CAT Syllabus 2022: CAT Syllabus 2022 Download PDF

CAT Syllabus 2022: Check, Read & Download Latest CAT Exam Syllabus with CAT Exam Questions 

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the mandatory entrance exam for MBA/PGP admission in 20 IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurugram and IITs DMS. This year, IIM Bangalore is conducting CAT on November 27, 2022 in three slots of 2 hours duration.

 

CAT syllabus 2022 is broadly divided into three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA); Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR); and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). For better understanding to prepare with CAT MBA Syllabus 2022, each section can be divided into subsections. This year MBA CAT syllabus is changed as per the changes in CAT 2022 exam pattern which will have fewer questions.

 

This article prepared by MBAUniverse.com CAT experts, shares complete MBA CAT Syllabus based on last 5 years CAT question papers with actual CAT questions as appeared in CAT exam. To understand and prepare for CAT syllabus and pattern 2022, read below carefully the overview and key changes in CAT syllabus 2022, important sectional details & weightages of topics in CAT syllabus and pattern.

 

CAT Syllabus 2022: Table of Contents

1. Overview of CAT Syllabus 2022
2. CAT 2022 Syllabus: Key Highlights Overall & Section wise
3. Key Pointers of CAT Exam Syllabus
4. Revision & Changes in Syllabus
5. CAT sectional syllabus for VARC, DILR & Quant
6. CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus Weightage, Key Topics, Type of Questions
7. CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus Weightage, Key Topics, Type of Questions
8. CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage, Key Topics, Type of Questions
9. How to Study and Cover CAT Syllabus? Toppers’ Tips
10. How to Download CAT Syllabus Pdf?
11. Latest Updates

So, Let’s start with a broad understanding of CAT Syllabus before going deep into section wise CAT syllabus and pattern.

 

1. CAT Syllabus 2022: An Overview of CAT Syllabus & Pattern with Sectional Weightage
There are total three sections in the CAT syllabus which carry different weight in the CAT question paper. Although the CAT syllabus 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.  

Sectional Division of CAT Syllabus	Overview of Topics in Syllabus	Overall Weightage in CAT exam
Section-1: CAT VARC Syllabus Weightage & Topics (Sectional Division is given below	RC Based Questions, Parajumbles, Para summary, Out of Context Sentence	36%
Section-1.1: CAT Verbal Ability (VA) Syllabus- Key Topics & Weightage	Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph	10%
Section-1.2: CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Syllabus- Key Topics & Weightage	Long & Short RC Passages followed by questions based on vocabulary, statements, inferences, elaboration of ideas in the passage	24%
Section-2: CAT DILR Syllabus Weightage & Topics (Sectional Division is given below	Data Analysis Charts, Tables, Graphs, Direction sense, seating arrangements	32%
Section-2.1: CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus Weightage & Topics	Set of 3-4 Questions based on Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams	16%
Section-2.2: CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus Weightage & Topics	Set of 3-4 Questions based on Seating Arrangement, Team Formation, Clocks & Calendars, Direction Sense, Family Tree	16%
Section-3: CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage & Key Topics	Individual Questions based on Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Math, Geometry, Mensuration, Number system, Trigonometry	34%

2. CAT 2022 Syllabus: Key Highlights
During last 10 years, CAT has gone for perceptible changes with the changes in CAT question pattern, time duration, test structure, scoring scheme and other key components. Presently the syllabus is based on latest CAT exam pattern which was introduced by IIM Ahmedabad for CAT 2021 exam

CAT 2022 Exam Syllabus: Key Components	CAT 2022 Pattern
Test duration	2 hrs (120 Minutes)
Test sessions/Slots	3 (Morning, Afternoon and Evening)
Total questions	66
Total score	198
Number of Sections in CAT question paper	3 (VARC; DILR; QA)
Time Allotted for Each Section in CAT exam	40 Minutes
Total questions in VARC Section	24
Total Questions in DILR section	20
Total Questions in QA section	22

