CAT Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus Breakdown
Complete section-wise topic weightage (QA, DILR, VARC), total questions, 40-minute sectional limits, and +3/-1/0 marking scheme.
CAT Section-Wise Topic Weightage & Question Distribution
1. Quantitative Aptitude (22 Qs)
- • Arithmetic (8–9 Qs): TSD, Work, Profit-Loss, Percentages, Mixtures.
- • Algebra (6–7 Qs): Linear/Quadratic, Logarithms, Polynomials, Functions.
- • Geometry (3–4 Qs): Circles, Triangles, Coordinate Geometry.
- • Modern Math (2–3 Qs): P&C, Probability, Sequences & Series.
- • Number Systems (1–2 Qs): Divisibility, Remainders.
2. DILR (20 Qs in 4 Sets)
- • Arrangements (1–2 Sets): Matrix grids, Seating rows.
- • Games & Tournaments (1 Set): Round-Robin, Points tables.
- • Data Tables & Charts (1 Set): Scatter plots, multi-tier tables.
- • Math Puzzles & Venn (1 Set): Overlapping 3-set maxima/minima.
3. VARC (24 Qs)
- • Reading Comprehension (16 Qs): 4 Passages (Economy, Philosophy, Science, Culture).
- • Parajumbles (2–3 Qs): 4-sentence rearrangement.
- • Parasummary (2–3 Qs): Paragraph core essence.
- • Sentence Placement / Odd One Out (2 Qs): Context fitment.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CAT Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus Breakdown
What is the exact exam pattern and duration of CAT?
CAT is a 120-minute computer-based test divided into 3 mandatory sections of 40 minutes each: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20 questions), and QA (22 questions). Total 66 questions carrying 198 marks.
What is the negative marking scheme in CAT?
Correct answers award +3 marks. Incorrect MCQ attempts carry -1 mark deduction. Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions have 0 negative marking for incorrect attempts.
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