CAT Section Wise Weightage PDF Download

The CAT 2024, which will be held in November and conducted in three slots, is expected to have its official notification released in July 2024. This notification will include important details such as the exam date and registration dates and will be followed shortly by the availability of the CAT 2024 application form. To achieve the highest percentile and successfully clear the cut-offs, it is recommended that candidates start their preparation for the CAT 2024 exam as early as possible.

• The CAT syllabus covers fundamental concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation.
• Questions are designed to assess decision-making ability, time management skills, and analytical abilities.
• To prepare for CAT 2024, it is crucial to have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the syllabus and relevant topics.

Also Read: CAT Important Topics: Quant, LRDI, VARC 

CAT Exam Pattern

2024

• The candidates may see that CAT Paper Pattern is almost similar to the pattern of other MBA Entrance Exams. There are 3 sections: VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). 
• Last year, a total of 66 questions were asked and the total exam duration was 120 with 40 minutes sectional time limit. CAT Paper Pattern is designed in such a way by which the authority can easily test candidates' logical and mathematical skills. So, if you are appearing for the upcoming exam must check CAT Exam Pattern 2023 and understand it well.
• Last Year, CAT Exam was conducted in online CBT mode across various exam centres in India. All aspiring candidates need to know the latest CAT Exam Pattern, including the exam sections, topic-wise weightage, marking scheme, and more. 
• As per the official CAT Paper Pattern, both MCQs and TITA questions are asked, in which you will face negative markings for incorrect answers in MCQs. For every incorrect answer, -1 mark will be deducted, and +3 marks will be awarded for every correct answer (both MCQs and TITA). Solve CAT Previous Year Papers to get a clear idea of the CAT Exam Pattern.

CAT Syllabus 2024

The CAT syllabus comprises of three sections with varying weightage in the question paper. Despite the syllabus being divided into three sections, there are essentially five sections, as VARC and DILR are further categorized into two sub-sections each. Further information can be found below.

Sectional Division of CAT Syllabus	Overview of Topics in Syllabus	Overall Weightage in the CAT exam
Section-1: CAT VARC Syllabus Weightage & Topics (Sectional Division is given below	RC Based Questions, Para jumbles, Para summary, Out of Context Sentence	36%
Section-1.1: CAT Verbal Ability (VA) Syllabus- Key Topics & Weightage	Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph	10%
Section-1.2: CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Syllabus- Key Topics & Weightage	Long & Short RC Passages followed by questions based on vocabulary, statements, inferences, and elaboration of ideas in the passage	24%
Section-2: CAT DILR Syllabus Weightage & Topics (Sectional Division is given below	Data Analysis Charts, Tables, Graphs, Direction sense, seating arrangements	32%
Section-2.1: CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus Weightage & Topics	Set of 3-4 Questions based on Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams	16%
Section-2.2: CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus Weightage & Topics	Set of 3-4 Questions based on Seating Arrangement, Team Formation, Clocks & Calendars, Direction Sense, Family Tree	16%
Section-3: CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage & Key Topics	Individual Questions based on Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Math, Geometry, Number system, Trigonometry	34%

Also Read: Changes in CAT Exam Pattern: Evolution of CAT Exam over the years 

CAT Section Wise Syllabus

CAT 2022 exam components	Total questions	Total MCQs (With negative marking)	Total Non-MCQs (Without negative marking)	Highlights
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	19	5	4 RC Passages with MCQs; VA Non MCQs divided into Para jumbles, Para Summary, and Out of Context Sentences
Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	15	5	LR - 10 Ques Dl - 10 Ques All in Sets of 3 & 4 Qs
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	14	8	High on Arithmetic. Other on Log, Geometry, Roots, Algebra
Total	66	48	18

Also Read: CAT Exam Syllabus 2024: Latest Section-wise Syllabus | Download PDF

CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage

The VARC section of the Common Admission Test (CAT) syllabus is split into two parts: Reading Comprehension passages and Verbal Ability. Out of the total 66 questions in this section, 24 are expected to be on VARC, with 70% based on the RC syllabus and 30% on the VA syllabus. While 5-6 Non-MCQ type VA questions do not carry negative marking, all questions based on Reading Comprehension are MCQs with negative marking. The VARC section includes both long and short English Comprehension passages followed by 4-5 questions, with a uniform number of 4 questions following 3-4 RC passages. The Verbal Ability part includes individual questions on different areas of English grammar and usage, without the penalty of negative marking.

Also Read: CAT Bible: 11 Steps to Clear CAT Exam

CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) syllabus is divided into two equal parts, with an expected 20-22 questions carrying a weightage of 30-32% in CAT 2022. The Data Interpretation (DI) section is anticipated to have 10-11 questions, while the Logical Reasoning section will also have 10-11 questions. Six of these questions are of the Non-MCQ type, which does not carry negative marking for wrong answers. Most of the questions are arranged in sets of 3-4 questions based on a single problem. This section will have an equal number of DI and LR problems. The following is the syllabus for the CAT Exam, based on which the problems in this section are formulated.

Also Read: How to Prepare For LRDI in CAT

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topic Wise Weightage

The Quantitative Ability (QA) section in the CAT exam focuses on Mathematics, with a syllabus that covers a wide range of topics. However, the questions and topics included are typically of class 10 and 12 level. The Quant section of the CAT exam contains 22 questions out of a total of 66 questions, with 8 of them being Non-MCQ questions that do not carry negative marking. To promote diversity, the IIMs are placing greater emphasis on Arithmetic questions in the CAT exam syllabus. While most of the questions come from Arithmetic, there will be approximately 3-5 questions on other topics such as Algebra and Geometry. The syllabus provided below indicates the expected number of questions per topic, although some topics may have more, fewer, or no questions in the exam.

