better to check out all the topics to be covered in CAT 2024 syllabus. The next step is to know the CAT exam pattern
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Total Subjects | 3 |
Sections in CAT | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
CAT exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
Type of questions | MCQs |
Number of Questions in CAT 2024 |
|
Duration of CAT exam | 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD Candidates) |
Medium | English |
Q: Is CAT difficult for average students? Answer: The CAT exam can be challenging, but with proper preparation and the right strategies, even an average student can successfully crack it. Q: Does a CAT have maths? Answer: As per the CAT syllabus, arithmetic and algebra dominate the CAT paper every year. Q: What are the subjects in CAT? Answer: The CAT exam comprises of 3 sections; Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Ability (QA). |
This is the first section in CAT 2024 which covers the CAT English syllabus. A total of 24 questions will have to be answered by students within 40 minutes. CAT VARC syllabus is separate for Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension. Candidates must also segregate the CAT 2024 syllabus for VARC as per VA and RC while studying.
1. Reading Comprehension (RC): Since passages can be drawn from literature, science, social sciences, business, and technology, students should practise the following
2. Vocabulary: An important aspect of the CAT 2024 exam, candidates are required to be familiar with a wide range of words and their meanings. Vocabulary-related questions may include:
3. Grammar and Usage: To accurately answer the CAT question paper for VARC, candidates require a strong grasp of grammar rules and a command over language usage. Topics to focus from CAT 2024 syllabus for VARC include
4. Para Jumbles: Questions involve rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. To do so, the ability to identify the logical sequence of sentences and reconstruct the paragraph in an accurate manner is needed.
5. Critical Reasoning: This section requires the ability to evaluate arguments and make logical deductions. Topics include:
6. Paragraph Completion: To answer questions of this type, candidates need toselect the most appropriate sentence that will complete a given paragraph both logically and cohesively.
7. Summary: These questions require condensing the main ideas of a passage into a concise summary. Candidates must retain the essential information in the summary.
8. Reading and Comprehending Different Text Forms: Essays, articles, editorials, literary excerpts, etc. may be given. Candidates must be adept at understanding various writing styles and textual structures. This requires much practice from the CAT syllabus 2024.
9. Contextual Understanding: These questions require the ability to understand the usage of certain words, phrases, or sentences within a passage and the context in which they are used.
VARC CAT syllabus requires reading speed, accuracy in comprehension and analytical ability. Candidates must focus on the topics given above from the CAT syllabus 2024 and build their capability with regular reading habits, practicing comprehension and familiarity with different types of questions. They can use the below given resources to enhance their vocabulary.
The CAT exam syllabus, mentioned earlier in the VARC section, includes four main sub-topics: Parajumbles, Verbal Ability, RC, and Sentences. The composition of the VARC in the CAT syllabus is generally the same.
Candidates can expect about 16 Reading Comprehension questions in CAT exam 2024. Other sections to expect from CAT 2024 syllabus include 2 questions each from Para Jumbles, Paragraph Summary, Odd Sentences, Paragraph completion
Also read - Best Books for CAT VARC
Q: What is the syllabus of VARC in CAT? Answer: The VARC syllabus in CAT includes types of clauses, article usage, reading comprehension, subject-verb agreement, para jumbles, phrases modifiers, etc. Q: Is CAT VARC tough? Answer: The difficulty of this section cannot be predicted for sure, but one can assume that it will be moderate to difficult. Q: How do you get 99 percentile in CAT VARC? Answer: To get 99 percentile in CAT VARC section, check your speed of reading, basic comprehensive abilities, accuracy, time management, and practice. The scaled score of 118.67 will be 99.99 percentile in CAT VARC. |
The second section in CAT exam is DILR. Again, this section comprises of two subsections, namely Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Looking up important topics of CAT DILR will help a candidate get an edge in terms of CAT syllabus for MBA to cover and score high marks in CAT 2024.
