CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude: Check Topic Wise Tips, Online Resources, Books, and Study Plan

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CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude should be focused on important topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Logarithms, Number Systems, Modern Maths, Geometry, Mensuration, etc. Aspirants must note that CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus is not prescribed by the exam conducting body. Hence, candidates must devise CAT preparation plan as the weightage of important topics in CAT question paper. Based on CAT QA Paper Analysis of the previous year, this section is of easy-moderate difficulty with a few lengthy questions. Download CAT QA Question Papers

CAT books to prepare for CAT QA section is How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma and NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 to 10).
One of the most common mistakes to avoid while preparing for CAT Quant is that candidates take too long to solve one question. Avoid that and prepare accordingly. Read More CAT Important Books

Table of ContentsTable of Content

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Highlights
Hourly Time Table for CAT QA Section?
Division of QA Syllabus for CAT Preparation
Topic Wise CAT QA Preparation Tips
4.1 How to Prepare for CAT Arithmetic?
4.2 How to Prepare for CAT Number System?
4.3 How to Prepare for CAT Geometry?
4.4 How to Prepare for CAT Algebra?
Best Books for CAT Quantitative Aptitude
5.1 CAT Study Material for QA
Mistakes to avoid in CAT Quant Section
Topper Tips to Attempt CAT QA Section
Frequently Asked Questions

Read the article to know more about CAT QA Preparation tips and plans.

CAT QA Highlights

CAT Preparation Quantitative Aptitude Highlights

Here are all the necessary details candidates need to know about CAT QA Exam Pattern:

Pattern	Details
Total Questions in CAT Quantitative Aptitude Section	22
Total Marks in Quantitative Aptitude For CAT Section	66
Type of Questions in Quantitative Section	MCQs and TITA (non-MCQ)
Total MCQs in Quant for CAT Section	14-15
Total Non-MCQs (TITA) in QA Section	7-8
Difficulty in Quantitative Aptitude For CAT Section	Moderate

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CAT QA Time Table

Hourly Time Table for CAT Preparation of QA

Candidates can check the hourly timetable prepared for the convenience of the students. You can either follow this time or modify it as per your preparation plan.

Session No.	Topic	Time (Hours)
Session 1	Averages + Factors and Multiples	2 + 3
Session 2	Percentages + Remainders	2 + 2.5
Session 3	Profit & Loss + Number Theory - Miscellaneous	2 + 2.5
Session 4	Linear & Quadratic Equations + Number Theory - Different	2 + 2.5
Session 5	Ratio Proportion + Combinatorics - Basics	2.5 + 3
Session 6	Mixtures + Combinatorics - Probability	1.5 + 2
Session 7	Speed, Time & Distance + Combinatorics - Tougher Concepts	2.5 + 2
Session 8	Races + Set Theory	1.5 + 2
Session 9	Pipes & Cisterns + Other Topics	2 + As per requirement
Session 10	Simple & Compound Interest + Other Topics	2 + As per requirement
Total		20 + 20.5

Quick Links:

Tricks to Solve QA Questions in 1 Minute	Best Android Apps to Prepare For CAT	Online Preparation Tips and Resources for CAT

CAT QA Important Topics

Division of QA Syllabus for CAT Preparation

Candidates can divide the syllabus based on the number of questions asked from that topic in CAT exam. Based on the questions asked in previous years we have divided CAT syllabus into important topics, sub-topics and the expected number of questions that can be asked from that topic.

Important Topics	Sub Topics	Expected number of Question In CAT Exam
Arithmetic + Algebra	Numbers, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio, Time-Work, Mixtures, Averages, Partnership, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Proportionality, Time-Distance	10-11 + 5-6
Modern Mathematics	Probability, Set Theory, Progression and Series, Permutation and Combinations,	2-3
Geometry & Trigonometry	Co-ordinate Geometry, Line, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Height and Distance, Basic Trigonometry, Polygon, Circles, Ares, Volume,	3-4

CAT QA Preparation Plan

Topic Wise CAT QA Preparation Tips

As numerous MBA aspirants are registering for CAT every year, so the competition is very high over the years. So, well-focused and dedicated candidates for the exam with sincere preparation, are able to solve the question easily and score good percentile to get admission in the IIMs or any other prestigious B-School. To get more than 95 percentile in this subject, the candidate is advised to answer perfectly more than 15 questions.

How to Prepare for CAT Arithmetic?

