CAT exam syllabus includes three subjects – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC),

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). These sections
cover all the basic sub topics which one has studied in school. Main topics of focus while
covering the CAT syllabus are Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Percentage, Graphs, English
Grammar, Coding-Decoding, Series Completion, etc. Candidates can also check the official
CAT mock test to know the latest CAT syllabus.

What is CAT Syllabus 2023?

The CAT question paper 2023 will be based on these subjects. Take a look at the detailed CAT
syllabus 2023 and best books for CAT preparation below:
 The VARC section of CAT exam syllabus for MBA covers various topics of English
Grammar, Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.
 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.
 The DILR syllabus of CAT exam includes topics that require analytical interpretation of
data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Tables and Bar Graphs.

What are the Important Topics of CAT Syllabus

2023?
CAT exam syllabus for MBA admission has not changed in the last 10 years. Let's take a look
at the important topics of CAT syllabus 2023. During the CAT 2023 preparation, your main focus
should be on these chapters of the CAT syllabus.
Important Topics for CAT
CAT Syllabus Weightage
2023

Parajumbles,
Verbal Ability Parasummary, Sentence 10%
Completion and Inferences

Questions based on
Reading Comprehension passages, para meaning, 24%
order of sentences

Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts,

Data Interpretation 16%
Venn Diagram

Blood Relation, Seating

Logical Reasoning Arrangement, Caselets and 16%
Syllogism

Geometry, Algebra, Number

Quantitative Aptitude System, Arithmetic, 34%
Mensuration

What are the Latest Changes in CAT Exam

Syllabus?
As mentioned above, there has been no change in the CAT exam syllabus for over 10 years.
The only change that one can consider in the CAT syllabus for IIM is the change in the number
of questions, which has reduced from 100 to 66 in the last two years. Check the table below for
details.
Changes
in CAT
CAT Syllabus & Pattern Changes in CAT 2020 to 2021, 2022
2019 to
2020

Reduced
Total questions from 100 Reduced from 76 to 66
to 76

Reduced
Total score from 300 Reduced from 228 to 198
to 228

Reduced
Total questions
from 34 Reduced from 26 to 24
in VARC section
to 26

Reduced
Total Questions
from 32 Reduced from 24 to 20
in DILR section
to 24

Reduced
Total Questions in QA section from 34 Reduced from 26 to 22
to 26

Also Read: What are the changes in CAT exam?

CAT syllabus
CAT Syllabus 2023: VARC Topics & Preparation
VARC section is the first section of the CAT question paper and is to be solved within 40
minutes. The section is divided into two sub-parts, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
the section is dominated by RC questions. Take a look at important VARC topics for CAT
exam syllabus.
 CAT VARC Syllabus

Para completion and

Fill in the blanks Verbal logic
inference

Verbal reasoning Subject-verb agreement Parajumbles

Foreign language words used Different usage of same

Sentence completion
in English 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

What is the topic wise weightage in CAT VARC?

In CAT syllabus, the VARC section as mentioned earlier, includes four major sub-topics– RC,
Parajumbles, Verbal Ability and Sentences. Composition of the VARC section is usually the
same.
No. of Questions in
VARC Topics for CAT Level of Difficulty
CAT Exam

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 Syllabus: Verbal Ability Key Points
 In CAT exam, there are usually eight Verbal Ability questions
 The questions in Verbal Ability section are non-MCQs, which means candidates have to
Type In The Answer (TITA)
 There is no negative marking in Verbal Ability since the questions are non-MCQ type
 Types of questions in CAT VA include:
 Para-jumbles
 Out of context sentence in a paragraph
 Error correction in a paragraph
 Vocabulary usage
 Sentence completion
 Analogies
 Critical reasoning

CAT Syllabus: Reading Comprehension Key Points

 Reading Comprehension questions are all MCQ type, hence there is negative marking of
one mark
 On an average, RC section of the CAT exam has three to four long passages and two to
three short passages
 In CAT 2021, there were only four passages. In CAT 2022 too, candidates can expect four
RC passages
 The long passages in CAT are of 900 words and short passages are of 600 words
 The RCs could be from Science, History, Politics, Environment, Society to Literature,
Mythology and Abstract topics

CAT Syllabus: Reading Comprehension Passages of Past Few Years

The Reading Comprehension section of VARC forms the two-third part of the first section of CAT
question paper. There are about four to five RC passages with 18-24 questions. Check below,
the Reading Comprehension topics of CAT 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018:
CAT RC
Passage Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3
s

 Social
reorganization
increasing
 Ghosts and their
crime rate
mysteries how we
 Software if
can’t find their  Music
more easy
history  Engineering
CAT humans are
 Chinese Copy of technology
2022 not capable to
articles  Octopus
get solutions)
 Two levels of  Philosophy
 Indian history
emotional thinking
 American
 STOICS
migration /
urbanization
increasing

