The CAT 2017 and notification has been released by IIM Lucknow. On one hand it does away with the perturbation of time management between the different sections, whereas at the same time it is devoid the advantage of covering up for a weaker section using one’s strengths. Equal importance has to be given mandatorily to all the sections of the CAT Exam since the new pattern makes all the sections autonomous. In this scenario, coming to a conclusion of which are the important topics for CAT is very difficult. Still, looking at the past years’ trend could give a valuable insight regarding the same.
Here is a comparison of the difficulty level of CAT exam from past 7 years:
| Year | No. of Questions | Sections | Marking Sceme | Duration | Difficulty Level |
| CAT 2015 | 100 | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
180 Min | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2015 | 100 | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
180 Min | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2014 | 60 (30 per section) | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
140 Min | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2013 | 60 (30 per section) | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
140 Min | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2012 | 60 (30 per section) | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
140 Min | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2011 | 60 (30 per section) | Quant and DI Verbal and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
140 Min | Moderate |
| CAT 2010 | 60 (20 per section) | Verbal, Quant, DI and LR | Correct: +3
Incorrect : -1 |
150 Min | Moderate |
Here are the individual weightages that have been given to certain specific topics of the CAT exam until 2014:
On account of reasonable prediction, following are the difficulty levels expected in CAT 2017:
1. Quantitative Aptitude: Easy
2. Data Interpretation: Easy
3. Logical Reasoning: Moderate -Difficult
4. Verbal Ability: Moderate: Difficult
5. Reading Comprehension: Moderate
In addition to the above set of data, on close analysis suggests the following topics which can be considered of immense importance for CAT exam this year. The topics are given along with their tentative respective weightages.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:
1. Reading Comprehension (16%)
2. Para Jumbles(14%)
3. Basic Grammar and Sentence Correction( 10%)
4. Analogies (8%)
Quantitative Aptitude:
1. Number theory(12%)
2. Geometry(10%)
3. Mixtures and Alligations (6%)
4. Boats and Streams (4%)
5. Probability (4%)
6. Pipes and Cisterns (4%)
7. Permutation and Combination (4%)
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation:
1. Logical Questions (15-20%)
2. Syllogism (10%)
3. Tables and Caselets (14%)
4. Data Sufficiency (20%)
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Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
