CAT Syllabus 2021: The IIM Ahmedabad, which administers the CAT, will not formally announce the CAT 2021 Syllabus. Candidates can, nevertheless, understand the CAT test syllabus 2021 based on past years’ results. It covers everything from verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC) to data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR) to mathematical aptitude (QA). Read the article to have a complete list of updated CAT Exam Syllabus.
Overview of the CAT Syllabus 2021
Before going through the complete CAT exam topics, it’s a good idea to obtain a quick rundown of the most essential themes from each part of the CAT 2021 exam. The table below highlights key subjects from the CAT 2021 curriculum that applicants should concentrate on.
| Sections | Major Topics | Sectional Time Duration | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Para-jumbles Sentence completion Inferences Questions based on reading comprehension and etc | For General: 40 Minutes for each section For PwD: 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for each section | |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Graphs Tables Seating Arrangement Syllogism Blood Relation Data Caselets and etc | For General: 40 Minutes for each section For PwD: 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for each section | |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Time and Work Geometry Algebra Mensuration Number System | For General: 40 Minutes for each section For PwD: 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for each section |
CAT Syllabus 2021: Section Wise Latest Syllabus
Check the latest syllabus of CAT 2021 Exam from the table below:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The IIM CAT 2021 verbal ability and reading comprehension syllabus includes all of the sub-topics included in the exam.
| Grammar or English Usage | Synonyms Antonyms (Vocabulary Based) | Fill in the blanks |
| Meaning/Usage Match | Jumbled Paragraph and Close Passage | Verbal Reasoning |
| Reading Comprehension | Analogies and Reverse Analogies | Summary Questions |
| Facts Inferences Judgments | Verbal Logic | One word substitution |
CAT Syllabus 2021 – Verbal Ability
- The overall number of questions asked is often 8 to 10, and this part is assigned a comparable weighting.
- Non-MCQ questions will be asked in the Verbal Ability portion of the CAT 2021 curriculum.
- Because the majority of the questions presented were of the non-MCQ kind, negative marking to any question was not wrongly answered.
- In the VA portion of the CAT test, questions are generally posed from para-jumbles, error correction in a para, out of context phrase in para, and vocabulary, based on previous year’s trends and the CAT exam syllabus.
Here is a detail of CAT Verbal Ability topics.
| Topics | Number of questions expected |
| Para-Jumbles | 2-4 |
| Sentence Completion & Correction | 2-3 |
| Odd Sentences | 1-2 |
| Others (Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary Based, etc.) | 1-2 |
CAT Syllabus 2021: Reading Comprehension
- The total number of questions that are asked might range from 24 to 28.
- Because the questions are multiple choice (MCQs), negative marking will be applied.
- There will be at least four lengthy paragraphs and one brief paragraph in the Reading Comprehension portion.
- According to previous years’ trends, the lengthy comprehension passage will have at least 900 words, while the short comprehension section will contain 500-600 words.
- Politics, the environment, literature, and society are all common subjects in comprehension passages.
The number of themes and questions will be asked in the CAT Reading Comprehension section.
| Total Number of Passages | Total Number of Questions |
| 4 to 5 Passages | At least 24 questions |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning CAT Syllabus 2021 (DILR)
There are two subdivisions in the full CAT test syllabus 2021: I Data Interpretation and (ii) Logical Rational. Candidates must finish this part in 40 minutes (53.20 minutes for PwD), otherwise, they will not be permitted to continue.
Data Interpretation
For CAT 2021, there are several key factors given below for data interpretation.
- There are both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-multiple-choice questions in the Data Interpretation section (MCQs).
- There are no standard numbers for MCQ and Non-MCQ.
- There is a negative marking if the MCQ is answered wrong.
- There is no penalty mark if the non-MCQ replies improperly.
| Bar Graphs and Column Graphs | Caselets and Tables | Venn Diagrams |
| Combination of two or more types linked to each other | Line Charts & Pie Chart | Calendars, Cubes and Clocks |
| Number and Letter Series | Binary Logic | Seating Arrangement |
| Connectives | Matching/ Puzzles | Logical Sequence |
| Blood Relations | Syllogism | Coding-Decoding |
Logical Reasoning
Arrangements, numbers and sequences, logical sequences, syllogisms, calendars, clocks and cubes, and blood connections have all been incorporated in the IIM CAT course over the years. The majority of questions are made up of a variety of different themes.
For CAT 2021, the following are the most important elements of Logical Reasoning.
- It’s possible that 15 to 20 questions will be asked in total.
- The negative will provide for each wrong response.
- For logical thinking, there are both MCQ and non-MCQ questions.
- Negative marking is applied to candidates who answer MCQs incorrectly.
- Non-MCQs do not receive a negative grade.
The number of topics and questions to expect in the CAT DILR Section
| Topics | Total Number of Questions |
| Graph, Bar diagram | 6-8 |
| Tables & Charts | 5-8 |
| Graphs, Charts | 7-10 |
| Tables, Pie chart | 4-5 |
Quantitative Aptitude CAT Syllabus 2021 (QA)
Questions from arithmetic, mathematics, trigonometry, and algebra will be asked as part of the CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) syllabus. Check out some of the subjects from the CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude syllabus that will be tested.
| LCM & HCF | Number Systems | Speed, Time & Distance |
| Percentages | Profit, Loss & Discount | Time & Work |
| Averages | Simple & Compound Interest | Quadratic & Linear Equations |
| Complex Numbers | Ratio & Proportion | Logarithm |
| Sequences & Series | Probability, Permutation and Combination | Set Theory |
| Binomial Theorem | Surds & Indices | Inequalities |
| Functions & Geometry | Mixtures & Allegations | Trigonometry |
| Coordinate Geometry & Mensuration | Partnership (Accounts) | Algebra |
Must-Check: Best Reference Books for CAT 2021
There are many publications on the market that might help you prepare for the CAT. Candidates must choose the correct books to study with great attention. Experts advise that CAT syllabus preparation materials be comprehensive, have updated test patterns and themes, and include a question bank.
We have covered everything related to CAT Syllabus 2021. If you have any doubts related to the CAT Exam, feel free to ask any queries in the comment section below.
FAQs related to CAT Syllabus 2021
What is the CAT 2021 syllabus?
The CAT 2021 test includes all of the main VARC, DILR, and QA subjects.
Is it possible that the CAT 2021 syllabus may change?
Although the CAT exam content remains the same year after year, the arrangement of questions in each area of the questionnaire varies.
Who can provide you advice on the CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus?
The Examining Authority – IIMCAT – has suggested the CAT syllabus.
How much time would it take to finish the CAT syllabus 2021?
It is contingent on the candidates’ ability to organise their time and comprehend issues. Some people can finish the topics in four months, while others need over a year to finish the whole CAT course.
What is the CAT 2021 marking scheme?
The CAT test has a total score of 228 points, with three points awarded for each right answer. For each wrong question, one mark is deducted.
How long will the CAT test take in 2021?
The CAT 2021 test will take 120 minutes to complete (2 hours). A total of 40 minutes will be allotted to each part. PwD applicants will be given a total of 159.60 minutes (53.20 minutes for each section).