Is CAT exam tough for an average student?

CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems. However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.

How to improve reading speed for CAT preparation?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year. The CAT exam is an online computer-based test that is used as a primary criterion for admission into various management programs offered by the IIMs as well as other top business schools in India. The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam syllabus is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of 24 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it. Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it. The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours). Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions. (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Here is a brief overview of the syllabus and some tips on how to prepare for each section: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section tests your reading comprehension and language skills. The syllabus includes reading comprehension passages, grammar, para jumbles, para completion, sentence correction, and vocabulary. To prepare for VARC, read a lot of books, newspapers, and magazines to improve your reading speed and comprehension skills. Practice grammar and vocabulary exercises regularly to improve your language skills. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section tests your ability to interpret data and make logical deductions. The syllabus includes bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, tables, Venn diagrams, blood relations, seating arrangements, and puzzles. To prepare for DILR, practice solving a variety of puzzles and logical reasoning questions. Develop a systematic approach to solving questions and focus on improving your speed and accuracy. Practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section tests your mathematical skills. The syllabus includes number systems, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic, and modern mathematics. To prepare for QA, start with the basics and gradually move to advanced topics. Practice solving a variety of mathematical problems regularly to improve your speed and accuracy. Memorize important formulas and theorems. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Each correct answer carries 3 marks. Each incorrect answer carries a penalty of -1 mark. There is no negative marking for questions that are left unanswered. The CAT exam is used as a primary criteria for admission into various management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as other top business schools in India. The selection process for CAT typically includes the following stages: CAT Exam: Candidates who clear the CAT cutoff are shortlisted for the next stage. Written Ability Test (WAT)/Group Discussion (GD)/Personal Interview (PI): Shortlisted candidates are required to appear for a WAT/GD/PI round, which is conducted by the respective IIMs or business schools. Final Selection: Candidates are selected based on their CAT score, performance in the WAT/GD/PI round, academic background, work experience, and other relevant factors. The final selection is based on a composite score that considers all these factors. The weightage given to CAT score and other selection criteria vary from institute to institute. It is important to check the admission criteria of the respective institutes you are applying to. Overall, the CAT exam is a highly competitive exam, and candidates are advised to prepare well and perform to the best of their abilities. If you want to prepare you can download LK ACADEMY learning app for daily free mock test, Current Affairs video lectures, study notes and many more all on your convenient time. The coaching provides comprehensive way to cover the syllabus and make you prepare for preliminary, Mains and interview round. Good luck!

What is the section-wise weightage of VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude in CAT Syllabus?

The CAT exam has three sections - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. Among these three sections, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage of 24 questions and 72 marks. The Quantitative Aptitude has second the highest weightage of 22 questions and 66 marks. The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has the lowest weightage of 20 questions and 60 marks. Topic-wise, Reading Comprehension dominates the English section with about 14-16 questions. Rest of the questions are asked on parajumble, sentence completion, etc. In Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, the weightage of questions of both the sub topics is equal, I. e. 10 questions each. The questions are asked from Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. In the Quantitative Aptitude section, the maximum questions are asked from Algebra and Mensuration. Other topics from which questions are asked include Geometry, Number System Arithmetic and Modern Math.

Which is the best book of logical reasoning for CAT preparation?

Books of Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT exam: 1- Logical Reasoning by Arihant. 2- Logical and Analytical Reasoning by Ashok Gupta. 3- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal. 4- How To Prepare Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma. 5- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha. Books of Verbal Reasoning for the CAT exam: 1- Verbal Reasoning by Bhupendra Kumar Singh. 2- How to Crack Test of Reasoning by Jaikishan and Premkishan. 3- Shortcuts in Reasoning for Competitive Exams by Odisha Experts. 4- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Agarwal. 5- A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by B. S. Sijwali and Indus Sijwali. I hope this will help you.

What is the sectional weightage of DILR in CAT?

The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20. There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.

How can I prepare for CAT DILR?

CAT DILR is all about practice. So, you need to practice a lot of questions from DILR to be able to master it. This section of CAT is equally divided into 10 questions each on DI and LR. The Data Interpretation questions are based on Mathematical tables, bars, pie charts, etc. so you need to work on it alongside Quantitative Aptitude. Learn some basic rules of tables, bars, pie charts as well as some basic rules of mathematical calculations. If you can read the data correctly, you can solve the CAT questions. However, to be able to solve questions quickly and accurately, you need to practice a good number of sample questions and mock tests. For Logical Reasoning, you will have to depend totally on practice tests and exercises. The CAT LR questions are mostly based on series, number system, coding-decoding, family tree, circular patterns, blood relations, etc. So, you need to practice a lot of questions on these to be able to solve them in the exam. Go through CAT previous year question papers to know the type of questions are asked and practice them.

Is 6.5 CGPA good for CAT preparation?

Yes, you should not worry about your CGPA at graduation to prepare for the CAT exam. A CGPA of 6.5 is not bad, but it is average enough to get you an admissions call from IIM. It doesn't matter what your CGPA is if you score highly on the CAT exam and perform well in the personal interview round because you can enroll in the best IIMs. You need not be concerned about your CGPA because most management colleges also consider 6.5 CGPA for admission. You have to create a good study plan so that you do well in the CAT exam. Additionally, you can make up for your undergraduate CGPA by performing well in group discussions and the Personal Interview round. These are conducted by IIMs after the CAT results are released.

What is the structure of CAT question paper?

The CAT question paper structure has remained unchanged since 2014 when there were only two sections. Quantitative Aptitude was clubbed with Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was clubbed with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In 2015, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning were clubbed together and Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension made two individual sections. Since 2015, the sectional segregation has remained the same but the number of questions have come down from 100 to 66. The exam duration has also been reduced. Until 2019, the CAT exam was of 180 minutes and the total number of questions were 100. However, in 2020, the question paper structure was revised due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the total number of questions came down to 76. In 2021 and 2022, the number of questions were further lowered to 66. For the last two years, CAT is conducted for 2 hours, and the number of questions is 66. The latest CAT question paper structure is: Total questions: 66 Number of sections: 3 Order of sections - 1. VARC 2. DILR 3. Quantitative Aptitude Sectional time limit: 40 minutes VARC questions: 24 DILR questions: 20 Quantitative Aptitude questions: 22.

What is the syllabus for the CAT exam?

The syllabus of the CAT exam is divided into three sections and is as follows: Section one: This section can be further divided into two parts: the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). The topics included are fill in the blanks, verbal logic, different usages of the same word, sentence completion, syllogisms, analogies, and prepositions, etc. Section Two: This section consists of data interpretation and logical reasoning questions (DILR). It includes topics such as Blood Relations, Data Arrangement, Pie Charts, Coding-Decoding, Bars, Line Graphs, Binary Logic, etc. Section three: This section has questions related to quantitative aptitude from topics such as ratios and proportion, geometry, surds and indices, algebra, geometric progression and probability, etc. If you want to know the detailed syllabus and how to approach it, you may visit this page: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-syllabus.

How many hours should I study to prepare for CAT?

There is no fixed limit to how many hours you need to devote to CAT preparation. This is because every person has a different learning pace. Some may have strong mathematical backgrounds, and the quant section may look like a cakewalk to them, but they may get stuck in comprehension. Therefore, you need to first understand your strong and weak areas to make a proper schedule. You should give more time to practicing and studying those topics which are unknown to you and less time to those which you know very well. On an average, it takes 6 to 8 hours, depending upon how many months are left for the exam. If CAT is six months away, then four hours is sufficient, but if it is next month, then you need to study at least eight hours.

Is it beneficial to do MBA after CA and how can I prepare for CAT in my daily routine?

Yes, it can be beneficial to pursue an MBA/PGDM after completing the CA (Chartered Accountancy) programme. An MBA/PGDM can provide you with a broader understanding of business management concepts and practices, which can complement your technical expertise in accounting and finance. Additionally, an MBA/PGDM can help you acquire leadership and management skills, which can open up opportunities for career growth and advancement. To prepare for the CA. (Common Admission Test) in your daily routine, you can start by setting aside a fixed amount of time each day to study and practice. It is important to develop a study plan and schedule that works best for you and stick to it. You can also join coaching classes or online courses to get access to study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance. GIBS Business School, located in Bangalore, India, offers a 2-year full-time PGDM programme that is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in various industries. The programme is open to graduates from any discipline, including CA. Admission to the programme is based on a candidate's academic background, entrance exam scores, and performance in group discussions and personal interviews. GIBS also offers various scholarships and financial assistance programs to eligible candidates.

