CAT Syllabus

CAT does not prescribe a highly detailed chapter-by-chapter syllabus. However, questions generally cover three major sections:

1. VARC – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
2. DILR – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
3. QA – Quantitative Ability

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

The VARC section tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and the candidate's ability to understand and analyse written information.

Reading Comprehension

Important areas include:

• Main idea
• Central theme
• Author's viewpoint
• Inference
• Tone
• Arguments
• Supporting statements
• Fact vs inference
• Passage structure
• Critical reasoning

Passages may be based on areas such as:

• Business
• Economics
• Philosophy
• Science
• History
• Society
• Literature
• Technology

Verbal Ability

Topics can include:

• Para jumbles
• Para summary
• Odd sentence
• Sentence completion
• Sentence arrangement
• Logical flow
• Vocabulary in context
• Grammar and usage

 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

DILR combines numerical interpretation with analytical and logical reasoning.

Data Interpretation

Important areas include:

• Tables
• Bar graphs
• Line graphs
• Pie charts
• Caselets
• Data comparison
• Percentage-based data
• Ratios
• Averages
• Data sufficiency
• Combination of multiple data sets

Logical Reasoning

Topics can include:

• Arrangements
• Seating arrangements
• Games and tournaments
• Scheduling
• Selection
• Distribution
• Routes and networks
• Venn diagrams
• Binary logic
• Rankings
• Team formation
• Puzzles

 3. Quantitative Ability

QA focuses largely on mathematics up to school-level concepts but tests their application through competitive problems.

Arithmetic

• Percentages
• Profit and loss
• Simple interest
• Compound interest
• Ratio and proportion
• Averages
• Time and work
• Time, speed and distance
• Mixtures and allegations

Algebra

• Linear equations
• Quadratic equations
• Inequalities
• Functions
• Sequences and series
• Algebraic expressions
• Progressions

Number System

• Divisibility
• Factors
• Multiples
• HCF and LCM
• Remainders
• Units digit
• Number properties

Geometry and Mensuration

• Lines and angles
• Triangles
• Quadrilaterals
• Circles
• Coordinate geometry
• Polygons
• Area
• Volume
• Mensuration

Modern Mathematics

• Permutation and combination
• Probability
• Set theory
• Venn diagrams