Since there is no prescribed syllabus for CAT exam, the questions and topics are always predicted based on the previous year question paper.
As per the sources CAT-2019 is likely to be set by IIM-Kozhikode.
There are total 3 sections consisting of 100 questions for 300 marks with the duration of 3 hrs.
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is the first section of CAT exam. Reading comprehension is probably the most important and high potential topic. Reading comprehension and verbal ability constitute a separate section in the exam with 34 questions, earlier it was clubbed under the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The reading comprehension constitutes 24% of the total questions alone in the CAT exam. Estimated time to attempt the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is 60 Minutes.
The questions in this section are time-consuming and such a high scorer section based on questions can get you through with a high percentile. Reading Comprehension is the ability to actively read the information in one go and amalgamate the information to answer in a given set of questions. The Reading Comprehension area includes around five passages, out of five passages three are a long one and the other two are a short one.
Bifurcation of Reading comprehension question:
6 Questions follow each Long passage (Total 18 questions)
3 questions follow each short passage (Total 6 questions)
Which consists of both multiple choice questions.
Predictable CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Reading Comprehension Passages- based
Questions |
Vocabulary Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms) | Cloze Passage |
| Jumbled Paragraph | Meaning-Usage Match | Facts-Inferences-Judgments |
| English Usage or Grammar | Fill in the blanks | Sentence Correction |
| Analogies or Reverse Analogies | Summary Questions | Verbal Reasoning |
Preparation Tips:
- Inculcate the habit of reading, recommended reading newspapers daily.
- Underline the difficult words-search out their meanings and put them to use in your daily conversation.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Quantitative aptitude is the most crucial and one of the highest scoring sections in the CAT exam. In CAT exam a total of 100 questions being asked and this section includes 34 questions, which consists of both multiple and non-multiple questions. Quantitative Aptitude section contributes 34% share in overall CAT exam. Quantitative Aptitude is a little bit lengthy for most of the time.
Syllabus for Quantitative aptitude is vast and not a pre-defined one. Therefore most of the students get stuck and confused during preparation. But it should be noted that the questions are generally asked from repeating concepts every year. Questions which are asked in Quantitative aptitude section is to test the mathematical skills, accuracy and speed of the candidates.
Marking Scheme in QA Section
Marks for Each Correct Answer – (+3)
Negative Marks for Each Wrong Answer- (-1)
Some of the topics are divided that the aspirants must focus under this section, and from which most questions asked are:
| Topics | Expected No. of Questions | Topics with higher and lower priority |
| Number System, Basic Arithmetic | 7 to 8 Questions | High Priority – HCF / LCM, Number Properties, Factor Theory, Percentage, Profit & Loss, TSD, Ratio.
Low Priority – Remainders, Base System, Last digits, Clocks, Calendars. |
| Algebra | 6 to 7 Questions | High Priority – Linear Equations, Numbers, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio, Proportionality, Time-Distance, Time-Work and Averages.
Low Priority – Higher Degree Equations, Logarithm. |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 5 to 10 Questions | High Priority – Circles, Triangles (Similar), Polygons, Mensuration.
Low Priority – Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry. |
| Advance Mathematics | 4 to 6 Questions | High Priority – Set Theory, Principles of Counting, Sequence and Progression Series.
Low Priority – Permutation and Combination, Probability. |
Preparation Tips:
- This section consists of 34 questions even if you are able to do half of them, then it will get you a really good score. That means you don’t have to do all the questions.
- Students should start with solving the basic simple ones and then slowly moved on to a higher difficulty level.
- Do not waste time in resolving a question more than once if you’re not getting any of the options.
- The key strategy to solve Quantitative aptitude is to select the right question, once you are done with the basic question start with a couple of question and start solving only those that you’re confident about.
- So, this section really requires more practice while preparing for CAT exam.
3)Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LR & DI)
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation is one among the three sections. This section is further classified into two. This sectiontotally contains 32 questions i.e. 16 questions from Logical Reasoning and 16 from Data Interpretation which carries 96 marks with the fixed allotted time of 60 min.
Predictable CAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
| Blood Relations
|
Syllogism
|
Logical Connectives
|
| Logical Sequence& Matching
|
Binary Logic
|
Column Graphs&Line Charts
|
| Seating Arrangement
|
Venn Diagrams
|
Cubes
|
| Clocks & Calendars
|
Puzzles & Other Basic Reasoning Questions
|
Caselets
|
| Tables
|
Bar Graphs&Pie Chart
|
|
Logical reasoning& Data interpretation contains 32 (Approx.) questions for 96 (Approx.) marks. This questions are combinations of MCQs and Type in the Answer (8-10). For every right answer 3 marks is allotted, for wrong answers -1 marks will be deducted subsequently. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. (There is no negative marks for non MCQ)
The test is completely automated and the responses will be saved periodically. The test will stop once 180 min. is exhausted (240 min. for PwD). However section wise time will be of 60 min. (80 min. for PwD). Candidates cannot go back to the previous section once the allotted section wise time is over.
Onscreen calculator is provided in the system.
