What is syllabus of CAT?

This is the most frequent question asked when one starts preparing for CAT. CAT is a test with no predefined syllabus, however past trends suggest that CAT tests in general aptitude including Verbal Ability (English), Quant Ability (Mathematics), Logical Resoning (LR) and Data Interpretation (DI) skills.
Similar to CAT, there are other admission tests - MAT, XAT, JMET and SNAP. There are some B-Schools (like IIFT, IRMA, FMS Delhi) which conduct their own exam.

Verbal Ability (English)
  1. Vocabulary Based
  2. English Usage/Grammar
  3. Verbal Reasoning
  4. Reading Comprehension
Quant Ability (Maths)
  1. Number Systems
  2. Percentages
  3. Profit and Loss
  4. Interest
  5. Speed, Time and Distance
  6. Time and Work
  7. Averages, Ratio and Proportion
  8. Quadratic Equation
  9. Logarithm
  10. Progressions
  11. Binomial Theorem
  12. Inequalities
  13. Permutation and Combination
  14. Probability
  15. Functions
  16. Set Theory
  17. Mixtures and Alligations
  18. Geometry
  19. Co-ordinate Geometry
  20. Trigonometry
  21. Mensuration

CAT 2010 entrance examination syllabus:

There is no prefixed pattern for CAT 2010. The syllabus given below is based on the experience of previous CAT Papers, specially CAT 2009. The list may not be exhaustive but almost the entire gamut is covered.


QUANTITATIVE:

Arithmetic-
Ratios and Proportion, Ratios, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Percentages, Partnership, Time-Speed-Distance, Work and time, Number system, HCF, LCM, Geometric Progression, Arithmetic progression, Arithmetic mean, Geometric mean , Harmonic mean, Median, Mode, Number Base System, BODMAS,Alligation & Mixtures, Work, Pipes and Cisterns, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Installment Payments, Clocks, Calendar,

Algebra-
In-equations , Quadratic and linear equations, functions, Logarithm Geometry, Mensuration and solid Geometry
Geometry (Lines, angles, Triangles, Spheres, Rectangles, Cube, Cone etc),Mensuration, Co-ordinate geometry.
.

Other Mathematical Topics:
Set Theory, Venn Diagram, Probability, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial Expansion, Maxima & Minima Progression, Surds & Indices and Complex numbers, etc.

DATA INTERPRETATION:
Data Interpretation based on text, Data Interpretation based on graphs and tables. Graphs can be Column graphs, Bar Graphs, Line charts, Pie Chart, Graphs representing Area, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency etc.
.
REASONING:
Critical reasoning, Visual reasoning, Assumption-Premise-Conclusion, Assertion and reasons, Statements and assumptions, identifying valid inferences , identifying Strong arguments and Weak arguments, Statements and conclusions, Cause and Effect, Identifying Probably true, Probably false, definitely true, definitely false kind of statement, Linear arrangements, Matrix arrangements, Puzzles, Family tree problem , Symbol Based problems, Coding and decoding , Sequencing , identifying next number in series etc.
.
ENGLISH:
Comprehension of passage, Verbal Reasoning, Syllogisms , Contextual usage, Analogies, Antonyms, Fill In the Blanks, Jumbled paragraphs with 4 or 5 sentences, Foreign language words used in English, Sentence completion, Sentence correction, odd man out, idioms, one word substitution, Different usage of same word, Errors in word choice, mania & phobia, Incorrect words, Mood, Conditionals & Multiple Usage , Punctuation, Proverb, Phrasal verb etc...........