 Mayan Civilization
 Language/  Nanotechnolo
 Utopia and
CAT Indigenous People gy
Dystopia
2021  Why Fiction Trumps  Language
 Marshmallow
Truth Instinct
Experiment
  Evolution of Tea  Colonialism/Nationali  Time
as a Drink sm Accuracy
 Knowledge and Entropy
Problems of  Unconscious
Knowledge is a and
Scandal to Psychoanalysi
Philosophy s

 Travel Writing
and Feminism
During
Colonial
Times
 Investing in
 The Need for
 Anarchism Renewable Energy
Economic
 Migration of Technologies
Literacy in the
Northern Seals  Piracy in International
CAT General
 Currency of Tang Trade
2020 Population
Dynasty  Freudian Models of
 Screen Time
 Grammar/Vocabul Aggression
and
ary  A Study of
Undercurrents
Visualisation
of Social
Class
 An Analysis of
Human
Nature

 British Folk Music

 Dense Cities
 Topophilia
 Google and
 Emperor Penguins
Archaeology
CAT  Internet Shopping
 Distributing No exam
2019 and Choice
Bureaucracy
Anxiety
 Language & Culture
 Origin of Story of
 British Colonial Policy
Alladin

 Grover Snails
 Genetics
 Meritocracy and
 India’s View on its
Diversified Teams
Legacy of Second
 Use of Technology in
CAT World War
Essential Services No exam
2018  Plastic Pollution
 Rings of Saturn and
 Elephant Society
Their Age
 Consumer
 Human Resource
Behaviour Studies
and Learning

Also Read:
 CAT Preparation Plan For VARC
 Make These 7 Guys Your Companion For VARC
 CAT Preparation: Your Love For Reading Can Get You Desired Result
 Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT

CAT Syllabus 2023: DILR Topics & Preparation

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) is the second section of the CAT question paper
and is to be solved after the VARC section. This section has two sub-sections -Data
Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Take a look at important topics and some important logical
reasoning and data interpretation topics included in CAT syllabus.
CAT DILR syllabus

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 Syllabus: Data Interpretation Key Points

 The CAT question paper has about 14 questions on Data Interpretation
 Data Interpretation questions are usually of moderate to high difficulty level
 Data Interpretation section contains both MCQ and non-MCQ type questions
 The number of MCQs and non-MCQs varies in Data Interpretation section
 There is negative marking for MCQs in Data Interpretation section of CAT
 There is no negative marking for non-MCQs in Data Interpretation section

CAT Syllabus: Logical Reasoning Key Points

 The Logical Reasoning section has about 10 questions in total
 The questions in this section are of moderate to high difficulty level
 Logical Reasoning section contains both MCQ and non-MCQ type questions
 The number of MCQs and non-MCQs varies in Logical Reasoning section
 There is negative marking for MCQs but not for non-MCQs

What is the topic wise weightage in CAT DILR?

The DILR section as mentioned earlier, includes question of two types – Data Interpretation and
Logical Reasoning. Given below is the basic structure of the DILR section of CAT.

CAT DILR Syllabus No. of Questions Level of Difficulty

Data Interpretation 4 Easy

 Data Interpretation 4 Moderate

Moderate to
Logical Reasoning 6
difficult

Logical Reasoning 6 Easy to Moderate

Moderate to
Overall 20
difficult

Also Read:
 CAT Preparation Plan for DILR
 How to Crack Logical Reasoning
 Time Management in QA and DI
 Challenges of Data Interpretation
CAT Syllabus 2023: Quantitative Aptitude Topics &
Preparation
Quantitative Aptitude is the last section of CAT question paper and is to be solved in the last 40
minutes of the exam. Take a look at important topics and some key points of CAT 2023 syllabus
for Quantitative Aptitude:
CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus

 Geometry  Ratios and Proportion  Inequalities

 In-equations
 Trigonometry Quadratic and linear  Work and Time
equations

 Algebra  Surds and Indices  Percentages

 Mensuration  Time-Speed-Distance  Logarithms

 Partnership  Square Root and

 Number System
(Accounts) Cube Root

 Geometric
 Profit & Loss  Probability
Progression

 Simple interest and

 Mean, mode, median  Binomial theorem
compound interest

Quantitative Aptitude (QA): Key Points

 The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT exam contains both MCQ and non-MCQ type
questions
 The number of MCQs and non-MCQs varies every year in Quantitative Aptitude
  Past trends suggest that Arithmetic questions dominate this section of CAT
 There is negative marking for MCQs but not for non-MCQs

What is the topic wise weightage in CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

The QA section as mentioned earlier, includes question from Modern Maths, Numbers, Algebra,
Arithmetic and Geometry. Given below is the composition of the QA section of CAT 2021
paper. Composition of the QA section of CAT 2023 is expected to be the same.
CAT Maths Syllabus No. of Questions Level of Difficulty

