Expected Syllabus Of CAT In 2023 (Updated) Details
CAT is the exam students need to crack if they want to get into MBA colleges. For securing a good college and 99%ile, the students not only need to work hard but also understand what the exam is all about. The main three subjects CAT comprises are Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). All of the three subjects have their own level of difficulties to deal with and easy parts where you secure your marks.
So let’s see a detailed view of the vast syllabus CAT has to offer:-
VARC (Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension)
This subject requires the student READ as much as they can from newspapers to books, articles, movies. Anything, that can increase your vocabulary and make your grammar strong. This subject is also divided into two sections Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
The marking system is 34 from which RC is 24 and VA is 10.
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Reading comprehension comprises more than 50% of the marks in this section. You have to prepare for this section thoroughly as students generally lag here. Start reading 15 minutes a day whatever you feel like it could be a short story or a newspaper article. Increase the time every day by 5 minutes and eventually, you will inculcate the habit. This will be a huge advantage to you as it will help you to read the comprehension quickly. And then answer them correctly. The main topics on which RC’s are asked from are:-
- Business and Economics
- Art and literary
- Sociology and Philosophy
- Science and Culture
- Technology
- Current Affairs
- Abstract topics or fiction
The common topics from passages are usually asked from are Business and Economics playing a major part along with Sociology, Philosophy. In total 5 RC passages are asked in the paper. There are two ways you can differentiate the level of difficulty:-
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Subject Matter Style Of Writing
The first 3 passages are long and the other 2 are shorter. Read the passages thoroughly as they will help you eliminate the wrong answers. The kind of questions asked is the explanation of words or phrases, true or false statements, the main purpose of the passage. The length of the RC passages varies from 600-900 words as the pattern can be seen from past papers. These past papers will give you a better idea of the topics that were asked in the RC passages.
Keep close attention to the paragraphs according to the tone, style of the writing in the passages. This will help you identify the message the passage is trying to convey. According to this, you will be able to answer the questions as it will help you determine the pattern. Put yourself in the author’s shoes to understand what he agrees or disagrees with.
Most of the questions will be asked directly so you won’t have to fuss about the tough vocabulary words or phrases asked. As you will read the passage the sentence will give you a hint as to what the meaning of the word is. For this, keep a notebook aside. Whenever you come across a unique word, learn the meaning of the word then note down in the notebook. Revise it from time to time so that you are in touch with the words.
For current affairs, business, economic, technology topics watch the news channels or you could also see YouTube videos. This will keep you well informed about the current happenings in the country. Making things easier, for you in the exams, you could also read books related to them or articles related to them.
Practice 3-4 passages every day to gain more results in the exams. The more you solve the mock tests the more confidence you will gain and learn how to analyze the questions and figure out the answers. The analytical passages will demand you to eliminate the options according to the logic. The descriptive passages might confuse you by pointing out a lot of details.
But the key is to focus on the important ones that are asked in the question section. Sometimes you will also find numerical passages where percentages are given or graphs meaning data will be provided to you. Solve the data and answer the questions in that manner. In the end, I would just say one thing Read as much as possible and you will crack this section with ease.
Verbal Ability
This section requires the students to be well versed with all the grammar rules. All 10 questions are asked for this section which the students can gain the advantage over by earning marks here. The kind of topics are as follows:-
- Jumbled paragraphs
- Jumbled Sentence
- Sentence Correction
- Complete the Sentence (Fill in the Blanks)
- Analogies
- Critical Reasoning
- Paragraph Completion
- Logical Reasoning
- Paragraph Summary
- Facts Inference Judgement
- Arguments and Irrelevant Statements
Jumbled paragraphs and sentence
- Questions are usually based on logic. Read the paragraph will the full attention wishlist you find for clues. You can see the options and eliminate the answers you feel are wrong. Read the questions thoroughly and answer them with a calm mind. Avoid the ones you feel you are getting confused. Solve as many questions as you of this type as they are easy. Usually, 3-4 questions are asked of this type in the paper. You regain the marks you lost in some sections over here. Remember the rules then carry on.
