Updated By Abhinav Chamoli on 08 Feb, 2021 11:02
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The IIMs have not fixed any syllabus for CAT 2021. Experts and academicians have observed the exam pattern of CAT over the years and they have shared the tentative CAT 2021 syllabus accordingly. To know the syllabus, candidates should first carefully study the Exam Pattern of CAT 2021. You can also compare the CAT exam syllabus with other MBA entrance exam syllabus here. Based on the sections of CAT examination, there are some very important topics that candidates must prepare in order to cover the maximum CAT syllabus 2021 and maximise their chances of scoring well. The syllabus of CAT 2021 is based on the exam's 3 sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). We bring to you the detailed CAT syllabus as well as the important topics under every section.
CAT 2021 syllabus, as well as the CAT 2021 section-wise syllabus, will help the candidates during their preparatory stages for CAT 2021 entrance examination. Sometimes, even with all the preparation materials in their quiver, the aspirants are not able to start their preparation for the CAT exam because they lack the syllabus for CAT exam from their arsenal. It is thus recommended that the candidates must look to lay their hands on the syllabus for CAT 2021 as soon as possible to begin their CAT 2021 preparations. The CAT 2021 syllabus is huge which is why the candidates must look to access the CAT syllabus for the year 2021 at the earliest so that their preparation does not suffer. CAT syllabus and preparation go hand in hand which aids the candidates in identifying the important topics. Check out the sections below for the detailed CAT 2021 syllabus.
Candidates can find the CAT 2020 syllabus given below for reference. The CAT 2021 syllabus will be updated here soon.
CAT 2020 Syllabus PDF Download |
The detailed CAT 2021 syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) can be checked below. VARC is the first section of the CAT exam and has to be attempted first. It is further divided into 2 subparts - VA and RC. The sectional time limit for the VARC section is 60 minutes.
Fact Inference Judgment | Grammar |
Fill in the blanks | Para Completion and Inference |
Para Jumble | Sentence Completion |
Verbal Reasoning | Word Usage (Vocabulary) |
Idioms | Analogies |
Syllogisms | Reading Comprehension |
Sentence Correction | Contextual Usage |
Verbal Logic | Different Usage of the Same Word |
Antonyms | One-word Substitution |
Foreign Language Words Used in English | -- |
Listed below are some important points about CAT 2021 VA section.
The sectional weightage is 7-11 per cent
The number of questions asked range between 7-11
No negative marking in VA
Questions are all non-MCQs and candidates will have to type in the answer (TITA)
The questions usually cover para-jumbles. error correction in a para, vocabulary usage, out of context sentence in a paragraph, analogies, sentence completion and critical reasoning
Some of the important points regarding CAT 2021 RC section are as follows:
Sectional weightage of this section is between 24-48 per cent.
Negative marking of -1 as questions are MCQs.
This section includes a mix of RC passages and will have 3-4 long passages along with 2-3 short passages. Long passages will have 900 words usually and short passages will have 600 words usually.
RC topics will cover politics, history, society, literature, science, environment, abstract topics and mythology.
DILR is the second section of the CAT exam which has to be solved after the VARC section. This section is further divided into - DI and LR. The sectional time limit for this is 60 minutes. The detailed CAT 2021 syllabus for DI & LR can be checked below -
Section | Topics |
Data Interpretation | Bar Graph, Combination of Graphs, Caselet, Data Sufficiency, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Tables, etc. |
Logical Reasoning | Assumptions, Blood Relations, Binary Logic, Clocks and Calendars, Constraint-based puzzles, Data Arrangement, Family Tree, Matching Puzzles, Proposition, Statements, Seating Arrangement, Sets, Syllogism, Venn Diagram |
Some of the important points regarding CAT 2021 DI are as follows:
The sectional weightage of this section is 16%
The number of questions asked in DI is 16
It comprises both MCQ and non-MCQ type questions
The number of MCQ and non-MCQs can vary
Number of MCQs and non-MCQs may vary
There is negative marking for MCQs and no negative marking for non-MCQs
Some of the key points for CAT 2021 LR section are as follows:
The sectional weightage of this section is 16%
The number of questions asked in LR is also 16
LR includes MCQs and non-MCQs and the number of questions for both can vary
There is no negative marking for non-MCQs
There is negative marking for MCQs
QA is the last section of the CAT question paper and has to be attempted in the last hour of the exam. Take a look at some of the important topics and some key points of the QA section of CAT 2021.
