CAT has no official syllabus. The notification lists the three sections and leaves it there. What it does have is a long record of past papers, and that record is very consistent: the same families of questions come back every year. The list below is drawn from that record. It shows each section of the current pattern, the units it draws on, and the chapters within each unit. Click any chapter to see every past CAT question on it, with a step-by-step solution.
The syllabus at a glance
The three sections are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each has its own time limit, and you cannot move between sections. For marks, timing and question types, see the CAT exam pattern guide.
Topic list by section
VARC
- Reading Comprehension: Reading Comprehension
- Verbal Reasoning: Para Jumbles · Para Completion · Missing Sentence · Para Summary · Odd One Out · Fact, Inference & Judgement · Arguments
- Vocabulary: Vocabulary · Analogy · Idioms & Phrases · Spelling
- Grammar & Usage: Grammar, Usage & Correction · Usage · Sentence Correction · Fill in the blanks
DILR
- Data Interpretation: Tables & Graphs · Games & Tournaments · Routes & Networks
- Logical Reasoning: Arrangements · Selection & Distribution · Venn Diagram · Puzzles · Board Games · Mathematical Reasoning · Syllogisms · Series · Coding-Decoding · Rank & Ordering · Input-Output · Blood Relations · Directions · Cubes · Calendar · Clocks · Binary Logic · Logical Connectives · Operator-based Questions
QA
- Arithmetic: Ratio, Proportion & Variation · Percentage · Profit & Loss · Simple & Compound Interest · Average · Mixture, Alligation & Replacement · Time & Work · Time, Speed & Distance
- Algebra: Linear Equations · Quadratic Equations · Surds & Indices · Logarithms · Progressions · Functions & Graphs · Inequalities & Modulus
- Number System: Number System & Number Theory
- Geometry: Basics · Triangles · Circles · Quadrilaterals & Polygons · Mensuration · Trigonometry · Coordinate Geometry · Geometry Revision
- Modern Math: Permutation & Combination · Probability · Sets
- Data Sufficiency: Data Sufficiency
- Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous
How to use this list
- Not every chapter is equally likely. Reading comprehension carries most of VARC; arithmetic and algebra carry most of Quant. Open a chapter and look at how many recent questions it has before deciding how much time it deserves.
- Start with a recent paper, not the list. Take one recent CAT paper under time, then come back here and mark the chapters where you lost marks.
- Practise by chapter, then mix. Chapter pages are for learning a question type; full past papers and custom tests are for learning to choose under time.
For how to prepare each section, read the VARC, DILR and Quant guides, and the overall preparation strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official CAT syllabus?
No. The IIMs announce the three sections and the timing, but not a topic list. A syllabus built from past papers, like this one, is the most reliable guide to what is asked.
Is CAT Quant based on school maths?
Mostly. The concepts are class 8 to 10 level: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number properties, and some permutations, probability and sets. The difficulty comes from how the questions combine ideas and from the time limit, not from advanced topics.
Are grammar and vocabulary asked in CAT?
Not as separate questions in recent CAT papers. VARC is reading comprehension plus verbal reasoning questions such as para jumbles, para summary and odd sentence out. A strong vocabulary still helps you read faster.
Does DILR need any formulas?
Very few. DILR tests reading a set carefully, organising information in a table or diagram, and simple arithmetic such as percentages and averages. Practice with real sets matters far more than theory.