CAT syllabus 2021 is broadly divided into three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA); Data
Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR); and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC).
For better understanding and preparation, the CAT MBA Syllabus 2021 for each section can be
divided into subsections. CAT 2021 exam date is November 28, 2021. The exam will be conducted
in three slots of 2 hours each. This year CAT Exam syllabus is changed as per the changes in CAT
exam pattern which will have fewer questions this year as compared to last year.
CAT 2022 Syllabus: An Overview
CAT 2021 had the following question breakdown:
VARC: 24 questions {16 questions from RCs coupled with 8 verbal ability questions}
DI-LR: 20 questions {2 sets with 6 questions and 2 sets with 4 questions}
QA: 22 questions spanning a range of topics
CAT VERBAL ABILITY SECTION
Breakdown of topics in CAT 2021 VARC section:
1. Reading comprehension
2. Para jumbles
3. Sentence elimination based on para jumbles
4. Para summary and completion
The section focuses on two segments: Reading comprehension (16 questions) and Verbal ability (8
questions) Given that reading comprehension alone contributes around 18% of the total marks and 70%
of the marks in VARC section, aspirants cannot afford to skip this section. There were 4 RC sets with 4
questions each {a total of 16 questions} in CAT 2021. The remaining 8 Verbal ability questions test the
candidate’s capacity to summarize excerpts and form coherent paragraphs. These include:
a. Three para summary questions that necessitate candidates to read a short -passage and summarize
them
b. Three para jumble questions based on sentence restructuring
c. Two out-of-context questions that focus on identifying linkages between pieces of information.
Apart from these, questions on grammar, sentence correction, synonyms and antonyms, analogies and
other such topics used to appear in CAT before a few years ago.
1. Syllogism
2. Analogies
3. Synonyms and antonyms
4. Grammar-based sentence correction
5. Phrases, fill in the blanks and Cloze test
As of now, these questions have not made their appearance in the past few years. However, aspirants
must at least prepare the basics of these topics to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
CAT has moved away from conventional bar and pie charts in the last few years. Most of the sets that
appear in the exam are unconventional and the focus is on cracking the logic rather than grinding
numbers. However, it pays off to have a decent understanding of the conventional sets before moving
on to the tougher ones. This syllabus pdf contains the list of conventional topics that one must practice
to ace this section.
Logical reasoning: (10 Questions – 2 Sets. 4-6 questions from each set)
1. Seating arrangement (facing inwards/ outwards).
2. Truth – liar concept
3. 2D/3D Space LRs
4. Networks
5. LR based on picking coins
6. Scheduling
7. Games and tournaments.
8. Einstein’s puzzle and arrangement puzzles
9. Selection with conditions
Data interpretation: (10 Questions – 2 Sets. 4-6 questions from each set)
1. Line chart, bar chart
2. Pie chart
3. Unconventional charts – radar chart, bubble chart, area chart
4. Tables, tables with missing values, incorrect values & connected datasets
5. DI based on growth over years
6. Venn diagrams and 4 group Venn diagrams
Apart from solving template questions, solve puzzles to improve your analytical thinking. Solving
puzzles, sudokus and kakuros will help improve your problem-solving skills.
Quantitative Aptitude:
This is the only section in which one can define the topics and syllabus with some
amount of certainty. We can broadly classify the quantitative ability section into five groups.
1. Number system
2. Arithmetic
3. Algebra
4. Geometry and Mensuration
5. Modern Maths
6. Data Sufficiency
1. Number systems and progressions:
Numbers, factors, properties of numbers, type and classification of numbers, divisibility rules, HCF and
LCM, cyclicity and base theorem, remainders and remainder theorems, binomial theorem, the highest
power of a number in a factorial.
Series and progressions, types of series – AP, GP, HP, sum of series – finite, infinite. AM-GM concept,
special series.
2. Arithmetic:
Ratios and proportions, averages, alligations, percentages, successive percentage changes, profit-loss,
faulty machines, interests – simple, compound, time and work, time speed distance, relative speed,
effective speed, average speed, escalators, races and headstarts, circular tracks, pipes and cisterns,
clocks and calendars.
3. Algebra:
Linear equations, special linear equations, quadratic equations, roots of an equation, functions and
graphs, maxima and minima, types and properties of functions, coordinate geometry, inequalities. Sets,
inclusion-exclusion principles, Venn diagrams and 4 group Venn diagrams.
4. Geometry and Mensuration:
Points, lines, triangles, properties of triangles, similarity, congruence, quadrilaterals and other polygons,
properties of quadrilaterals, cyclic quadrilaterals, concave and convex polygons, circles, chords and
tangents, properties of circles. 3D geometry – cubes, cuboids, cones, cylinders, spheres and other
shapes, volumes and surface areas of 3D shapes, development of 3D shapes, cutting and colouring
problems on 3D shapes.
5. Modern Maths:
Factorials, combinations (selection), permutation (arrangement), arranging similar and distinct objects in
similar and distinct groups, circular permutation and necklace problems, probability, mutually exclusive
and collectively exhaustive events, conditional probability, Baye’s theorem, number of integral
solutions, the theory of partitioning, pigeonhole principle.
6. Data Sufficiency
CAT Exam pattern:
Each correct answer provides 3 marks while every wrong attempt causes a deduction of 1 mark. For TITA
questions no options will be given, so candidates have to type in the answer. There are no negative
marks for TITA questions.
Total exam duration: 2 hours