CAT Syllabus 2021: Read & Download Latest Exam Syllabus
CAT 2021 Exam is expected to be held on November 28, 2021 by IIM Ahmedabad. Number of changes are expected in the CAT syllabus 2021 as the exam pattern for CAT will also change this year as against last year.
CAT syllabus 2021 can be divided into three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA); Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). For better understanding and preparation, the CAT MBA Syllabus 2021 for each section can be divided into subsections. This article prepared by MBAUniverse.com CAT experts will share complete overview, key changes in CAT syllabus 2021, sectional details, weightages of topics in CAT syllabus and pattern.
Key Changes in CAT Syllabus 2021
CAT 2021 will have a different pattern and structure as against last year CAT which had a changed pattern due to covid 19 pandemic. Important changes in CAT 2021 are expected as under:
Key Components of CAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus
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CAT 2021
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CAT 2020
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Test duration
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3 hrs
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2 hrs
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Test sessions
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Two
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Three
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Total questions
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100
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76
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Total score
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300
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228
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Total questions in VARC Section
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34
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26
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Total Questions in DILR section
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32
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24
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Total Questions in QA section
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34
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26
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CAT 2021 Syllabus: An Overview
Let’s start with a broad understanding of CAT Syllabus. There are total 100 questions in CAT exam but the three sections in CAT syllabus carry different weightage in the exam. Although the CAT syllabus 2021 is divided in 3 sections, the effective number of sections are five as VARC and DILR sections are further sub-divided into 2 sub sections. Read details below.
CAT Syllabus Sectional Division
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Overview of Topics in the CAT Syllabus 2021
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Weightage in CAT exam
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Quantitative Ability (QA)
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Arithmetic, Modern Math, Number System
Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry
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34%
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Data Interpretation& Logical Reasoning (DILR)
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Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs,
Venn Diagrams, Seating arrangement,
Team formation, Clocks & Calendars
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32%
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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Long & Short Passages
Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary
Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph
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34%
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Despite being very wide, the CAT entrance exam syllabus is neither specifically defined nor released by IIMs. Instead, IIMs release an official Mock Test which is as per the forthcoming CAT exam topics and consists of question types which are expected in actual CAT Exam.
Sectional Topics in CAT Syllabus
The broad break-up of topics as given above for CAT syllabus is as under. You may find most of the questions in CAT exam based on following CAT syllabus topics
Quantitative Ability (QA)
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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Averages
Ratio & Proportion
LCM and HCF
Percentages
Profit and Loss
Interest (Simple and Compound)
Speed, Time and Distance Time and Work
Number System
Algebra
Geometry/Mensuration
Pure Math
Venn diagrams
Linear Equations
Quadratic Equations
Complex Numbers
Logarithm
Progressions
Binomial Theorem
Surds and Indices
Inequalities
Permutation and Combination Probability Functions
Set Theory
Mixtures and Alligations
Co-ordinate Geometry
Trigonometry
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Data comparison from Table
Graphs
Bar charts - Simple, Stacked, Composite Bar charts
Pie charts
Caselets
Data Analysis
Direction sense
Team formation
Seating Arrangement
Blood Relation
Clocks
Calendars
Binary logic
Logical Sequence
Assumption
Premise
Conclusion
Linear and matrix arrangement
Input-Output
Series
Syllogism
Cubes
Rows
Set Theory
Venn Diagrams
Network Diagrams
Quantitative Reasoning
Puzzles
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Main idea in the passage
Assumption
Inferences, Statements, Arguments
Synonyms-antonyms
Phrasal meaning & Usage
Para Summary
Jumbled paragraphs
Odd sentence out of Jumbled paragraph
Error Corrections
Sequence of sentences
Vocabulary usage
Fill in the blanks
Completion of Paragraph
Analogies
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Completion
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CAT Syllabus Section Wise
The CAT exam syllabus section wise is not limited to these three sections only, as they are further sub-divided. This sub-division makes MBA CAT syllabus 2021 divided into 5 effective sections. Check below in detail the key sections, their sub-divisions, number of questions on important topics in the MBA CAT syllabus.
1. CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA): Weightage
Quantitative Ability (QA) is the Mathematics section in CAT exam. Although, the CAT syllabus for Quant is very wide, the questions and topics in it are of class 10 & 12 standard. Out of 100 questions in CAT exam, Quant Section in CAT exam consists of 34 questions and 10-12 questions in the section will be of Non-MCQ type without carrying penalty of negative marking.
