CAT Syllabus Guide: Section-Wise Topics & Weightage (VARC, DILR, QA)

Quick Answer: The CAT syllabus has 3 sections, such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). This blog will guide you on the CAT syllabus, including section-wise topics and weightage.

Key Takeaways

• CAT Full Form: Common Admission Test
• Sections: 3 sections, including Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
• Slots: 3
• Mode of Examination: Computer-based Test
• Medium of Examination: English
• Type of Questions: MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
• Total Number of Questions: 68
• Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
• Total Marks: 204
• Marking Scheme: 3 marks for a correct answer, 1 mark negative marking for an incorrect answer, and no negative marking in TITA questions.

Overview of CAT

Common Admission Test is one of India's most popular and toughest entrance examinations that is conducted to provide admission to learners in the management programs of IIMs and other prestigious universities and institutions in India.

Preparing for the examination on the basis of CAT Exam Pattern 2026 and syllabus will lead you to pass the test with a high rank. On the basis of the CAT exam syllabus, you will have to study 3 subjects, including Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

Also Read: https://www.collegesathi.com/blogs/cat-exam-pattern

Section-Wise CAT Syllabus with Weightage

A clear understanding of topic-wise weightage in CAT and the syllabus will help learners build an effective preparation strategy. Check the details mentioned in this section to gain an in-depth understanding of the section-wise CAT exam weightage & syllabus.

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

The VARC section of the CAT examination assesses learners’ English proficiency, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills.

VARC CAT Syllabus

The following are some of the topics included in the VARC CAT syllabus that you will be studying to excel in this section:

Subject	Topics
Verbal Ability	Para Summary Para Jumbles Odd Sentence Out Sentence Arrangement Logical Flow of Ideas
Reading Comprehension	Main Idea and Central Theme Author’s Viewpoint Supporting Arguments Tone and Purpose Application of Ideas

CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage

On the basis of the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, the VARC section of the entrance test will have 24 questions in each slot. The CAT Topic-Wise Weightage of the VARC section is mentioned in the table given below:

Subject	Number of Questions	Approximate Weightage
Reading Comprehension	16	66%
Para Summary	2-3	8-12%
Para Jumbles	2-3	8-12%
Odd Sentence Out	2	8-10%
Other VA questions	Variable	Variable

Also Read: https://www.collegesathi.com/blogs/cat-topic-wise-weightage

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

DILR stands for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which is one of the main sections of the CAT examination. The DILR section will analyze your analytical & critical thinking, quantitative & data literacy, problem-solving, and other skills.

DILR CAT Syllabus

Some of the topics that are included in the CAT syllabus of the DILR section are mentioned in the table given below:

Subjects	Topics
Data Interpretation	Tables Missing Data Graphs & Charts Caselets Calculation-Based DI Data Comparison Data Sufficiency Missing-Data Sets Percentage
Logical Reasoning	Seating Arrangements Games & Tournaments Venn Diagrams Rankings Distribution & Grouping Scheduling & Sequencing Blood Relations Conditional Arrangements Grouping

CAT DILR Topic-Wise Weightage

In each slot, 22 questions will be there in the DILR section of the Common Admission Test examination. The topic-wise weightage in CAT for data interpretation and logical reasoning is mentioned in the table given below:

Topic	Number of Questions	Approximate Weightage
Logical Reasoning	10	45.5%
Mixed DI-LR	4	18.2%
Data Interpretation	4	18.2%
Arrangement	4	18.2%
Total	22	100%

Quantitative Aptitude

The CAT quant syllabus focuses on high school mathematics with application-level problem-solving skills. On the basis of past papers and trends, Arithmetic and Algebra are the 2 most important CAT exam topics of quantitative aptitude. This section of the exam will also have 22 questions.

Through the following table, get details about the CAT QA syllabus, including some important topics and sub-topics:

Topic	Sub-Topics
Arithmetic	Percentages Profit, Loss & Discount Ratio & Proportion Averages Mixtures & Alligation Simple & Compound Interest Time, Speed & Distance Time & Work Boats & Streams Problems on Age
Algebra	Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Inequalities Functions Logarithms Modulus Progressions AP / GP Algebraic Identities
Geometry & Mensuration	Lines & Angles Triangles Quadrilaterals Circles Polygons Coordinate Geometry Area Volume Mensuration
Number System	Divisibility Factors & Multiples HCF / LCM Remainders Units Digit Last Two / Three Digits Factorials Base Systems
Modern Mathematics	Permutation & Combination Probability Set Theory Sequences Miscellaneous Counting Concepts

CAT QA Topic-Wise Weightage

For effective CAT preparation, candidates should have comprehensive knowledge of which topics have high weightage to secure high marks in the entrance test.

Topic	Number of Questions	Approximate Weigthage
Arithmetic	8-10	36 - 45%
Algebra	6-7	27- 32%
Geometry & Mensuration	3-4	14 - 18%
Number Systems	1-2	5 -9%
Modern Mathematics	1-2	5 -9%
Total	22	100%

Tips to Prepare for the CAT Examination

To secure a high rank in the Common Admission Test, you need to prepare for the entrance test dedicatedly and with focus. There are some preparation tips that can be followed to prepare for the Common Admission Test, which are mentioned below:

• Create a Study Plan: For effective preparation for the entrance exam, learners can create a well-structured study plan. This will help you cover all the essential topics from the CAT syllabus in the ideal timeline.
• Understand the Exam Pattern: Aspirants should ensure that they have an understanding of the CAT exam pattern, such as mode, time limit, total marks, number of sections, marking scheme, and others. Knowing this will lead learners to appear in the entrance test with confidence.
• Practice Past Year Papers: Solving past year papers is one of the most important CAT exam preparation tips. Through this, you will be able to identify the difficulty level of the exam and the type of questions that are asked.
• Focus on High-Weighted Topics: For effective preparation, you can identify the topics that have high-weightage and prioritize them to pass the test.
• Timely Revision: Aspirants should revise the topics from time to time to prevent memory loss and to convert learned knowledge into actual exam performance.

Conclusion

CAT exam full form is Common Admission Test, and it is conducted once a year to offer admission to learners in the management program of IIMs and other institutions. The CAT exam syllabus is divided into 3 sections, such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

The approximate weightage of the VARC section is 35.3%, DILR is 32.4%, and QA is 32.4%. Aspirants should prepare for the examination on the basis of the weightage of the examination to get the desired score in the test.

Also, some exam preparation tips include following the exam pattern, timely revision, practicing past year papers, creating a study plan, etc. These tips will lead you to pass the CAT examination with a high score.