From where can I download CAT question papers?

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

From when should I start solving CAT mock test series?

Ideally, candidates should start solving mock tests after completing the CAT syllabus. CAT exam is held in the last week of November and aspirants usually start exam preparation by March. Even if they start later than March, the syllabus is completed by August end. So, September is the ideal month to start solving CAT mock tests as it gives them over three months to attempt, analyse and assess their preparation level. Those who have appeared for the CAT before can directly start solving mock tests. Their motive should be to SEE if they are doing better than last year or not. If they are not, then they can go back to the topics that are posing challenge. They can study the chapters and practice mock tests simultaneously too as they do not have to start studying from scratch. Solve one CAT mock test in a day and analyse it in details. Check your accuracy level, time taken and knowledge of questions individually. It will help you in understanding which type of questions are easy for you and which are tough.

What is the marking scheme of CAT?

CAT has a total of 66 question. Each section carries 3 marks for correct attempt and -1 marks for incorrect attempt. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the total marks of CAT is 198. Till 2019, the CAT exam used to be of 300 marks as the total number of questions were 100. In CAT 2020, the number of questions was reduced to 76 and the total marks was 228. Since, 2021, the total marks of CAT is 198. Section-wise, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has maximum weightage. Sectional marking scheme for CAT is given below: 1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: 72 (24x3) 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: 60 (20x3) 3. Quantitative Aptitude 66 (22x3) Since CAT has sectional negative marking scheme, candidates must choose the questions to solve very carefully. If they are not sure of the correct answer, they should leave the question instead of taking a chance. Remember that 0 is greater than negative.

How can I improve my score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT?

The key to improving score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is practice, practice and more practice. Listed below are some tips you can apply while preparing for CAT. Practice Mental Maths to be less dependent on calculators Make short notes of formulae and sample questions to revise them on the go Develop the ability to choose which questions to answer in the exam Avoid negative marking. Don’t attempt questions you are not sure of Practice Quants questions in a time bound manner to be able to utilize maximum time in the main exam Solving a sample question is not enough. Practice the same set of questions multiple time

What should be my approach towards Quantitative Aptitude on CAT exam day?

Quantitative Aptitude is the last section of CAT. By the time you reach this section, it is natural for fatigue to set it. Don’t get bogged down by fatigue. Stay energized and alert as this section requires Mathematical calculations. Read the questions calmly and then choose the ones you can solve with maximum accuracy. The CAT Quantitative Aptitude section is dominated by Mensuration and Arithmetic, so have a good control on those topics. Do not spend too much time on any question that is posing a challenge to you. Do not get greedy and fall in the trap of negative marking.

What to keep in mind for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation?

CAT Quantitative Aptitude has the potential of 100 percentile if you prepare well. The Quantitative Aptitude topics of CAT are advance level Mathematic topics from Class 9 and 10. So, for any candidate, the foundation is already there, they only need to work on it further. The important topics of CAT Quantitative Aptitude include Geometry, Ratios and Proportion, Inequalities, Trigonometry, In-equations, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Work and Time, Algebra, Surds and Indices, Percentages, Mensuration, Time-Speed-Distance, Logarithms, Partnership (Accounts), Number System, Square Root and Cube Root, Profit & Loss, Geometric Progression, Probability, Mean-Mode-Median, Binomial theorem, Simple interest and compound interest. Maximum questions are asked from Arithmetic and Geometry so keep the main focus on these two topic. Understand and memorise the formulas and theorems well, and practice enough questions to be thorough with their application.

When should I start preparing for CAT exam?

Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not. Divide your preparation into two phases - Covering the CAT syllabus Practicing mock tests, sample questions and revision. The CAT syllabus includes the following topics: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences, Questions based on passages, para meaning, order of sentences Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration. You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation: CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/ Simon and Schuster How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha.

How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?

It is tough to give an accurate number as an answer to this questions are the number of questions have been changing in CAT in the last three years. Moreover, percentile also depends on the difficulty level of the exams and the number of test takers in a particular year. However, one can say that it is safe to solve at least 2/3rd of the total questions in each section of the CAT. So, if CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has 24 questions, candidate must attempt 16-18 questions correctly. If the CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning has 20 questions, the candidate must solve about 12-14 questions correctly. If the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions then candidates must solve about 14-15 questions correctly. For further understanding you can check detailed analysis here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/how-many-questions-to-attempt-in-cat-to-score-99-percentile-blogId-19639.

What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

Where can I get official CAT mock test?

The official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) provides two official CAT mock tests for free. To access these mock tests, you need to follow these steps: 1. Go to the official CAT website iimcat. AC. In 2. Click on the "Registered Candidate Login" button. 3. Enter your CAT login credentials (User ID and Password) and click on the "Login" button. 4. Click on the "Mock Test" button on the left-hand side of the screen. 5. You will be directed to the page with the links to the official CAT mock tests. 6. Click on the "Mock Test 1" or "Mock Test 2" link to start the test. The official CAT mock tests provide a real exam-like experience and are a great way to assess your preparation level. They also help you get familiar with the exam pattern and test-taking interface. It is recommended that you take these mock tests to get an idea of what to expect on the exam day and identify areas where you need to improve.

Is the structure of CAT mock test same as the actual exam?

CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual CAT exam. It is so because the purpose of the mock test is to prepare the candidate for a speed based test which requires quick decision making and quick calculation with 100 per cent accuracy. This can be achieved only if the candidates has been in such an environment multiple times. In the CAT mock test, candidate has to solve equal number of questions as the CAT exam, in the same time limit. This, helps them in mastering the art of solving 66 questions in 120 minutes with much ease and confidence. The CAT mock tests have questions of same or higher difficulty level than the actual exam. In many unofficial mock tests, the questions are of previous CAT exams. Candidates must solve a variety of mock tests so that they are well versed with CAT questions of all types and varieties.

Which are the best books to prepare for CAT?

By Arun Sharma-How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (Tata McGraw Hill) By Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay -How to Prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT (Tata McGraw-Hill) By Nishit Sinha-The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning By Arun Sharma - How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT Common Admission Test (Tata McGraw-Hill) By Nishit Sinha-The Pearson Guide To Quantitative Aptitude And Data Interpretation By, Ajay Singh - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (Arihant Publications) By, Muhamed Muneer- How to Prepare for the CAT (Om Books The Complete CAT Digest (Tata McGraw-Hill).

How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?

Experts recommend that aspirants must practice at least 40 CAT mock tests to score above 99 percentile well in the exam. Most of the CAT test takers take up to 50 mock tests of various types and difficulty level. CAT toppers in previous years have practiced even up to 80 mock tests during their preparation. However, candidates must decide the number of CAT mock tests depending on their control and confidence on topics as the exam day comes closer. Mock tests are the best way to judge your performance viz. The important topics of CAT. The more one practices CAT mock tests, the more accurate they get in solving questions from all subjects. It is very important to know which formula to apply to which type question to solve the problem accurately. Mock tests help candidates in this aspect which is why practicing mock tests is most important in CAT preparation.

What are the key tips for CAT VARC preparation?

CAT VARC section is dominated by Reading Comprehension and Parajumbles, thus you need to focus on reading speed and comprehension. To prepare for this section, candidates need to start early on and start reading books and novels to improve English. The CAT RC passages are long, dense and inference based so you need to be very clear about reading and understanding the passage. You can’t speed read or leave out any sentence. Practice a lot of sample CAT RC questions throughout your preparation phase. Also practice previous years CAT question papers so that you have a good enough experience of the types of Reading Comprehension passages that are asked in CAT. Moreover, take guidance from mentor and practice time bound English exercises. Refer to dictionary for word meanings and foreign words.

What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

What are the best books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension preparation?

There are a range of books available for preparation of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT. However, the most recommended books are mentioned below: 1. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay 2. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha 3. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis 4. High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin 5. 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/Simon and Schuster For English Grammar and Vocabulary, High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin is the best book. For Verbal Ability preparation, practice questions of different difficulty levels are a major part of preparation. The abovementioned books are the best resources of Verbal Ability and practice questions. To prepare for Reading Comprehension, candidates should read books, novels, magazines, research papers, newspaper editorials, etc. Along with these books.

CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF (Available): Download Subject-wise Syllabus with Weightage

13.1K Students Q&A

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 17:48 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CAT syllabus 2025 includes Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). It has been prescribed by IIM, the exam conducting institute. The syllabus of CAT exam is vast and requires in-depth study over a period of time. Also the difficulty level of CAT questions poses challenge in scoring high. Read below for details related to the CAT syllabus.

Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2025, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.

The most important things to keep in mind are:

CAT exam mode is online
Each question carries three marks
There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts

The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:

Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high

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Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?

Usually, it is recommended to start CAT preparation about a year or nine months in advance. However, one can prepare for this exam even in six months if they put 8-10 hours daily into it. Candidates who have attempted the CAT before may not face a lot of hurdles in six-month preparation as they have a foundation in CAT preparation from previous year, but candidates who are appearing in the exam for the first time may face obstacles, mostly related to accuracy. The syllabus of CAT is vast and includes a lot of reading. One also has to spend a lot of time in practice sessions and mock tests to be able to master all types of CAT questions - easy, moderate and tough. If you are a student of engineering/technical or commerce background you will need to pay extra attention on VARC . However, you'll be able to manage the syllabus of DILR and Quantitative Aptitude with adequate practice of topics. But if you are a student from Arts background, it is advised to start CAT preparation much earlier because you will have to brush up a lot of Mathematics. Reading Comprehension is one subject that cannot be mastered by student belonging to any academic stream, if their English comprehension is not strong. To develop reading habit all CAT aspirants will have to start much earlier.

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Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

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Q: What makes CAT tougher than other MBA entrance exams?

CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 Lacs candidates apply for it. The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 2.3 Lacs test takers there is a need for tough criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam expect XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.

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CAT Syllabus 2025: Highlights

CAT 2025 preparation should start by March. Take a look at the highlights of CAT 2025 syllabus for CAT preparation:

The VARC section of CAT exam syllabus for MBA covers various topics of Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. However, candidates need to study English grammar and vocabulary too in order to crack Reading Comprehension and Parajumbles. There are 24 questions, out of which 12-14 are RC based.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT syllabus includes all the topics of Mathematics from Class 9 to 10 such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry and Mensuration. They are however, of advance level. Candidates must cover all the topics of Arithmetic as most of the questions are asked from it.
The DILR syllabus of CAT exam includes topics that require analytical interpretation of data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Tables, Bar Graphs, Coding-Decoding, Series, Family Tree, Blood Relations, Syllogism, etc. In CAT 2024, this section had 22 questions instead of 20.

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CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF Download

CAT syllabus 2025 PDF can be downloaded from the link mentioned below. This CAT syllabus PDF prepared by Shiksha has CAT quant syllabus, CAT VARC syllabus and CAT DILR syllabus. It has further description of these topics and sub topics in detail and can be very useful for CAT 2025 preparation. Download the CAT exam syllabus PDF below and plan your CAT 2025 preparation around it

Download CAT syllabus PDF 2025 by Shiksha, link for which is given here:

CAT Syllabus PDF

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025

VARC section is the first section of the CAT question paper and has 24 questions. The section is divided into two sub-parts, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The questions are usually moderate to tough in terms of difficulty level due to presence of 12-14 RC based questions. Take a look at important VARC topics for CAT exam syllabus.

CAT VARC Syllabus 2024
Fill in the blanks	Para completion and inference	Verbal logic
Verbal reasoning	Subject-verb agreement	Parajumbles
Sentence completion	Foreign language words used in English	Different usage of same word
Grammar	Reading comprehension	Idioms
Syllogisms	Analogies	Antonyms
Jumbled paragraphs	Sentence correction	One word substitution
Parts of speech	Preposition	Types of clauses
Phrases modifiers	Errors in tenses	Articles usage

CAT Syllabus 2025: VARC Topics & Weightage

CAT VARC section as mentioned earlier, includes four major sub-topics – Reading Comprehension, Parajumbles, Verbal Ability and Sentences. There are no grammar based questions in CAT. Composition of the CAT VARC section is usually the same every year. Given below is the weightage and difficulty level of VARC as per last year CAT paper:

VARC Topics for CAT	No. of Questions in CAT Exam	Level of Difficulty
Reading Comprehension	16	Moderate to Difficult
VA-Parajumbles	3	Moderate to Difficult
VA-Odd Sentence	2	Easy to Moderate
VA-Summary	3	Easy to Moderate
Overall	24	Moderate to Difficult

CAT Reading Comprehension Passages of Previous Years

CAT Reading Comprehension questions form the two-third of the first section of CAT question paper. There are about four to five RC passages with 12-14 questions. These passages can be asked from any field and are often long and dense. Check below, the Reading Comprehension topics of CAT 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018:

CAT RC Passages	Slot 1	Slot 2	Slot 3
CAT 2024	Utility & Human Economics Entertainment/ Netflix Australian Spices Craftsmanship	Spice Trade Unintended Consequences of Technology Peer Review of Research Carnivore-Human Conflict	Impact of AI Languages Chinese Moutai Saving outer space and other planets
CAT 2023	Wolf → Environmentalists vs Farmer Philosophy → Change in Work Culture Indian Ocean-based Geographical Literature Human Behavior	Garments, Fashion Industry & Pollution Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe→ Good or Bad for Europe? Liberalism is Dying Facts & Interpretation in History	Romantic Aesthetics/ Philosophy Cultural Property Law → Exploration of Sites Nutmeg Curse→ Environment Degradation Rational Thinking
CAT 2022	Ghosts & their mysteries how we can’t find their history Chinese Copy of articles Two levels of emotional thinking STOICS	Music Engineering technology Octopus Philosophy	Social reorganization increasing crime rate Software if more easy humans are not capable to get solutions) Indian history American migration / urbanization increasing
CAT 2021	Mayan Civilization Utopia and Dystopia Marshmallow Experiment Evolution of Tea as a Drink	Language/ Indigenous People Why Fiction Trumps Truth Colonialism/Nationalism Knowledge and Problems of Knowledge is a Scandal to Philosophy	Nanotechnology Language Instinct Time Accuracy Entropy Unconscious and Psychoanalysis
CAT 2020	Anarchism Migration of Northern Seals Currency of Tang Dynasty Grammar/Vocabulary	Investing in Renewable Energy Technologies Piracy in International Trade Freudian Models of Aggression A Study of Visualisation	Travel Writing and Feminism During Colonial Times The Need for Economic Literacy in the General Population Screen Time and Undercurrents of Social Class An Analysis of Human Nature
CAT 2019	British Folk Music Topophilia Emperor Penguins Internet Shopping and Choice Anxiety Origin of Story of Alladin	Dense Cities Google and Archaeology Distributing Bureaucracy Language & Culture British Colonial Policy	No exam
CAT 2018	Genetics India’s View on its Legacy of Second World War Plastic Pollution Elephant Society Consumer Behaviour Studies	Grover Snails Meritocracy and Diversified Teams Use of Technology in Essential Services Rings of Saturn and Their Age Human Resource and Learning	No exam

Check Out: CAT Verbal Ability (VA) questions with answers for practice PDFs

CAT DILR Syllabus 2025

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) is the second section of the CAT question paper having 20 questions to be solved in 40 minutes. There are two sub sections - Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Both have 10 questions each. Most of the questions are asked in sets of 3-4, Only a few questions in LR are standalone ones. Take a look at important Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation topics included in CAT syllabus 2025.

CAT syllabus DILR
Blood Relations	Clocks and Calendars	Syllogism
Series	Statements	Venn Diagram
Proposition	Data Arrangement	Data Structures
Direction Sense	Family Tree	Tables
Coding-Decoding	Binary Logic	Pie Charts
Assumptions	Seating Arrangement	Data Sufficiency
Puzzles	Sets & Caselets	Bars & Line Graphs

CAT 2024 Syllabus: Important Topics & Weightage for CAT DILR

The Data Interpretation questions usually pertain to tables and graphs. However, Logical Reasoning questions can be from varied topics including verbal, non-verbal and abstract reasoning. Given below is the basic structure of the DILR section of CAT and level of difficulty as per previous year CAT question paper:

CAT DILR Syllabus	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Data Interpretation	4	Easy
Data Interpretation	4	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	6	Moderate to Difficult
Logical Reasoning	6	Easy to Moderate
Overall	20	Moderate to Difficult

Check Out:

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025

Quantitative Aptitude is the last section of CAT question paper. It is usually the toughest questions.To master this section, candidates need to be thorough with the fundamentals of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration. It is a calculation heavy section and thus one need a lot of practice to crack it. Take a look at the important topics of CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus and some key points:

CAT Quant syllabus
Geometry	Ratios and Proportion	Inequalities
Trigonometry	In-equations Quadratic and linear equations	Work and Time
Algebra	Surds and Indices	Percentages
Mensuration	Time-Speed-Distance	Logarithms
Partnership (Accounts)	Number System	Square Root and Cube Root
Profit & Loss	Geometric Progression	Probability
Mean, mode, median	Binomial theorem	Simple interest and compound interest

CAT Quant syllabus 2025: Topic wise weightage

The CAT Quant questions are usually tough and calculation based. In a speed based test like CAT, mental maths is very useful in solving Quants questions quickly. So candidates must practice mental maths along with CAT preparation for better performance. Given below is the composition of the Quantitative Aptitude section:

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Arithmetic	8-10	Moderate to High
Algebra	5-7	Moderate to High
Geometry	1-3	Moderate to High
Modern Maths	2-4	Moderate to High
Overall	22	Moderate to High

CAT Quant Syllabus 2025: Important Topics

Given below is the table indicating chapter wise important topics that are a part of CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus. Candidates must plan their Quantitative Aptitude preparation on the basis of the following topics.

CAT Syllabus: Important Topics for Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic Topics for CAT	Averages, Mean Median Mode, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations,Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance
Algebra Topics for CAT	Basics Algebraic Formulae, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minima, Higher Degree Equations, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The Smallest Value in a Maximum Function
Number System Topics for CAT	Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Fermat’s Theorem, Euler’s Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson’s Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition / Subtraction / Multiplication in different bases
Geometry Topics for CAT	Lines and Angles, Triangles – Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles, Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration – 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry
Modern Maths Topics for CAT	Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability

Check Out: CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions for practice PDFs

How to prepare for CAT 2025?

CAT preparation must be based on CAT syllabus and CAT books. Aspirants must make a preparation plan based on their knowledge of the topics included in the CAT syllabus 2025. The Quantitative Aptitude topics are advanced level Maths taught in school and so is the case with English Grammar. So, the first thing to do for CAT preparation is to check the syllabus and make the list of topics in terms of familiarity – familiar, somewhat familiar and not familiar at all.

After that, start studying unfamiliar topics from the CAT syllabus and then move to somewhat familiar and finally to familiar topics. This order is suggested because one will need more time for preparing unfamiliar topics. Aspirants can however start with tougher chapters first, depending on their comfort and confidence. Take a look at some section-wise tips for CAT 2025 preparation are listed below:

How to Prepare for CAT VARC?

VARC preparation should start at the early stage, specifically Reading Comprehension practice
Check the CAT exam syllabus and revise all the Grammar rules and definitions
Get hold of an English dictionary and word meaning books to learn new words and phrases
RC dominates VARC section with more than 50 per cent weightage so it is important have the practice of speed-reading. This can be developed by reading books, novels, magazines and data heavy reports.
Read books of various genres. Your collection should have books from science and tech to history to philosophy.
However, to understand passages swiftly and choose answers quickly, candidates must practice RC passages based CAT mocks.
The best source of CAT Verbal Ability preparation is practice questions. Solve a large number and a wide range of Verbal Ability questions from the topics listed in CAT syllabus 2024 to master this section.
Refer to past 10 years' CAT question papers to understand the types of reading comprehension and parajumble questions that are asked. In CAT 2024, the passage types will be similar.
Focus on English grammar, usage of words and idioms. These will help in both RC and parajumbles.

How to Prepare for CAT DILR?

DILR section of the CAT is all about Tables, Graphs, Charts and Series
This section requires, good calculation skill as well as eye for detail
There are 20 questions of this section equally divided into DI and LR thus, you need to work on both
To cover CAT syllabus for DILR, memorise Tables up to 20, Square, Square Roots, Cube, Cube Roots and other such mathematical values for fast calculation
Data Interpretation is largely depended on your Mathematical ability. You should be strong in mathematical calculation
Practice as many sample questions and sectional CAT mock tests for LR because, there is no formula or concepts that you can apply in puzzles and patterns
More the experience you have in reading charts and tables quickly better the chances of scoring high in DILR section of CAT

How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is all about conceptual clarity and practice
Be throrough with the formulae and theorems of Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Trigonometry
Pick up the topics of CAT exam syllabus one by one and gain conceptual clarity. Solve a few questions to assess whether you’ve understood the application correctly or not.
Start practicing full length and sectional CAT mock tests only after completing the syllabus
Divide practice sessions into – easy, moderate and high. Start solving easy CAT questions first, then move to moderately high questions and then to tough questions.
Time yourself while solving questions and solve each of them at least three times. The first attempt is to understand the question, second attempt is to solve it with 100 per cent accuracy and the third attempt is to solve it will 100 per cent accuracy and speed.
Develop the skill of mental calculation to save time during the CAT exam

Practice CAT Mock Tests

Shiksha has created free CAT Mock Tests for aspirants to practice and prepare for the exam. These CAT mock tests are based on actual CAT questions to keep the level of difficulty same.

CAT_Mock_Test_2	CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
CAT_Mock_Test_2	CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Preparation Strategy of CAT Toppers

Most of the CAT toppers who score 100 or 99+ percentile, will tell you that they started preparing for the exam in April-May and practiced a lot of CAT mock tests. To know the CAT preparation strategy of toppers, click on the links given below. Learn from their experience how to cover the CAT syllabus and prepare for the exam.

CAT Toppers	CAT Topper Interviews
Kartik Bhageria CAT 2023, 99.99 percentile	"I began my CAT preparation around July 2023. Being an engineering student, I did not spend a lot of time learning new concepts in the Quant and DILR sections. I spent most of my time giving mocks to practice and try to increase my attempted questions with better accuracy in each attempt." Read Kartik's full interview
Riddhi Dugar CAT 2023, 99.91 percentile	"My overall strategy was to finish the entire syllabus a few months before the CAT. From July, I focused entirely on taking mock tests and sectional tests to maximise my score and have a strategy for D-Day. I completed around 70 mocks from July until the CAT exam day." Read Riddhi's full interview
Rounak Tikmani CAT 2023, 99.90 percentile	I started my preparation properly in May 2023. My preparation strategy was simple build your foundations by having conceptual clarity in the basics of each section. Then It was just mocks every day. I gave around 110 mocks and made sure I spent enough time analyzing them properly. Taking a mock is not as important as analyzing the mocks and improving on your mistakes. Read Rounak's full interview
Nisakar Kumar CAT 2023, 99.83 percentile	"Quant emerged as my strength, whereas DILR presented a challenge. To address my weakness in DILR, I invested considerable time in understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Simultaneously, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp. I considered myself decent in VARC." Read Nisakar's full interview
Risshi Agrawal CAT 2022, 99.99 percentile	"Mocks play a crucial role while preparing for CAT. It helps you determine the strategy which suits you the best." Read Risshi’s full interview
Parul Arora CAT 2022, 99.93 percentile	"I started preparing for CAT in April. My preparation strategy for CAT was to clear my basic concepts in all topics and then maximum practice." Read Parul’s full interview
Aditya Singh CAT 2022, 99.90 percentile	"For my first attempt I attended offline coaching classes, post which I only took the online test series. This year I took the test series from two of the most renowned coaching institutes. Coaching really helps a lot. " Read Aditya’s full interview
Atish Naskar CAT 2022, 99.81 percentile	"I started my CAT preparation back in January 2022. I set a daily target for all 3 sections that included daily 3-4 RCs daily 3-4 LRDI sets 20-30 QA questions or some QA concept understanding. The last 2-3 Months gave mocks and analyzed them properly." Read Atish’s full interview

FAQs on CAT Exam Syllabus 2025

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