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The CAT 2024 syllabus covers Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). It’s recommended that students concentrate on key subjects such as Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic in QA, and practice areas like Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. Additionally, focusing on solving exercises like Para-Jumbles, Coding-Decoding, and Series Completion will be beneficial for preparation.
CAT 2024 serves as the gateway for MBA admissions to prestigious institutions such as 21 IIMs and other renowned B-schools like SPJIMR, IMT, Great Lakes, TAPMI, MDI Gurgaon, and several IITs. The exam is highly competitive, but candidates who thoroughly understand the CAT syllabus stand a good chance of cracking it.
Students are selected based on percentile. A percentile is different from a percentage because percentile rank is a score of the percentage of scores in a certain distribution. All the Management Institutes fall under the IIMs or the Indian Institute of Management. These institutes also provide consultancy and research services globally in many business and management fields.
CAT Syllabus 2024 Overview
CAT 2024 will primarily focus on three key sections: VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and Quantitative Aptitude. Here are the main aspects of the CAT 2024 syllabus for effective preparation:
| Section | Topics Covered |
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | – Verbal Reasoning – English Grammar – Reading Comprehension |
| Quantitative Aptitude | – Geometry – Arithmetic – Algebra – Mensuration – Trigonometry |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | – Puzzles – Tables – Pie Charts – Bar Graphs |
What is the Syllabus in CAT 2024?
The CAT syllabus for MBA admissions is not officially released by the IIMs through a specific PDF document. Instead, coaching experts analyze previous years’ CAT question papers to compile the CAT 2024 syllabus. This syllabus focuses on essential topics across various exam subjects. Understanding these subjects thoroughly and preparing strategically is key to succeeding in the CAT exam.
The CAT exam is widely regarded as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams in India. However, with effective preparation, cracking CAT 2024 is achievable for anyone. The first crucial step towards success in CAT 2024 is gaining a thorough understanding of the topics covered in its syllabus. It’s important to identify which sections might seem tough, as this can vary from person to person. While some candidates find DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) daunting, others may struggle with Quantitative Aptitude topics. Rather than relying on subjective opinions, it’s advisable to review the entire CAT 2024 syllabus comprehensively.
Once familiar with the syllabus, the next step is to understand the CAT exam pattern.
CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Total Subjects | 3 |
| Sections in CAT | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| CAT Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions in CAT 2024 | – VARC: 24 questions – DILR: 20 questions – QA: 22 questions |
| Duration of CAT Exam | 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD Candidates) |
| Section-wise Duration | Each section: 40 minutes (53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD Candidates) |
| Medium | English |
| CAT Syllabus 2024 | VARC: Para Summary, Jumbled Paragraphs, Sentences, Analogies, Passages on current affairs and literature, Vocabulary |
| DILR: Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Caselets, Logical Reasoning Puzzles, Binary Logic, Logical Deductions, Venn Diagrams, Data Sufficiency, Quantitative Comparison, Cubes and Dice, Logical Connectives, Number Series, Data Interpretation from Text | |
| QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Mathematics, Data Interpretation, Trigonometry, Calculus, Basic Statistics |
CAT Syllabus 2024 for VARC
In CAT 2024, the first section covers the English syllabus, specifically the VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) section. This section comprises a total of 24 questions that candidates must answer within 40 minutes. Candidates need to distinguish between the syllabus for Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC) while preparing for CAT 2024. This segregation helps in focusing on specific skills required for each type of question in VARC.
| CAT Syllabus 2024 for VARC | CAT Syllabus 2024 for VARC |
| Fill in the blanks | Idioms |
| Para completion and inference | Syllogisms |
| Verbal logic | Analogies |
| Verbal reasoning | Antonyms |
| Subject-verb agreement | Jumbled paragraphs |
| Para jumbles | Sentence correction |
| Sentence completion | One-word substitution |
| Foreign language words in English | Parts of speech |
| Different usage of the same word | Preposition |
| Grammar | Types of clauses |
| Reading comprehension | Phrases modifiers |
| Errors in tenses | Articles usage |
What to study from the CAT 2024 Syllabus for VARC?
- Reading Comprehension (RC): Understanding central themes, grasping details, analyzing tone, inferring implied meanings, and answering questions based on passage content.
- Vocabulary: Includes synonyms, antonyms, word usage, contextual meaning, analogies, idioms, and phrases.
- Grammar and Usage: Focuses on sentence correction, error spotting, completion, and grammar rules (Parts of Speech, Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement).
