Knowledge about CAT Syllabus helps a student to prepare accordingly and strategize better for

the exam. CAT syllabus 2020 prescribes three significant sections: VARC, DILR, and Quants.
Until 2016, DILR was heavily Mathematics oriented. Since 2017, candidates have witnessed a
drastic change in the CAT Syllabus section, as most of the questions were based on puzzles.
You can also read how to crack the CAT Exam Pattern before proceeding to the CAT syllabus.

● CAT Syllabus 2020

● Changes in CAT Syllabus 2020
● CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2020
● CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage 2020
● CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus 2020
● CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus Weightage 2020
● CAT Syllabus Reading Comprehension
● CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2020
● CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 2020
● Trends in CAT Syllabus

CAT Syllabus 2020

IIM CAT Syllabus is very generic and vast. The Indian Institute of Management does not specify
a fixed MBA CAT Syllabus. In detail information about the CAT Topics or the CAT Subjects is
provided here. The quantitative aptitude section is based on school level mathematics.
However, one has to be strong in the fundamentals to ace this section. The first section of the
paper VARC primarily tests the comprehension and critical reasoning skills of the candidates.
Reading comprehension and sentence rearrangement based questions are asked in this
section.

The CAT exam syllabus has not changed recently; the last change in the​ ​CAT 2020 Exam
Pattern was in 2015. As per CAT detailed syllabus, the sections that will appear for CAT 2020
are given below.

● Quantitative Aptitude
● Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
● Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

The weightage given to each section of the CAT Syllabus and the corresponding number of
questions asked from those sections in CAT 2019 is picturized below to help candidates
understand the trends and get a brief idea about what to expect from the CAT syllabus 2020.
Changes in CAT Syllabus 2020
IIM Indore, the conducting body of CAT 2020 Exam, has introduced a lot of changes in the CAT
syllabus, exam pattern and also in the way in which the exam will be conducted. We've curated
pointers to brief the CAT 2020 Aspirants about the CAT entrance exam syllabus changes as it is
essential to be updated about the latest developments.

● The CAT exam duration is now reduced to ​120 mins​ from ​180 mins​. Candidates need
to know the CAT full syllabus in order to practise and perform well.
● Candidates will not be able to choose the section or switch between sections when they
answer the questions. And the sectional time limit is reduced to ​40 mins​ which were
previously ​60 mins​.
● CAT Syllabus 2020 will have three sections as usual, which are the Quantitative
Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
● The conducting authority has not revealed much about the ​CAT 2020 Exam Pattern.
The authorities do not disclose the number of questions or the composition of sections in
the CAT Syllabus in order to prevent the exam from being monotonous and predictable.
● The number of questions is expected to be reduced by 30% as the exam duration is
decreased to 2 hours from 3 hours.
● The total number of questions in the CAT 2020 Exam is expected to be in the range of
70-75.
 ● A table containing the revised sectional composition of the CAT Syllabus 2020 is
provided.

CAT Syllabus 2020 Total Number of Total Number of Total Total

Questions MCQs (Expected) Non-MCQs Marks
(Expected) (Expected)

VARC - Verbal Ability and 24 18 8 72

Reading Comprehension

DILR - Data Interpretation 22 16 6 66

and Logical Reasoning

QA - Quantitative Aptitude 24 18 8 72

Total 70 52 22 210

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2020

Quantitative Aptitude is a vital part of the CAT Maths syllabus. It has mainly questions from
Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry. Questions in this section are given to
test a candidate’s ability to apply mathematical principles to solve real-time problems. Questions
will be based on 10th and 12th Mathematics. The CAT Quant section of the CAT Syllabus
previously had 32-34 questions weightage, but this year it is expected to be 22-24 questions
only.

Important CAT Topics in CAT Quant Syllabus 2020:

● The CAT Quant syllabus is an important part of the CAT Maths Syllabus. The topics
which have to be concentrated from the CAT Syllabus is provided below.
● Arithmetic- Number System, HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Percentage,
Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances, Profit, Loss and Discount.
● CAT Algebra Syllabus- Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, and
Combination, Sequence and Series, Linear Equation.
● Percentages- Percentages and its applications
● Trigonometry- Trigonometric Ratios, Heights, and Distances.
● Calculus- Minima and Maxima functions.
● Mensuration-Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes,
Cones, Spheres, Pipes and Cistern.
● Geometry and its applications- Angles, Lines, Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry.
● Ratio and its applications, Numbers and its applications, Simple and Compound Interest
● Inequalities, Probability, Mensuration, Mixtures and Allegations, Set theory and Function.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage 2020
In order to score well in the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, candidates need to practise
more number of questions. By doing that the candidates will be able to solve questions
accurately in less time. We have curated a table with the expected number of questions from
each topic in the Quant section of the CAT Syllabus in order to help candidates understand the
importance of each topic of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus and practise well.

CAT Syllabus 2020 Quant Number of Questions in CAT 2020

Section (Expected)

Linear Equations; Quadratic 1-2 Questions

Equations Complex Numbers

LCM and HCF 1-2 Questions

Permutation and Combination 1-2 Questions

Logarithm; Progressions 1-2 Questions

Interest (Simple and 1-2 Questions

Compound)

Geometry/Mensuration 1-2 Questions

Probability Functions 1-2 Questions

Algebra 1-2 Questions

Coordinate Geometry 1-2 Questions

Speed, Time and Distance; 1-2 Questions

Time and Work

Number System 1-2 Questions

Surds and Indices; Inequalities 1-2 Questions

Venn diagrams and other topics 1-2 Questions

Trigonometry 1-2 Questions

Set Theory; Mixtures and 1-2 Questions

Alligations

Percentages, Profit and Loss 1-2 Questions

 Binomial Theorem 1-2 Questions

Averages; Ratio & Proportion 1-2 Questions

CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus 2020

● CAT Verbal Ability syllabus and Reading Comprehension syllabus together constitute
the CAT English syllabus.
● In CAT 2019, 34 questions were asked in this section. But it is expected for CAT 2020
that the total number of questions might be slightly more.
● CAT English is that section where candidates can score well, but due to the introduction
of non-MCQ type questions, it could be a little time-consuming compared to MCQ type
questions. But candidates can take advantage of the absence of negative marking.
● Verbal and Reading Comprehension mainly contains questions from Reading
Comprehension, English Grammar, Passage, Vocabulary, and Language Usage.
● Reading Comprehension section will have a weightage of about 70%.

