CAT DILR Weightage
Component
Description
Question Type
Weightage
Data Interpretation (DI)
Sets based on visual data like graphs, charts, and complex tables.
MCQs & TITA
~50%
Logical Reasoning (LR)
Sets based on puzzles, arrangements, and conditional logic.
MCQs & TITA
~50%
Quantitative Aptitude Weightage
Broad Category
Important Sub-Topics
Expected Questions
Approx. Weightage
Arithmetic
Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Averages, Mixtures, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, SI-CI
8–10
40%
Algebra
Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms, Functions, Progressions (AP/GP)
5–7
25–30%
Geometry
Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Mensuration (2D/3D), Coordinate Geometry
3–4
15%
Number System
Divisibility, Factors, HCF & LCM, Remainders, Base Systems
1–3
10%
Modern Math
P&C, Probability, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams
1–2
5%
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VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026: Reading Comprehension + Verbal Ability
The VARC Cat Exam Syllabus is designed to test your comprehension skills, reading speed, and command of the English language. It is often considered a high-scoring section for students with strong language and reading skills.
Component
Important Topics
Question Type
Expected Questions
Reading Comprehension (RC)
Fact, Inference, Judgment, Reading Comprehension Passages (from varied topics like literature, science, economics, and philosophy)
MCQs & TITA
16 Questions (4 Passages)
Verbal Ability (VA)
Para Jumble, Para Completion & Inference, Sentence Completion, Fill in the Blanks, Verbal Reasoning, critical reasoning.
Mostly TITA (Type In The Answer)
8 Questions
1. Verbal Ability (VA) Topic-Wise Breakdown
The VA sub-section is unique because it contains TITA (Type In The Answer) questions. Since there is no negative marking for these, they are essential for boosting your normalized scores.
Topic
Description
Question Type
Expected Questions
Para Summary
Identify the best summary of a given 100-word paragraph.
MCQ
3
Para-jumbles
Rearrange a set of jumbled sentences into a coherent order.
TITA
2
Odd One Out
Identify the sentence that does not fit the theme of the paragraph.
TITA
2
Para Completion
Select the sentence that logically concludes a given paragraph.
MCQ
1
2. Reading Comprehension (RC) Master Table
Unlike standard exams, CAT eligibility criteria for the 99th percentile require you to master varied Reading Comprehension Passages (Argumentative/Analytical). The difficulty level is typically Moderate to High.
Passage Genre
Question Type Focus
Key Skills Tested
Science & Tech
Inference-Based
Ability to draw conclusions not explicitly stated in the passage.
Social Issues
Author's Tone
Understanding the author's attitude (Critical, Neutral, Empathetic, etc.).
Economics/Business
Specific Detail
Identifying facts, figures, and data points accurately within the text.
Philosophy/Arts
Main Idea / Purpose
Recognizing the central theme and the underlying structural logic.
Types of Questions in the CAT Reading Comprehension Section
To master CAT VARC, it is not enough to just read the passage; a student must understand the "intent" behind the questions.RC questions generally fall into several categories that test different comprehension skills.
Question Type
Detailed Description & Skill Tested
Inference-based
CAT VARC often asks inference questions where students must draw conclusions not explicitly stated in the text.
Specific Details
These questions require students to identify the writer's tone, attitude, or sentiment toward the subject matter.
Detail-Oriented
Focuses on identifying specific facts, data points, or statements directly mentioned within the passage.
Application/Purpose
Tests the ability to find the underlying application or the specific purpose of a certain paragraph or phrase.
Logical Structure
These questions evaluate how well a student understands the flow of ideas and the organization of the passage.
Vocabulary-in-Context
Requires providing the contextual meaning of words as they are uniquely used within the CAT RC passages.
Types of Questions in the CAT Verbal Ability Section
Check the type of questions that can be asked in the VA section and understand how students need to answer them. It will help a student know the evaluation pattern in the VA section, which is critical for Time Management and achieving a high Varc score vs percentile.
Topic
Description & Evaluation Pattern
Para-jumbles
Arrange a set of jumbled sentences into a logical paragraph. These often appear as TITA questions in 2026.
Sentence Correction
Assesses grammar and language proficiency by identifying errors in structure, syntax, or usage.
Analogies
Tests logical reasoning by requiring students to identify similar relationships between pairs of words.
Odd-one-out
Identify the most incoherent sentence that does not fit the central theme or logic of the paragraph.
Para-completion
Select the most logical sentence to complete a paragraph or fill a gap in the flow of thought.
CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: Data Interpretation + Logical Reasoning
The CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR typically includes 22 questions, which you must solve within a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The questions are usually presented in 5 sets, with each set containing 4–5 questions.
Component
DILR Question Types
Data Interpretation (DI)
Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Tables, Caselet, Combination of Graphs, Special Charts, Data change over a period, etc.
