Download the latest CAT 2024 Syllabus PDF by clicking the link below.
The syllabus of the exam is the same across the years. However, the pattern and weight-age of topics kept changing. Initially, the exam was of 3 hours duration and with the effect of the COVID pandemic, the exam was changed into a 2-hour exam.
CAT 2024 Syllabus includes three sections, VARC, DILR and QA.
Sections | Topics |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
|
Here's a brief overview of CAT 2024 Syllabus. Before diving into the in-depth information, let's get a quick understanding of some most important aspects.
CAT 2024 Details | Information |
Conducting Body for 2024 | IIM Calcutta |
CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24th, 2024 - Sunday |
Mode of Exam | Online |
CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria | 50 % Aggregate (General) , 45 % Aggregate (Reservation) |
CAT Registration Fees | INR 2400 for General Category INR 1200 for PwD and Reserved Category |
CAT 2024 Registration Start Date | August 2nd, 2024 (Expected) |
CAT 2024 Registration Last Date | September 14th, 2024Â (Expected) |
CAT Marking Scheme | +3 marks for Correct Response
-1 mark for Incorrect Response |
CAT Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Achieving a high percentile in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section becomes manageable by concentrating on crucial topics. In CAT, there are a total of 66 questions, and one-third of these, which is 22 questions, belong to the QA section. The topics covered in these questions include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Number Systems, and Modern Maths.
Ratios and Proportions | Averages | Alligations and Mixtures | Percentages |
Profit-loss | Simple Interest and Compound Interest | Time and Work | Time, Speed and Distance |
Relative Speed | Races and Headstarts | Circular Tracks | Pipes and Cisterns |
Linear Equations | Special Linear Equations | Quadratic Equations | Roots of an Equation |
Functions and Graphs | Maxima and Minima | Co-ordinate Geometry | Inequalities |
Sets | Inclusion Principles | Exclusion Principles | Venn Diagrams |
Triangles | Similarity, Congruence | Quadrilaterals and Other Polygons | Properties of Quadrilaterals |
Cyclic Quadrilaterals | Concave and Convex Polygons | Circles | 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 |
Number Systems | Factors | Properties of Numbers | Types and Classification of Numbers |
Divisibility Rules | HCF and LCM | Cyclicity and Base Theorem | Remainder and Remainder Theorems |
Sets | Binomial Theorem | Series and Progressions | Types of Series |
Permutations | Combinations | Probability | Combinatorics |
Circular Permutations | Necklace Problems | Logarithms | Arranging Similar and Distinct Objects in Similar and Distinct Group |
The key subjects to focus on are Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry, making up about 90% of the test. Additionally, almost every year, questions related to the topics listed below are asked at least once or twice.
Alligation and Mixtures | Time, Distance and Work | Simple Interest and Compound Interest |
Percentages | Time and Work | Averages |
Linear Equations | Quadratic Equations | Functions |
Progressions | Inequalities | Triangles - Right Angle Traingles |
Quant Topics |
No. of Questions asked in CAT Exam |
Arithmetic | 7-8 |
Geometry | 2-3 |
Algebra | 7-8 |
Modern Math | 2 |
Number Systems |
2-3 |
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning part of the CAT exam in 2024 is seen as the most challenging among the three sections. Doing well here involves picking the right sets wisely. This section has 20 questions, arranged in sets of five questions each. Data Interpretation (DI) is an important part of this section and connects closely with arithmetic concepts. DI includes solving puzzles shown in different ways, like Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, and more.
These topics essentially tests calculation skills and basic arithmetic calculations. For solving these sets fundas from percentages, profit-loss, ratios are important.
Line Charts | Radar Charts | Bar Charts |
Bubble Charts | Area Charts | Histographs |
Pie Charts | Venn Diagrams | Tables with Missing Values |
Tables with Incorrect Values |
Tables with Connected Data Sets |
These topics essentially test the logical aptitude of the candidate. To crack these questions one should be able to represent the logical information in a proper structure.
Seating Arrangement | 2D/3D Space LRs | LR based on picking coins |
Truth & Lies | Networks | Scheduling |
Games and Tournaments | Einstein’s Puzzle and Arrangement Puzzles | Selection with Conditions |
The following topics are very much consistent across the past years.Â
Seating Arrangement | Arrangement Puzzles | Games & Tournaments |
Einstein Puzzles | Truth & Lies | Line Chart/Bar Chart/Histographs |
This section evaluates the candidate's ability to comprehend passages ranging from 450 to 500 words. Among the 66 questions in CAT, this section has the highest number, with 24 questions dedicated to it.
The format typically includes presenting 4 to 5 passages extracted from non-fictional sources, followed by questions related to the content.Â
RC Passages | Fact Based Questions | Tone of Author Questions |
Inference Questions | Main Idea Questions | Para Jumbles |
Para Summaries | Para Completions | Odd One Outs |
Vocabulary | Critical Reasoning Questions | Grammar |
Remember, consistent practice and strategic preparation are key to success in CAT.
IIM Calcutta is expected to conduct CAT 2024. The last CAT exam that was conducted by IIM Calcutta was in the year 2018.
CAT Exam Year | Conducted By |
CAT 2024 | IIM Calcutta (Expected) |
CAT 2023 | IIM Lucknow |
CAT 2022 | IIM Bangalore |
CAT 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad |
CAT 2020 | IIM Indore |
CAT 2019 | IIM Kozhikode |
CAT 2018 | IIM Calcutta |
CAT 2017 | IIM Lucknow |
CAT 2016 | IIM Bangalore |
CAT 2015 | IIM Ahmedabad |
CAT 2014 | IIM Indore |
CAT 2013 | IIM Indore |
CAT 2012 | IIM Kozhikode |
CAT 2011 | IIM Calcutta |
CAT 2010 | IIM Lucknow |
CAT 2009 | IIM Ahmedabad |
CAT 2008 | IIM Ahmedabad |
CAT 2007Â | IIM Bangalore |
The CAT 2024 Exam is expected to be conducted on 24th November 2024. Every year CAT is conducted on the last Sunday of November every year. The exam is going to be held in three slots across 155 test cities.
Events | Expected Dates |
CAT 2024 Notification | 28th July 2024 (Expected) |
CAT 2024 Registration Starting Date | 4th August 2024Â (Expected) |
CAT 2024 Last Date of Registration | 15th September 2024Â (Expected) |
CAT 2024 Exam Date | 24th November 2024Â (Expected) |
CAT 2024 Result Date | 4th January 2025Â (Expected) |
Earlier CAT exam used to be 3 hours, but since 2020, the exam has moved to a 2-hour format. CAT Exam Pattern for 2024
is going to be same as CAT 2023. Moreover, CAT is going to be conducted in three slots across the day.
A total of 66 questions are asked in total. Some questions are Type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions. TITA questions do not carry any negative marks.
SECTION | DURATION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
40 minutes | 24 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes | 20 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 minutes | 22 |
Total | 120 minutes | 66 |
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. The applicant must have a minimum of 50% in graduation (45% for SC/ST/PWD categories) or an equivalent CGPA.
There is no minimum and maximum age limit to take the CAT exam.
Indian nationals are eligible to apply for CAT. Also, Non-Indian nationals are also eligible to apply and appear for CAT 2024. It is recommended to check the official CAT website for specific details regarding the eligibility of non-Indian students.
Candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting results are eligible to apply for CAT.Â
Candidates interested in applying for CAT are advised to regularly check the official CAT website or the respective IIM websites for updates and detailed information regarding the eligibility criteria and the application process for the specific year in which they plan to appear for the exam.
Over the past two years (due to covid pandemic), the CAT 2023, 2022, 2021 exam pattern has been changed. Earlier CAT was conducted in a 3-hour pattern with 1 hour for each section.
But, since 2020, the exam moved to a 2-hour format. Check out the CAT exam pattern changes mentioned below in CAT 2022, CAT 2021, CAT 2020, and CAT 2019.
Also, check out the score required for CAT 100%iler, CAT 99%ile & Above.
Exam Year | CAT 2023 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
No. of Questions | 66 | 66 | 66 | 76 | 100 |
Marks Per Question | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Total Score | 198 | 198 | 198 | 228 | 300 |
Exam Duration | 120 Min | 120Â Min | 120 Min | 120 Min | 180 Min |
Score to get 100%ile |
161.00 |
||||
Score to get 99%ile | 79 | 84 | 98 | 101 | 156 |
Number of Questions in VARC | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 34 |
Number of Questions in DILR | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 32 |
Number of Questions in QA | 22 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 34 |
Download the CAT exam syllabus PDF for Free Downlaod Link Below👇Â
Last Updated: March 15th, 2024, 09:26 IST
Published On: March 15th, 2024, 09:26 IST
There is no minimum or maximum age limit for CAT 2024. The candidate must be in the final year of the graduation or has already completed graduation.
2.88 lakh students appeared for CAT 2023 on November 26th 2023. And, for CAT 2024 the number of students are likely to increase because of the freshers and repeaters.
Yes, 1 year is pretty much enough with 3 to 4 hours of preparation every day. Make it a point to complete entire QA syllabus and keep giving numerous mocks.
No, CAT is conducted only once in a year. In 2023, CAT was conducted on November 26th, 2023 which is the last sunday of November. CAT is usually conducted on last sunday of November every year.
CAT 2023 is considered to be the toughest. The questions of QA and DILR are bit length and tough.