Sentence Correction And Complete The Sentence
The options given in the question will help you figure out the answer. From articles, punctuations, subject-verbs, errors in diction, repetition, wrong answers to parts of speech are some of the topics. Sometimes, the comparisons made are also incorrect. Identify the type of error in the RC passage.
Solve questions to recognize the kind of errors that are usually asked. Increase your speed with every question it will give you an edge. Complete the sentence here means Fill in the Blanks. Choose the questions you are confident and don’t confuse yourself with the hard ones.
- Critical Reasoning
Logic plays an important role for students to be able to crack these questions quickly. We have to find the missing link among the sentences. Practice tons of questions in this section to able to understand how to crack the equation.
- Paragraph Completion
These questions could confuse to another level. They have a way of getting inside the student’s mind and making you believe that a certain part is an answer. If it adds value to the paragraph, completes it, doesn’t change the structure or tone then go ahead and select that option.
But be careful in figuring out the right one it could get you into a fix. See if there is any sort of comparison, try to find an order or crack any kind of theory in it. Any wrong option could despise the assumptions you have made. You could also sense a cause that provides you with a logical explanation. It would complete your answer, help you come up with the right answer.
The tricky part of these questions is where the paragraphs are bound to be ended with an open-end conclusion. For this, the student has to be sharp enough to guess the answer correctly. Look for clues where you see a change in the paragraph and with your instinct. Solve mock tests to give you a clear idea about the questions and help you rectify your mistakes.
- Facts Inference Judgement
This part is as simple as its name suggests. Look out for the facts that are stated in the passage. It could be the society’s opinions, the author’s beliefs, known truths or spoken statements. Inferences are usually conclusions that are drawn about the unknown. Judgment is all the opinions you give.
Students are bound to get confused between inference and judgment as both of them are similar. The difference is that inference is drawn from conclusions and the student has to derive logic from it. A judgment is just a fact and an opinion about the passage.
- Arguments And Irrelevant Statements
Arguments in the passages are related to logic and finding out the reason behind it. The way to ace the answers in this section by guessing the correct assumption that is being made in the passage.
Figure out the main support behind the sentence, then assume and come out with a conclusion. Remember if the answer weakens the argument then it’s not the right one. List out the possibilities from the options and select the one that resonates with the questions the most.
Irrelevant Statements are usually add-ons in the paragraphs which are there to confuse the students. Repetition is the one thing that is mostly related to this part. Ignore these statements and focus on selecting the right answer for every question asked.
DATA INTERPRETATION AND LOGICAL REASONING (DILR)
The marking system is a total of 32 from which DI is 16 and LR is 16.
This section comparatively harder than the first one, as here you have to use your logic along with the provided data. It could be a haunting one for the students if you haven’t prepared properly.
There are 8 sets which contain about 4 questions each, so if you want to score a 99%ile then you will have to main for 4-5 sets at least. It’s a tough road to walk on but with proper practice, you can secure your marks easily. Solve mock questions to give you a clear idea as to which areas you lag in and then work on them.
This section weighs about 16% of the paper which could be a little tricky to crack. Solving sudoku puzzles could give you an advantage in the exams. Once you get a knack for how to solve puzzles you will save a lot of time. Keep in mind time is a huge factor in these exams. The more practice questions you solve, it will help you ace this section.
The topics in this subject area:-
- Coding and Decoding
- Odd one out
- Letter series
- Number series
- Blood Relations
- Family Tree
- Inequalities
- The number and Alphabet Analogies
- Direction Sense (Distance and direction related questions)
- Verbal Arithmetic
- Data Sufficiency
- Venn diagrams
- Caselets and Tables
- Bar Graphs and Column Graphs
- Pie charts
- Logical sequence
- Matching logics
- Binary logics.
- Calendar, Cubes, Blocks
- Seating Arrangements
- Connectives
- Combinations (Two or more types that are linked to each other)
This is a brief overview as to what you can expect from the topics mentioned above and you can crack the questions by understanding every concept.
Coding and Decoding
It involves mathematical equations where you have to crack the code behind it. Take one code at a time and replace it with the original meaning.
