The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta), the oldest IIM in India, is set to administer the CAT 2024 test on November 24, 2024. The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 will be held in three separate two- hour sessions. This pivotal test is needed for MBA admissions at 21 IIMs and other premier MBA institutions. Registration for CAT 2024 will open in the first week of August 2024.
The IIM CAT 2024 is the largest MBA entrance test in India, with 3.30 lakh campaigners applying last time. This computer- grounded test lasts for two hours and is divided into three sections Verbal Capability and Reading Appreciation, Data Interpretation and Logical logic, and Quantitative Capability. While the syllabus for CAT 2024 remains largely unchanged, campaigners should be prepared for the possibility of new question types being introduced.
Explore the details of the CAT 2024 syllabus, including its overall and sectional structure, crucial motifs, total number of questions, and weightage. Begin with a comprehensive overview of the CAT test pattern before diving into the specifics of the CAT 2024 syllabus.
Overview of CAT Pattern 2024- The CAT test features three main sections, each with varying weight in the question paper. While the syllabus is divided into these three primary sections, the effective breakdown includes five sections due to the farther branch of VARC (Verbal Capability and Reading Appreciation) and DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical logic) into two subsections each. For a detailed understanding, read on below.
| CAT Exam Components | No of Questions (Divided in MCQs & Non MCQs) | Sectional Time Limit (In Minutes) | Scoring Pattern (negative marking is only for MCQs) |
| Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Total | 66 | 120 | 198 |
| CAT Exam Pattern FAQs Q. In how many days will the will the CAT exam 2024 be conducted? A. CAT 2024 will be conducted in a single day. Q. In how many sessions will the CAT 2024 exam be conducted? A. Like previous years, CAT 2024 will be conducted in three slots of 2 hours duration for each slot. Q. What is the mode of the CAT 2024 exam? A. CAT is a computer-based test and is conducted at test centers. Last year, CAT 2023 was conducted in more than 160 test cities. Q. Is CAT a difficult exam? A. Yes, to some extent, CAT is a difficult exam. Last year, CAT 2023 was considered most difficult during the previous 5-6 years, with Quant & DILR very difficult. Q. Can I attempt any section in CAT within the all-time limit? A. No, while the overall time limit to attempt the CAT exam is 2 hours, each section has an individual time limit of 40 minutes. |
CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
In CAT 2024, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section holds a 36% weightage of the total exam. Out of the 66 questions in CAT, 24 are dedicated to VARC. This section is divided into two main parts: verbal ability and reading comprehension. Specifically, the VARC syllabus includes 8 questions on verbal ability and 16 questions on reading comprehension passages. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the VARC syllabus, including the number of questions for each topic and examples of recent CAT questions to help you familiarize yourself with the exam format.Top of FormBottom of Form
Key areas in RC Syllabus
The English reading comprehension passages in the CAT entrance exam encompass a broad range of topics, including current affairs, literature, business economics, and more. To effectively prepare for the VARC section, it is essential to engage in diverse reading across these areas. This approach will help you thoroughly cover the exam syllabus and enhance your comprehension skills for the CAT.
Current Affairs: The English reading comprehension passages in the CAT exam cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Social Impact: Issues like migration, growing global intolerance, and social movements.
- International Affairs: Topics such as international policies and global conflicts.
- Government Policies and Schemes: Examples include the New Education Policy, Triple Talaq, CAA, the Clean India Mission, and responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Familiarizing yourself with these subjects will help you navigate the VARC section effectively and enhance your overall preparation for the CAT.
Business & Economics: In the CAT exam, reading comprehension (RC) passages often include topics such as:
- Global Economic Changes: Insights into shifting economic trends and their global impacts.
- Economic Development vs. Environmental Cost: Discussions on how economic growth can affect environmental sustainability.
- Impact of Demonetization in India: Analysis of the effects and outcomes of India’s demonetization policy.
- Wasteful Government Expenditure: Examination of how inefficient spending affects economic health and public resources.
English Literature: In the CAT exam, reading comprehension (RC) passages often include excerpts from:
- Books and Articles: Works by renowned authors and philosophers.
- Speeches: Notable addresses by influential figures such as Charles Dickens, Aristotle, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Winston Churchill.
These passages are designed to assess your ability to understand and analyze diverse perspectives and complex ideas. Familiarizing yourself with such material can enhance your performance in the VARC section of the CAT.
Passages on Science & Culture: In the CAT exam, reading comprehension (RC) passages frequently explore themes such as:
- The Journey to the Modern World: Discussions on historical and societal transitions leading to contemporary times.
- Fading Culture with Technological Advancement: Analysis of how technological progress impacts and changes cultural practices.
Engaging with these topics will help you better prepare for the variety of subjects covered in the RC section of the CAT.
RC Passages on Abstract Topics and Fiction: These are also included in the reading comprehension syllabus. These passages make the candidates think well before leading them to put themselves in the author’s shoes before answering the questions following these passages since they are opinion-based.
RC Passages on Historical Events: Events leading to social changes, for example, the French Revolution, the War of Roses, social changes in Indian history, and thoughts shared by various activists that are very relevant even today are also the source of RC Passages.
CAT Exam Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT exam carries a 30% weightage, with 20 out of 66 total questions dedicated to this area. The DILR syllabus is divided into two main parts: Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR). While the Data Interpretation section may feature a larger number of questions, the Logical Reasoning section typically includes an equal or fewer number of questions.
CAT Exam Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA)
The Quantitative Ability (QA) section of the CAT exam carries a 33% weightage, with a strong emphasis on Arithmetic. Out of the 66 questions in the exam, 22 are dedicated to QA, which is the mathematics component of the CAT. While the QA syllabus covers a broad range of topics, the questions are generally based on Class 10 and 12 mathematics. Arithmetic questions are particularly prominent, typically accounting for 10-12 questions, while topics like Algebra and Geometry generally contribute 3-8 questions each.