3. CAT 2022 Exam Syllabus: Key Pointers and How to Cover?

• CAT Syllabus is not officially defined by IIMs. It is based on latest CAT exam pattern of previous few years
• The MBA CAT Syllabus is vast and generalised. It covers any topic related to the relevant section
• As per the CAT exam trends and last five years CAT question papers, the topics covered in the CAT syllabus require two important things - your clarity of concept and quick question solving skills of class X & XII
• You need to attempt the questions with good speed and accuracy to score high percentile
• You should cover the important topics, practice thoroughly on all the topics in CAT syllabus.
• In the CAT testing lab, choose the easier and no-penalty questions first to maximise your attempts

4. Revision and Changes in the CAT Syllabus 2022
CAT 2022 Exam Syllabus is revised with the changes in CAT pattern and structure. Given the reputation of IIMs for bringing changes in CAT exam every year, a few changes are brought again in the CAT syllabus 2022 as the exam pattern for CAT is also changed. This year with reduced number of questions in the exam, CAT syllabus is changed again. 

MBA Entrance Exam 2022-23 Alert
Exams	Top Colleges Accepting	Registration Status
NMAT 2022	NMIMS, K J Somaiya, XIMB, TAPMI	Open | Register Now
IBSAT 2022	ICFAI B-School campuses	Open | Register Now
XAT 2023	XLRI, XIMB, LIBA, XIME	Open | Register Now

4.1 CAT Syllabus 2022: Important Changes
CAT 2022 syllabus is changed again and has different pattern and structure. Important changes in CAT syllabus are

 

i) CAT will have 3 sections with reduced number of questions

ii) The sectional weightage in CAT syllabus is as under:

• Section-1: VARC - 34% weightage
• Section-2: DILR – 32% wightage
• Section-3: Quant – 34% weightage

iii) Questions on topics like Error correction in sentences, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence completion are no longer placed in CAT exam

iv) Number of sections are increased to three from two and DILR is now a single section. It carries high weightage in IIMs’ shortlisting process and you need to clear the cut offs in this section along with other two sections

v) CAT has introduced 25% to 28% questions without Negative Marking in the CAT exam. The topics for Non-MCQ type of questions are same as for MCQ type questions which carry negative marking

 

5. CAT Sectional Syllabus
Below is shared quick glimpses of latest CAT syllabus for 2022 based on last five year CAT papers, followed by detailed section wise syllabus for CAT 2022

 

5.1 CAT 2022 Sectional Syllabus at a Glance
The broad break-up of topics as given above for the syllabus is as under. You may find most of the questions in CAT 2022 exam based on following topics

Quantitative Ability (QA)	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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	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	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

5.2 Detailed CAT Syllabus Section Wise
The 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 2022 divided into 5 effective sections.

CAT 2022 exam components	Total questions	Total MCQs (With negative marking)	Total Non-MCQs (Without negative marking)	Highlights
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	19	5	4 RC Passages with MCQs; VA Non MCQs divided into Para jumbles, Para Summary, and Out of Context Sentences
Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	15	5	LR – 10 Ques DI – 10 Ques All in Sets of 3 & 4 Qs
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	14	8	High on Arithmetic. Other on Log, Geometry, Roots, Algebra
Total	66	48	18

Source: MBAUniverse.com analysis based on CAT 2021 Syllabus & Pattern

 

CAT Syllabus for each of the three sections, their sub-divisions, number of questions on important topics is shared below

 

6. CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus Weightage, Key Topics, Type of Questions
CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) carries overall 34-36% Weightage in CAT exam.

Common Admission Test (CAT) syllabus for VARC section is divided into 2 parts. The 1^st part of syllabus covers topics on Reading Comprehension passages and the 2^nd part of CAT MBA syllabus 2022 on VARC covers topics on Verbal Ability. Total expected questions in this section are 24 out of total 66 questions. There are 5-6 VA questions of Non-MCQ type which do not carry negative marking. The VARC section syllabus is divided into 70% questions on RC syllabus and 30% to VA syllabus.

 

There are long and short English Comprehension passages in VARC section followed by 4-5 questions. Sometimes uniform number of 4 questions follow 3-4 RC passages. All the questions based on Reading Comprehension 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 with number of questions in the exam and actual CAT questions that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarise with the type of questions in CAT

 

6.1 CAT VARC Syllabus Topics

 

VARC Topics	No. of questions in CAT exam
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	3-4 Questions 1-2 Questions 1-2 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 1-2 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 1-2 Questions

6.2 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 

6.3 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 1/3^rd 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

 

6.4 Length of RC passages in CAT
Longer RC passages are of around 800 words; shorter passages are of around 500 words in CAT exam as reflected in last 5 years.