Logical Reasoning (LR)
Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagram, Constraint-based Puzzles, Matching Puzzles, Data Arrangement Sets, Games and Tournaments, Truth and Lie, Selection with Conditions, Quant-based LR, Scheduling, Table with missing Values, etc.
Detailed Data Interpretation (DI) Topics
DI focuses on your ability to extract information from raw data and perform quick mental calculations. While you have an on-screen calculator for QA and DILR, relying on mental math for CAT will save you significant time.
Topic
Description
Key Focus Area & Strategy
Data Interpretation Caselets
Unstructured paragraphs containing data.
Converting raw text into structured tables or Venn diagrams.
Charts & Graphs
Bar graphs, Line charts, Pie charts, and Spider/Radar charts.
Master trend analysis, percentage growth, and visual estimation.
Tables
Large data sets presented in complex rows and columns.
Comparing relative values and finding missing data points.
Venn Diagrams
Complex 3-set and 4-set logical overlaps.
Solving Maxima and Minima problems using set theory.
Detailed Logical Reasoning (LR) Topics
The LR portion tests your "out-of-the-box" thinking. These Data Interpretation Puzzles often require you to build a grid or a map to reach the solution.
Topic
Detailed Description
Difficulty Level
Arrangements
Linear, Circular, and Matrix-based seating or placing puzzles.
Moderate to High
Games & Tournaments
Knock-out rounds, Round-robin, and complex Points tables.
High
Routes & Networks
Finding the shortest path, flow analysis, or bottlenecks in a network.
Moderate
Selections & Grouping
Picking teams or groups based on specific constraints and conditional logic.
Moderate
Binary Logic
Truth-teller, Liar, and Alternator problems (typically 2-3 people).
High
Quantitative Aptitude Topics for CAT 2026: Complete QA Syllabus
1. Arithmetic (High Weightage)
Weightage of Arithmetic and Algebra in CAT Exam Syllabus 2026 is traditionally the highest, making this the most critical area for your CAT exam preparation.
Arithmetic Topic
Key Concepts & Sub-Topics
Percentage
Successive Percentage Changes, Profit & Loss, Discounts, and Markups
Ratio & Proportion
Simple, Compound, and Continued Ratios; Applications in Partnerships
Averages
Simple Averages, Weighted Averages, and Combined Average Problems
Time & Work
Work Efficiency, Alternate Day Problems, Pipes and Cisterns
Time, Speed & Distance
Relative Speed, Average Speed, Trains, Boats, and Streams
Interest (SI & CI)
Simple & Compound Interest, Installments, and Effective Interest Rate
Mixtures & Allegations
Solving Mixtures of 2 and 3 solutions using Weighted Averages
2. Algebra
Algebra is essential for a 99+ Percentile Preparation Strategy. It often involves complex TITA Questions in CAT that require precision.
Topic
Key Concepts & Sub-Topics
Linear Equations
Solving Single and Multi-variable equations, Word Problems
Inequalities
Linear and Quadratic Inequalities, Modulus-based Inequalities
Functions
Understanding Domain, Range, Graphs, Composition, and Inverse Functions
Logs, Surds & Indices
Logarithm Identities, Exponents, and Power-based simplifications
Quadratic Equations
Calculation of Roots, Nature of Roots, and Formation of Equations
Polynomials
Remainder Theorem, Factor Theorem, and Higher-degree Equations
3. Geometry & Mensuration
This section tests your spatial and visual reasoning. It is a vital part of the CAT Exam Syllabus for scoring in the higher brackets.
Geometry Topic
Key Concepts & Theorems
Lines, Angles & Triangles
Parallel Lines, Angle Properties, Transversals
Circles
Tangents, Chords, Arcs, Cyclic Quadrilaterals, Inscribed Angles
Polygons & Quadrilaterals
Parallelograms, Rhombus, Trapeziums, Regular Polygons
Mensuration (2D & 3D)
Areas and Volumes of Triangles, Rectangles, Cones, Spheres, and Cylinders
Coordinate Geometry
Distance Formula, Section Formula, Area of Polygons, Locus
Triangle Properties
Congruence, Similarity, Pythagoras Theorem, Triangle Inequality
Polygons
Sum of Interior & Exterior Angles, Properties of Regular Polygons
4. Modern Math & Number System
While smaller in volume, these provide the high weightage topics for CAT Quants 2026 that separate the 95th from the 99th percentile.
