Preparing for CAT 2024 means understanding what to expect. Even though the IIMs don’t give out the official syllabus, experts look at past exams to figure it out. Since CAT 2023 kept things the same, CAT 2024 will probably do the same.
The CAT syllabus covers common topics like Reading Comprehension, Algebra, Arithmetic, Coding-Decoding, Geometry, Graphs, Percentage, and more. These are the big hitters in CAT papers. Focusing on these topics during your CAT prep can help you plan better and do well in the exam.
CAT Exam Syllabus 2024
Besides the syllabus, the candidates must also know about the CAT exam pattern 2024 before preparing. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- CAT exam mode is online
- Each question carries three marks
- There is a negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts
Here is the section-wise distribution of the CAT exam pattern:
Key Aspects |
|
|---|---|
| Sections Covered | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude |
| VARC Section | Verbal Reasoning, English Grammar, Reading Comprehension |
| Quantitative Aptitude Section | Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry |
| DILR Section | Analytical interpretation of data, Puzzles, Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs |
Section Vise Overview
The exam pattern is essential for prioritizing chapters and effectively managing time for preparation and revision. Let’s explore the section-wise weightage and distribution of questions.
| Section | Weightage | MCQ Questions | Non-MCQ Questions | Total Questions | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 34% | 19 | 5 | 24 | 4 RC passages with a total of 16 questions |
| 3 para jumbles | |||||
| 3 para summary | |||||
| 2 para completions | |||||
| DILR | 32% | 15 | 5 | 20 | 4 sets, including a total 20 questions |
| on bar graphs, puzzles, missing data, etc. | |||||
| QR | 34% | 14 | 8 | 22 | Large no. of arithmetic questions, |
| followed by algebra and geometry |
CAT Syllabus 2024: Overview for VARC
The VARC section kicks off the CAT question paper, giving candidates 40 minutes to tackle Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The focus is on key VARC topics for CAT 2024:
- Fill in the blanks (Idioms)
- Para completion and inference (Syllogisms)
- Verbal logic (Analogies)
- Verbal reasoning (Antonyms)
- Subject-verb agreement (Jumbled paragraphs)
- Parajumbles (Sentence correction)
- Sentence completion (One-word substitution)
- Foreign language words in English (Parts of speech)
- Different usage of the same word (Preposition)
- Grammar (Types of clauses)
- Reading comprehension (Phrases modifiers)
- Errors in tenses (Articles usage)
CAT Syllabus 2024 for DILR
After VARC, the DILR section comes into play with 40 minutes for 20 questions (10 each for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning). Dive into the CAT 2024 syllabus for DILR:
- Blood Relations (Puzzles)
- Clocks and Calendars (Sets & Caselets)
- Syllogism (Bars & Line Graphs)
- Series (Data Arrangement)
- Statements (Data Structures)
- Venn Diagram (Direction Sense)
- Proposition (Family Tree)
- Data Sufficiency (Tables)
- Assumptions (Coding-Decoding)
- Seating Arrangement (Binary Logic)
- Pie Charts
CAT Syllabus 2024: High-Yielding Topics for DILR
DILR presents two types of questions – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Examine the CAT DILR section outline and difficulty levels based on past years:
| No. of Questions | No. of Questions |
| Set 1 (Data Interpretation) | 5 |
| Set 2 (Data Interpretation) | 5 |
| Set 3 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 |
| Set 4 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 |
| Overall | 20 |
CAT Syllabus 2024 for QA
Quantitative Aptitude in CAT 2024 demands a solid grasp of class 9 and 10 mathematical topics. Dive into the key topics for the CAT 2024 QA section:
- Geometry (Inequalities)
- Ratios and Proportion (Trigonometry)
- Quadratic and linear equations (Work and Time)
- Algebra (Surds and Indices)
- Percentages (Mensuration)
- Time-Speed-Distance (Logarithms)
- Partnership (Number System)
- Square Root (Cube Root)
- Geometric Progression (Probability)
- Mean, mode, median (Binomial theorem)
- Simple interest and compound interest (Profit & Loss)
CAT 2024 Syllabus for QA: High-Yielding Topics
The QA section brings 22 questions and a focus on prominent topics. Explore the weightage and distribution for the CAT Quantitative section:
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics | No. of Questions |
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Modern Maths | 2 |
| Number System | 2 |
| Overall | 22 |
Conclusion
More than lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam every year. The exam is conducted in three slots. The official notification for the CAT 2024 exam is yet to be released.
Before preparing for the exam, you must know the syllabus and exam pattern in detail. In this post, we have explained the CAT syllabus 2024 in detail.
Frequently Asked Question
1. When is CAT 2024 going to be held?
CAT 2024 is scheduled to take place on November 24, 2024.
2. Where can I find information about CAT 2024?
Updates and official information about CAT 2024 can be found on the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in.
3. How do I register for CAT 2024?
To register for CAT 2024, visit the official website, click on ‘new registration,’ and follow the instructions provided. You will need to enter personal details and academic information and upload the necessary documents.
4. What is the registration fee for CAT 2024?
The registration fee for CAT 2024 is INR 2,400 for the General category and INR 1,200 for the Reserved category.
5. How many sections are there in CAT 2024?
CAT 2024 consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
6. Is there any change in the CAT exam pattern for 2024?
As of now, there is no information about significant changes in the CAT exam pattern for 2024. However, it’s advisable to check the official website for updates regularly.
7. What is the duration of the CAT exam?
The CAT exam duration is typically 180 minutes (3 hours), with 60 minutes allotted for each section.
8. Can I make corrections to my CAT 2024 application form?
Yes, there is usually a specified window for form correction. Details about the correction period will be provided on the official CAT website.
9. How can I download the CAT admit card?
To download the CAT admit card, log in to the official website, enter your CAT 2024 application number and password, and navigate to the ‘admit card’ section for downloading.
10. When will the CAT 2024 results be declared?
CAT 2024 results are expected to be announced within 20-30 days of the exam. You can check the official CAT website for updates on result declaration.
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