Solving arithmetic questions with 100% will help you to score high marks in CAT.
Important topics that you need to focus on from this section are mentioned in the table below:

Important Topic	Preparation Tip
Percentages	Do not use a calculator while solving questions on percentages
Profit and Loss	Increase your speed to solve PL questions as they are easy and direct questions
SI & CI	Always remember that SI is a percentage increase and CI is the successive percentage increase
Ratios & Mixtures	Tricky questions
Averages, Speed, Time, Distance	Formulas to be revised again and again
Races, Pipes Cisterns & Time work	These topics require regular practice

How to Prepare for CAT Number System?

Number Systems is a vast topic and contributes around 1-3 questions in CAT. There are a range of topics under Number Systems - and Miscellaneous topics.

Important Topics	Preparation Tips
Factors and Multiples	Understand the basics to solve these questions
HCF and LCM	Learn the shortcut tips and tricks
Factorials, Base Systems, Remainders	Solve maximum number of questions

How to Prepare for CAT Geometry?

Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Co-Geometry hold a high weightage of questions in CAT.
Start from the above-mentioned topics then move towards Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry.

Important Topics	Preparation Tips
Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Co-Geometry	3-4 questions can be solved if you remember the angles, shapes, theorems, etc.
Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry	Can be solved if you know which particular theorem or idea could be applied to these questions

How to Prepare for CAT Algebra?

CAT Algebra is a vital topic and in this topic, you need to deal with variables like x’s, y’s, etc.
Do not get confused and devote 2 hours dails to this topic.

Important Topics	Preparation Tips
Linear & Quadratic Equations	Solve maximum number of questions to get familiar with equations
Inequalities	Learn the tricks to solve these questions
Functions, Progressions	Understand which method can be used to solve the questions before approaching

CAT QA Books

Best Books CAT 2022 Quantitative Aptitude

In fact, the best books for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude Section should be of the latest edition carrying the latest features as per the current CAT exam pattern with Quantitative Aptitude Questions and Answers. Now the question is- which is the best book for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT. Out of 35 odd CAT preparation books on Quant preparation, in the opinion of CAT toppers and experts is Quantitative Aptitude Book by Arun Sharma. Other best books for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT are:

Name of the Book	Name of the Author
NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 to 10)	NCERT
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT	Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT	Sarvesh Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	Abhijit Guha
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT	Nishit Sinha

CAT Study Material for QA

How to Prepare for CAT Mensuration?	How to Prepare for CAT Trigonometry?	Shortcut Methods for CAT QA
How to Prepare for CAT Modern Maths?	How to Prepare for CAT Number System?	CAT QA Solved Questions
How to Prepare for Mean Mode Median?	How to Prepare for CAT Binomial Theorem?	How to Prepare for Square & Cube Roots
How to Prepare for CAT Arithmetic?	How to Prepare for CAT Geometry?	How to Prepare for CAT Algebra?

Common Mistakes to avoid in CAT QA Section

As per CAT experts and Toppers’ statement following common mistakes are done usually made by candidates while attempting CAT aptitude test.

Do not attach to any question for more than 1.5 minutes – If one cannot understand where and how to start after reading the question for more than once, quickly give it a shot with not spending more than 90 seconds on it. The point is not to get entangled in the question and lose the track of your time.
Double-check while solving (to reduce errors and use this in formula-based questions) – When one has decided his formula and approach, just before he inserts the numbers from the question statement, verify the substitutions. This will reduce the chances of any silly mistakes that one might commit during the steps. Double check where one can.
Not able to decide when it is the right time to leave the question? – Identify early when to give up and move on to the next question. This might hurt ONE’s sentiment and ego a bit, but it is definitely not worse than leaving questions un-attempted towards the end. Do not let his emotions play havoc with his question paper. Do not get emotionally invested in a question: there is always another one waiting for him..
Not able to identify strength and weak areas – During the mock tests, identify one’s key strength topics that contribute the maximum towards one’s score and build a habit of solving those topics first. Do not waste time in the initial half of the hour in testing one’s ability on any untouched topics or weak areas that have not given any marks in the past. The first 40 minutes of the allotted time should be spent on hunting and striking down easy-medium questions to boost one’s score and confidence early in the test.
Keep the performances of sections independent of each other – If Quant is not the first section that appears on the screen (as has been the case for the past few years) please remain calm and composed and one should not be worried. Start the section with a fresh mind without feeling too nervous about the previous performance.