- Para Jumbles: Involves rearranging jumbled sentences logically to form coherent paragraphs.
- Critical Reasoning: Requires evaluating arguments, strengthening and weakening arguments, making assumptions, drawing inferences, and logical deductions.
- Paragraph Completion: Selecting the appropriate sentence to logically complete a given paragraph.
- Summary: Condensing main ideas from passages into concise summaries.
- Reading and Comprehending Different Text Forms: Understanding essays, articles, editorials, literary excerpts, etc., and their styles and structures.
- Contextual Understanding: Interpreting the use of words, phrases, and sentences within their specific context in a passage.
CAT Syllabus 2024 for VARC: High-Yielding Topics
The VARC section in the CAT exam includes 24 questions that focus on four main sub-topics: Reading Comprehension (RC), Verbal Ability, Para jumbles, and Odd Sentences. This structure of the CAT VARC section generally remains unchanged from year to year.
| VARC Topics for CAT | No. of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Para jumbles | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Odd Sentence | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| VA-Summary | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 24 | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT Syllabus 2024 for DILR
After completing the VARC section in the CAT exam, candidates move on to the DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) section. This section allows candidates 40 minutes to solve 20 questions, with 10 questions dedicated to each of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
The second section of the CAT exam is DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning). This section is further divided into two subsections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Familiarizing oneself with the important topics of CAT DILR can give candidates an advantage in covering the CAT syllabus for MBA and aiming for high scores in CAT 2024.
| CAT Syllabus 2024 for DILR | CAT Syllabus 2024 for DILR |
| Blood Relations | Puzzles |
| Clocks and Calendars | Sets & Caselets |
| Syllogism | Bars & Line Graphs |
| Series | Data Arrangement |
| Statements | Data Structures |
| Venn Diagram | Direction Sense |
| Proposition | Family Tree |
| Data Sufficiency | Tables |
| Assumptions | Coding-Decoding |
| Seating Arrangement | Binary Logic |
| Pie Charts |
What to study from CAT Syllabus for DILR?
- Bar Graphs: Candidates draw conclusions based on data presented in bar graphs.
- Line Graphs: Questions involve analyzing trends and patterns depicted in line graphs.
- Pie Charts: Candidates interpret proportions and percentages represented in pie charts to make inferences.
- Tables: Data given in tables need to be extracted and used to solve problems.
- Caselets: Short paragraphs followed by related data (tables, graphs, charts) require analysis to answer questions.
- Logical Reasoning Puzzles: Problems involve seating arrangements, blood relations, and other logical puzzles.
- Binary Logic: Candidates analyze statements and determine their logical validity based on given conditions.
- Logical Deductions: Making logical deductions based on provided premises and drawing valid conclusions.
- Venn Diagrams: Interpreting relationships between different sets of data using Venn diagrams.
- Data Sufficiency: Determining whether given data is sufficient to answer a specific question or solve a problem.
- Quantitative Comparison: Comparing two quantities and determining their relationship using provided data.
- Cubes and Dice: Manipulating cubes or dice, identifying patterns, and solving related problems.
- Logical Connectives: Analyzing statements connected by logical operators (and, or, not) and concluding.
- Number Series: Identifying patterns in numerical sequences and predicting the next number in the series.3
CAT Syllabus 2024 for DILR: High-Yielding Topics
As previously noted, the DILR section of CAT includes two types of questions: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Here is an overview of the structure of the DILR section in CAT, including the difficulty levels based on analysis of past year’s question papers.
| DILR Topics for CAT 2024 | No. of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
| Set 1 (Data Interpretation) | 5 | Easy |
| Set 2 (Data Interpretation) | 5 | Moderate |
| Set 3 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Set 4 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 | Moderate |
| Overall | 20 | Moderate to Difficult |
DILR CAT Syllabus 2024: Expected Topics and Weightage
Listed below are the key topics from the DILR section of CAT Syllabus 2024 that are anticipated to appear in the CAT 2024 exam, along with their respective expected importance or weightage.
| CAT 2024 Sets | Total Questions (Expected) |
| Tables & Charts | 5-7 |
| Graphs, Charts | 4-5 |
| Graph, Bar diagram | 7-9 |
| Tables, Pie chart | 4-5 |
CAT Syllabus 2024 for QA
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2024 emphasizes a comprehensive grasp of mathematical topics and formulas typically taught in classes 9 and 10. The syllabus primarily centres around Arithmetic and Algebra concepts.