 

6.5 Best Books for VARC Syllabus in CAT
Following are the recommended books by CAT toppers and experts for VARC

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT’- by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
• ‘Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT’ - by Nishit K Sinha
• Arihant Book on Verbal Ability: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh

6.6 Type of Questions in CAT Syllabus on VARC
Below are some of the CAT questions that appeared in VARC section in recent CAT exam. It will help you to have more clarity on CAT syllabus and exact type of questions that you are likely to see in your CAT VARC section

 

6.6.1 Actual CAT Questions on Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability syllabus in CAT in VARC section has TITA questions which are with or without answer options. You need to choose and type the possible right answer on the screen in the given space. Some of the actual VA questions in CAT syllabus as appeared in recent CAT exam are shared below:

 

VA - Q.1: The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:

1. Man has used poisons for assassination purposes ever since the dawn of civilization, against individual enemies but also occasionally against armies.
2. These dangers were soon recognized, and resulted in two international declarations—in 1874 in Brussels and in 1899 in The Hague—that prohibited the use of poisoned weapons.
3. The foundation of microbiology by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch offered new prospects for those interested in biological weapons because it allowed agents to be chosen and designed on a rational basis.
4. Though treaties were all made in good faith, they contained no means of control, and so failed to prevent interested parties from developing and using biological weapons.

VA - Q.2: The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
For nearly a century most psychologists have embraced one view of intelligence. Individuals are born with more or less intelligence potential (I.Q.); this potential is heavily influenced by heredity and difficult to alter; experts in measurement can determine a person’s intelligence early in life, currently from paper-and-pencil measures, perhaps eventually from examining the brain in action or even scrutinizing his/her genome. Recently, criticism of this conventional wisdom has mounted. 

MBA Entrance Exam 2022-23 Alert
Exams	Top Colleges Accepting	Registration Status
NMAT 2022	NMIMS, K J Somaiya, XIMB, TAPMI	Open | Register Now
IBSAT 2022	ICFAI B-School campuses	Open | Register Now
XAT 2023	XLRI, XIMB, LIBA, XIME	Open | Register Now

Biologists ask if speaking of a single entity called “intelligence” is coherent and question the validity of measures used to estimate heritability of a trait in humans, who, unlike plants or animals, are not conceived and bred under controlled conditions.

 

Ans Options

1. Biologists have criticised that conventional wisdom that individuals are born with more or less intelligence potential.
2. Biologists have started questioning psychologists' view of 'intelligence' as a measurable immutable characteristic of an individual.
3. Biologists have questioned the view that ‘intelligence’ is a single entity and the ways in which what is inherited.
4. Biologists have questioned the long-standing view that ‘intelligence’ is a single entity and the attempts to estimate it's heritability.

 

VA- Q.3: Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Talk was the most common way for enslaved men and women to subvert the rules of their bondage, to gain more agency than they were supposed to have.
2. Even in conditions of extreme violence and unfreedom, their words remained ubiquitous, ephemeral, irrepressible, and potentially transgressive.
3. Slaves came from societies in which oaths, orations, and invocations carried great potency, both between people and as a connection to the all-powerful spirit world.
4. Freedom of speech and the power to silence may have been preeminent markers of white liberty in Colonies, but at the same time, slavery depended on dialogue: slaves could never be completely muted.
5. Slave-owners obsessed over slave talk, though they could never control it, yet feared its power to bind and inspire—for, as everyone knew, oaths, whispers, and secret conversations bred conspiracy and revolt.

6.6.2 Actual CAT Questions on Reading Comprehension
RC syllabus in CAT in VARC section has MCQ questions which are with answer options and carry negative marking. You need to click on the right answer to avoid negative marking penalty. An actual RC passage followed by questions & answer options in CAT syllabus as appeared in recent CAT exam is shared below:

 

RC Passage: Questions 4 to 7
The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.

