Important CAT Exam Topics That You Should Be Aware Of
If you are appearing for CAT exam 2017, make sure you are aware about the exam pattern. The exam has three sections, namely Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Verbal and Reading Comprehension. In each section, there are a few topics that are important and hence, candidates should always cover those topics first.
Here is a look at the important topics section-wise that you should study without fail if you are keen on cracking CAT this year.
Quantitative Ability
Based on the previous years’ papers, you can expect quantitative ability section to be anywhere from moderately difficult to tough. This section is usually filled with math-based questions that many candidates from non-engineering backgrounds may find difficult. If you are one such candidate, focus on studying this section so that you are clear on theories, formulae and other aspects.
This is the section that is responsible for dragging down scores and hence, you should ensure you have good knowledge of topics in this section to crack CAT with a high percentile. Some of the key topics in this section include:
- Arithmetic: Gauging from the question papers from the last couple of years, just a few questions are based on arithmetic.
- Number System: This is a key topic you should have a thorough understanding of.
- Geometry: This topic happens to be featured quite a bit in CAT in the last few years. So, it makes sense to study it well.
- Algebra: This is perhaps the most important topic in quantitative ability as several questions related to algebra crop up every year in CAT.
- Permutation, Combination and Probability: This is another topic that comes quite often in CAT exams.
- Miscellaneous Topics: Do not forget to understand the concepts of logarithms, trigonometry and set theory as you may get a few question from these topics as well.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
CAT examination tries to assess a candidate’s ability to think logically, and this section comes closest to what managers in real-world may have to face at their workplace. Questions in this section will test your ability to make decision quickly based on limited availability of data. Hence, practice is the key to succeed in this section while ensuring you answer each question quickly and accurately.
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Topics that fall under Data Interpretation include:
- Pie charts
- Case lets
- Tables
- Data sufficiency
- Bar graph
On the other hand, when it comes to logical reasoning, you need to be able to discern the hidden context in each question. The topics that you should be focusing on during your preparation for CAT exam 2017 include:
- Binary logic
- Syllogism
- Blood relations
- Data arrangement
- Family tree
- Venn diagram
- Matching puzzles
- Assumption
- Propositions
- Sets
- Constraint-based puzzles
- Clocks and calendars
- Seating arrangement
Verbal and Reading Comprehension
This section consists of two parts — Reading Comprehension and Usage of English. In the first part, there are usually about five passages and three to five questions for each passage. In Usage of English, there will be questions pertaining to vocabulary, idioms, figure of speech and grammar. Some of the topics that you should be conversant with before answering CAT are:
- Sentence correction
- Paragraph completion
- Paragraph jumble
- Fill in the blanks
- Fact inference
- Grammar
- Word usage
- Verbal reasoning
Now that you know the important topics for CAT, it is time to put on your study cap and focus on mastering each section. This is the most planned way to crack CAT exam 2017.