Arithmetic 10 Moderate

Algebra 5 Moderate

Geometry 3 Moderate

Modern Maths 4 Moderate

Overall 22 Moderate

To sum up, here's a pictorial representation of subject wise weightage of CAT syllabus

CAT syllabus: Subject wise weightage

What are the Important Topics for Quantitative Aptitude Section of

CAT?
Given below is the table indicating chapter wise important topics included in the 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
Algebra Topics for CAT
Number System Topics for CAT
Geometry 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
 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
 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
 Lines and Angles
 Triangles – Basic Concepts
 Area, Angles
  Similar Triangles
 Polygons
 Circles
 Solids / Mensuration – 3D Geometry
 Coordinate Geometry
 Trigonometry

 Sequence and Series

 Binomial Theorem
Modern Maths Topics for CAT  Set Theory
 Permutation and Combination
 Probability

Also Read:
 CAT Preparation Plan For Quantitative Aptitude
 How To Prepare For Quantitative Aptitude For CAT Exam
 Master The Secret of Acing QA In CAT Exam
 How To Approach Quant Section of CAT Exam
 Six Strategies of Quant Preparation

CAT Syllabus 2023: Best Books for Preparation

There is a wide range of books for CAT preparation available in the market. Candidates must
take due care in selecting the right books to study. Experts recommend that preparation books
for CAT syllabus must be comprehensive, must have updated exam pattern and must also have
question banks. Take a look at the following list of best books for CAT exam which have been
carefully curated by Shiksha after looking at all the options in the market and consulting our CAT
experts.
CAT Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
To cover the CAT DILR syllabus, candidates must read from the recommended books only.
Given below is the list of best books for CAT DILR section.

CAT Books Authors

CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Gautam Puri

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT Nishit K Sinha

Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency Ananta Ashisha

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT Arun Sharma

CAT Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

To cover the CAT VARC syllabus, candidates must read from the recommended books only.
Given below is the list of best books for CAT VARC section.

CAT Books Authors

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Arun Sharma and Meenakshi
Comprehension for CAT Upadhyay/Arihant
 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/
Paperback Simon & Schuster

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading

Sharma and Upadhyay
Comprehension for the CAT

High School English Grammar & Composition Wren & Martin

CAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

To cover the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, candidates must read from the recommended
books only. Given below is the list of best books for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.

CAT Book Authors

NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 9 to 10) NCERT

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT Arun Sharma

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Sarvesh Sharma

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations Abhijit Guha

Quantitative Aptitude for CAT Nishit Sinha

What is the CAT Exam Pattern 2023?

Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2023, 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 2022 exam was the same. 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 marks as per the latest CAT exam pattern are
tabulated below:

CAT Exam Section No. of Questions Allotted Time

Quantitative Ability (QA) 24 40 minutes

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) 20 40 minutes

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 22 40 minutes

Total 66 120 minutes

Download:
  CAT 2022 Slot 1 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
 CAT 2022 Slot 2 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
 CAT 2022 Slot 3 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
 CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 1: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 2: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2021 Question Paper Slot 3: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
 CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF

CAT VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude

Preparation Tips
CAT preparation based on the official syllabus is the only way to score high in the exam.
Candidates interested in appearing for CAT exam must make a preparation plan based on their
knowledge of the topics included in the CAT syllabus. Many Quantitative Aptitude topics are
those, which are taught in school and so is the case with English Grammar. So, the first thing to
do to prepare for CAT is make the list of topics in terms of familiarity – familiar, somewhat
familiar and not familiar at all. After that, start studying unfamiliar topics first and then move to
somewhat familiar and finally to familiar topics. Take a look at some section-wise tips for CAT
preparation are listed below:

How to Prepare for CAT VARC?

 VARC preparation should start at the early stage of CAT preparation, specifically Reading
Comprehension practice
 Check the VARC syllabus of CAT and revise all the Grammar rules and definitions
 Get hold of a dictionary and word meaning books to learn new words and phrases
 RC dominates VARC section so it is important have the practice of speed-reading. This can
be developed by reading books, novels, magazines and data heavy reports.
 The best source of preparation of Verbal Ability is sample questions. Solve a large number
and a wide range of Verbal Ability questions to master it.

How to Prepare for CAT DILR?