 

In the late 1960s, while studying the northern-elephant-seal population along the coasts of Mexico and California, Burney Le Boeuf and his colleagues couldn’t help but notice that the threat calls of males at some sites sounded different from those of males at other sites. . . . That was the first time dialects were documented in a nonhuman mammal. . . .

 

All the northern elephant seals that exist today are descendants of the small herd that survived on Isla Guadalupe [after the near extinction of the species in the nineteenth century]. As that tiny population grew, northern elephant seals started to recolonize former breeding locations. It was precisely on the more recently colonized islands where Le Boeuf found that the tempos of the male vocal displays showed stronger differences to the ones from Isla Guadalupe, the founder colony.

 

In order to test the reliability of these dialects over time, Le Boeuf and other researchers visited Año Nuevo Island in California—the island where males showed the slowest pulse rates in their calls—every winter from 1968 to 1972. “What we found is that the pulse rate increased, but it still remained relatively slow compared to the other colonies we had measured in the past” Le Boeuf told me.

 

At the individual level, the pulse of the calls stayed the same: A male would maintain his vocal signature throughout his lifetime. But the average pulse rate was changing. Immigration could have been responsible for this increase, as in the early 1970s, 43 percent of the males on Año Nuevo had come from southern rookeries that had a faster pulse rate. This led Le Boeuf and his collaborator, Lewis Petrinovich, to deduce that the dialects were, perhaps, a result of isolation over time, after the breeding sites had been recolonized. For instance, the first settlers of Año Nuevo could have had, by chance, calls with low pulse rates. At other sites, where the scientists found faster pulse rates, the opposite would have happened—seals with faster rates would have happened to arrive first.

 

As the population continued to expand and the islands kept on receiving immigrants from the original population, the calls in all locations would have eventually regressed to the average pulse rate of the founder colony. In the decades that followed, scientists noticed that the geographical variations reported in 1969 were not obvious anymore. . . . In the early 2010s, while studying northern elephant seals on Año Nuevo Island, [researcher Caroline] Casey noticed, too, that what Le Boeuf had

 

heard decades ago was not what she heard now. . . . By performing more sophisticated statistical analyses on both sets of data, [Casey and Le Boeuf] confirmed that dialects existed back then but had vanished. Yet there are other differences between the males from the late 1960s and their great-great-grandsons: Modern males exhibit more individual diversity, and their calls are more complex. While 50 years ago the drumming pattern was quite simple and the dialects denoted just a change in tempo, Casey explained, the calls recorded today have more complex structures, sometimes featuring doublets or triplets. . . .

               

Q.4 Which one of the following best sums up the overall history of transformation of male northern elephant seal calls?       

 

Ans Options

1. Owing to migrations in the aftermath of near species extinction, the average call pulse rates in the recolonised breeding locations exhibited a gradual increase until they matched the tempo at the founding colony.
2. Owing to migrations in the aftermath of near species extinction, the calls have transformed from exhibiting complex composition, less individual variety, and great regional variety to simple composition, less individual variety, and great regional variety.
3. The calls have transformed from exhibiting simple composition, great individual variety, and less regional variety to complex composition, less individual variety, and great regional variety.
4. The calls have transformed from exhibiting simple composition, less individual variety, and great regional variety to complex composition, great individual variety, and less regional variety.

Q.5 From the passage it can be inferred that the call pulse rate of male northern elephant seals in the southern rookeries was faster because: 

 

Ans Options

1. A large number of male northern elephant seals from Año Nuevo Island might have migrated to the southern rookeries to recolonise them.
2. The male northern elephant seals of Isla Guadalupe with faster call pulse rates might have been the original settlers of the southern rookeries.
3. The calls of male northern elephant seals in the southern rookeries have more sophisticated structures, containing doublets and triplets.
4. A large number of male northern elephant seals migrated from the southern rookeries to Año Nuevo Island in the early 1970s.

Q.6 All of the following can be inferred from Le Boeuf’s study as described in the passage EXCEPT that:           

 

1. The influx of new northern elephant seals into Año Nuevo Island would have soon made the call pulse rate of its male seals exceed that of those at Isla Guadalupe.

