How to prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude? Tips and Tricks
Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )
Candidates preparing for CAT 2024 must read below to know key tips and tricks for Quantitative Aptitude section of the exam. Aspirants will need these quick tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude on the exam day for solving the questions quickly and accurately.
CAT exam is considered to be a tough entrance exam, mainly because its Quants questions pose challenge to both Engineering and non-Engineering candidates. Quantitative Aptitude is one of the toughest section of CAT for most students as is it calculation and formula based. CAT Quantitative Aptitude or Quant comprises numerous theorems, formulas and long calculations.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.This section of the CAT exam requires extra attention from students of non-Engineering background as they leave Maths after class 12. Even for candidates with Engineering background, it is tough to crack this question, if they haven't done enough practice. Since this is one of the challenging sections of CAT exam, candidates must learn shortcuts and tricks that can help them save time and develop accuracy. Read below in detail to know how to prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
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.
Also Read:
- CAT preparation 2024: Tips and strategy
- Master the secret of acing in Quantitative Ability in CAT
- CAT 2024 preparation: How to approach Quant section
- Six strategies for CAT Quant preparation
How to Prepare for CAT 2024: Quantitative Aptitude
It has been proven that it is possible to score 100 percentile in CAT Quantitative Aptitude section. Many candidates in the previous years have scored 100 percentile in this section. So, it is possible this year too. CAT 2024 question paper will see around 22 questions on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Mathematics. Focus more on Arithmetic chapters as the CAT question paper is usually dominated by this topic.
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One thing that most candidates miss out in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is accuracy. Rather than focusing on the number of questions attempted, one must focus on accuracy of solutions. So even if you do not attempt all the CAT questions, you can still score great marks in the section. To get a better understanding of the difficulty level of the Quantitative Aptitude, let us have a look at the CAT exam pattern:
| CAT Exam Features |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Details |
|---|---|
| Total number of Questions in QA |
22 |
| Type of Questions in QA |
MCQs, no negative marking |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+3 |
| Negative Marks for Each Wrong Answer |
-1 |
| Difficulty Level of QA |
Generally Moderate to High |
Quantitative Aptitude Questions Expected in CAT 2024 Question Paper
Based on the last year's CAT question paper, we have estimated the topic wise break up of Quantiative Aptitude section of CAT 2024. Take a look at the table below:
| CAT QA Topics |
No. of Questions |
Ideal Attempt |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
11 |
7-9 |
| Algebra |
5 |
2 -3 |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
3 |
2 |
| Number System |
2 |
1-2 |
| Modern Math |
1 |
0-1 |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2024
Shiksha brings to you some tips and tricks on how to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2024:
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?
Begin with the basics
The key to excel in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is to get the basics right. It is extremely important have conceptual clarity of QA topics and know the formulae by heart. Start learning the concepts that can help you save time while attempting Quantitative Aptitude questions. Once your concepts are clear, start attempting practice questions. Practice a large number and a variety of CAT Quantitative questions to gain control on all topics. Start by attempting easy questions first, and then move on to the difficult ones.
Also Read:
| Permutation and Combination | Probability | Simple Interest Formulae |
| Square Root and Cube Root | Mean, Mode, Median | Mensuration Formulae |
| Binomial Theorem | ||
Use shortcuts to solve CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions
Once you are confident of the concepts, switch to learning shortcuts of solving QA questions. Mental calculation is one of the best ways to solve Quants questions quickly. Work towards it. When attempting the questions, use shortcuts to reach the answer instead of using long methods. This will save time and will ensure accuracy.
Plan your CAT Quantitative Aptitude schedule
CAT Quantitaitve Aptitude requires a lot of practice, and creating a schedule is of utmost importance. Each topic of QA needs enough attention and time. Spread out the CAT syllabus equally so that do not miss out any important topic. One of the tricks here is to identify your weak areas and devote more time to that topic. Create a day-wise schedule and stick to it.
Attempt a range of CAT mock tests
There is nothing better than attempting previous years' CAT question papers and mocks tests as possible. The more you practice, the better you get! A mock test can help an individual analyse his/her performance in the section. This can help in assessing your shortcomings and which topics need practice.
Pay attention to sectional time limit
Time management plays an important role in CAT. The exam has sectional limit of 40 minutes for each section. While attempting mock tests, do not focus only on attempting the question. Focus on both speed and accuracy. It is advised to keep two minutes for every question in the CAT exam. In case it is taking more than two minutes to solve a particular question, it is advisable to move on to the next one.
CAT 2024 will be conducted on November 24 in three sessions. There is no change in the CAT exam pattern. Candidates appearing for the exam must keep the above mentioned points in mind while preparing for the Quant section. Regular practice and revision of important formulas can ensure a good score in CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
| VARC preparation tips for MBA | DILR preparation tips for MBA |
Also Read:
- How To Prepare for CAT 2024: Preparation Tips & Strategies
- How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 6 Months
- Best Books for CAT Preparation 2024
- CAT Preparation Tips by Toppers
- CAT Preparation Tips by Experts
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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: