The Common Admission Test, also known as the CAT, is a prerequisite for admission to the IIMs and top management institutions. Every year, the competition for the CAT Exam keeps rising exponentially; this statement could be proved by the increase in the number of registrations year after year. The CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) that the IIMs conduct on a rotational basis. Until 2009, this exam was conducted in the traditional paper-pencil mode. Following the changes in 2009, the exam mode was changed to Computer Based Mode.
Questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude constitute the CAT Exam’s syllabus. With around 10 months left for CAT 2022, this is the right time for students to begin their CAT preparation. The syllabus of the CAT Exam is vast, and there is no predefined syllabus released by the IIMs. The past years’ question papers help candidates to gain an understanding of the type of questions asked on the CAT Exam and the changes in the exam pattern over the years. You can read the article to get a better idea of the syllabus for the CAT Exam.
What is the CAT Exam syllabus? |
The CAT Exam consists of three sections: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. The VARC section consists of Reading Comprehension passages and questions asked from topics like para jumbles, cloze passage, sentence correction, sentence completion, idioms, vocabulary based synonyms and antonyms etc. Aptitude questions are based on Numbers, Arithmetic, Geometry, LCM and HCF, Averages, Profit and Loss, Set Theory, Ratio and Proportion, Speed, Time and Distance, Mensuration, Percentages, Quadratic Equations etc. DILR consists of questions based on Bar Charts, Syllogisms, Dl Caselets, Seating Arrangement, Line Charts, Blood Relations, Pie Charts, etc. CAT is the most desired exam out of all the MBA Entrance Exams in the country. Consistency, hard work and time management are crucial for passing this exam. Take a look at the preparation tips from our CAT Experts to get the most out of your preparation.
Expert Tips for CAT Exam:
- Knowing the syllabus, exam structure, and question pattern is the first step towards building an effective preparation strategy. Since the syllabus is vast, the CAT Exam necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus.
- Get your fundamentals right. Without strengthening the basics, it’s not possible to grasp the complex chapters. DILR & VARC sections require a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
- Ensure that you take the sectional mock tests after you complete each chapter.
- Plan your CAT journey ahead of time by preparing a well-structured timetable. Review the plan regularly as you progress.
- Choosing the right preparation books before you begin the CAT preparation is the most important step. Check out reviews and purchase books by renowned authors. Some of the best books for CAT preparation are:
- How to Prepare for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for the CAT- by Arun Sharma.
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay.
- Stay informed by reading newspapers, books, magazines, & novels. By doing so, you will stay updated on the latest events as well as improve your vocabulary.
- Practising previous years’ question papers and Mock tests regularly will help you get a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern, and it will also increase your speed.