| CAT Syllabus 2024 for QA | Topics |
| Geometry | Ratios and Proportion |
| Quadratic and Linear Equations | Algebra |
| Percentages | Time-Speed-Distance |
| Partnership | Square Root |
| Cube Root | Geometric Progression |
| Mean, Mode, Median | Simple Interest and Compound Interest |
| Inequalities | Trigonometry |
| Work and Time | Surds and Indices |
| Mensuration | Logarithms |
| Number System | Probability |
| Binomial Theorem | Profit & Loss |
CAT 2024 Syllabus for QA: High-Yielding Topics
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the CAT exam consists of 22 questions. It predominantly covers key topics such as Modern Mathematics, Numbers, Arithmetic, and Algebra. Below is the distribution and weightage of topics in the QA section of the CAT exam.
| CAT 2024 Syllabus for QA: High-Yielding Topics | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 8 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Algebra | 7 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Geometry | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Modern Maths | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Number System | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Overall | 22 | Moderate to Difficult |
QA CAT Syllabus 2024: Expected Topics and Weightage
Candidates can refer to the anticipated CAT 2024 syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and its expected weightage in each section, based on insights from previous CAT question papers.
| CAT 2024 Topics (Expected) | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
| Number System | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Algebra | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Arithmetic | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Modern Maths | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 2 | 3 | 2 |
CAT Syllabus 2024: Latest Changes
| Changes in the CAT exam | Changes in 2020 | CAT 2021 onwards | CAT 2024 |
| VARC questions | Reduced from 34 to 26 | Further reduced to 24 | 24 VARC questions |
| DILR questions | Reduced from 32 to 24 | Cut down further to 20 | 20 DILR questions |
| QA questions | Reduced from 34 to 26 | Reduced to 22 | 22 QA Questions |
| Total Questions in CAT | Cut down from 100 to 76 | Further cut to 66 | Total 66 questions |
| CAT Exam Score | Reduced from 300 to 228 | Reduced to 198 | Total 198 marks |
Why a good CAT Exam Preparation Strategy is Important?
In 2023, a record 3.28 lakh students registered for the CAT exam, with 2.88 lakh appearing for it, underscoring the necessity for a robust CAT 2024 strategy. This entails not only an overarching preparation plan but also specific strategies for each section. Candidates can utilize the following section-wise approach for CAT 2024 to initiate and enhance their preparation efforts.
CAT Syllabus 2024 FAQs
What is the CAT exam syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)?
The CAT VARC section includes topics like Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms), and Grammar (Parts of Speech, Tenses). It focuses on assessing language comprehension and usage skills.
What are the key topics covered under Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) in CAT?
DILR in CAT comprises topics such as Data Interpretation (Tables, Charts, Graphs, and Caselets) and Logical Reasoning (Puzzles, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding). These sections test analytical and logical reasoning abilities.
What mathematical topics are included in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of CAT?
The CAT QA section covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Maths, Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Probability, and more. It evaluates mathematical problem-solving skills.
How many questions are there in each section of CAT 2024?
CAT 2024 consists of three sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20 questions), and QA (22 questions), making a total of 66 questions.
Is the CAT syllabus fixed every year?
The CAT syllabus generally remains consistent with slight variations in the number of questions and their difficulty levels. It primarily assesses candidates on the above-mentioned topics across its sections.
What is the difficulty level of the CAT exam syllabus?
The CAT exam syllabus is designed to be challenging, with questions ranging from moderate to difficult across all three sections. It requires thorough preparation and strong problem-solving abilities.
How should I prepare for the CAT VARC section effectively?
Focus on improving reading comprehension skills, and vocabulary through regular reading, and practice answering questions on Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, and Verbal Reasoning. Mock tests and timed practice are crucial.
What strategies can I use to excel in the CAT DILR section?
Practice solving various types of puzzles, logical reasoning questions, and data interpretation exercises. Enhance your ability to analyze data quickly and accurately, and practice time management during the exam.
What are some recommended resources for preparing for CAT 2024?
Apart from CAT official resources, recommended books include Arun Sharma’s books for QA and DILR, Norman Lewis for vocabulary, and regular practice with mock tests and previous years’ papers.
Is it necessary to join coaching for CAT preparation?
Coaching can provide structured guidance and strategies, but self-study with disciplined preparation and using online resources, books, and mock tests can also be effective. The choice depends on individual learning preferences and needs.
If you have any queries regarding CAT Syllabus 2024, you can ask your query and leave comments below.
As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.