Also Read: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Pattern: Changes over the years

The CAT exam pattern has been changed multiple times. By referring to the below table the candidates will be able to know a clear idea of how the CAT 2023 paper pattern evolved over the years.
CAT contains three sections such as,

• Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

There is no difference in the sections for each year. Also, there is no difference in the CAT exam pattern marking scheme.

Year	Number of Question	Difficulty Level	CAT exam time duration	Conducting body
2022	66	Moderate	2 hours	IIM Bangalore
2021	66	Moderate to High (Expected)	2 hours	IIM Ahmedabad
2020	76	Moderate to High	2 hours	IIM Indore
2019	100	Moderate to High	3 hours	IIM Kozhikode
2018	100	Moderate to High	3 hours	IIM Calcutta
2017	100	Moderate	3 hours	IIM Lucknow
2016	100	Moderate to difficult	3 hours	IIM Bangalore
2015	100	Moderate to difficult	3 hours	IIM Ahmedabad
2014	100	Moderate to Easy	2.50 hours	IIM Indore
2013	60	Moderate to Easy	2:20 hours	IIM Indore
2012	60	Moderate to Easy	2.20 hours	IIM Indore
2011	60	Moderate	2.20 hours	IIM Calcutta

CAT Exam Pattern Year-Wise Changes

The computer-based tests were launched in 2009, whereas previously, the CAT was conducted on paper. Due to COVID-19, many adjustments were made to the CAT Exam Pattern, including the number of questions and a shorter period of 40 minutes per section instead of 60 minutes.
Note the changes in the CAT Exam Pattern from 2019 to 2022. From 2015 to 2019, the CAT Paper Pattern was slightly different. Get the list of CAT Books as per the expert’s recommendation and complete the syllabus on time.

Parameters	CAT Exam Pattern 2022	CAT Exam Pattern 2021	CAT Exam Paper Pattern 2020	CAT Exam Pattern 2019
Mode	Online
Number of shifts as per CAT Exam Pattern	3 shifts			2 shifts
CAT Time Duration	40 Minutes			60 Minutes
Types of Questions Sections	Both MCQ and TITA VARC, DILR, and QA
Number of Questions	66		76	100
CAT Exam Pattern Total Marks	198		228	300
CAT Marking Scheme Negative Marking in CAT	+3 Marks for every correct answer No marks for unattempted answers -1 mark for every wrong answer in MCQs. No Negative Marking for Non-MCQs.

How to prepare for CAT using EduRev Infinity

?

EduRev Infinity Package for CAT includes:

• Subject-wise Courses: Courses for all the 3 subjects: Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Aptitude & Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI). Each course offers topic-wise video lectures, detailed notes & online tests for each topic.
• Mock Test Series for CAT Preparation: Mock Test Series for CAT Preparation course on EduRev offers section-wise & complete mock tests.
• Level-wise Tests for CAT Preparation: This course offers level-wise tests for each topic to help you prepare exhaustively for the CAT exam.
• Previous Year Question Papers & Archives: EduRev also offer previous year question papers & topic-wise questions for each topic, which have appeared in different CAT exams in the last 5-10 years.
• 100 RCs for CAT Preparation: This course offers 100+ RCs to help you prepare & master in RCs, which will give you an edge in the CAT exam and move a step closer to your IIM dream.
• Shortcut Techniques, Formulas, CAT Crash Course & Others: Along with the above courses, you also get shortcut techniques, formulas & others in various courses of EduRev.
• Mock Test Series for Other MBA Exams: You also get Mock Test Series for other MBA Exams like SNAP, XAT, IIFT, NMAT, TISS-NET & others.

CAT Study Material on EduRev	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 100 RCs for Practice	Crash Course for CAT Exam
Level-wise Tests for CAT Preparation	Mock Tests for CAT
How to Prepare for CAT Exam	CAT Bible: 11 Steps to Clear CAT Exam
How to Prepare For Quant in CAT	How to Prepare For VARC in CAT
How to Prepare For LRDI in CAT	How To Prepare For CAT Exam at Home
CAT Exam Previous Year Papers	120 Days Study Plan For CAT Exam
Interview Preparation Guide	Mock Tests Series for All other MBA Exams

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) related to CAT Section-Wise Weightage

Which topic has the highest weightage in the CAT exam?

The CAT exam does not have a fixed weightage for any particular topic or section. Historically, the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section has been considered the most challenging, and the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section is also important. It's essential to have a good understanding of all the topics and sections to perform well in the CAT exam.

What are the 3 sections of the CAT exam?

CAT is a computer-based test which consists of 3 sections:
(i) Verbal and Reading Comprehension.
(ii) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
(iii) Quantitative Ability.

Is there any negative marking in the CAT exam?

Yes, there is a negative marking of -1 for each incorrect answer in the CAT exam.

How important is the sectional cutoff in the CAT exam?

The sectional cutoff in the CAT exam is very important, as candidates need to clear the cutoff for each section to qualify for the next stage of the selection process. However, the sectional cutoff varies for different IIMs and B-schools.

How can candidates prepare for the CAT exam?

Candidates can prepare for the CAT exam by practicing mock tests, solving previous years' question papers, and focusing on their weak areas. It is also essential to manage time effectively and maintain a consistent study schedule. Coaching and guidance from experienced mentors can also be helpful.