 DILR section of CAT is all about Tables, Graphs, Charts and Series
 This section requires, good calculation skill as well as eye for detail
 24 questions of this section will be equally divided into DI and LR thus, you need to work
on both
 Memorise Tables up to 20, Square, Square Roots, Cube, Cube Roots and other such
mathematical values to read and calculate fast
 Practice as many sample questions and sectional mock tests as you can because there is
no formula to be remembered
 The more experience you have at speed reading charts and tables 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
 Pick up each topic of the CAT syllabus 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 mock tests only after completing the syllabus
 Divide practice sessions into – easy, moderate and high. Start solving easy 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
Also Read: MBA Preparation 2023-Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams
CAT Preparation 2023: Expert Tips
Go through the articles listed below for expert tips and topper interviews for CAT preparation:
Tips and Tricks for CAT Preparation

How to approach CAT question paper: Tips by

How to Prepare for CAT in 6 months
toppers

CAT 2023: How to prepare without quitting your

How to Prepare for CAT in 3 months
job

CAT 2023: Simple tips to optimize exam

CAT exam: Last month preparation tips
preparation

What is the best time to start CAT

Advantages of giving CAT for final year student
preparation

Practice:
 Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions
 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions
 Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions
 Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions - Part 2
 Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions
 Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions - Part 2
CAT Preparation 2023: Topper Interviews
To know the CAT preparation strategy of toppers, click on the links given below:
CAT Toppers CAT Topper Interviews

Mocks play a crucial role while preparing for

Risshi Agrawal CAT. It helps you determine the strategy
CAT 2022, 99.99 percentile which suits you the best.
Read Risshi’s full interview

I started preparing for CAT in April. My

preparation strategy for CAT was to clear
Parul Arora
my basic concepts in all topics and then
CAT 2022, 99.93 percentile
maximum practice.
Read Parul’s full interview

For my first attempt I attended offline

coaching classes, post which I only took the
online test series. This year I took the test
Aditya Singh
series from two of the most renowned
CAT 2022, 99.90 percentile
coaching institutes. Coaching really helps a
lot.
Read Aditya’s full interview
 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-
Atish Naskar 4 LRDI sets 20-30 QA questions or some
CAT 2022, 99.81 percentile QA concept understanding. The last 2-3
Months gave mocks and analyzed them
properly.
Read Atish’s full interview

My serious preparation started in the month

of June 2022. My overall strategy had three
Tushar Sarkar
parts: Diagnosing my problems, guiding
CAT 2022, 99.80 percentile
policy for improving and actions.
Read: Tushar’s full interview

I started preparing in March 2021. I focused

mainly on giving mock tests and analysing
Chirag Gupta them. I used to work on my weaknesses by
CAT 2021, 100 percentile watching various CAT preparation YouTube
videos on various topics.
Read Chirag's full interview

I started preparing in April 2021. I solved

Arun Sharma sir's CAT books for VARC,
LR, DI and Quant. I attempted as many past
Bir Anmol Singh
year CAT questions papers (timed attempt)
CAT 2021, 99.94 percentile
that I could attempt, on weekends. I used to
analyse my shortcomings to improve further.
Read Bir Anmol's full interview

I started preparing around the end of June

this year and went into the full-throttle mode
by end of August. My overall strategy was to
Sagar Sengar
first complete the theory end to end and
CAT 2021, 99.48 percentile
then practice different kinds of problems
across all the sections.
Read Sagar's full interview

It is not at all important to join a coaching

Ved Vineet institute for CAT preparation. You just need
CAT 2021, 99.40 percentile to prepare in a disciplined manner.
Read Ved's full interview

Don't delay your prep. Start as early as

possible. Solve as many questions as you
Sareen Shah can. Understand RCs and DILR sets
CAT 2021, 99.35 percentile properly. Quality over Quantity should be
your aim.
Read Sareen's full interview
 My suggestion for the aspirants is to work
Kshitiz Singhal
on your fundamentals, speed and accuracy.
CAT 2020, 99.99 percentile
Read Kshitiz’s full interview

I would say that mock tests are the most

Ekansh Agarwal important part of CAT preparation. Attempt
CAT 2020, 99.98 percentile as many mock tests as possible.
Read Ekansh’s full interview

Solve as many types of questions you can

Naval Mittal from each section. Secondly, focus on your
CAT 2020, 99.97 percentile accuracy.
Read Naval’s full interview

Attempt all kinds of mock tests, difficult and

Swarnadeep Ghosh easy. Maximize your strengths and do not
CAT 2020, 99.92 percentile stress about the weaker areas.
Read Swarnadeep’s full interview

Focus more on concepts more than the

mock tests. I would say that mocks do not
Sabyasachi Mishra
matter much. What you learn from the mock
CAT 2020, 99.90 percentile
tests is what matters.
Read Sabyasachi’s full interview

Try CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management
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Also Read:
 Last week preparation tips for CAT VARC
 Last week preparation tips for CAT DILR
 Last week preparation tips for CAT QA
CAT Percentile predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to get their predicted CAT
percentile on the basis of their expected exam score. So, predict your CAT 2021 score by
clicking the link below:
Predict CAT Percentile
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