IIMs have started giving more emphasis on Arithmetic questions in CAT entrance exam syllabus to promote diversity. While maximum 14-15 questions are from Arithmetic, the questions on other topics like Algebra, Geometry and others are in the range of 3-5. Below is shared the topic wise syllabus and number of questions with their weightage in the exam
CAT Syllabus Topics in Quant Section
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No. of Questions in CAT
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Averages; Ratio & Proportion
Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work
LCM and HCF
Percentages, Profit and Loss
Interest (Simple and Compound)
Number System
Algebra
Geometry/Mensuration
Venn diagrams and other topics
Linear Equations; Quadratic Equations Complex Numbers
Logarithm; Progressions
Binomial Theorem
Surds and Indices; Inequalities
Permutation and Combination
Probability Functions
Set Theory; Mixtures and Alligations
Co-ordinate Geometry
Trigonometry
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1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
2-3 Questions
2-3 Questions
4-5 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1- Questions
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2. CAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):Sectional Weightage
CAT 2021 Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) is divided in 2 parts – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning with equal number of questions and carries a weightage of 32% as the total questions are 32 out of 100. While Data Interpretation (DI) part has 16 questions, the Logical Reasoning part also has 16 questions. Around 8 questions are of Non-MCQ type which do not have negative marking for wrong answer.
Almost all the questions are in sets of 3-4 questions based on each problem. Four DI and Four LR problems can be followed by 32 questions in this section. Below is shared the topic wise CAT entrance exam syllabus on which problems are based in this section
DILR Topics
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3. CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Sectional Weightage
Common Admission Test (CAT) syllabus for VARC section is divided into 2 parts. The 1st part of CAT syllabus covers topics on Reading Comprehension passages and the 2nd part of CAT MBA syllabus 2021 on VARC covers topics on Verbal Ability. Total questions in this section are 34 out of which 10 questions are of Non-MCQ type which do not carry negative marking. The 34% weightage of VARC syllabus is divided into 24% to RC syllabus and 10% to VA syllabus.
There are five long and short English Comprehension passages in VARC section. 6 questions are based on each long passage and 3 questions are based on each shorter passage. Sometimes uniform number of 5 questions follow 4 RC passages and 1 RC Passage is followed by 4 questions. Total questions based on Reading Comprehension are 24 and usually are of MCQ type with negative marking.
Verbal Ability part has individual questions that covers different areas of English language grammar and usage. The questions are of Non-MCQ type without the penalty of negative marking. Below is shared the topic wise VARC CAT syllabus and number of questions in the exam
VARC Topics
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No. of questions in CAT exam
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Inferences, Statements, Arguments
Main idea in the RC Passage
Author’s assumption
Synonyms-antonyms
Meaning of the phrase
Para Summary
Jumbled paragraphs
Pick Out of Context Sentence
Error Correction in Sentences
Sequence of sentences
Fill in the blanks
Completion of Paragraph
Analogies
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Completion
Irrelevant Statements
Vocabulary usage
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10-12 Questions
2-3 Questions
2-3 Questions
3-4 Questions
3-4 Questions
3-4 Questions
3-4 Questions
2-3 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
2-3 Questions
1-2 Questions
1-2 Questions
3-4 Questions
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3.1 Key areas in RC Syllabus
The English Reading comprehension passages in CAT entrance exam syllabus are taken from a wide area which includes, current affairs, Literature, Business Economy among others as detailed under. Diverse reading of topics in following areas will help you cover the CAT exam syllabus in VARC
- Current affairs making impact on Social Life, International Affairs, Govt policies and Schemes for example New Education Policy, Triple Talaq, CAA, Covid 19 Pandemic, Clean India Mission, Migration of people from one country to other, Growing intolerance across the Globe,
- Business & Economic RC Passages for example Global economic changes, economic development at the cost of environment, Impact of Demonetization in India, Wasteful expenditure by Governments
- RC passages from various English Literature books, from articles authored by great philosophers, thinkers, from various speeches of great personalities like passages from Charles Dickens, Aristotle, Martin Luther King, Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi, Churchill among others
- Passages on Science & Culture including the journey to Modern world; Fading culture with the advancement of technology
- Abstract topics and fiction are also included in the Reading Comprehension Syllabus for CAT. These Passages make the candidates think well before leading to put themselves in the author’s shoes before answering the questions following these passages since they are opinion based.