2. Male northern elephant seals might not have exhibited dialects had they not become nearly extinct in the nineteenth century.

3. The average call pulse rate of male northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo Island increased from the early 1970s till the disappearance of dialects.

4. Changes in population and migration had no effect on the call pulse rate of individual male northern elephant seals.

 

Q.7 Which one of the following conditions, if true, could have ensured that male northern elephant seal dialects did not disappear?     

 

1. The call tempo of individual immigrant male seals changed to match the average tempo of resident male seals in the host colony.

2. The call tempo of individual male seals in host colonies changed to match the average call tempo of immigrant male seals.

3. Besides Isla Guadalupe, there was one more founder colony with the same average male call tempo from which male seals migrated to various other colonies.

4. Besides Isla Guadalupe, there was one more surviving colony with the same average male call tempo from which no migration took place.

 

VARC Correct Answers 

Q.1: 1324

Q.2: Option 4

Q.3: Sentence 3 is Odd One in the paragraph

Q.4: Option 4

Q.5: Option 2

Q.6: Option 1

Q.7: Option 1

 

7. Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 30-32% Weightage

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 30-32% as the total expected questions are 20-22 in CAT 2022. While Data Interpretation (DI) part is likely to have 10-11 questions, the Logical Reasoning part also has 10-11 questions. Around 6 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. Equal number of DI and LR problems can be followed by 20-22 questions in this section.  Below is shared the topic wise CAT entrance exam syllabus on which problems are based in this section

 

7.1 CAT DILR Syllabus Topics

Data Interpretation (DI) Syllabus Topics	Logical Reasoning (LR) Syllabus Topics
Bar charts - Simple, Stacked, Composite Bar charts Pie charts Caselets Data Analysis Data comparison from Table Graphs Line Graphs Data Sufficiency	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

7.2 CAT DILR Syllabus: Important Points

 

7.2.1 Key Points on DI Syllabus
Data Interpretation for CAT 2022 is an important part of overall CAT exam. It commands 16% weightage in overall CAT exam and 50% weightage in DILR section. Scoring high in Data Interpretation can take you through the IIMs admission process.

• DI 2022 in CAT is as important as the other 2 sections as sectional cut offs announced by IIMs for DILR section are the same as applicable for Quant and VARC sections. 
• Total weightage in CAT exam is 16%
• Now forms a separate section in CAT
• Has 50% share in DILR Section (2^nd section in CAT exam)
• Consists of MCQs with negative Marking and Non-MCQs without Negative Marking
• No answer option may be found for NON MCQ type of DI questions. You need to type in the answers on computer screen in the given space
• DI questions have become more time consuming

7.2.2 Type of DI Questions in CAT

Data Interpretation for CAT	Number of questions	Type of Questions
Problem Set-1: Tables & Charts	2-3	Comparison of Data of various years, ages etc.
Problem Set-2: Graph, Bar diagram	3	Data Analysis, comparison of various years, classes, groups etc.
Problem Set-3: Tables, Pie chart	2-3	Decoding and finding out the data of missing period, taking clues, interpreting the missing links
Problem Set-4: Graphs, Charts	3	Making analysis of data and coming to conclusion, making future projections
Total questions	10-12	MCQs & Non-MCQs

With the fewer number of questions expected in CAT 2022, the problem sets and question sets may also be reduced

 

7.2.3 Best Books to Cover DI Syllabus in CAT
Experts and Toppers recommend following Data Interpretation Books which cover the complete syllabus:

• How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

Read more about the Best CAT Books on Data Interpretation 

 

7.3 Key Points on LR Syllabus

• LR is a Score Booster Part in CAT. It can boost your score upto 30+ core marks leading to an improvement of overall percentile by 20-25 in CAT 2022
• Logical Reasoning for CAT constitutes 50% share in the newly created Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Comprehension (DILR) Section in CAT
• The goal of scoring high in CAT 2022 can be achieved with small but consistent efforts and time devoted to the DILR section.
• Logical Reasoning Questions in CAT are in sets of 3-4 questions for one LR problem 
• Logical Reasoning questions for CAT test your Logical and Analytical skills to arrive at the conclusion
• You need to first get as many as Logical Reasoning practice questions for CAT 