Don’t rush in these kinds of questions or you will end up getting the entire question wrong. There will be relevant statements that will provide you with the conclusions or solutions that you require.
With a calm mind, figure out the common thing among the sequence and start solving the rest. If you can quickly solve them while you are solving the mock tests then it will help you acquire the marks you need and secure the set.
Number, Letter, and Symbol Series
In these types of questions, we require pure logic to find out the sequence behind the question. It could be asked in the form of numbers, letters, or symbols. They are usually asked in the form of Fill in the Blanks like 1, 5, 9, 13,? In this, if you add 4 to every number, in the end, you will get the answer as 13+4 is 17. In this way, all the questions are drafted.
When it comes to letters then use both normal and capital letters to confuse the students. Symbols are something that you need to a little careful while solving. They could completely weird or similar symbols which could get you a little off track. So, while practicing these questions get a grip on their logic and sequences, then you will gain your required marks.
Blood Relations and Family Tree
Around 3-4 questions are asked from this kind of topic. These types of questions are a vital part of the section. To ace this topic you need to understand the basics of blood relations and family tree.
They are interlinked in nature because the questions asked are similar. You need to be well versed with all the family relations you have, apply logic to them, and opt for the right answer to the question.
Make a table of the entire family relations you can think of or know so and revise them every day. Keeping that table in mind you can solve all the questions asked flatly. A simple way to so is to remember the important ones as follows:-
FATHER’S SIDE
Father of grandfather/grandmother – Great Grandfather
Father of father/mother – Grandfather
Father of wife/husband – Father-in-law
Father’s brother – Paternal uncle
Father’ sister – Paternal Aunt
MOTHER’S SIDE
Mother of grandfather/grandmother – Great Grandmother
Mother of farther/mother – Grandmother
Mother of wife/husband – Mother-in-law
Mother’s brother – Maternal Uncle
Mother’s sister – Maternal Aunt
Son’s wife – Daughter-in-law
Daughter’s husband – Son-in-law
Brother’s sister’s son – Nephew
Brother’s sister’s daughter – Niece
Keep these in mind, make a family tree on paper when those questions are asked. This will help you quickly solve these questions and save time.
Inequalities
This word simply means not equal in any sense in this case it’s usually mathematical in manner. In our school or college life, we all have come across this topic.
The properties of inequalities are something that we should be aware of before solving any set that’s related to it. Solve one code at a time, replace it and then move on to the next one. The conclusions that you draw from these will help you derive the right answer among all the options. Remember the properties and then practice a lot of mock tests to get a hold of this topic.
Data Sufficiency
The questions here are simple along with their calculations but you need complete focus to solve them. A lot of students don’t question well and end up making silly mistakes. Understand the concept then go forward to find out the right answer. As the name suggests see if you can drive an answer from the question, meaning if there sufficient data for it.
Venn Diagrams, Caselets, and Tables
They are the most commonly asked questions in this section if solved with proper concentration you can score marks easily. Venn Diagrams or tables will be given, your work will be to figure out the logic or sequence behind it. Once you crack the sequence go ahead and mark the right answer.
In the caselets part, they are usually made of 3-4 statements. Attempt the questions you are sure the answers are right or else the negative markings could decrease your score.
Bar Graphs, Column Graphs, and Pie Chart
Bar Graphs are a horizontal representation of data while a Pie Chart comes in the form of a circle. You will have to carefully study these data before answering any question related to them.
These graphs and charts will give you an accurate representation of the data. Don’t get confused among the numerical part and with precision get the right answer. Practice as many questions as you can from the mock tests.
Matching and Binary logics
These logical binary questions are mostly based on assumptions and are asked in the form of 3-4 statements. There are about 3-5 people varied questions given in the paper.
The common pattern seen in these are, one person who speaks the truth, the second a lie and the third is a manipulator who speaks half-truth and half a lie. Figure out the correct assumptions is the key to solve this entire topic.
Calendar, Cubes, and Blocks
Cubes are the most commonly asked questions in the exam. The basic things you have to remember about a cube that is it has 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices.