Quick Links:

CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Important Topics & Syllabus	CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Important Topics & Syllabus

CAT QA Toppers Tips

Topper Tips to Attempt CAT QA Section

Aakash Chaudhary who scored 99.86 percentile in QA suggests to focus on Arithmetic and Algebra and slove sectional mocks weekly. Read Full Interview
CAT 2021 Topper Palash Kashyap recommends making written notes of important formulas and tricks for Quantitative Aptitude preparation. Read Full Interview

Read Full Interview of more CAT Toppers:

CAT QA Preparation FAQs

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation FAQs

Ques: How do I prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Ans: To prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude, it is essential for you to know the complete syllabus and exam pattern. Choose the best books for preparation like Arun Sharma and NCERT. Dedicate more time to important topics like Arithmetic and Algebra. Solve as many mock tests as you can.

Ques: Why is CAT QA tough?

Ans: CAT QA is considered tough by most candidates because most of the questions do not have a direct application of the formulas. The questions tend to be lengthy and time consuming as well. However, with adequate practice, QA can be the most scoring section in CAT.

Ques: Will NCERT be enough for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Ans: No, NCERT will not be sufficient to prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude. It is essential that you refer to books like Arun Sharma, Nishit Sinha, and Sarvesh K. Verma for enhanced practice.

Ques: Is Arun Sharma good for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Ans: Arun Sharma is great study material for CAT Quantitative Aptitude. The examples given in this book are quite descriptive and easily understandable. The book is categorized into three difficulty levels to help you with structuring your preparation.

Ques: How to score 100 marks in QA?

Ans: To score 100 marks in QA, it is essential to develop a strong study strategy. To do this, you must know the weightage of all topics and focus more on the ones with higher weightage.

Ques: What are the online resources available for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Ans: Online resources are gaining great importance during the current times. They are usually more effective when coupled with regular study material. YouTube channels like Career Launcher and 2IIMCAT can be accessed for CAT QA preparation. Websites such as BodheePrep can be referred to for online study content.

CAT 2024 : 314 Answered QuestionsView All

• Top Answer By Ankit Sinha on 17-Nov-2022

Ans. Before taking any decision, you must go through all three options that you have in great detail. There are a few reasons why you should not go for IIM-Kozhikode. First, the fees are extremely high, estimated to be around Rs 19.00 lakh. Second, the average package offered at IIMK is around 16-17L, and you will earn more than that after two years. But, once again, if you are desperate for an MBA, you can enroll in IIMK, which comes with the 'IIM' label, which will be very useful in the long run. Give CAT once more. You only need to get a high CAT score and then leave the rest up to their selection process. Second, CAT is extremely unpredictable. With proper preparation, you can achieve excellent results. So, if you're willing to work another year and are confident enough to take the CAT, this is the perfect way to take it. You should look into PGPX from ISB or elsewhere. This option is appealing, but it requires hard work and careful consideration. If you enjoy working in IT and want to advance quickly, this is the path to take. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Orchid Chowdhury on 07-Dec-2021

Ans. Every IIMS and other management colleges make a shortlist based on the percentile after CAT result is declared. With percentile, IIMs also consider other factors like academics, category, gender factor, diversity, etc. The list is made for the second round i.e. GD/PI or WAT/PI. GD/WAT will have a generic topic. There can be a topic from current affairs. PI is taken by some of the faculty and alumni of the institute. In institutes like FMS, there is an extempore after PI. After these rounds, a final shortlist is made with weightage given to GD/PI or WAT/PI performance and CAT percentile. Individual IIMs also have some additional factors. The offer letters are then sent out to top candidates in each category up to the maximum number of seats. The rest candidates are waitlisted. As students choose admissions, the waitlist continues to change. Read more

1 Answer

• Top Answer By Aditya Mahatha on 06-Jan-2023

Ans. I know this decision is a bit difficult to make. What you need to keep in mind is that these two colleges should not be compared to other great IIMs or even ISBs. Those B Schools are at another level and cannot be on par with Kashipur or Raipur. To facilitate a better decision, I will mention the circumstances of these B Schools then you can choose after considering all options. IIM Indore and IIM Kashipur: Both these colleges are not worth a year drop as they will help you earn only an extra 1.5-2 LPA. Moreover, in the coming years, Kashipur and Raipur will have almost the same brand value as that Indore and Kozhikode. IIM Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow and Bangalore: All these top IIMs are definitely worth a year's drop provided that you are confident enough to cope with the cutoff. All these IIMs consider your academics while selecting so if that is your reason for the year drop I don’t think it will help. There is no surety of admission even after a percentile of 100. ISB: This one is at a whole different level and is in the category of elite B Schools like UCB, NYU, HBS, etc. The top-notch faculty offers amazing pedagogy at relatively low fees. CAT is sufficient for IIMs. But if you want to go for ISB, a work experience of 4+ years and a GMAT are a must. Read more