7.3.1 Type of Questions in LR Syllabus
Type of expected LR 2022 questions in the changed CAT exam are

Logical Reasoning for CAT	Number of questions	Type of Questions
Problem Set-1: Arrangements/Rankings/Team Formation	3-4	Seating arrangement, Ranks, different type of team formation. Lot of conditions placed to confuse you to put the logical sequence
Problem Set-2: Quantitative Reasoning/Puzzles	2-4	Based on Arithmetic, Geometrical data, various puzzles on words, letters, arrangements, seating etc.
Problem Set-3: Syllogisms/Logical Deduction	3-4	Questions based on statements, arguments,
Problem Set-4: Venn Diagrams/Binary Logic	2-4	Questions on set theory, network diagrams are included – difficult and need more practice
Total questions	10-16	MCQs & Non-MCQs

7.3.2 Best Books for CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus
Experts suggest following Logical Reasoning Books that cover the LR syllabus

•  How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

Read more about the Best CAT Preparation Books

 

7.4 Type of Questions in CAT Syllabus on DILR
Below are some of the CAT questions that appeared in DILR section in recent CAT exam. It will help you to have more clarity on CAT syllabus and exact type of questions that you are likely to see in your CAT DILR section

 

7.4.1 Actual CAT Questions on Data Interpretation
DI syllabus in CAT in DILR section has both TITA and MCQ type questions which are with or without answer options. You need to choose the possible right answer. A DI question set in CAT syllabus as appeared in recent CAT exam is shared below:

 

DI Questions Set: 1 to 4
The local office of the APP-CAB company evaluates the performance of five cab drivers, Arun, Barun, Chandan, Damodaran, and Eman for their monthly payment based on ratings in five different parameters (P1 to P5) as given below:

• P1: Timely arrival
• P2: Behaviour
• P3: Comfortable ride
• P4: Driver's familiarity with the route
• P5: Value for money

Based on feedback from the customers, the office assigns a rating from 1 to 5 in each of these parameters. Each rating is an integer from a low value of 1 to a high value of 5. The final rating of a driver is the average of his ratings in these five parameters. The monthly payment of the drivers has two parts – a fixed payment and final rating-based bonus. If a driver gets a rating of 1 in any of the parameters, he is not eligible to get bonus. To be eligible for bonus a driver also needs to get a rating of five in at least one of the parameters.

 

The partial information related to the ratings of the drivers in different parameters and the monthly payment structure (in rupees) is given in the table below:              

 

The following additional facts are known.
1. Arun and Barun have got a rating of 5 in exactly one of the parameters. Chandan has got a rating of 5 in exactly two parameters.
2. None of drivers has got the same rating in three parameters.

 

Answer the following Questions based on above information

 

Q.1 If Damodaran does not get a bonus, what is the maximum possible value of his final rating? 

1. 3.4
2. 3.6
3. 3.8
4. 3.2

Q.2 If Eman gets a bonus, what is the minimum possible value of his final rating?

1. 2.8
2. 3.0
3. 3.4
4. 3.2

Q.3 If all five drivers get bonus, what is the minimum possible value of the monthly payment (in rupees) that a driver gets?  

1. 1600
2. 1740
3. 1700
4. 1750

Q.4 If all five drivers get bonus, what is the maximum possible value of the monthly payment (in rupees) that a driver gets?  

1. 1900
2. 1950
3. 2050
4. 1960

7.4.2 Actual CAT Questions on Logical Reasoning
LR syllabus in CAT in DILR section has both TITA and MCQ type questions which are with or without answer options. You need to choose the possible right answer. An actual LR question set in CAT syllabus as appeared in recent CAT exam is shared below:

 

LR Questions Set: 5 to 8
Ten musicians (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J) are experts in at least one of the following three percussion instruments: Tabla, Mridangam, and Ghatam. Among them, three are experts in Tabla but not in Mridangam or Ghatam, another three are experts in Mridangam but not in Tabla or Ghatam, and one is an expert in Ghatam but not in Tabla or Mridangam. Further, two are experts in Tabla and Mridangam but not in Ghatam, and one is an expert in Tabla and Ghatam but not in Mridangam.

MBA Entrance Exam 2022-23 Alert
Exams	Top Colleges Accepting	Registration Status
NMAT 2022	NMIMS, K J Somaiya, XIMB, TAPMI	Open | Register Now
IBSAT 2022	ICFAI B-School campuses	Open | Register Now
XAT 2023	XLRI, XIMB, LIBA, XIME	Open | Register Now

The following facts are known about these ten musicians.

Both A and B are experts in Mridangam, but only one of them is also an expert in Tabla.

D is an expert in both Tabla and Ghatam.

Both F and G are experts in Tabla, but only one of them is also an expert in Mridangam.

Neither I nor J is an expert in Tabla.

Neither H nor I is an expert in Mridangam, but only one of them is an expert in Ghatam.

               

Q.5 Who among the following is DEFINITELY an expert in Tabla but not in either Mridangam or Ghatam?           

1. F
2. C
3. A
4. H

Q.6 Who among the following is DEFINITELY an expert in Mridangam but not in either Tabla or Ghatam?           

1. G
2. E
3. J
4. B

Q.7 Which of the following pairs CANNOT have any musician who is an expert in both Tabla and Mridangam but not in Ghatam?         

1. A and B
2. C and F
3. F and G
4. C and E

Q.8 If C is an expert in Mridangam and F is not, then which are the three musicians who are experts in Tabla but not in either Mridangam or Ghatam?      

1. E, F and H
2. C, E and G
3. E, G and H
4. C, G and H

Right Answers 

• DI Q.1:  Option 2 – 3.6
• DI Q.2:  Option 2 – 3.0
• DI Q.3:  Option 3 - 1700
• DI Q.4:  Option 4 - 1960
• LR Q.5: Option 4 – H
• LR Q.6: Option 3 – J
• LR Q.7: Option 4 – C and E
• LR Q.8: Option 1 – E, F & H

8. CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA): 34% Weight in CAT exam 
Quantitative Ability (QA) is the Mathematics section in CAT exam. Although, the syllabus for Quant is very wide, the questions and topics in it are of class 10 & 12 standard. Out of 66 questions in CAT exam, Quant Section in CAT exam consists of 22 questions and 8 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 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 expected topic wise syllabus and number of questions in the exam. This is only expected number and it is possible that many of the topics may have more, fewer or no questions this year

 

8.1 CAT Syllabus for QA: Topics & Number of Questions

Syllabus Topics in Quant Section

No. of Questions in CAT

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

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 1-2 Questions

8.2 CAT Quant Syllabus: Important Points

• The Quantitative Ability (QA) questions in CAT are divided into 70-75% MCQs with negative marking and 25-30% Non-MCQs without negative marking.
• A three dimensional approach is recommended on CAT Preparation for Quant section.
• To cover CAT Quant syllabus you need to strengthen your basics and formulae in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and allied topics
• Practise on variety of questions of different difficulty level as per CAT QA Syllabus topics
• Solve previous CAT papers and Mocks for each topic. The more you do it, the more expertise in Quant section for CAT, you will get.
• Quantitative Aptitude questions for CAT 2021 have more questions based on Arithmetic topics as compared to other topics.
• In 2015, IIM Ahmedabad revamped CAT exam pattern and increased the number of questions in CAT exam to 100. Besides, Data Interpretation sub-section was separated from Quantitative Ability Section. In 2020, due to Covid pandemic IIM Indore reduced the exam time to 2 hours and reduced total questions to 76. Again in 2021, IIM Ahmedabad changed the CAT exam structure and reduced the number of questions from 76 to 66 while keeping the CAT time duration of 2 hours.
• Now, Quant is a separate section with only Quant questions in it and without any DI question clubbed to it 
• The CAT exam now has also changed the order of sections. The CAT Quantitative Aptitude is now the last section instead of first section and is placed after DILR

8.3 Best Books to Cover Quant Syllabus in CAT
Following are the best books which cover the complete QA syllabus in CAT

• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by  Sarvesh K Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

Read more about the Best CAT Preparation Books 

 

Please note that QA syllabus for CAT goes on changing year after year. Accordingly, you need the best books with latest edition to cover CAT Quant Section syllabus. It should have the latest features as per the current CAT exam pattern with Quantitative Aptitude Questions and Answers.

