CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2021: CAT 2021 syllabus is one of the most important things CATspirants are hunting right now. Syllabus for any entrance exam is an important thing as the candidates wish to mark their boundaries of preparations for that exam.
For many years now, the CAT syllabus hasn’t changed much. However, the CAT exam pattern has witnessed various changes since inception. The CAT marking scheme has also remained constant for the past several years now. In this article we will be discussing the expected changes one can see in the upcoming CAT 2021 exam. Let’s get started!
Last year, the CAT exam pattern got revised due to the pandemic by the IIM-Indore (convener for CAT 2020). CAT 2021 is expected to follow the same exam pattern if there is no improvement in the current scenario of the country.
CAT Syllabus 2021
Given below is the section-wise CAT syllabus 2021. IIMs have not released any official syllabus for CAT 2021. The section-wise syllabus given below for the CAT exam 2021 is tentative in nature and based on an analysis of past year question patterns. While a tentative syllabus is given below, a candidate has to be prepared for any surprise element as well.
VARC Syllabus for CAT 2021
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Para Summary | Para Jumbles (with and without options) |
Odd One Out | Reading Comprehension |
QA Syllabus for CAT 2021
Number System | HCF & LCM | Divisibility Rules |
Base change | Finding Units place and tens place of a number | |
Cyclicity | Remainder | |
Prime Factorization | Factorials | |
Indices and Surds | ||
Arithmetic | Time, Speed and Distance | Time and Work |
Pipe and Cistern | SI and CI | |
Rati, Proportion and Variation | Percentage and Average | |
Profit, Loss and Discount | Mixtures and Alligation | |
Geometry and Mensuration | Circle | Triangles |
Polygon | Coordinate Geometry | |
Lines and Angles | Trigonometry | |
Algebra | Inequalities and Modulus | Functions and Groups |
Linear and Quadratic Equation | Polynomials | |
Logarithm | Algebraic Equations | |
Maxima and Minima | ||
Modern Mathematics | Permutation and Combination | Probability |
Set Theory | Venn Diagram | |
Binomial theorem | Arithmetic Progression | |
Geometric Progression | Harmonic Progression | |
DILR Syllabus for CAT 2021
Data Interpretation
Tables | Line Chart |
Venn Diagram | Pie Chart |
Scatter Plot | Radar Chart |
Column Graph | Bar Graph |
Routes and Network | Bubble Chart |
Data Caselets - Reasoning Based DI | |
Logical Reasoning
Team Formation | Arrangements |
Order and Ranking | Binary Logics |
Games and Tournaments | |
CAT Exam Pattern 2021 - Overview
Let us have a closer view at the trend of CAT exam pattern followed in last few years
| Particulars | CAT 2018 | CAT 2019 | CAT 2020 |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes | 180 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Sectional Duration | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | 40 minutes (General / UR category) 53 minutes 20 seconds (SC / ST / PwD category) |
| Number of Questions asked | VARC - 34 QA - 34 DILR - 32 Total - 100 | VARC - 34 QA - 34 DILR - 32 Total - 100 | VARC - 26 QA - 26 DILR - 24 Total - 76 |
| Shifts | 3 Shifts | 3 Shifts | 2 Shifts |
| Total Marks | 300 | 300 | 228 |
CAT Exam Duration
The overall time limit and the sectional time limit for CAT 2020 got reduced considerably by 1 hour. At the time of CAT 2020, the overall time limit of the CAT exam was 2 hours instead of 3 hours and the sectional time limit was reduced to 40 minutes instead of 60 minutes. Candidates need to attempt the questions from the three sections in a preset order:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
The exam pattern we have seen at the time of CAT 2020 is mentioned below:
Sections | Expected No. of Questions | Time (in Minutes) |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 | 40 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 24 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 26 | 40 |
| Total | 76 | 120 |
CAT Marking Scheme 2021
The marking scheme for CAT has remained constant for many years now. However, for CAT 2021, we are still unsure whether the authorities will be following the same scheme or not. The expected CAT 2021 marking scheme is mentioned below:
- The total marks of the CAT exam can be either 300 or 228 (depends on the exam pattern followed for CAT 2021)
- There is +3 marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer for the MCQs
- Also, for the Non-MCQs, every correct answer earns +3 and there is NO NEGATIVE marks for incorrect answers
- There is no deduction of marks if question is left un-attempted
Given below is the summary of the CAT Marking Scheme 2021
Type of Question | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unattempted Question |
MCQs | +3 | -1 | No negative marks |
Non-MCQs | +3 | No negative marks | No negative marks |
What Changes to Expect for CAT 2021?
CAT 2021 could have a considerable number of changes or no changes at all in comparison to the pattern seen in CAT 2020. Everything is dependent upon the prevailing pandemic conditions at that time. We can expect the following changes:
CAT Exam Pattern 2021 | |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
Expected Number of Questions | VARC - 26 DILR - 24 QA - 26 Total - 76 Qs |
Number of Shifts | 3 Shifts |
Sectional Duration | 40 Minutes each Section |
Total Marks (tentative) | 228 |
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