CAT Last 5 Years Topic-Wise Weightage for VARC, DILR, and QA
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Content Curator | Updated On - Sep 7, 2026
CAT 2026 sectional weightage from the past 5 years indicates that 24 questions have been asked from CAT VARC section, which is higher than the DILR and QA sections of the CAT exam.
- Arithmetic and algebra in CAT QA form 70% of the CAT over the last 5 years' pattern and are considered to be enough to clear the QA cutoff.
- In VARC, 16 questions are asked from the RC subsection, and 2-3 questions each are asked from Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Para Forming, and Odd One Out.
- In the DILR section, the CAT pattern over the last 5 years shows LR having 36 sets and DI having 30 sets.
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Key Summary
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CAT Last 5 Years Syllabus- QA
Some topics in the QA section in the syllabus for CAT in the last 5 years include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number Systems, and Modern Mathematics.
| Category | Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetics |
|
| Algebra |
|
| Geometry & Mensuration |
|
| Number Systems |
|
| Modern Mathematics |
|
Source: CAT 2026 Syllabus.pdf
CAT Last 5 Years High-Weightage Topic- QA
The CAT over the last 5 years pattern in the QA section shows Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number Systems, and Modern Mathematics.
- Equations and polynomials had 2-3 questions per slot in the CAT over the last 5 years, with ratio and proportion having high weightage in Arithmetic.
- Geometry will have 3 questions per slot, with lines, angles, and quadrilaterals taking most weight.
| Chapter Name | CAT 2021 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | ||
| Arithmetics | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 125 |
| Ratio & Proportion | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 22 |
| Average | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Time Speed Distance | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| Profit & Loss | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
| Time & Work | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| Percentage | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Simple Interest, Compound Interest | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Mixture & Alligation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Pipes & Cisterns / Clocks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Algebra | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 109 |
| Equations & Polynomials | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 34 |
| Progressions & Series | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 28 |
| Logarithms & Exponents | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 20 |
| Functions & Graphs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| Inequalities & Absolute Value | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 47 |
| Lines & Angles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Quadrilaterals | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Circles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Polygons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mensuration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Number Systems | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 27 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Properties & Simplification | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Divisibility Rules | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Remainders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| HCF & LCM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number System Conversion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Modern Mathematics | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
| Miscellaneous (Modern Math) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Permutation, Comb & Probability | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Set Theory | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Source: YouTube
Ques. What is the Algebra vs Arithmetic weightage in CAT QA?
Ans. Arithmetic always has the highest weightage, with 35–42% and about 8–9 questions per test. Some topics like TSD, Work, Percentages, and Profit & Loss are important. Algebra follows with 30–35% and about 6–8 questions per test. Some topics like Equations, Inequalities, Functions, and Sequences are important. Together, they contribute to 70% of the CAT QA section.
CAT Last 5 Years Syllabus- VARC
Some topics in the QA section in the syllabus for CAT in the last 5 years include Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
|
| Verbal Ability |
|
Source: YouTube
CAT Last 5 Years High-Weightage Topic- VARC
The CAT pattern over the last 5 years in the VARC section shows reading comprehension and verbal ability.
- Science and technology had 23% weightage in RC in the CAT over the last 5 years, with social science and history having 8 questions.
- Para summary had 33% weightage in verbal, and para jumbled had 25% weightage in the VA section.
| Chapter Name | CAT 2021 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | ||
| Reading Comprehension | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 60 |
| Science and Technology | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| Environment and Life Science | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Social Science and History | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Art and Abstract | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Economics and Management | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Literature | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Philosophy | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Contemporary | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Psychology | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Politics | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Verbal Ability | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 120 |
| Para Summary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 39 |
| Para Jumbles | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 30 |
| Missing Sent/Para Completion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 27 |
| Odd One Out | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
Source: YouTube
Ques. What is the weightage for Para Summary and Odd One Out in CAT VARC?
Ans. About 8-12% of the VARC section will have Para Summary and Odd One Out. Para Summary will have 2 questions per test, about 8% total VARC weightage. Odd One Out will have 0 to 1 question, about 0–4% total weightage; often cancelled or alternated with Para Completion
CAT Last 5 Years Syllabus- DILR
Some topics in the QA section in the syllabus for CAT in the last 5 years include Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning |
|
| Data Interpretation |
|
Source: YouTube
CAT Last 5 Years High-Weightage Topic- DILR
The CAT over the last 5 years pattern in the DILR section shows Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number Systems, and Modern Mathematics.
- Puzzles and seating arrangements have seen an increase in seats in the CAT over the last 5 years, for 2024-2025.
- Line graphs and charts and data tabulation formed the second pillar of DI and are now termed as missing data puzzles.
| Chapter Name | CAT 2021 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | ||
| Logical Reasoning | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 36 |
| Analytical Reasoning | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Puzzles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Logical Reasoning | ||||||||||||||||
| Mathematical Reasoning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Games & Tournaments | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sitting / Standing Arrangement | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Order & Ranking | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Set Theory (LR) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Group Arrangement | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Binary & Conditional Logic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Data Interpretation | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
| Logic Based DI | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Line & Bar Charts | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Data Tabulation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Caselets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Pie Charts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: YouTube
CAT Last 5 Years High-Weightage Topic FAQs
Ques. Which topics are given high weightage in CAT 2026?
Ans. The highest weightage topics are RC for VARC, Arithmetic and Algebra for QA, and DI for DILR. RC has 67% of the VARC section weightage with 16 questions across 4 sets. Arithmetic and algebra form 70% of the CAT over the last 5 years pattern and will be enough to clear the QA cutoff. DILR includes arrangements and Analytical Reasoning, Puzzles, and Mathematical Reasoning. Games & Tournaments and Order & Ranking.
Ques. What are the CAT last 5 years topic-wise weightage for VARC, DILR and QA?
Ans. For VARC, RC will comprise about 67% of the sections, followed by VA with 33 % weightage. For DILR, LR & Puzzles will comprise about 50–60%, and Tables, Charts & Graphs will comprise about 40–50%. For QA, Arithmetic will comprise about 35–40%, Algebra with 25–30%, Geometry will comprise about 15–20%, and Number System & Modern Math will comprise about 10–15%.
Ques. What is the CAT DILR year-wise topic analysis 2020-2025?
Ans. In 2020, there were 24 questions with 5 sets. High focus on Venn diagrams, arrangements, scheduling, and multi-table DI. From 2021–2023, there were 20 questions with 4 sets. More of hybrid Quant-based Reasoning, Games & Tournaments, and Networks. For 2024–2025, there were 22 questions with 5 sets and dominated by LR puzzles, selection/rankings, and reasoning-driven DI.
Ques. Which year had the toughest CAT paper?
Ans. CAT 2023 has recorded the toughest slot till now, with SLOT 3 being the hardest. QA recorded very difficult questions and tricky DILR sets. Slot 3 recorded 41-42 marks for the 99th percentile in 2023 over CAT over the last 5 years. There were unconventional questions, a paper leak controversy, and a very low percentile average.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.