To crack the CAT exam with high percentile, aim to crack Quantitative Aptitude will 100 percent score as it is the only section where you can get a perfect 100. Shiksha brings to you a list of strategies to keep in mind while preparing for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude is the most scoring section of the exam. However, to crack this section one needs to work upon their Mathematical skills a lot. The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT carries about 22 questions from Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry and Modern Maths. These are the topics that we all have studied in school so most of us have the conceptual knowledge. But in CAT, the questions are of advanced level. Candidates need to learn these topics all over again to recall and understand the basics and application again. Not only that, a good number of practice is required to crack CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.MBA aspirants appearing for CAT 2024 must begin test-based preparation, focused on handling of the question paper in the limited time frame. As per the chronology of the CAT question paper, aspirants will have to start from Section 1, which is, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, then move on to Section 2, which is, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and then Section 3, which is, Quantitative Aptitude. There are few things that you can include in your CAT preparation plan for a better outcome. Shiksha brings to you a list of strategies one must keep in mind while preparing for CAT Quantitative Aptitude.
Q: When should I start preparing for CAT exam?
Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2025, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.
The most important things to keep in mind are:
- CAT exam mode is online
- Each question carries three marks
- There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts
The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:
- Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high
Q: Is CAT exam tough for an average student?
CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Six Strategies for Quantitative Aptitude Preparation for CAT 2024
The CAT exam pattern hasn't changed since 2021. The test is conducted for 2 hours and there are 66 questions in total. Quants sections has 22 questions to be solved in 40 minutes. The difficulty level of the CAT is usually high and CAT 2024 will not be any different.
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CAT Quant Preparation: No New Strategy Required
According to MBA expert Pratik Gaur, “The student should continue with the preparation but with a focus on the test taking strategy. He/she should devise a plan for the sections which are now time bound.” Thus, channelise your energies in practicing within the time limit allotted to QA section (40 minutes) rather than working upon new exam strategy for CAT exam.
CAT Quant Preparation: On-Screen Calculator
As CAT 2024 will be conducted in online mode, aspirants taking the exam should be well-versed with computer based mode of the examination. Aspirants cannot carry their own calculator but will be provided on-screen calculator. Although the CAT QA section is calculation centric, aspirants are advised to use calculator only when required. Don’t rely on it. Develop mental calculation skills and keep practicing numerical problems through shortcuts and tricks.
Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?
Q: How would I know my CAT exam centre?
Candidates will know their allotted CAT exam centre only from the admit card. There is no way to know the test centre before the release of the CAT admit card. The examination authority allots a test centre to aspirants in the city of their first preference as mentioned in the city. So, candidates can atleast be assured that they will get a test centre in the city they had chosen as first preference in the CAT application form. However, the venue will be mentioned only on the candidate’s admit card. So as soon as the CAT admit card is released, candidates must check the test city and test centre details. In order to avoid any confusion, they must visit the centre at least once before the exam day.
Q: Which CAT exam slot is the toughest?
Q: What are the best ways to prepare for the DILR section?
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should be accustomed to the question types by going through previous years’ question papers and solving those. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is the key to excel in this area.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
Q: Is 6.5 CGPA good for CAT preparation?
CAT Quant Preparation: Select CAT Quant Questions Carefully
The unfortunate part of CAT Quantitative Aptitude section is that there are no non-MCQs so there is a danger of chances of more negative marking in this section as compared to VARC & DILR sections. So, CAT 2024 test takers are advised develop the skill of choosing the right questions to answer. This can be done by practicing sectional CAT mock tests. Note the type of questions that are your strength and choose only such questions to solve in CAT 2024 exam.
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT Quant Preparation: Practice Mock Tests
CAT mock test plays a vital role in exam preparation. It helps the candidate in getting familiar with the CAT exam pattern and structure and at the same time, help them develop speed and accuracy. CAT aspirants are advised to start attempting at least one QA sectional test every week. This will help them in getting exposure of different types of Quants questions and get into the exam mode. The official CAT mock test is also released a month before the exam. Aspirants must attempt the official CAT mock test at least once to get the hang of the actual exam.
Free Shiksha CAT Mock Test for Practice
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CAT Quant Preparation: Learn Quant Shortcuts & Tricks
Even though calculator will be available to the students in the CAT 2024, they must still learn shortcuts and tricks for quant section to save precious time. Remember, CAT is a speed based test where you are racing against time. Since, Quantitative Aptitude is the last section of the exam, one is bound to get exhausted and that can affect their speed. So instead of relying on calculator, use your brain. But for that, you’ll need to develop shortcuts and tricks to arrive at accurate answers without actually doing the calculation. So, one thing every candidate must do is memorise Tables up to 20, Square, Square Roots, Cube, Cube Root and other such Mathematical values.
Mentor at coaching centres also provide key tips and shortcuts for getting correct answers faster than the normal way of solving it. You can also check for these in online study forums and communities.
Also Read:
- How to approach Quant section of CAT
- How to prepare for QA section of CAT 2024
- Master the secret of acing in Quantitative Ability in CAT
Quant Books Other Than Coaching Material
After completing prescribed books, practice from a few other CAT study material and CAT mock test from other resources. This will help in strengthening the basics in quant and further improve problem solving skills. Here’s a list of popular Quantitative Aptitude books for CAT preparation:
- NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
Also Read:
CAT Percentile Predictor
CAT College Predictor
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 14 hours ago
Hey! I've been in your shoes, so I totally get how you're feeling right now. Scoring the 78 percentile in CAT is a solid achievement, and you might be wondering whether it's enough to get into PIBM Pune. Let me tell you, PIBM looks beyond just numbers—they focus on your overall profile rather than j
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Beginner-Level 5
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No, your CAT 2026 attempt will not be considerd a gap year because you will be in your final year when you take the exam in November 2026.
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The admission threshold at top IIMs based on CAT scores stands higher than 50 percent hence students with this percentile will have access to other acclaimed B-schools. These colleges form a list of institutions that could accept your application for admission:
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Yes, students can get admission at Centre for Liberal and Advanced Studies MBA without CAT. The institute accepts admisison based on entrance exams. The institute accepts other national exams such as MAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. Candidates can appear on any of the exams accepted the institute. It is
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Answered 6 days ago
Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing gui
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, candidates can get into the Vidyasagar University MBA course with the CAT percentile. As per the admission guidelines of the university, candidates are shortlisted for the MBA course based on multiple national-level exams such as MAT/XAT/ ATMA/ CMAT. Candidates must make sure to apply for the e
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Answered a week ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for admission to AIMS Mumbai. Aspirants with a valid score in any of the accepted entrance exam such as XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAH CET, etc. can get admission provided they also fulfil the eligibility requirements. Candidates need to provide the entrance exam score in the applica
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Contributor-Level 10
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Mewar University MBA course admission is entrance-based. Candidates must participate in national-level exams such as CUET-PG, MAT, CMAT, CUET, and MUEE. Therefore, candidates can get admission to the MBA course without a CAT score since candidates can opt for any on of the entrance exams mentioned a
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Contributor-Level 7
Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not.
Divide your preparation into two phases -
The CAT syllabus includes the following topics:
You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation: