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CAT Syllabus 2022 Details

Saurav Anand | September 27, 2022

CAT Syllabus 2022

For admission to their MBA programmes, all 20 IIMs and many hundred other prestigious schools like as S.P. Jain, FMS, MDI, and others employ the CAT as the major filter. The exam is intended to examine potential admission candidates’ readiness for MBA study.

Although there is no set curriculum for CAT at IIMs, we have compiled a thorough list of subjects based on prior year CAT exams. This page covers all of the important topics of the CAT curriculum, as well as the weightage of commonly requested questions.

The CAT 2022 syllabus is structured into three sections: quantitative ability (QA), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and verbal ability and reading comprehension (VA&RC) (VARC). The CAT MBA Syllabus 2022 may be broken into subsections for easier understanding and preparation. The CAT 2022 test is scheduled for November 27, 2022. The test will be divided into two or three 2-hour periods. This year’s CAT Exam syllabus has been modified to reflect changes in the CAT exam design, which will have fewer questions this year.

Highlights: CAT Syllabus

CAT has seen noticeable modifications in the previous ten years, including changes in CAT question pattern, exam structure, time duration, scoring method, and other essential components. The syllabus is now based on the most recent CAT exam format, which was issued by IIM Ahmedabad last year for the CAT 2021 exam.

CAT 2022 Exam Syllabus: Key

CAT 2022 Exam Syllabus: Key ComponentsCAT 2022 Pattern
Test duration2 hrs (120 Minutes)
Test sessions/Slots3 (Morning, Afternoon and Evening)
Total questions66
Total score198
Number of Sections in CAT question paper3 (VARC; DILR; QA)
Time Allotted for Each Section in CAT exam40 Minutes
Total questions in VARC Section24
Total Questions in DILR section20
Total Questions in QA section22

Overview of CAT Syllabus 

There are three components in the CAT syllabus that have various weights in the CAT exam. Although the syllabus is organised into three parts, the actual number of sections is five since the VARC and DILR sections are further subdivided into two subsections each. Read on for more information.

Sectional Division of SyllabusOverview of TopicsWeightage in CAT exam
Quantitative Ability (QA)Arithmetic, Modern Math, Number System Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry34%
Data Interpretation (DI)Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams16%
Logical Reasoning (LR)Seating arrangement,Team formation, Clocks & Calendars, Direction Sense, Family Tree16%
Verbal Ability (VA)Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph10%
Reading Comprehension (RC)Long & Short Passages24%

CAT Syllabus 2022: Quantitative Aptitude

QA questions are largely based on themes from the class 10 Mathematics syllabus.

  • The QA segment of the CAT test is likely to feature 14 MCQs and 8 Non-MCQs out of the 22 questions.
  • The CAT Syllabus for QA is based on numerical questions and assesses a candidate’s mathematical knowledge.
  • It is a speed, accuracy, and precision test.
  • Quants is a substantial component, accounting for more than 40% of the questions asked.
AT Syllabus for QuantsSub-Topics
ArithmeticNumber System, HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Percentage, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distance
AlgebraTheory of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation & Combination, Sequence & Series
GeometryAngles, Lines, Triangles, Circles
MensurationAreas and Volumes- Rectangle, Squares, Triangle, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes and Cistern
CalculusMaxima and Minima, Function
TrigonometryTrigonometric Ratios, Heights and Distances

CAT Syllabus 2022: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

The DILR CAT Syllabus focuses on two aspects: data interpretation and logical reasoning.

  • DI includes both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.
  • Data Interpretation questions focus on a candidate’s ability to draw inferences from a given collection of data.
  • Logical Reasoning CAT The syllabus assesses a candidate’s logical reasoning and its application to real-world circumstances.
  • LR questions can be asked individually or in groups of four or more.
  • The CAT 2022 DILR section will consist of 15 MCQs and just 5 non-MCQs.
CAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation CAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning 
Bar GraphLine GraphArrangementsPrepositions
Pie ChartTablesData ArrangementPuzzles
CaseletsCombination of GraphsAssumptionsStatements
Data SufficiencyGames and TournamentsClock and CalendarsVenn Diagram
--Logical MatchingLogical Connectives

CAT Syllabus 2022: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

The DILR CAT Syllabus focuses on two aspects: data interpretation and logical reasoning.

