Examine the IIM CAT 2021 exam format and key themes to prepare for the verbal ability and reading comprehension parts, as well as data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. On November 28, the CAT exam 2021 will be held.
This year’s Common Admission Test (CAT) will be held in IIM Ahmedabad. The CAT exam has been scheduled for November 28, 2021. To prepare for and ace this MBA entrance exam, you must have a thorough understanding of the exam format and CAT syllabus 2021. The CAT exam pattern for 2021 has remained unchanged. The exam will last two hours and will consist of MCQs and non-MCQs divided into three sections: verbal ability and reading comprehension; data interpretation and logical reasoning; and quantitative aptitude.
CAT 2021: Exam Pattern
| Particulars | CAT 2021 Pattern |
| CAT 2021 duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Name of sections in CAT exam | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Section-wise duration | 60 minutes per section (Total 180 minutes)40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA).53 Minutes 20 Seconds for each section for PwD candidates. |
| CAT 2021 slots | Slot a: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm (Morning Session)Slot b: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session)Slot c: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Evening Session) |
| Number of CAT 2021 questions | 76 Questions (54 MCQs and 22 Non-MCQs) |
| CAT exam total marks | 228 marks |
| Mode of the CAT 2021 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
| CAT 2021 marking scheme | For every right answer, +3 will be awarded for each wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted negative marks for Non-MCQs |
MBA CAT Test Pattern 2021: Section-wise details
| CAT Sections 2021 | Number of questions (Expected) |
| CAT 2021: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26MCQ – 18TITA – 8 |
| CAT exam: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 24MCQ – 18TITA – 6 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) of CAT | 26MCQ – 18TITA – 8 |
| Total no. of questions | 76 |
CAT Syllabus 2021: Important exam topics to learn about
The CAT exam pattern and syllabus are inextricably linked. Candidates must understand the CAT exam syllabus and study properly in order to pass this entrance exam with a 99+ percentile. Although the CAT syllabus has not been officially released, it is based on the topics and questions that are frequently asked in the exam. The CAT syllabus contains all of the major CAT topics that must be thoroughly prepared for this MBA entrance exam. Section-by-section CAT 2021 syllabus.
- Important CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension topics include:
- Reading comprehension is an important skill to have.
- Summary of the paragraph
- Misfit Sentences & Para-jumbles
CAT Important Topics of VARC include –
- Completion of a sentence
- Reasoning with words (Fact & Judgment)
- Usage & Grammar (including questions based on common Grammar errors, Sentence Correction, Confusing Words, & Phrasal Verbs)
- Vocabulary based questions (mainly Fill in the blanks, Synonym-Antonym based questions, Cloze Passage, Analogies, etc.)
- CAT 2021 Important topics for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation:
DILR questions come in CAT in sets of three to four questions. The following are the topics:
- Column Graphs, Line Charts, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Tables, Bar Graphs,, Pie Charts, Combination of two or more types linked to each other Games & Tournaments, Number and Letter Series, Calendars; Cubes, Clocks, Venn Diagrams, Binary Logic, Seating Arrangement
- Important CAT Topics for Quantitative Ability:
- Percentages; Speed, Time, and Distance; Time and Work; Simple and Compound Interest; Number Systems; LCM and HCF; Profit, Loss, and Discount; Percentages; Speed, Time, and Distance; Time and Work; Simple and Compound Interest; Averages; Quadratic Equations; Linear Equations; Complex Numbers; Ratio and Proportion; Averages; Quadratic Equations; Linear Equations; Complex Numbers; Set Theory; Functions; Geometry; Mixtures and Alignments; Trigonometry; Coordinate Geometry; and Menstruation. Logarithm; Binomial Theorem; Sequences and Series; Surds and Indices; Inequalities; Probability; Permutation and Combination; Set Theory; Functions; Geometry; Mixtures and Alignments; Trigonometry; Coordinate Geometry; and Menstruation.
About CAT 2021
Each year, different IIMs across the country conduct the Common Admission Test, often known as CAT, in a computer-based method for admission to MBA/PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes provided by IIMs and other top management institutes around the country. CAT 2021 will take place in 158 cities across the globe, with over 400 exam centres.