What is the syllabus for the CAT exam? How to prepare for it?

Before preparing for CAT 2022, the candidate must be well aware of the exam pattern and the exam syllabus. After learning about the CAT 2022 syllabus, the candidate would be able to make effective study plans and acing the CAT exam will be less challenging.

CAT, Common Admission Test, is an entrance test through which IIMs and various other B-Schools grant admissions to candidates. CAT 2022 is scheduled for November 2022. Each year, thousands of candidates get admission to MBA courses through the CAT exam. It is considered to be one of the most difficult entrance exams. The high number of test-takers and limited admission seats at top B-schools are two main reasons for the CAT exam being difficult.

Read this article to know about the complete details of CAT 2022 syllabus.

CAT Syllabus: Overview

The CAT 2022 exam will be held in CBT (Computer Based Test) Mode. The mode remains the same as earlier, but some changes have been introduced post-pandemic.

1. The number of questions has been decreased to 66. Earlier there used to be 100 questions.

2. The duration of the exam is 2 hours.  

3. There is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. PWD candidates are given 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section.

4. The medium of the CAT exam is English.

5. The exam includes MCQ as well as Non-MCQ type questions. Non-MCQ questions are called TITA type questions, wherein the candidate has to type in the answer.

CAT Syllabus: Section-wise Division

The CAT exam is divided into sections. It has 3 sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. There are a fixed number of questions in each section.

CAT Syllabus: Weightage and Topics

CAT exam syllabus is vast; therefore, knowing the weightage of each section will help candidates increase their scores in each section. Knowing the topics of each section will help in better preparation for the CAT exam.

Before moving ahead, we must also look at the detailed list of topics under each section. The official notification for the CAT exam does not include a prescribed syllabus. However, looking at the previous year’s CAT exam papers, a list of topics has been prepared. This list will help you learn about the important topics of all sections.

How to prepare for CAT 2022?

Candidates aiming to get admission to MBA courses through CAT 2022 must know that strategic planning and preparation are key to acing the exam. A casual attitude towards exam preparation will not help. There are multiple reasons why candidates must be consistent with their CAT preparations. Some of them include:

1. More than 2 lakhs students compete for a few thousand MBA seats at various B-Schools.
2. CAT syllabus is quite vast as there is no prescribed syllabus for the CAT exam.
3. The exam is time-bound, so speed becomes an important factor for cracking the CAT exam.

Preparation Strategies for CAT 2022

The difficulty level of the CAT exam demands consistent and focused efforts. Therefore, the candidate must be very mindful of all the exam details. These details can help the candidate maximize their CAT score. 

1. First and foremost, the candidate must collect information about the various aspects of the CAT exam; Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Syllabus and Application Process. 

2. The candidate must now decide whether they want to indulge in self-study or opt for coaching classes. Nowadays, coaching classes are available online as well as offline. The candidate needs to consider the pros and cons of each mode of preparation. Then, the candidate must opt for the one that suits them the most.

3. Candidates must read or listen to the testimonials of toppers and experts from the industry. It will help you in devising your preparation and exam strategies. Some pro-tips can even help you have the edge over other candidates. 

4. Procure material for preparations from reliable sources. Make the following considerations while selecting the material: Relevance, updated syllabus, the reputation of the publisher and content of the material. Candidates must choose books from reputed publishers with the most relevant and updated syllabus. The book or other resources must provide the candidate with a lot of practice questions. It can be concept-wise exercises or section-wise tests, or complete mock tests.

5. Along with concept-strengthening, candidates must take care of speed and accuracy. Taking regular mock tests surely helps. Initially, the candidate can start with 1-2 mock tests a week and then gradually move to 3-4 mock tests a week.

6. A regular mock analysis is very important. It helps to figure out areas of strength and weakness. Along with practice, mock tests also help in checking progress. Through mock analysis, you will know how much you have progressed.
7. Indulging in regular revision will help too. For effective retention of short tricks and concepts, revise weekly or monthly. It is advised not to wait for the whole syllabus to finish before starting the revision. Revision must continue along with practice. 
8. For consistent efforts and better results, stay motivated. Devise your strategies of self-motivation. 

You can surely crack the CAT exam by keeping all these things in mind. With sheer dedication and determination, getting a seat in your desired B-school will be a reality soon.