 

8.4 Type of Questions in CAT Syllabus on Quantitative Ability
Below are some of the CAT questions that appeared in QA section in recent CAT exam. It will help you to have more clarity on CAT syllabus and exact type of questions that you are likely to see in your CAT Quant section

 

Q.1 The number of real-valued solutions of the equation 2^x + 2^-x = 2 – (x - 2)² is

1. 0
2. 1
3. Infinite
4. 2

Q.2 A train travelled at one-thirds of its usual speed, and hence reached the destination 30 minutes after the scheduled time. On its return journey, the train initially travelled at its usual speed for 5 minutes but then stopped for 4 minutes for an emergency. The percentage by which the train must now increase its usual speed so as to reach the destination at the scheduled time, is nearest to

1. 58
2. 67
3. 50
4. 61

Q.3 If a, b and c are positive integers such that ab = 432, bc = 96 and c < 9, then the smallest possible value of a + b + c is

1. 1. 46
2. 2. 56
3. 3. 59
4. 4. 49

Q.4 In a group of people, 28% of the members are young while the rest are old. If 65% of the members are literates, and 25% of the literates are young, then the percentage of old people among the illiterates is nearest to        

1. 55
2. 62
3. 66
4. 59

Q.5 A solid right circular cone of height 27 cm is cut into two pieces along a plane parallel to its base at a height of 18 cm from the base. If the difference in volume of the two pieces is 225 cc, the volume, in cc, of the original cone is

1. 256
2. 232
3. 264
4. 243

Q.6 if y is a negative number such that 2^y2log35 = 5^log23, then y equals

1. Log₂ (1/5)
2. Log₂ (1/3)
3. -log₂ (1/3)
4. -log₂ (1/5)  

Right Answers

• QA Q.1: Option – 1 (0)
• QA Q.2: Option – 2 (67)
• QA Q.3: Option – 1 (46)
• QA Q.4: Option – 3 (66)
• QA Q.5: Option – 4: (243)
• QA Q.6: Option -2 (Log2 (1/3)

9. How to Study to Cover CAT Syllabus? Toppers’ Tips
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 syllabus which helped them crack CAT exam with high percentile overall and section wise. Read below the toppers’ plan to cover the syllabus:

 

Rahul Gupta, CAT topper with 100 percentile: IIM Ahmedabad student

To complete the 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 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 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 the 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.”

 

10. How to Download Latest CAT Syllabus Pdf 2022

The updated CAT syllabus PDF 2022 can help you boost your CAT preparation as per the current CAT pattern. The CAT syllabus 2022 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 2022 Pdf Download Free

 

11. Latest Update: Read More on CAT Articles

Read all about CAT 2022 Exam dates, Pattern, Syllabus, Mock Tests, score Vs Percentile, Top MBA colleges cut-offs and more CAT Exam Pattern: Revised again in terms of Sections, Questions, Duration, Difficulty-level. Check now. CAT Syllabus 2022: Divided into five sections with two types of questions. Read more. CAT Preparation: Check 5-steps Strategy by CAT Toppers; Don’t waste time! Read more. CAT Toppers: How did 100+ CAT Toppers scored 100 & 99 percentile and got into IIMA, IIMB, SPJIMR, MDI? Check now. CAT Online Preparation: How to prepare Online; Which are Top Online Coaching Institutes? Read more

Read More: CAT 2022- Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Preparation, Books 

India’s Top MBA Entrance Exams: Check Dates, Pattern, Mocks, Registration Process…

CAT 2022 (November 27): Largest MBA entrance exam for 20 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs XAT 2022 (January 8, 2023): India’s toughest exam for XLRI; 3 Hr Exam, Unique ‘Decision Making’ Section MAT 2022 (Sep Exam): Moderate Difficulty Exam for AICTE Approved MBA/PGDM Colleges CMAT 2022 (Check Top Colleges): Moderate Difficulty Exam for AICTE Approved MBA/PGDM Colleges Also Read: CAT Coaching: Best CAT Coaching Centers, Top CAT Coaching Institutes by City