CAT Syllabus 2023 consists of three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. The conducting IIM does not release any fixed official CAT Exam Syllabus on its official website. So, to assist the candidates in preparation our experts have made a list of important topics in CAT Syllabus by curating the previous years' question papers. Read these topics and their related chapters well and be prepared for the upcoming exam.
CAT Syllabus covers chapters including Graphs, Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Coding-Decoding, Percentage, English Grammar, Comprehension, Series Completion, etc. Most of them we have studied at our school level. The candidates can expect 66 questions in total from CAT Syllabus 2023 including both MCQs and TITA. Go through the section below to get CAT Exam Syllabus PDF link along with section-wise chapters, weightage, important topics, study resources and more.
The exam conducting body IIM CAT has not made any changes to the CAT Exam syllabus in the last few years. It includes topics based on three exam sections: VARC, DILR, and QA from which questions are asked in each slot of the exam. The CAT Syllabus 2023 is expected to follow the same trend as last year. Therefore, aspirants preparing for the upcoming CAT 2023 must note the latest CAT Exam syllabus for MBA and prepare accordingly.
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Download the CAT Exam Syllabus PDF using the direct link mentioned below. It will help you to make a systematic CAT Preparation Plan. You can analyze which topics need more attention along with your strengths and weaknesses. This PDF contains all the topics which are covered in the three sections of the CAT Syllabus to ensure complete preparation.
The CAT exam syllabus for MBA has remained unchanged for over 10 years, except for a reduction in the number of questions from 100 to 66 in the last two years. Refer to the table below for specific details.
Components | Changes in CAT 2019 to 2020 | Changes to CAT 2021 to 2022 |
Total Number of Questions | Reduced to 76 from 100 | Reduced to 66 from 76 |
Total Score | Reduced to 228 from 300 | Reduced to 198 from 228 |
Questions in VARC | Reduced to 26 from 34 | Reduced to 24 from 26 |
Questions in DILR | Reduced to 24 from 32 | Reduced to 20 from 24 |
Questions in QA | Reduced to 26 from 34 | Reduced to 22 from 26 |
No, as per the latest updates, CAT Syllabus 2023 is still not released. It will be released along with the official CAT Notification 2023 tentatively by 31 July 2023. However, it is seen that CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA has not changed in the last few years. So you can expect the same for an upcoming exam.
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The Quantitative Aptitude section in CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA is divided into 5 chapters. It is one of the most important sections and the candidates need to invest most of the time to complete CAT Syllabus for the QA section.
The best trick to cover the CAT Syllabus 2023 for quants is the regular revision of formulas, conceptual clarity, the practice of mock tests, and learning the best tricks to solve the questions in minimum time.
Check the important topics under each part of the CAT Syllabus 2023 for Quantitative Aptitude.
The expected number of questions from the QA section of the CAT Syllabus 2023 is mentioned below. When preparing for CAT, it is important to prioritize the following topics in the QA section.
CAT Syllabus for QA | Expected Number of questions |
Arithmetic | 9-10 questions |
Algebra | 7-8 questions |
Geometry | 3-4 questions |
Mensuration | 3-4 questions |
Modern Mathematics | 1-2 questions |
The CAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation is divided into two sections:
CAT Syllabus for DILR Section | CAT Important Topics |
DI Topics | Tables, Scatter Plots, Venn Diagrams, Radar Charts, Line Charts, Column Graphs, Pie Charts, Bubble Charts, Bar Graphs, Routes and Networks, Data Caselets - Reasoning-Based DI |
LR Topics | Team Formation, Arrangements, Games and Tournaments, Order and Ranking, and Binary Logic |
The number of topics and expected questions in the CAT Exam Syllabus 2023 for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning is as follows. The total number of questions will vary as the CAT Paper Pattern has evolved, but the data below is a good approximation.
CAT Syllabus for DILR | Total Number of Questions |
Graph, Bar diagram | 6-8 |
Tables & Charts | 5-8 |
Graphs, Charts | 7-10 |
Tables, Pie chart | 4-5 |
This section in CAT Exam Syllabus is divided into two sections - Verbal Ability and RC. The VARC section is mostly dominated by RC passages and the candidates have to find the answer from these passages.
As per the CAT Exam Analysis of last year's exam, the expected weightage for CAT Syllabus 2023 is tabulated below.
CAT Syllabus for VARC Topics | Expected Number of questions |
Reading Comprehension | 16-18 questions |
Para Jumbles | 5-6 questions |
Odd One Out | 1-2 questions |
Fill in the blanks, Vocab-based, etc. | 1-2 questions |
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The number of questions in the CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA has been reduced in the last few years. However, the number of questions in the CAT 2021 Question Paper and the CAT 2022 Question Paper has remained the same. See the table below for the latest questions expected in CAT Syllabus 2023.
CAT Syllabus Sections | Questions | MCQs | Non-MCQs |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 19 | 5 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 15 | 5 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 14 | 8 |
Total | 66 | 48 | 18 |
As the number of questions in the CAT Exam Syllabus has been changing over the last two years. Note the latest paper pattern and sectional weightage for the CAT. Allocate your preparation time to CAT Syllabus 2023 sections as per the weightage.
