CAT Syllabus

CAT syllabus is very vast and straightforward. The IIMs do not release any official CAT syllabus or have a fixed syllabus for CAT. The candidates can expect the questions from the middle school Maths and English topics. In this article, CAT candidates are provided with the latest CAT 2023 syllabus and PDF. It should be noted that the syllabus given here is generalised. Before going to the CAT syllabus 2023, it is important to note some important details about the CAT exam. The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based test held in India every year by one of the IIMs, based on a policy of rotation. This test evaluates the candidates on the basis of their scores in quantitative ability, verbal ability, data interpretation and logical reasoning. This test was started by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to select students for their various business administration programs. Before checking the detailed syllabus for CAT 2023, it is important to get an overview of the important topics from each section. Below is a table highlighting the important topics from the syllabus which are extremely crucial. The sectional weightage of the syllabus topics is given in detail below.

CAT Syllabus 2023: Overview

Section

Important Topics

Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Time and Work

Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Syllogism, Tables, Graphs, Data Caselets

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

Para-Jumbles & Para-Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, RC Passages Based Questions.

The detailed syllabus topics from each chapter are given in the table below, and a comprehensive analysis of the weightage of each of them is also given for better understanding. It should be noted that CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management as a prerequisite for admission to various management programs of IIMs, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and other institutions. CAT preparation is considered the most crucial stepping stone for an IIM aspirant, where distinct planning and preparation are required. Although IIMs – who conduct the CAT exam, do not release the official syllabus for the CAT exam, it is deduced through the previous years’ CAT exam pattern and questions. Our panel of experts have predefined the syllabus and structure according to the latest exam and has provided a general guideline for the paper to follow for success in this examination.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2023

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

Number Systems

Tables

English Usage or Grammar

Profit, Loss and Discount

Caselets

Vocabulary based (Synonyms/ Antonyms)

LCM and HCF

Bar Graphs

Fill in the blanks

Speed, Time and Distance

Line Charts

Sentence Correction

Percentages

Column Graphs

Cloze Passage

Time and Work

Venn Diagrams

Jumbled Paragraph

Ratio and Proportion

Pie Chart

Meaning-Usage Match

Averages

Other Basic Reasoning Questions

Analogies or Reverse Analogies

Quadratic Equations & Linear Equations

Calendars

Summary Questions

Complex Numbers

Number and Letter Series

Verbal Reasoning

Simple and Compound Interest

Clocks

Facts-Inferences-Judgments

Logarithm

Venn Diagrams

Reading Comprehension

Sequences and Series

Cubes

Inequalities

Seating Arrangement

Probability

Binary Logic

Surds and Indices

Logical Matching

Set Theory & Function

Logical Sequence

Permutation and Combination

Syllogism

Mixtures and Alligations

Logical Connectives

Trigonometry

Blood Relations

Coordinate Geometry

Geometry

Mensuration

Video on Detailed CAT Syllabus 2023

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage

In the Quantitative Aptitude section, there are a few topics which are extremely crucial and repeated every year in the CAT exam. In this section, 22 questions are asked of which 14 questions are Non-MCQ questions. Some of the most important syllabus topics for CAT 2023 with their weightages are given below.

Topic Name

Expected No. of Questions

Arithmetic

8-9

Algebra

6-7

Number System

1-2

Geometry & Mensuration

4-5

Modern Maths

1-2

Wieghtage Percentage Image 1

CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus Weightage

In the Verbal Bbility and Reading Comprehension section, 24 questions are included among which 19 questions are Non-MCQ questions. The Reading Comprehension questions are the majority. Some of the important syllabus topics for CAT VARC section are given below.

Topic Name

Expected No. of Questions

Reading

Comprehension Passage-Based Questions

16

Para-Jumbles

3-4

Para-Summary

3-4

Odd

Sentences

1-2

Others

(Sentence Completion or Correction, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary based, etc.)

0-1

Wieghtage Percentage Image 2

CAT Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Syllabus Weightage

In the CAT Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation section, 22-24 questions are included with 6-8 TITA-based questions. Till CAT 2017, the section was equally divided into 2 parts with 16 questions each in DI & LR. However, in CAT 2018 & CAT 2019, Logical Reasoning had 20 questions, and Data Interpretation had 12 questions. In CAT 2020, the section surprised students with 16 questions from Data Interpretation & 8 questions from Logical Reasoning. In CAT 2021, 20 questions were asked in the DILR section, out of which 15 were Non-MCQ questions. In the DI section, questions come in 3-4 sets, and candidates should understand the data sets properly to be able to attempt the complete set accurately. In CAT 2022, the topic and questions asked are mentioned below:

Slot 1​​

Slot 2​​

Slot 3​

Topic​​

Questions​​

Topic​​

Questions​​

Topic​​

Questions​​

Arranging People into Countries & Categories​​

6​​

Rating ​​

6​​

Games and Tournaments (Javelin)​

6​

Bar Graph – Percentages​​

4​​

Games & Tournaments​​

4​​

Mixtures​

4​

Table – 3 Girls making a smoothie​​

6​​

Bar Graph – Stacked Horizontal​​

4​​

Gantt Chart​

4​

Table – Relation (Acquaintance,​​Friend & Stranger)​​

4​​

Number Based Reasoning (Envy Set)​​

6​

Content Creation​

6​

CAT syllabus does not predefine any specific topic or chapter on which the questions will be asked. One has to have a good fundamental knowledge of all the broad topics given above to be able to swiftly and accurately solve the problems related to respective section topics. BYJU’S CAT 2023 Program Structure has been planned and designed by India’s best CAT exam experts, which covers the entire CAT exam pattern planned in three phases of preparation:

Phase 1 – Concept Sessions

Phase 2 – Advanced Workshops

Phase 3 – Pattern Workshops

1. Basics will be covered

2. Learn different techniques to simplify each topic using lateral thinking & common sense

3. Focus on Concepts and not just Problem Solving

1. Learn tactics to solve advance level concepts

2. Application of unique shortcut techniques including BYJU’S copyrighted URL technique

3. Learn the art of correlating topics for solving problems

4. Master the tricks of getting maximum scores in minimum time

1. Solving of sample & previous year CAT Questions

2. Establishing unique patterns to questions & practicing the best ways to solve each pattern

3. Focus on Test taking strategies & understanding of the intricacies of question types in CAT

THE UNIQUE CAT PATTERN WORKSHOPS WILL TAKE YOU TO A LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN START PREDICTING QUESTION TYPES WITH EASE

CAT is an exam where success comes from solving a maximum number of questions in a minimum possible time. The module covers the entire CAT syllabus in an extensive yet comprehensive manner. Therefore, our CAT preparation modules are created in such a way that it ensures you give your best shot. CAT 2023 will be conducted tentatively in the last week of November 2023. Prepare with BYJU’S and ensure your seat at the IIMs with our CAT preparation tips and tricks. Explore BYJU’S Free Preparation tips :

Quantitative Aptitude

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Introduction to Quantitative Aptitude Introduction to Verbal Ability Introduction to Logical Reasoning
Quantity Aptitude Tips Introduction to Reading Comprehension Introduction to Data Interpretation
Number Systems Shortcut Verbal Ability Tips Logical Reasoning Tips
Shortcut Techniques in Averages Reading Comprehension Tips Data Interpretation Tips