Important topics in CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus 2020:

Candidates should prioritize the following topics from the CAT syllabus in order to score more in
the CAT Verbal Ability.

● Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar

● Close passage, Synonyms and Antonyms
● Critical Reasoning (and its numerous applications)
● Idioms, Analogies, Para Completion, Fill in the blanks
● Sentence Correction, Summary Questions, Jumbled Paragraph
● Fact Inference Judgement, Meaning and Usage Match

CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus Weightage 2020

The weightage given to different sections of the CAT syllabus 2020 is illustrated below. We
have curated a table which consists of the name of each topic of the CAT Verbal Ability syllabus
and the expected number of questions from each one of those topics. Aspiring candidates can
utilize the table to prioritize the topics while preparing for the CAT 2020 Exam.

CAT Syllabus VARC Topics Number of questions in CAT 2020

(Expected)

Sequence of sentences 1-2 Questions

Meaning of the phrase 2-3 Questions

 Inferences, Statements, 4-5 Questions
Arguments

Irrelevant Statements 1-2 Questions

Synonyms-antonyms 2-3 Questions

Analogies 1-2 Questions

Completion of Paragraph 1-2 Questions

Error Correction in Sentences 1-2 Questions

Author’s assumption 2-3 Questions

Jumbled paragraphs 1-2 Questions

Vocabulary usage 2-3 Questions

Main idea in the RC Passage 2-3 Questions

Pick Out of Context Sentence 1-2 Questions

Critical Reasoning 1-2 Questions

Sentence Completion 1-2 Questions

Fill in the blanks 1-2 Questions

Para Summary 3-4 Questions

CAT Syllabus Reading Comprehension 2020

Reading Comprehension section of the CAT Syllabus doesn't have a defined set of topics as the
syllabus. It includes various topics like language, literature, economy, business, current affairs
and many more. Candidates need to read lots and lots of paragraphs related to the CAT
Syllabus of Reading Comprehension and try to answer questions in less time in order to be able
to score well in this section. We have curated pointers containing the list of topics picked from
the CAT Syllabus for Reading comprehension. Candidates can utilize the list to practise and
score well.

● Reading Comprehension paragraphs will be around 900 words and shorter paragraphs
will have about 600 words. Candidates will have to read the paragraph and answer the
questions asked at the end.
● The CAT syllabus for current affairs includes the topics like the Current affairs of
National and International importance, Impact of Covid 19 pandemic on social life,
 Government Policies, Immigration, New Education Policy, CAA, Triple Talaq, Make in
India, Clean India.
● The CAT Syllabus for Economy includes topics like the Global Economic changes,
Economic development and Environment destruction, Demonetization, Unnecessary
expenditure by the Government.
● The CAT Syllabus for Literature includes work from great philosophers like Aristotle,
Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Mohan Das Karam Chand
Gandhi, and others.
● The CAT Syllabus for Science and Technology includes topics about the Modern world,
Advancement of Technology and fading of culture.
● The CAT Syllabus for History includes topics about the social changes in the History of
India, War of Roses, French Revolution, Freedom Fights among others.
● The CAT Syllabus for Mythology includes topics about the important Mythological,
current social structure and abstract fictional topics as well.

CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2020

● Logical Reasoning or Analytical reasoning is an easy scoring section out of the other
sections in the CAT syllabus 2020.
● Though the CAT syllabus for Logical Reasoning is endless, there are specific crucial
topics which are repeated; it depends on how you think, how creative you are in solving
the puzzles and problems.
● Every year the pattern of questions asked from the CAT syllabus keeps on varying.
Hence aspirants must develop problem-solving ability by practising several problems of
different types.
● The CAT Logical reasoning syllabus and the CAT Data interpretation syllabus of the
CAT Syllabus together has a weightage of about 32%
● Previously a total 32-34 questions were asked from these two sections. This year both
the sections will have equal weightage.
● The expected number of questions from the CAT Logical reasoning syllabus is 10-11
and around 6-7 questions are expected to be Non-MCQ type with no negative marking.

Important CAT topics under CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2020:

We have curated a list of important topics from the CAT Syllabus in order to help candidates
score more.

● Direction Sense
● Puzzles
● Series
● Clocks and Calendars
● Data Structures
● Blood Relations
● Arrangements
 ● Coding-Decoding
● Sylloge
● Logical Connectivity

CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 2020

● In the data interpretation section of the CAT Syllabus, questions are designed to analyze
a candidate’s ability to extract information from a given set of data, which can be in any
form, i.e., Bar graph, pie chart, line graph, etc., is tested.
● There are different types of charts and graphs which are used to frame Data
Interpretation questions.
● Aspiring Candidates must be thorough with all these questions from the CAT Syllabus in
order to perform well in the CAT Exam.

Important CAT Topics in CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 2020:

● Tables
● Pie charts
● Line graphs
● Bar graphs
● Clock
● Cubes
● Venn Diagram
● Data Sufficiency
● Seating Arrangement
● Binary Logic
● Caselets
● Calenders
● Number and Letter Series
● The combination of Graphs.