This section is more of hands on than simply studying. Interpretation of data in various formats is tested, as is the logical reasoning ability of candidates. Topics to focus on from CAT syllabus 2024 for DILR include the following:
For DILR, practice and more practice with the above topics from CAT syllabus 2024 will work at scoring well. Candidates need to home their solving speed, analytical and deduction capabilities for good scores. Hence CAT syllabus 2024 for DILR must be practised well.
As mentioned earlier in the DILR section, it includes two types of questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The basic structure of the DILR section of CAT is given below.
Mentioned below are the important topics from the DILR CAT syllabus 2024 that are expected to be asked in the CAT 2024 exam. The DILR topics for CAT are mentioned along with their expected weightage.
CAT 2024 Sets | Total Questions (Expected) |
Tables & Charts | 5-7 |
Graphs, Charts | 4-5 |
Graph, Bar diagram | 7-9 |
Tables, Pie chart | 4-5 |
Q: Is CAT DILR very tough? Answer: The difficulty level of DILR section in CAT exam is moderate to high. Q: What is the weightage of DILR? Answer: CAT DILR section will have 20 questions and weightage of 60 marks. Q: What are the most important topics in DILR? Answer: The CAT DILR topics includes graphs, seating and data arrangement, tables and caselets, cocks & calendars, etc. |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) is the last section of the CAT question paper and is solved in the last 40 minutes of the exam. Check out the CAT QA important topics and their weightage of the Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus for CAT:
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | ||
---|---|---|
Logarithms | Inequalities | |
Trigonometry | ||
Surds and Indices | ||
Mensuration | ||
Partnership (Accounts) | ||
Geometry | ||
Binomial theorem |
As mentioned earlier in the CAT Maths syllabus, there are questions from Modern Mathematics, Algebra, Numericals, Arithmetic and Geometry. The composition of the quantitative aptitude syllabus for CAT is given below:
Candidates can check out the expected CAT exam 2024 syllabus for QA and their expected weightage in each slot based on the previous year CAT question papers.
CAT 2024 Topics (Expected) | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
Number System | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Algebra | 9 | 8 | 9 |
Arithmetic | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Modern Maths | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Geometry & Mensuration | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Q: What are the sections of QA in CAT? Answer: CAT Quant consists of numerical based questions drawn from various mathematics topics. Q: What is the QA level in CAT? Answer: The difficulty level of QA section in CAT exam is moderate to high. Q: What is the full form of QA in CAT? Answer: The full form of QA in CAT is Quantitative Aptitude. As per CAT exam pattern 2024, there will be a total of 26 questions in this section. |
IIM CAT syllabus has seen significant changes over the past few years. Details are below
Changes in CAT exam | Changes in 2020 | CAT 2021 onwards | CAT 2024 |
VARC questions | Reduced from 34 to 26 | Further reduced to 24 | 24 VARC questions |
DILR questions | Reduced from 32 to 24 | Cut down further to 20 | 20 DILR questions |
QA questions | Reduced from 34 to 26 | Reduced to 22 | 22 QA Questions |
Questions in CAT exam | Cut down from100 to 76 | Further cut to 66 | Total 66 |
CAT exam Score | Reduced from 300 to 228 | Reduced to 198 | Total 198 |
If one looks at the competition, a record 3.28 lakhs students registered for the CAT exam 2023 with 2.88 lakhs appearing for it and thus, the need for a good CAT 2024 strategy can be seen. This not only mean an overall preparation strategy but also for individual sections. Candidates can refer to the following section wise strategy for CAT 2024 to kick start their own CAT preparation efforts.
Preparation can get better with some CAT preparation tip by toppers. The list of CAT toppers given below talk about how to study the CAT syllabus 2024, along with tips on practicing, combating exam blues and more.
