CAT Syllabus for MBA 2025: Section-wise Topics and Weightage

Section-wise Topics of CAT Exam Syllabus For MBA

Understanding the section-wise breakdown of the CAT syllabus is essential for effective preparation. Knowing what to study and how to prioritize topics can significantly enhance your performance in the exam. To help you with this, the table below presents a comprehensive list of topics included in each section of the CAT Exam syllabus:

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CAT Exam Syllabus for VARC Section

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section appears as the first part of the CAT exam. It is divided into two parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, with the latter generally carrying more weight in terms of marks. This section includes a total of 24 questions to be attempted within 40 minutes. Below is a table outlining the key topics covered under the VARC section of the CAT Exam syllabus.

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CAT Syllabus For MBA: VARC Preparation Tips

VARC is the most challenging section of the CAT exam paper. This segment thoroughly evaluates the candidate’s grasp of the English language. To improve VARC preparation for CAT exam, candidates must adhere to the following strategies:

• Candidates should seek expert guidance during CAT preparation to understand each VARC topic with clarity.

• For challenging topics, it is recommended that they pay extra attention and solve multiple questions to gain a solid command.

• Candidates should divide the VARC section into two distinct parts: one dedicated to Reading Comprehension and the other for the remaining topics.

• They must avoid guessing or answering grammar-related questions randomly.

• If they find a question tricky, it's wise to move on to the next one rather than spending excessive time on a single question.

• For the Reading Comprehension section, it is advisable to go through the questions before understanding the passage itself.

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CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR Section

The DILR section of the CAT exam includes a total of 20 questions, with candidates given 40 minutes to complete them. This section is divided into two main parts: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Both sub-sections test a candidate’s analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Listed below are the important topics that form the DILR syllabus for CAT 2025.

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CAT Exam Syllabus For DILR Preparation Tips

To score well in the DILR section, candidates must grasp the fundamental concepts of each topic and consistently practice with exam-oriented questions. Below are some useful tips to keep in mind while preparing for DILR:

• Candidates should focus more on mastering Syllogisms, as this is a scoring area. Using Venn diagrams can simplify solving challenging problems.

• Difficult reasoning questions may confuse, so regular revision is essential to maintain clarity and avoid errors.

• Practice questions involving inequalities to build accuracy and speed.

• While tackling puzzles and arrangement-based problems, start with simpler ones involving fewer variables and gradually move to more complex scenarios.

CAT Exam Syllabus for QA Section

Quantitative Aptitude appears as the final section of the CAT exam and comprises a total of 22 questions. This section assesses a candidate’s mathematical and problem-solving skills. The table below outlines the major topics and important aspects of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus.

CAT QA Preparation Tips

The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section in the CAT exam covers a wide range of mathematical topics. To perform well, candidates should begin their preparation with the Number System and then move on to Algebra and other areas. To gain a strong command over the QA section, consider the following preparation strategies:

• Start by building a strong foundation in basic concepts, as a clear understanding is essential for tackling advanced-level questions.

• Memorize multiplication tables up to 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and fractional percentage equivalents up to 25. This will help speed up calculations during the exam.

• Create and maintain a formula notebook to record key formulas. Reviewing this regularly will reinforce your understanding and improve recall during the test.

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CAT Exam Syllabus Important Topics

High-yield topics refer to those areas of the CAT syllabus that frequently feature in the exam and carry significant weightage. Prioritizing these topics allows candidates to cover essential portions efficiently and maximize their scores. This targeted approach is a smart and time-saving strategy for effective CAT preparation 2025. Below are the key syllabus topics that are known to have high importance in the exam:

Most Recommended Books For CAT Preparation 2025

Here are the best CAT Preparation Books for all three sections covered in CAT Syllabus 2025:

For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha

• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha

• How to Get Prepared for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma

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For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

• How to Get Ready for CAT's Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability Tests by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay (Arihant)

• 30 Days to a Stronger Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis (Simon & Schuster)

• How to Prepare for CAT's Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Questions by Sharma and Upadhyay

• High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

For Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• NCERT Mathematics Books of both 9th and 10th class (NCERT)

• How to Study for the Quantitative Aptitude Section of CAT by Arun Sharma

• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma

• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha

• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha CAT Syllabus 2025

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