Topics | Sub Topics |
Arithmetic | Number System, HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Percentage, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances |
Algebra | Theory of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation & Combination, Sequence & Series |
Geometry | Angles, Lines, Triangles, Circles |
Mensuration | Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes and Cistern |
Calculus | Maxima and Minima, Function |
Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios, Heights, and Distances |
Now that you know what all you have to study for the CAT 2021 exam, you can easily prepare for the exam by covering all the given topics. However, you must not forget to take your preparation level a notch higher by taking mock tests or solving previous years' papers.
Candidates can check the section-wise weightage of topics in the CAT 2021 syllabus available here. The following information is based on previous year trends and is a general assumption of the CAT question paper for the candidate's reference only.
Topics | No. of Questions |
Number System | 5 |
Algebra | 8 |
Arithmetic | 8 |
Modern Maths | 4 |
Geometry & Mensuration | 9 |
Topics | No. of Questions |
Bar Graphs | 2 |
Pie Charts | 2 |
Table Based | 8 |
Combination of Graphs | 3 |
Odd Sentence Out | 2 |
Data Arrangement | 5 |
Seating Arrangement | 5 |
Logic-Based | 5 |
Topics | No. of Questions |
Reading Comprehension | 21 |
Sentence Correction | 4 |
Para Jumble | 4 |
Para Completion | 4 |
Word Usage | 3 |
Note: The number of questions mentioned against each topic is tentative.
While no one can disregard the fact that a fair bit of knowledge about the CAT 2021 syllabus plays a positive role, but it is also important to be aware of certain facts and pointers regarding the syllabus for CAT 2021 which will explain to the candidates why the CAT syllabus is an important piece of information:
CAT 2021 syllabus will consist of all the major topics.
The CAT 2021 syllabus will be available in pdf format which can be downloaded by the CAT 2021 aspirants.
CAT 2021 syllabus will also determine the difficulty level of the CAT question paper.
Syllabus for CAT 2021 will also highlight the current structure of the CAT 2021 exam and the guidelines for the same.
The CAT syllabus for 2021 will also be a reflection of past trends.
If the CAT aspirants find the syllabus mentioned on this page as insufficient or worth questioning, then it is strongly recommended that they visit the official website once to cross-check the syllabus to avoid any confusion.
CAT syllabus for 2021 may differ from that of the previous year which is why the aspirants must only refer to the updated syllabus for CAT 2021.
Want to know more about CAT
Dear Student,
CAT 2020 does not have any seat reservations for Socially and Economically Backward Students (SEBC). You can find more information about the same in our article on the CAT 2020 seat reservation policy.
Please feel free to write back to us if you require any other information. For help with admission to MBA colleges in India, please fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call our helpline number 18005729877.
Thank you.
READ MORE...Dear Student,
You have to submit any available certificates with the CAT 2020 undertaking. However, CAT 2020 exam dates have now been revised and the deadline to submit the CAT 2020 application form has been extended to 23rd September to help candidates get sufficient time to arrange any certificates.
Please feel free to write back if you have any other queries,
Thank you.
READ MORE...Dear Student,
Yes, the syllabus of banking and CAT exam is almost the same. However, the level of difficulty of the CAT exam is very difficult compared to the banking exam. The SSC or IBPS PO coaching will help you understand the basics of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and English Language. You can directly proceed to solve the advance level questions of CAT exam without going through the basics. The coaching will help you while preparing for other MBA entrance exams such as MAT, CMAT, GMAT or XAT. You can check the detailed syllabus of CAT exam provided here. Besides ...
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The syllabus of CAT 2020 is based on the exam's 3 sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).
