CAT is one of the most important management entrance exams in India, taken by thousands of aspirants who are keen on gaining a foothold in the topmost management institutes, including the elite IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management).
Now, let’s discuss the CAT syllabus 2024 in detail to know what exactly can be expected in the CAT 2024 exam.
CAT Syllabus 2024
- CAT Syllabus 2024 VARC Section – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
VARC is based on a candidate’s command over the English language, comprising comprehension skills, vocabulary, and grammar.
Important Topics in VARC:
Reading Comprehension (RC): This is the most crucial part of this section, which has around 70% of the total questions. Passages are of 400 to 800 words and questions are given that would test a candidate’s ability to comprehend the passage, infer ideas, or even his/her interpretation of the author’s message.
For Jumbles: In this type, sentences are given in a jumbled order, and the candidate has to align them in order to form a coherent paragraph. Questions may be given either with or without options and checked upon testing of logical sequencing along with the understanding of flow information.
Odd Sentence Out: Here, candidates need to pick a sentence that can’t logically fit in the context of a paragraph. Again this tests the ability for coherence and sequencing.
Tips to Prepare VARC:
Reading Practice: Reading from different sources (magazines, newspapers, Novels, and journals) is important. Reading helps in gaining speed and vocabulary.
Mock Tests and RC Practice: Practicing reading comprehension passages regularly and examining mistakes are essential to enhance accuracy.
Grammar and Vocab: Although there are not too many direct grammar questions, any para jumble and sentence completion requires a good base in grammar. Building a good vocabulary will also enhance reading understanding.
- CAT Syllabus 2024 DILR section Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning The DILR section tests the analytical ability logical reasoning and problem-solving skills of the candidate. Questions are set basically in the form of data sets either in tables or in graphs or as a logical puzzle.
Important Topic in DILR:
Data Interpretation (DI): This is a section where you are given numerical data presented in the format of tables, graphs – bar, line, and pie charts or caselets. Candidates have to analyze the data and then work out their solution based on this data. Questions could be simple arithmetical calculations and move all the way to infer trends or forecasting.
LR- LR questions are based on a problem set to be solved logically. The most popular types involve puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, binary logic, and sequences that result in measuring the candidate’s ability to recognize patterns and apply deductive thinking or solve problems in any proper logical sequence.
Tips to Prepare DILR:
Practice Different Sets: Though the DILR does not have a fixed pattern, practicing different types of data sets and puzzles is very important. If the practice is done regularly then previous years CAT papers help in recognizing the trend or variation.
Increase speed with accuracy: DILR questions require sharp logical reasoning with complex calculations. Hence proper time management is very important. With regular practice both speed and accuracy are enhanced.
Work on Visualization: For data interpretation questions, it is essential to visualize the data quickly. Practice mental calculations and get familiar with interpreting charts and graphs.
- CAT Syllabus 2024 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section
The QA section tests the candidate’s mathematical skills. It is probably one of the challenging sections altogether as it comprises high school mathematics, but is taught in a very complex way.
Important Topic in QA:
Arithmetic: This includes topics like percent, profit and loss, ratios, time and work, time and distance, averages, mixtures, etc. Questions of this type form a large part of the QA and are normally calculated ones.
Algebra: The section could encompass equations which would include linear as well as quadratic, inequalities, functions, and progressions. The direct questions require algebraic concepts and understanding advanced topics can also rely heavily on these concepts.
Geometry and Mensuration: Geometrical concepts like triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, coordinate geometry, and mensuration including areas, volumes, surface areas, etc., are commonly found here.
Number System: Factorization, multiplication and division of numbers, divisibility rules, LCM and HCF, prime numbers, properties of numbers. It can range from simple factorization to more involved manipulation.
Modern Mathematics: Topics like probability, permutation, and combination, and set theory are also tested but are often fewer in number compared to other topics.
Preparation Tips for QA:
Strong the Basics: Clarify your basics before getting into advanced problems. The school-level mathematics basics need to be revised.
Regular Practice: Mastery in QA only comes through regular practice. Solving questions with a varied degree of difficulty has to get comfortable with different types of questions.
Mock Tests and Time Management: Take practice mock tests to get under test conditions. Given the fact that QA is a heavy mathematical section, speed, and accuracy play an extremely vital role. Shortcuts in learning to solve problems quicker can help save time on exams.
General Tips for CAT 2024 Preparation
Mock Tests and Analysis: Mock tests are a very important part of CAT preparation. They really help the candidates get accustomed to the format, difficulty level, and time pressure. More importantly, analysis of mocks helps in highlighting weak areas and improving upon test-taking strategies.
Management of time: CAT is as much about managing time as it is about solving questions. One needs to learn how to space out time over the sections so that the score is maximized and not frittered away by spending too much time on tricky problems.
Discipline and consistency of preparation: Regular study, consistent practice, and continuous revision will build confidence and improve performance.
Adaptability: CAT often throws surprises, especially within the DILR and QA sections. Adaptability and a cool-headed approach during the test can help in tangle up the unexpected challenges most effectively.