Topic
Key Concepts & Sub-Topics
Question Type
Expected Questions
Number System
Remainders, Factorial, Euler's Function, Divisibility Rules, Base Systems
MCQs & TITA
1–3
Permutation & Combination
Selection and Arrangement Concepts, Fundamental Principles of Counting
MCQs & TITA
1–2
Probability
Bayes' Theorem, Coins, Dice, and Card Problems, Independent Events
MCQs & TITA
1–2
Sequence and Series
AP, GP, HP, and AGP Concepts, Sum of Infinite Series
MCQs & TITA
1–2
LCM and HCF
Prime Factorization, Applications in Word Problems, Trailing Zeros
MCQs & TITA
1
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Academic Requirements & IIM Admission
1. CAT 2026 Academic Eligibility
The first step in CAT exam Syllabus preparation is verifying your academic standing. Use this table to check if your graduation profile matches the graduation marks requirement.
Eligibility Factor
General / EWS / NC-OBC
SC / ST / PwD
Minimum Graduation Marks
50% Aggregate
45% Aggregate
Degree Status
Completed or Final Year
Completed or Final Year
Professional Degrees
CA/CS/ICWA (50%)
CA/CS/ICWA (45%)
Age Limit
No Limit
No Limit
Number of Attempts
Unlimited
Unlimited
2. IIM Reservation Policy & Seat Distribution
IIMs follow strict Government of India norms for IIM Admission Criteria. This affects your target normalized scores.
Candidate Category
Reservation Percentage
NC-OBC
27%
Scheduled Caste (SC)
15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)
7.5%
EWS (Economically Weaker Section)
Up to 10%
PwD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities)
5% (Horizontal)
3. CAT 2026 Section-wise Weightage & Pattern
Understanding the CAT Exam Syllabus and pattern is essential for time management. Each section has a 40-minute individual time limit.
Section Name
Total Questions
MCQ Type
TITA Questions
Time Limit
VARC Syllabus for CAT
24
~19
~5
40 Mins
DILR Syllabus for CAT 2026
22
~16
~6
40 Mins
Quantitative Aptitude Topics
22
~14
~8
40 Mins
Grand Total
68
~49
~19
120 Mins
4. Qualifying Sectional Cut-offs for Top IIMs (Expected)
Meeting the overall percentile isn't enough; you must also clear the sectional cut-offs for IIMs.
IIM Campus
Overall Percentile (Gen)
VARC Sectional
DILR Sectional
QA Sectional
IIM Ahmedabad
80+
70
70
70
IIM Bangalore
85+
80
75
75
IIM Calcutta
80+
75
80
80
IIM Lucknow
90+
85
85
85
IIM Indore
90+
80
80
80
How to Score 99% in CAT?
To get a 99 percentile in CAT, you don't need to be a math genius or solve every single question. You just need a "high-precision strategy." This means answering about 50–55% of the paper with nearly 100% accuracy. Our Advanced +99 Percentile
What’s Inside the Advanced Course?
This is a high-intensity, 1.5-month program designed for students who have finished their basics and are ready for the "rank-maker" level:
QA 1000 (The Math Challenge): Master 1,000 of the toughest Quantitative Aptitude topics. We focus heavily on Arithmetic and Algebra, which make up over 60% of the section. You’ll learn to solve complex problems in under 2 minutes.
LRDI 100 (Advanced Logic Puzzles): Solve 100 high-level DILR question types. This module teaches you how to pick the right sets and handle unconventional puzzles without panicking.
RC 100 (Advanced Reading Practice): Practice with 100 of the hardest Reading Comprehension passages from diverse genres like Philosophy and Science. This builds the speed you need for the VARC syllabus for CAT.
CAT Normalization Process: How Scores Are Calculated Across Slots
The CAT normalization process ensures fairness across three exam slots (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) that may have varying difficulty levels.
How CAT Normalization Works
Raw Score Calculation
Raw Score = (Correct Answers × 3) - (Incorrect MCQs × 1)
Scaled Score Conversion
Each section's raw scores are converted to a scaled score (0-100) using percentile rank
Normalization Formula
Uses equipercentile equating method
Adjusts for difficulty variations across slots
Ensures a 90%ile in slot 1 = 90%ile in slot 2 = 90%ile in slot 3
Final Percentile Calculation
Overall Percentile = Based on total scaled score (sum of 3 sections)
Sectional Percentile = Individual section performance vs. all candidates
Impact: A candidate scoring 120/204 raw marks in a tough slot may get the same percentile as someone scoring 130/204 in an easier slot.
Conclusion
Mastering the CAT Exam Syllabus is less about memorizing a static list of topics and more about developing the mental agility to handle high-pressure decision-making. By breaking down the three core sections—VARC, DILR, and QA—into manageable segments, you transform a daunting challenge into a strategic roadmap for success. Consistency in practicing varied question types and analyzing your performance through mock tests will ultimately bridge the gap between your current level and a 99th percentile score. As you move forward, focus on strengthening your fundamentals and refining your time management to turn this comprehensive syllabus into your greatest competitive advantage.
Vedanshi Swami
