CAT (common admission test) exam has 3 sections

English

Problem Solving (MATH)

DI-DS-LR

Previous year analysis

Subject 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Reading comprehension 50 50 50 40 50 Circles 50 79

Problem solving 50 50 50 35 50 Circles 50 55

DI-DS-LR 50 50 50 38 50 Circles 50 31

Total questions 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 165

SECTION I.ENGLISH
English section again has 2 parts
I. Verbal Ability

Questions on Verbal ability are asked in two formats viz.
1.Vocabulary Based
Questions on vocabulary would not be straight synonyms or antonyms. The types of questions would be either odd word out, analogies, fill in the blanks or any other innovative type
2.Grammar based

Grammar is tested either through sentence correction, error identification or fill in the blanks.

II. Reading Comprehension R C

Reading Comprehension: Typically there are around 5 to 6 passages followed with 5 to 6questions per passage. Each of the passages would be of around 800 to 1300 words. The questions are a good mix of fact based and inference based.

RC passages are long and often based on unfamiliar topics. The basic idea is to test your speed and comprehension skills.

Section 2 Problem Solving (MATH)

Problem Solving CAT problem solving questions are designed more to test your understanding of underlying mathematical concepts than to test your ability to actually carry out quantitative procedures accurately. Fortunately for many test takers, advanced quantitative topics, such as trigonometry and calculus, are not tested on the CAT. To score well, you only need to be familiar with basic arithmetic, geometry, and algebra, as taught at the high school level. Any decent CAT prep book will cover these quantitative concepts.

Circles Numbers

Circles + Polygons Numeric logic

Circles + Similarity Permutations

Combinations Quadratic equations

Equations Ratios

Functions Sequence, Series & Progressions

Logarithm Sequences

Logic Solids

Maxima and Minima Triangles

Mensuration TSD

Mensuration + Progression TSD + Progression

Section 3 DI-DS-LR

DI-DS-LR Section has 3 parts

Data interpretation (DI)

Data Interpretation tests how well one can interpret information from raw data given. Second skill tested is if one can do calculations without the help of a calculator and that too fast enough.

Bar Chart

Geometrical diagrams

Scatter Diagram

Table – Missing Data

Table

Data sufficiency (DS)

CAT test writers use data sufficiency questions to test your ability to "reason quantitatively." This stands in sharp contrast to the problem solving section, which is designed to test how well you manipulate numbers. If you find yourself doing a lot of number crunching on the data sufficiency questions, you are doing something wrong.

Equations

Numeric logic

Percentages

Logical reasoning (LR)

You can think of critical reasoning questions as, essentially, mini reading comprehension questions. These questions tend to follow passages that are one paragraph in length. These questions primarily test the analytical and critical thinking skills that admissions committees so badly want to see in their applicants.

Matrix Arrangement

Number Puzzle

Numeric Puzzle

Subject	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
Reading comprehension	50	50	50	40	50	Circles	50	79
Problem solving	50	50	50	35	50	Circles	50	55
DI-DS-LR	50	50	50	38	50	Circles	50	31
Total questions	150	150	150	150	150	150	150	165

Circles	Numbers
Circles + Polygons	Numeric logic
Circles + Similarity	Permutations
Combinations	Quadratic equations
Equations	Ratios
Functions Sequence,	Series & Progressions
Logarithm	Sequences
Logic	Solids
Maxima and Minima	Triangles
Mensuration	TSD
Mensuration + Progression	TSD + Progression