Are you ready to unleash your potential and embark on the journey towards success? Look no further, as we bring you all the inside scoop on CAT 2023 Exam Pattern and Syllabus! The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a gateway to some of the most prestigious B-schools in India, and acing it requires meticulous preparation. In this blog post, we will dive deep into the latest trends, strategies, and expert tips that will equip you with everything you need to dominate this exam. So buckle up, because it’s time to prepare for triumph!
Introduction To The CAT 2023 Exam
Introduction to the CAT 2023 Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission into some of the top business schools in India, such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Conducted by the Indian Institute of Management every year, this computer-based test evaluates a candidate’s aptitude and problem-solving skills to assess their potential for success in the field of management.
The CAT 2023 exam is expected to take place in November or December 2023, with registrations opening in August 2023. It is a three-hour long online test consisting of both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs. The exam is divided into three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2023
1. A candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) from a recognized university or institute.
2. Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation can also apply provided they complete their degree before June 30th, 2024.
3. There is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
Understanding The Exam Pattern Of CAT 2023
1. Types of Questions:
a) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
This section contains 34 questions with both multiple-choice as well as non-multiple-choice type questions. The RC passages can be based on various topics such as social issues, current affairs, science, literature, etc. Moreover, the VARC section tests your reading comprehension skills along with grammar, vocabulary, para jumbles, sentence completion, etc.
b) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR):
This section consists of 32 questions which are mostly in the form of case lets or data sets followed by multiple choice questions based on them. Further, this section tests your ability to interpret data from graphs, tables, or charts along with logical reasoning skills.
c) Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
This section has 34 questions that test your mathematical skills including topics like arithmetic, algebra, number system, geometry, etc. There could be both multiple-choice as well as non-multiple-choice types.
– Sections And Time Allotment
1.1 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
This section comprises 34 questions and is divided into two parts – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The VARC section aims to assess a candidate’s English language skills including grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, para-jumbles, and reading comprehension.
1.2 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):
The DILR section consists of 32 questions which are further divided into two parts – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. This section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze data from charts, tables, or graphs. As well as their logical reasoning skills such as deductive reasoning, pattern recognition, etc. On average, candidates should spend around 60 minutes on this section.
1.3 Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
With 34 questions in total, QA is the largest section of the CAT exam in terms of the number of questions. It covers various topics such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
– Marking Scheme And Negative Marking
1.1 Marking Scheme:
The CAT exam follows a three-marking scheme, where each correct answer carries three marks. There are no partial markings or negative markings for Un attempted questions. The total score of a candidate is calculated by adding the marks obtained in each section.
1.2 Negative Marking:
CAT has a unique feature of negative marking, which means that for every incorrect answer. One mark will be deducted from the total score. Moreover, this feature adds an element of risk and strategy to the exam as candidates must carefully choose which questions to attempt and which ones to leave.
1.3 Understanding the Negative Marking System:
To avoid losing precious marks due to incorrect answers. It is essential to understand how the negative marking system works in CAT.
– For MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions), there is a penalty of one-third mark deducted for every wrong answer.
– For Non-MCQs (Non-Multiple-Choice Questions), there is no fixed penalty as these types of questions do not have predefined options.
– Changes In The Exam Pattern Over The Years
1. Introduction to the CAT Exam Pattern:
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission into prestigious management institutes in India, such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). However, over the years, there have been significant changes in the exam pattern, making it essential for aspirants to stay updated with these changes.
2. Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern:
The first CAT exam was conducted in 1950, and since then, it has undergone several modifications. Initially, it was a paper-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in three sections – Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
3. Changes in Sectional Weightage:
One of the most significant changes that occurred over the years is in terms of sectional weightage. In earlier versions of CAT, each section carried equal marks in weightage. However, from 2015 onwards, QA and VARC were given more importance than DILR with a higher number of questions and marks allocated to them.
– Verbal Ability And Reading Comprehension
Verbal ability and reading comprehension are two crucial sections in the CAT exam which tests a candidate’s understanding of the English language. Moreover, these sections evaluate a candidate’s ability to read, comprehend, and interpret written passages accurately. Additionally, they also assess a candidate’s proficiency in grammar and vocabulary.
The verbal ability section consists of questions that test a candidate’s knowledge of the English language. Including grammar rules, sentence correction, vocabulary usage, para jumbles, and fill-in-the-blanks among others.
On the other hand, reading comprehension evaluates a candidate’s comprehension skills by presenting them with long passages followed by multiple-choice questions. These passages can range from topics such as economics, sociology, and technology to literature or current affairs. Further, the questions typically require candidates to analyze and interpret information presented in the passage accurately.
– Data Interpretation And Logical Reasoning
1-Importance of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning in CAT Exam:
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning are vital components of the CAT exam as they test candidates’ ability to analyze complex data sets, make logical deductions, and solve real-world business problems. Moreover, these skills are crucial for managers as they need to process large amounts of data to make informed decisions in a fast-paced business environment.
2- Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning in CAT Exam:
The syllabus includes topics such as Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Case lets, Venn Diagrams, and Tables with missing data points. Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Direction Sense Tests, Syllogisms, and Propositional Logic among others.
– Quantitative Ability
Syllabus and Topics Covered:
The QA section assesses a candidate’s numerical ability, problem-solving skills, data interpretation, and mathematical aptitude. Further, the syllabus for this section is vast and covers various topics ranging from basic arithmetic to advanced mathematics.
– Arithmetic: Percentages, profit & loss, time & work, ratios & proportions, mixtures & allegations, simple & compound interests.
– Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, inequalities.
– Geometry: Lines and angles, triangles, circles.
– Number System: Integers, fractions & decimals.
– Mensuration: Areas and volumes of squares/cubes/rectangles/circles/spheres/cones/pyramids etc.