Then according to the question see if they have cut some parts of it, colored it, or numbered the cubes. Solve them logically and you will get the right answer. Calendar ones are quite basic where they will give you a date and you will be given a date to figure out. If you talk about blocks, they’re a bit similar to cubes as you will be asked to get aside. Practice with focus and ace this topic.
Seating Arrangements
This has the most amount of variations which can be made to ask in the exams. Linear, circular, horizontal are some of the types of questions. Around 3-4 questions are asked from this section.
The wordings in the questions are capable to con your mind. Read them thoroughly. Be prepared, avoid doing any silly mistakes, as every right answer here can boost your marks.
Connectives
They are words or symbols that connect a complex or a simple sentence. There is a logic behind every connective so learn to trace that part. If/the, only/when, if/only if are some of the examples. Read the question well and get the answers right within a few seconds.
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE (QA)
If mathematics is your forte then this section will be a piece of cake for you. As for the rest of you let me help you how you can tackle this subject without getting in full panic mode. Breathe you will get through this with hard work.
Try to increase your mental calculations gradually. It will help you solve the questions in time without wasting any. The topics in this subject are as follows:-
- Number System
- Averages
- LCM & HCF
- Percentages
- Speed, Time, and Distance
- Profit, Loss, and Discount
- Simple Compound Interest
- Ratio & Proportion
- Linear and Quadratic Equations
- Sequences & Series
- Logarithm
- Binomial Theorem
- Set Theory
- Inequalities
- Mixtures and Allegations
- Probability
- Trigonometry
- Permutation and Combination
- Mensuration
- Surds and Indices
- Coordinate Geometry
Numbers System, Averages, LCM & HCF
These are the most common topics of all and we have grown up studying them. So answering these questions shouldn’t be much of a problem. Plus these questions aren’t asked that frequently in exams but keep your preparation ready.
Number system includes basics, divisibility, properties, LCM & HCF, factorial cases along finding remainders. The topics are simple all you need to do is practice and get your basics strong.
Speed, Time, and Distance
The sums are as simple, also straightforward as the title suggests. Keep your formula game strong, read the question thoroughly about what it demands. Solve it with a patient’s mind, the marks are yours.
Simple Compound Interest
Our banking world revolves around these three words. The most basic calculations we learned in school like the formulas will help you solve the problems.
Ratio and Proportion
One of the easiest topics to solve in the subject, it could be merged with triangles, mixtures, and allegations. Be well versed with the properties of Ratio and proportion, you will do well.
Inequalities
There are two types here linear and quadratic equations which are asked in the exam. You need to know the basics of algebra to solve linear equations. As for the quadratic ones you follow certain steps which will guide you to solve the equations.
Mixtures and Allegations
These kinds of questions are common in CAT exams. They are asked almost every year so it’s better to be prepared and study well. Mixtures are of two types simple and complex. The rule of allegation is as follows
Quality of cheaper/quality of dearer = dearer price-mean price/mean price- cheaper price
Probability
Probability simply means the chances of happening of the event. There is uncertainty in its happening. The basics in this topic are random experiments, sample spaces, events that occur. The types of events are equally likely, mutually exclusive, certain, impossible, independent. The entire section is based on this. Practice these questions as they are quite easy.
Permutation and Combination
This topic is just based on formula and logic. All you need to do is follow its principles, figure out the right factorials and you will get the right answer. Problems are based on grids, paths, chessboards, cards, and many more. Learn the concepts it will help you crack the questions.
Mensuration
This topic comes under Geometry which is something we have learned a lot. You can calculate the mensuration or measurements of shapes like cube, cone, cuboid, hollow cylinder, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, frustum. Remember the formulas to deal with the questions.
Coordinate Geometry
Coordinate Geometry is used to figure out the graphs, coordinates, and measurements of various geometrical shapes. Make a list of the formulas it contains and solve the equations of the line.
This was somehow an overview of the entire CAT syllabus. I have tried to include each topic that could be asked. So divide the syllabus, put on your studying hats and go forward in this journey of cracking the CAT exam. ALL THE BEST.
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