1 Answer

• Top Answer By Surbhi Mishra on 08-Jul-2022

Ans. IIMs shortlists students for admission based on their CAT score. The second step of selection is GD-PI. For final selection, students are usually shortlisted based on their past academic performance, entrance examination score, and performance in GD-PI. IIMs also consider other factors such as work experience, gender diversity, academic diversity, etc. while shortlisting students. Weights given to these factors are different for different IIMs. Having relevant work experience can certainly help you get a shortlist. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Ahana Mishra on 29-Nov-2022

Ans. Everyone knows that IIM A values diversity over grades. There have been students who were not even waitlisted at IIM K but were at IIM A due to their extremely unique profiles. If you want to build a profile for IIM A, strive for originality. Do something that no one else is doing, such as starting a blog, having a strong digital presence on Instagram, writing on Quora, and so on. Consider what students with a 99 percentile typically do, such as being brilliant in academics and receiving a call from IIM Ahmedabad. Choose a domain in which these students are unlikely to excel and excel in that domain. Furthermore, activities such as writing a blog or hosting a YouTube channel will undoubtedly help you, in the long run, to secure summer and final placements during your MBA. As a result, you will gain valuable insights and hands-on experience with various social media tools such as SEO, SEM, Analytics, and so on. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Abhiraj Mahera on 21-Apr-2022

Ans. If you are aiming for old IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, you will need to score above 99 percentile in CAT. For IIMs and other top-tier B-Schools in India, the CAT cutoff stays above 90 percentile. If you have a good profile, and 99+ CAT score, you can expect to get calls from old IIMs, XLRI, JBIMS, IIFT, FMS, etc. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Trisha Dasgupta on 21-Apr-2022

Ans. Here are some of the things that you will realize after appearing for the CAT examination. Spend the first few minutes going over the papers before diving in. Browse through the problems and start with the ones that you know you can solve in one go. CAT prioritizes solving not sequence. If you aren’t sure about an answer, leave it. Concentrate on other problems. You shouldn’t spend more than 2-3 minutes on a single problem. Don’t use the elimination method, if you can solve the problem in less than 1 minute. Do rough work thoroughly. Don’t answer any questions, just by guessing. There will be a few lengthy questions. Try to ignore these. Even CAT toppers don’t score the full marks. CAT doesn’t test your knowledge. The only thing matters are how much you score. So, try to attempt as many questions as you can correctly. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Arushi Sinha on 04-Sep-2022

Ans. You need to practice a lot in order to be able to solve Quantitative Aptitude in the CAT examination. Quants involve using mathematical ability as well as imagination. You need to memorize some concepts as well as formulas. CAT syllabus for Quants includes a lot of topics that we have studied in 9th and 10th and only the application is different for topics such as PNC & Algebra, Numbers, etc. Most important topics in terms of weightage are as follows. Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Numbers P&C, Series, Log Several chapters are easy and can be completed in a short period of time. You should start your preparation with numbers, it is the base for the quants topics. Once you are a clear knowledge of the topics, start giving time-based mocks. Analyze the mocks and work on the common mistakes that you made. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Rajashree Mukharjee on 27-Apr-2022

Ans. Yes, average students can crack CAT. Students who get through CAT at one go, have the right aptitude for CAT, which was built over time. They have been practicing Maths right from their school days and have been avid readers. If you are average at your studies, you need to spend a lot of time practicing, in order to score good percentile in CAT. Most students usually have gaps in Maths or DILR or English. You need to put in the extra hours to bridge the gap. Find out the subjects in which you are weak, clear the basics, and practice as much as you can. Read more

2 Answers

• Top Answer By Sohini Gupta on 27-Apr-2022

Ans. Take a look at the below table to know what CAT score will fetch what CAT percentile, for 2022. Percentile Score VA-RC Score DI-LR Score QA Overall Score 90% 29 1 26 72 95% 32 20 29 81 In 2021, for 90 percentile the required score was 59 and for 95 percentile the required score was 72. Read more

2 Answers

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College

Table of Contents

CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude: Check Topic Wise Tips, Online Resources, Books, and Study Plan

CAT Preparation Quantitative Aptitude Highlights

Hourly Time Table for CAT Preparation of QA

Division of QA Syllabus for CAT Preparation