  • DI includes both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.
  • Data Interpretation questions focus on a candidate’s ability to draw inferences from a given collection of data.
  • Logical Reasoning CAT The syllabus assesses a candidate’s logical reasoning and its application to real-world circumstances.
  • LR questions can be asked individually or in groups of four or more.
  • The CAT 2022 DILR section will consist of 15 MCQs and just 5 non-MCQs.
CAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation CAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning 
Bar GraphLine GraphArrangementsPrepositions
Pie ChartTablesData ArrangementPuzzles
CaseletsCombination of GraphsAssumptionsStatements
Data SufficiencyGames and TournamentsClock and CalendarsVenn Diagram
--Logical MatchingLogical Connectives

Important Topics in CAT DILR Syllabus

  • The DILR section contains four data sets from Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
  • The sets might be DI, LR, or a combination of the two. This segment has been the deciding factor for the previous three years, and the level of difficulty is likewise increasing.
  • The DI portion, which has 2-3 sets, is further subdivided into ‘Reasoning Based Questions’ and ‘Calculation Based Questions.’
  • Even though there is no defined weightage or topic preferences, questions from arrangement sets have become more prevalent in recent years. As a result, it is recommended that you practise as much as possible, particularly with CAT previous year’s question paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is the CAT exam tough?

Ans. Overall, the CAT has a moderate difficulty level, but it may become simple for those who begin their preparation early and continue to practise all three components. You can easily pass the CAT if you plan ahead of time! It simply assesses your math and logical abilities at the tenth grade level.

Q2. Is CAT easy to crack?

Ans. It should not be only for the purpose of passing the CAT. However, 99 percentile can be achieved on the first attempt. The CAT is a difficult exam, but with proper preparation and practise, anyone may place in the top 1% of their class.

Q3. Which subject is best for CAT exam?

Ans. CAT focuses on the application of fundamental concepts rather than academic theories. This essentially means that your knowledge of basic arithmetic and proportionality tools, numbers, time speed distance, simple combinatorics, algebra, and geometry will be more than enough to help you pass the test.

Q4. What is the syllabus of CAT exam 2022?

Ans. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Aptitude are the three courses included in the CAT Syllabus 2022. (QA).

Q5. Is there maths in CAT exam?

Ans. The application of basic notions, rather than academic ideas, is the focus of CAT. This essentially implies that your understanding of fundamental arithmetic and proportionality tools, numbers, time speed distance, rudimentary combinatorics, algebra, and geometry will be more than sufficient to help you pass the test.

Q6. Is CAT MCQ based?

Ans. The CAT format is based on comparable entrance tests, with multiple choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in a set amount of time. Previously, the CAT test was 180 minutes long with 100 questions, however owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, both the exam period and the amount of questions were lowered in CAT 2020.

Q7. Is 2 years enough for CAT?

Ans. Two years is plenty of time to prepare for the CAT Exam.

Q8. Is 3 years enough for CAT?

Ans. The best time to begin preparing for next year’s CAT exam is during your pre-final year in college ( 3rd year of engineering or 2nd year of 3 year graduation course ). These students can enrol in a very long term CAT classroom batch at T.I.M.E. coaching centre. This will give them enough time to prepare.

Q9. Can I get a job with CAT score?

Ans. Even at roughly 40000 rank, CAT delivers excellent placements!

The high demand for MBA graduates among MNCs and top Indian corporations assures that exceptional placements occur not just at leading B-schools such as the IIMs, but also among mid-tier B-schools.

Q10. What is a good score for CAT?

Ans. Nothing less than a 97-98 percentile is acceptable for IIMs, although a 90-95 percentile is acceptable for other top MBA programmes. The bulk of CAT test takers fall in the 80-90 percentile area, and hundreds of B-schools accept applicants with CAT scores in this range.