- RC Passages on Historical events leading to social changes for example French Revolution, War of Roses, Social changes in Indian History and thoughts shared by various activists which are very much relevant even today
- RC Passages from Mythology. These passages try to correlate the Mythological events with the current social structure and answers to the questions on them have to be inferred
3.2 Format of Questions in Reading Comprehension (RC)
While the Verbal Ability questions are of Non-MCQ type, all the RC Passage based questions are of MCQ type with penalty of 1/3rd negative marking. The questions are based on information in RC passage; explanation of the words & phrases as used in the passage; In context of the passage –True/false statements; Author’s view on various issues raised in the RC passage; Inference from the passage; main idea of RC passage; Purpose of the RC passage
Important: Read more top articles on CAT 2021
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3.3 Length of RC passages in CAT
Longer RC passages are of around 900 words; shorter passages are of around 600 words in CAT exam as reflected in last 5 years.
Download Latest CAT Syllabus Pdf 2021
The updated CAT syllabus PDF 2021 can help you boost your CAT preparation as per the current CAT pattern. The CAT syllabus 2021 Pdf download is available free with existing and expected topics covered in the CAT syllabus pdf download document alongwith the type of questions expected in the CAT exam. Click Here for CAT Syllabus 2021 Pdf Download Free
How do CAT Toppers cover the Complete CAT Exam Syllabus?
CAT toppers with 100 percentile, 99 percentile and others studying at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Udaipur, MDI Gurgaon devised the strategy to cover the CAT syllabus which helped them crack CAT exam with high percentile overall and sectionwise. Read below the toppers’ plan to cover the syllabus:
Rahul Gupta, CAT topper with 100 percentile: IIM Ahmedabad student
To complete the CAT exam syllabus, Rahul Gupta took following steps:
- Initially focused on getting the basics correct and solving some easy questions to get comfortable with the subject then move on to try higher level problems
- Started giving the mocks as soon as they started instead of waiting till end.
- Used to analyze the solutions extensively to check what mistakes I made or the questions I missed during the test. It helped me to decide the topics I needed to put more efforts in.
Shantanu Singh Yadav, CAT topper with 99.73 percentile: IIM Ahmedabad Student
Shantanu judiciously divided his time to cover the complete MBA CAT syllabus and adopted following strategy
- I devoted equal time to all the three sections with some extra effort towards DI and LR which is I believe is the most unpredictable section in the exam. You could practice a hell lot of LR sets prior to the exam but might still hassle on the D-Day.
- LR sets are not straightforward like Quants or DI sets. Timing my complete mocks and sectional tests along with thoroughly analysing my wrong as well as right attempts turned out to be fruitful.
- Since the CAT entrance exam syllabus is so wide and even has no boundaries defined for VARC and DILR, last minute hustle mostly turns fruitless and overloads you with added stress
TanujRuia, CAT topper with 99.69 percentile: IIM Bangalore student
Tanuj Ruia took a faster mode to cover the CAT exam syllabus with a mix of CAT preparation and shares “After clearing my fundamentals and the basics, I enrolled for the mock series. It helped me in analysing my current level of preparation, my weaknesses and my rank amongst a pool of serious aspirants”
Anushree Naik, CAT topper with 98.20 percentile: IIM Ahmedabad student
Anushree was very particular to complete her CAT entrance exam syllabus in time and utilized her travel time also in preparation. She has shared her strategy, “I studied for about 3 hours on week days by solving QA sectional tests, practicing a lot of data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR) sets and utilised my travel time to work in reading books, building a vocabulary and solving math quizzes on my phone. My weekends were dedicated to attending classes, covering major chunk of the portion, solving mock tests and analysing my strengths and weaknesses through them.”
Nikita Agarwal, CAT topper with 99.22 percentile: MDI Gurgaon Student
Consistent practice helped Nikita to cover complete CAT syllabus. Sharing her strategy, she says, “I used to give practice all the three sections consistently. I never skipped a particular section, say VARC, because I had to focus on Quants. Learning to strike a balance between three sections is really necessary.”
Read More: CAT 2021- Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Preparation, Books