CAT syllabus 2024, section-wise weightage; exam on November 24

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta will administer the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 on November 24. The exam is a gateway for admission to various postgraduate and doctorate programmes offered by Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and other top-tier business schools. With around a month left for the MBA entrance exam, candidates can check the syllabus and weightage of paper to boost their preparation.

CAT assesses candidates in three major sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Each section will aim to evaluate specific skill sets critical for management studies.

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section assesses a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written content, along with grammar and language skills. The key topics include:

• Reading Comprehension (RC): Passages followed by questions to test comprehension, inference, and interpretation.
• Verbal Ability (VA): Questions on sentence correction, para-jumbles, para-summary, and odd-one-out.

Weightage: Around 34% of the exam will be dedicated to this section, typically consisting of 24-26 questions.

Also read CAT mock test 2024 link to be available on this date: 7 ways it can help you score better

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

DILR tests a candidate’s capacity to interpret data and solve complex logical puzzles. The syllabus covers:

• Data Interpretation (DI): Charts, tables, graphs, and caselets requiring data analysis.
• Logical Reasoning (LR): Puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, and logical sequences.

Weightage: This section will account for about 32%, with 20-24 questions expected.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

This section focuses on mathematical skills, requiring candidates to solve problems based on:

• Arithmetic: Percentages, ratios, time and work, averages.
• Algebra: Quadratic equations, inequalities.
• Geometry and Mensuration: Circles, triangles, coordinate geometry.
• Number Systems: Divisibility rules, integers.
• Modern Math: Permutations, combinations, probability.

Weightage : Approximately 34% of the exam, with around 22-26 questions.