CAT Syllabus 2027: Section-wise Syllabus for VARC, DILR & Quantitative Ability
The CAT syllabus covers the topics that candidates generally need to prepare for the Common Admission Test. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) do not publish a detailed, fixed syllabus, but the exam consistently tests candidates across three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
The syllabus mainly tests reading ability, logical thinking, data interpretation, mathematical concepts, and problem-solving skills. Knowing the major topics before starting preparation makes it easier to plan your study and identify areas that need more practice.
CAT Syllabus 2027 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Sections | VARC, DILR & Quantitative Ability |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High |
| Question Types | MCQs & Type In The Answer (TITA) |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA & PGDM Programmes |
The CAT syllabus is broadly divided into three sections, with each section testing a different set of skills.
CAT Syllabus Overview
| Section | Major Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Vocabulary & Grammar |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables, Charts, Graphs, Caselets, Seating Arrangements, Puzzles, Logical Reasoning |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Mathematics |
These topics represent the areas generally covered in CAT preparation. Since there is no detailed official syllabus, candidates should also use previous year question papers and mock tests to understand how these topics are actually tested.
CAT VARC Syllabus
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) tests your ability to understand written information, interpret passages and work with different types of verbal questions.
| Topic | What to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based questions on diverse topics |
| Para Jumbles | Rearranging sentences into a logical order |
| Para Summary | Identifying the most appropriate summary of a paragraph |
| Odd One Out | Finding the sentence that does not fit the sequence |
| Vocabulary & Grammar | Basic language usage and sentence structure |
Reading Comprehension
RC is based on passages covering different subjects and themes. Practice reading passages regularly and focus on understanding the author’s main idea, arguments and supporting information.
Para Jumbles
These questions require you to arrange sentences in a logical sequence. Understanding how ideas connect is more useful than simply trying to match individual sentences.
Para Summary
You need to identify the option that best represents the central idea of a paragraph without adding information that is not present.
Odd One Out
These questions contain sentences where one sentence does not logically belong with the others. The focus is on identifying the relationship between the sentences.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Basic vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure can support your performance in verbal questions. Regular reading can also help improve language familiarity.
For a better understanding of the actual question structure, you can also refer to CAT Previous Year Question Papers.
CAT DILR Syllabus
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) combines questions that require you to interpret information and solve logical problems. The section tests analytical thinking and your ability to work with data.
| Topic | What to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets |
| Logical Reasoning | Seating Arrangements, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Arrangements, Games & Tournaments |
| Data Analysis | Charts, Graphs, Data Comparison & Analysis |
Data Interpretation
DI questions can present information through tables, graphs, charts or caselets. You need to extract the relevant information and perform the required calculations.
Logical Reasoning
LR questions can involve arrangements, puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations and games or tournaments. The main focus is understanding relationships and reaching the correct conclusion.
Data Analysis
These questions require you to compare and interpret information presented through different forms of data.
CAT Quantitative Ability Syllabus
The Quantitative Ability (QA) section tests mathematical concepts and numerical problem-solving. The major areas include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Modern Mathematics.
| Topic | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Averages, Ratio & Proportion |
| Algebra | Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities |
| Geometry | Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Mensuration |
| Number System | Divisibility, HCF & LCM, Remainders, Factors |
| Modern Mathematics | Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory |
Arithmetic
Arithmetic includes topics such as percentages, profit and loss, averages, ratios, time and work, and time-speed-distance. The source material identifies Arithmetic as one of the major areas for QA preparation.
Algebra
Prepare concepts such as linear equations, quadratic equations, functions and inequalities. Focus on understanding the concepts before moving to more difficult questions.
Geometry
Important areas include triangles, circles, quadrilaterals and mensuration.
Number System
This includes divisibility, HCF and LCM, remainders and factors.
Modern Mathematics
The syllabus includes areas such as permutation and combination, probability and set theory.
For the complete structure of the examination, see the CAT Exam Pattern page.
How to Prepare the CAT Syllabus
Knowing the topics is only the starting point. Your preparation should gradually move from learning concepts to solving questions and then attempting timed tests.
VARC Preparation
Read newspapers, editorials and books regularly. Along with reading, practise Reading Comprehension and verbal ability questions so that you become comfortable with different question types.
DILR Preparation
Practise different types of puzzles, seating arrangements and data interpretation sets. Try to understand the information first instead of immediately starting calculations.
Quantitative Ability Preparation
Build your fundamentals, particularly in Arithmetic and Algebra, before moving to other areas. Regular calculation practice can also help improve speed.
For a detailed study approach, see CAT Preparation Strategy.
Best Books for CAT Syllabus Preparation
Using too many books for the same subject can make preparation unnecessarily complicated. Pick a reliable resource, complete the concepts and spend enough time solving questions.
| Section | Recommended Book |
|---|---|
| VARC | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay |
| DILR | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT – Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Ability | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Arun Sharma |
| General Practice | Previous Year Question Papers and Mock Tests |
These books are among the resources listed in the source material for CAT preparation.
CareerMint Tip: Instead of collecting several books for the same subject, complete one good resource properly and use the remaining time for practice, previous year papers and mock tests.
Is There an Official CAT Syllabus?
The IIMs do not publish a detailed official CAT syllabus. However, the examination follows a relatively consistent structure, and previous CAT papers provide useful information about the types of topics and questions that appear.
This is why preparation should not depend only on a topic checklist. Solving previous papers can show you how the concepts are used in actual CAT questions.
Related CAT Resources
| Guide | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| CAT | Overview of the CAT exam, admission process and participating institutes |
| CAT Eligibility | Educational qualifications, minimum marks and eligibility requirements |
| CAT Exam Pattern | Exam structure, marking scheme and question types |
| CAT Preparation Strategy | Study planning, practice and mock-test approach |
| CAT Previous Year Question Papers | Practice questions from previous CAT papers |
| CAT Colleges | MBA colleges and IIMs accepting CAT scores |
The detailed resources above cover different parts of the CAT preparation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAT syllabus?
The CAT syllabus broadly covers three sections:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
These sections test language skills, reasoning, data interpretation and mathematical aptitude.
Is there an official CAT syllabus?
No detailed official syllabus is published by the IIMs. Candidates generally use previous year questions and the established CAT question structure to identify the topics they need to prepare.
What are the three sections of CAT?
The three sections are VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability.
What topics are included in CAT Quantitative Ability?
The major areas include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Modern Mathematics.
What topics are covered in CAT VARC?
VARC generally covers Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Vocabulary and Grammar.
What topics are included in CAT DILR?
DILR generally includes Data Interpretation, Tables and Charts, Logical Reasoning, Seating Arrangements, Puzzles and Caselets.
Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
The topics themselves are based on aptitude, language, reasoning and mathematical concepts. The challenge comes from solving questions accurately within the available time.
How should I complete the CAT syllabus?
A practical approach is to:
- Study one section at a time.
- Learn the concepts behind each topic.
- Practise topic-wise questions.
- Solve previous year papers.
- Take regular mock tests.
- Revise topics where your performance is weak.
Is Arithmetic important for CAT?
Yes. Arithmetic is one of the major areas listed under Quantitative Ability and should be included in your preparation.
Can I prepare for CAT without coaching?
Yes. Self-study can be done using books, online resources, previous year papers and mock tests.
How long does it take to complete the CAT syllabus?
It depends on your existing preparation and the amount of time you can study consistently. The source material notes that many aspirants prepare over 6–12 months.
How often should I revise the CAT syllabus?
Revision should continue throughout preparation. Regularly revisit concepts, formulas and questions, especially after analyzing your mock-test performance.