CAT VARC Syllabus 2024
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 –The CAT (Common Admission Test) VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) syllabus for 2024 includes topics like reading comprehension, sentence correction, vocabulary, grammar, para-jumbles, critical reasoning, and verbal reasoning. This section evaluates candidates’ language and comprehension skills, testing their ability to understand and analyze written material effectively within a limited time frame.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Overview
Students preparing for the CAT 2024 exam should understand important details like how the exam works, how marks are given, how long the test lasts, and how many questions are there. This information can be found in the table below, which gives a summary of the CAT syllabus and exam format.
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the Section | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Duration of the CAT Exam | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Section-wise Duration | 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA). 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section. |
| Slot-wise Session | Slot 1: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm (Morning Session) Slot 2: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session) Slot 3: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Evening Session) |
| Number of Questions | 66 Questions |
| CAT exam total marks | 198 marks |
| Mode of the CAT 2024 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
| Marking Scheme | For every right answer, +3 will be awarded For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted No negative marks for Non-MCQs |
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Latest Syllabus
The syllabus for the MBA Common Admission Test (CAT) has remained unchanged for more than a decade. The only modification considered in the IIM CAT syllabus has been a reduction in the number of questions from 100 to 66 over the past two years. To gain a clearer understanding of this, please refer to the table provided below.
| CAT exam syllabus & pattern | Changes in CAT 2020 to 2021, 2022 |
| Total questions in the VARC section | Questions reduced from 26 to 24 |
| Total questions in the DILR section | Questions reduced from 24 to 20 |
| Total questions in the DILR section | Questions reduced from 26 to 22 |
| Total questions | Questions reduced from 76 to 66 |
| Total score | Total marks reduced from 228 to 198 |
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024
In the CAT exam, the VARC section comes first. This section has two parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Here are some important topics and key points for this section.
| CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 | ||
| Fill in the blanks | Para Completion and inference | Verbal Logic |
| Verbal Reasoning | Subject-verb agreement | Para jumbles |
| Sentence completion | Foreign language words used in English | Different usage of the same word |
| Grammar | Reading Comprehension | Idioms |
| Syllogisms | Analogies | Antonyms |
| Jumbled paragraphs | Sentence correction | One word substitution |
| Parts of speech | Preposition | Types of Clauses |
| Phrases Modifiers | Errors in tenses | Articles usage |
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Detailed
The CAT VARC (Common Admission Test – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section is divided into two components: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Prospective candidates can review the CAT VARC syllabus in the following section:
Verbal Ability:
- Summarization: Candidates are required to condense the main points of a short paragraph into 2-3 questions.
- Jumbled Paragraphs: This section involves rearranging sentences in a paragraph and identifying the sentence that doesn’t fit contextually, presented in 2-3 questions.
- Grammar Correction: You’ll need to spot and rectify errors in verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and other parts of speech within sentences.
- Sentence Arrangement: Arrange sentences in a paragraph logically, including the use of conditional sentences, time clauses, reported speech, and passive voice when necessary.
- Vocabulary Usage: Determine the correct word pairs in vocabulary usage questions.
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Identify synonyms and antonyms in vocabulary questions related to reading comprehension passages.
- Vocabulary Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blanks in sentences with appropriate vocabulary words.
- Paragraph Completion: Complete the last sentence of paragraphs in a meaningful way.
- Analogy Questions: Solve analogy questions that test your ability to draw comparisons between words or concepts.
- Critical Reasoning: Analyze and respond to questions that involve critical reasoning and logical thinking.
- Sentence Completion: Fill in the blanks within sentences to make them coherent.
- Fact, Inference, and Judgment: Distinguish between facts, inferences, and judgments based on the information provided.
- Irrelevant Statement Identification: Identify and eliminate irrelevant statements within a passage.
- Phrasal Verbs: Utilize phrasal verbs accurately in sentences.
Reading Comprehension:
- Passages on Government Policies: Reading passages on topics like government policies such as the Clean India Mission, migration, and global intolerance and their impact on society, international relations, and governance.
- Business and Economic Passages: Comprehend passages on subjects like global economic changes, economic development with potential environmental consequences, demonetization in India, and government expenditures.
- Literature Passages: Reading passages from renowned English literature books, articles authored by philosophers and thinkers, and speeches by influential figures like Charles Dickens, Aristotle, Martin Luther King, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and Winston Churchill.
- Science and Culture Passages: Exploring passages on the journey to the modern world and the effects of advancing technology on traditional cultures.
- Abstract Topics and Fiction: Engage with passages on abstract subjects and fiction that require critical thinking and empathy with the author’s perspective.
- Historical Passages: Reading passages about historical events leading to social changes, both globally and in Indian history, along with insights from activists.
- Mythological Passages: Analyze passages from mythology that draw connections between mythological events and contemporary social structures, requiring inference-based answers.
This comprehensive CAT VARC syllabus assesses candidates’ language proficiency, comprehension, critical thinking, and reasoning skills across a wide range of topics and formats.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Topic-Wise Questions
In the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT, there are 24 questions. Five of these questions are not multiple-choice. About two-thirds (66%) of the questions are related to Reading Comprehension, where you read a passage and answer questions about it. The remaining questions test your language skills, including grammar and English usage. Important topics for this section include Parasummary, Parajumbles, and odd-sentence out.
| Topics | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 |
| Para Jumbles | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Para Summary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Odd One Out/Para Completion | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Preparation Tips
CAT 2024 VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section demands rigorous preparation. This guide offers essential insights into the syllabus and provides expert tips to help you navigate and excel in this integral aspect of the CAT exam.
Preparing for Vocabulary:
- Enhance Reading Skills:
Start by improving your reading skills. Reading regularly exposes you to a wide range of words and contexts. - Reasoning Power:
Develop strong reasoning skills alongside vocabulary. Understanding the context in which words are used is crucial. - Contextual Usage:
Focus on using the right word in the right context. Practice identifying slight differences in meaning among similar words. - Etymology Approach:
Explore the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words to understand their meanings. This helps in building a strong vocabulary foundation. - Connotations and Colloquial Usage:
Master word connotations and how words are used informally in everyday speech. This knowledge will help you use words appropriately.
Preparing for Grammar:
- Learn Grammar Rules:
Understand the rules of grammar, including parts of speech and their usage. This forms the basis for correct sentence construction. - Practice with Previous Year Papers:
Solve grammar-related questions from CAT previous year papers. This practice helps in identifying and correcting errors. - Error Detection:
Train yourself to identify errors in sentences. Practice correcting sentences to improve your grammar skills.
Preparing for Reading Comprehension:
- Cultivate Reading Habits:
Develop a habit of daily newspaper reading. This exposes you to diverse topics and enhances your vocabulary. - Vocabulary Building:
While reading, mark unknown words and learn their pronunciation, usage in different contexts, synonyms, and antonyms. - Retention Through Usage:
Make an effort to use new words in your conversations. This reinforces your vocabulary. - Speed Reading Practice:
Work on increasing your reading speed. Time yourself to see how many lines you can read in a minute. This helps in managing time during the CAT exam.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively prepare for the VARC section of the CAT exam, improving your vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension skills to perform well in this crucial section.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 – Frequently Asked Question
Q1. What is the CAT Syllabus for 2024?
Ans. The CAT Syllabus for 2024 comprises three sections: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). No official updates indicate changes to the syllabus for the upcoming exam.
Q2. How many sections are present in the CAT exam?
Ans. The CAT exam consists of three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
