Introduction To CAT Exam
The following article provides an outline for CAT Exam Subjects. CAT exam conducted by IIM every year as an assessment test for MBA admissions. Last year, CAT 2020 was conducted by IIM Indore and this year IIM Ahmedabad has a got chance to conduct this national level entrance test. Millions of applicants appear for the test and many of them achieve their dream education course with dedication and hard efforts.
The CAT exam generally contains three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
The type of question paper is multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs.
Key Takeaways
- If you are planning to design your career with an MBA stream, then you have to clear the first step of the CAT test.
- Prepare a comprehensive strategy to conquer the mission of MBA CAT 2021 with striking scores.
- The exam subjects for CAT are fixed and the weightage of each section in the exam paper will be decided by the conducting body by seeing the situation of the pandemic.
- The exam pattern of 2020 can be seen as a benchmark. Although the authorized website does not publish the syllabus of the CAT exam, some questions may come as a surprise. Be clear with the basics and you will do it.
CAT Exam Subjects
As mentioned above, the CAT exam is covered by three sections and these sections are based on 9th to 12th basic concepts of algebra, geometry, english, and mathematics.
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section have the following type of questions:
- Grammar
- Fill in the blanks
- Correction in sentences
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Verbal reasoning
- Odd sentence out
- One-word substitution
- Summary questions
- Reading comprehension
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section will cover the following types of questions:
- Number and letter series
- Matching
- Binary logic
- Calendars, clocks
- Line, pie charts
- Bar, column graphs
- Blood relations
- Connectives
- Venn diagrams
- Seating arrangements
The Quantitative Ability section is based on the following concepts:
- Time, work equations
- Ratios and proportion
- Profit and loss and discount
- Number system
- LCM and HCF
- Logarithms
- Averages
- Surds and indices
- Sequences and series
- Simple and compound interest
- Trigonometry
- Probability
- Permutation, combination
- Set theory
So, the entire exam is divided into the following subjects:
- Commercial mathematics
- Algebra and arithmetic
- English vocabulary and grammar
- Logical reasoning
- Comprehension reading
CAT Exam Details
The question paper used to include 100 questions and the time duration was 180 minutes. Due to Covid-19 situations, there are restrictions and the norms have changed. So, the conducting body has reduced the total questions to 76, and the time duration to 120 minutes.
Here is the structured form of questions and its nature across the sections:
| Exam Sections | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Total Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 21 | 5 | 26 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 18 | 6 | 24 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 6 | 26 |
This is the pattern of the CAT 2020 Exam.
For regular exams the weightage of each section is described in the below table:
| Exam Sections | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Total Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 27 | 7 | 34 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 24 | 8 | 32 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 24 | 10 | 34 |
CAT Exam Benefits
- As CAT is the primary exam to seek admission for MBA and PGDM, candidates need to clear with a good score to get admission.
- Almost all IIMs see this test as a filter to select their candidates for the MBA course. So, if you are willing to take admissions in any of the IIM institutes in India then, CAT is mandatory for you.
- Also, 1200 non-IIMs but renowned B-schools accept the CAT score for admission prime criteria.
- As IIMs and leading B-schools have tie-ups with big corporate companies, you can get better exposure after completing the degree or in the last year’s campus selection. So, clear the CAT with a good score and get admitted to the top schools.
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