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CAT Syllabus Sections | Questions | MCQs | Non-MCQs |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 19 | 5 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 15 | 5 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 14 | 8 |
Total | 66 | 48 | 18 |
Note the key topics which are repeatedly asked in past years' CAT Syllabus in all three sections. The candidates can expect the same weightage in the syllabus of CAT 2023 as the previous year.
CAT Syllabus Section | Key Topics | Weightage |
Verbal Ability | Para jumbles, Summary Based Questions, Sentence exclusion question | 8-10 questions |
Reading Comprehension | RC passages | Out of the 24 questions in the VARC section, 16 questions were from RC in 2022. |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Seating Arrangement, Reasoning Based DI, Grid-Based DI, Graphs. Tables, Data Caselets | In 2022, there were 2 sets with a total of 10 questions in DI and 2 sets from LR. |
Quantitative Aptitude | Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Mensuration | Arithmetic and Algebra dominate the section with approx. 8 questions from each. |
Candidates who are preparing for the upcoming exam must analyze the CAT Exam Syllabus and paper pattern before beginning exam preparation. It is important to have a clear understanding of the CAT Syllabus in terms of question types and the weightage distribution. Prepare a plan and allocate time to each section of the CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA as per your weakness and strengths.
Here our experts have suggested some important tips that you can follow to prepare CAT Syllabus 2023.
There are numerous books for each section of CAT Syllabus in the market. Based on expert advice, the following are some of the Best CAT Books to complete the exam syllabus on time.
The candidates can follow the below-mentioned CAT study materials to complete the CAT exam syllabus 2023 on time.
List of Study Materials | Authors/Publication |
High School English & Grammar | Wren & Martin |
NCERT Books | NCERT |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
Besides, we also have shared important section-wise CAT study materials in the section below for your reference. You can follow this along with exam books to prepare CAT Syllabus efficiently.
Aspirants who are preparing for both CAT and GMAT must be able to differentiate between CAT and GMAT so that they can optimally utilize their time to cover both. GMAT includes all three sections of the CAT Syllabus but under different headings along with a subjective section- Analytical Writing Assessment.
CAT Syllabus | GMAT Syllabus |
3 Sections: Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 4 Sections Analytical Writing (Argumentative essay analysis) Integrated Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning |
CAT Syllabus includes MCQ and Non-MCQ questions but there is no descriptive section. | GMAT has a descriptive section for Analytical Writing Assessment |
This post covers all the essential details for CAT Exam Syllabus for all three exam sections. It is really huge and the candidates must follow a comprehensive plan to cover CAT Syllabus and its related topics. Join BYJU’S Exam Prep CAT Online Coaching and be prepared for the upcoming exam now.
There are three sections in CAT Syllabus: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA), which further includes various topics of Class 10 level.
No, CAT Syllabus does not change very often. In the last two years, the weightage distribution in the syllabus has been altered. The number of questions has been reduced from 100 to 66, including both MCQ and Non-MCQ questions.
The CAT Exam Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude portion can be divided into 5 sections - Number System, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration, Algebra, and Modern Mathematics. The quantitative aptitude syllabus for CAT is the most well-defined, as well as the most extensive.
The major difference between GMAT and CAT syllabus is that the CAT exam does not include a descriptive written section. CAT exam contains 3 sections of QA, VARC, and DILR where GMAT has Verbal Reasoning, Quant, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. In the CAT exam, the sequence of the sections is pre-defined and you must attempt the paper in the given sequence whereas, in GMAT, candidates can decide the order of sections to answer.
Analyse and allocate time for each section of the IIM CAT Syllabus. Select experts' recommended books, prepare a strategy and complete your preparation.
DILR section for CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA includes both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions. The majority of the questions asked are from Seating Arrangement, Reasoning based DI, Grid-Based DI, Tables, and Graphs.
There are slight differences between the GRE syllabus and the CAT Syllabus 2023. The GRE syllabus is divided into three sections- Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning whereas the CAT exam syllabus includes Quant, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning.
Yes, It is possible to complete the CAT Syllabus 2023 in 3 months if prepared in an efficient and planned manner. CAT is an aptitude test and therefore apart from a few formulas, there are fewer things to memorize.
The CAT Syllabus for VARC is a part of the VARC section. The major topics asked in this section are Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, Fill in the blanks, Vocab-based, etc.
The CAT Syllabus is very similar to other MBA entrance tests as the basic themes of the syllabus include quant, verbal and logical reasoning. There are a few exams like CMAT which have additional sections like general awareness and innovation & entrepreneurship.
CAT Syllabus for MBA is not been officially released by the authorities. For the past few years, questions asked under all three sections have been from the few topics mentioned above and aspirants can begin their preparation accordingly.
There are three sections in the CAT Syllabus 2023., namely Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
The candidates can get CAT Exam Syllabus PDF for free on the BYJU’S Exam Prep website. Click here to download a PDF version of the CAT Syllabus.
The candidates can find the VARC section the toughest one, because of the Reading Comprehension passages. The exam authority mostly asks for long and tricky passages to make the candidates confused while answering.
Yes, the difficulty level of the CAT Syllabus is high if compared to the other MBA exams. A basic understanding is a must to score well in CAT. Prepare a timetable and complete all the chapters of the CAT exam syllabus on time.
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