Check out how to crack CAT: Strategies from toppers to get deeper insights on tackling the CAT 2024 syllabus, putting theory into
CAT Last Minute Preparation Tips
In truth, it is a myth that CAT syllabus 2024 is vast. The perception occurs because of the stiff competition for IIMs. Is CAT 2024 hard than CA? Not really. Then , is CAT 2024 tougher than JEE? Again, not true, as these are different exams and a good comparison is difficult. But since CAT syllabus is not defined clearly by IIMs, most students feel that the exam is tough.
Q: Which book is enough for CAT? Answer: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT, Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT, Quantitative Aptitude for CAT, and few more are there to crack the CAT exam with good percentile. Q: Is there GK in CAT syllabus? Answer: While major MBA entrance exams like CAT do not have GK as a section, other important exams like CMAT have GK based questions. Q: Is CAT full of Maths? Answer: CAT Maths Syllabus has the maximum portion out of the three CAT subjects as it covers everything related to Maths that one studies in school. |
The best books for CAT preparation are available online and offline, but choosing the right ones can be a challenge. If you are planning to appear in CAT 2024 then only refer CAT preparation books which have detailed explanation of each topic included in CAT syllabus and sample questions for practice. Read only from CAT books recommended by experts. We have prepared section-wise lists of best CAT books to help candidates choose the best books to prepare for the CAT exam.
CAT Books | Author/Publisher Name |
---|---|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster |
NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) | NCERT |
Quantitative Aptitude | RS Aggarwal |
Quantum CAT | Arihant Publications |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
If one prepares well, CAT exam will not be hard. CAT exam syllabus has questions from VARC, DILR and QA based on class 12 levels. However, with competition being high and no. of seats in IIM seats being less, most students feel that CAT exam is tough.
Yes. CAT course syllabus has been the same over so many years. The questions asked from syllabus of CAT have also been mostly the same.
The topics covered in the official CAT exam 2024 syllabus are:
IIMs have not specified the number of attempts allowed to an aspirant. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can appear for CAT exam. It is however important to check the IIM MBA eligibility criteria before applying for admissions.
CAT has basic maths based on class 9 to 12 levels. CAT QA syllabus 2024 is more maths based while DILR is more of logical reasoning that requires very basic maths skills. Students who are weak in Maths are advised to check the CAT past year question papers to know the type of questions asked before starting their preparation.
As per previous year trends, CAT DILR section can be the toughest sections among all three sections.
CAT exam syllabus includes reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
The total marks one can get in CAT exam are 198. The marking scheme in CAT allows 3 marks to be awarded for a correct answer. 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect question. Non MCQs do not carry any negative marking. No marks are given or deducted for unattempted questions. There is no fixed exam pattern for CAT.
The following are important topics for CAT 2024
Sentence completion | Data Caselet | Number System |
Reading comprehension | Blood Relation | Mensuration |
Inferences | Syllogism | Geometry |
Para-jumbles | Seating Arrangement | Algebra |
Graphs | Tables | Time and Work |
Start by checking CAT syllabus 2024 and topics, Search for the best CAT books and study material. start studying after establishing a daily schedule. Also check CAT previous years question papers to understand the type of questions asked and practice. Make sure to use CAT mock tests and sample papers for regular practise purposes.
The ideal time to start CAT 2024 preparation is 6–8 months before the CAT exam date. Important factors that help crack CAT 2024 are an analysis of the CAT syllabus and topics, a good timetable for time management, a dedicated focus on strengths and goal accomplishments, and practicing with mock tests.
Reading comprehension forms a major portion of VARC. In additions topics like Para-jumbles, Sentence completion, Inferences, Odd one out, Syllogism and Analogies, One word substitution, Sentence Correction are also covered under CAT VARC syllabus.
Candidates preparing for CAT exam need to prepare for topics like Graphs, Tables, Blood Relation, Data Caselets, Clocks and Calenders, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism. These form part of the CAT syllabus for DILR.
The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
To know about this please prefer our college predictor
Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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