Important formulas or CAT exam (Quantitative Aptitude) are listed here. In the last few days before the exam, CAT 2024 aspirants must make sure that they are thorough with these CAT formulas in order to solve the Quantitative Aptitude accurately and score above 99 percentile. Check here CAT Important formulas.
Being thorough with CAT important formulas is extremely necessary for aspirants if they want to score 99+ percentile in the exam. In CAT and other MBA entrance exams, Quantitative Aptitude is an important section, there are about 20 Quants questions in every exam and are usually of higher difficulty level than VARC or DILR.
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CAT Quantitative Aptitude is a calculation intensive section and one needs to be thorough with the basic concepts, theorems and formulae of the topics. The CAT quant topics include Number Systems, Profit, Loss and Discount, LCM and HCF, Time and Work, Averages, Logarithm, Surds and Indices, Probability, Set Theory & Function, Trigonometry, Permutation & Combination, Co-ordinate Geometry, Mensuration, etc. All these topics have certain formulae on the basis of which the questions can be solved.
Q: What are the CAT exam slot timings?
Q: Will CAT exam 2024 also be conducted in three shifts?
Yes, the CAT 2024 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 guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-9 pandemic appropriate behaviour had to be followed at public places and gatherings, the examination authorities increased the number of exam slots to ensure a limited number of candidates can be accommodated at any exam centre in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with gap. Since then, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2024 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order. The CAT exam slot timings will be - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Q: What is the CAT 2024 exam date?
The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November every year so the CAT 2024 exam is expected to be conducted on Nov 24, 2024. Official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will be made by the convening IIM on Jul 30, 2024. The announcement will be made at the iimcat.ac.in website as well as in all the national dailies across India. We at Shiksha also notify the aspirants through our communication channels. Registrations cum application process for CAT 2024 will begin from the first week of August and end in the third week of September 2024.
Check below CAT exam dates for last five years:
- CAT 2023: November 26
- CAT 2022: November 27
- CAT 2021: November 28
- CAT 2020: November 29
- CAT 2019: November 24
All these CAT exam topics can be mastered only by understanding their application which is possible only with practicing questions regularly. But for that, you need to understand and memorise important Quant formulas. The CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions cannot be solved without applying formulas correctly. With only a few days to go for the CAT 2024 exam, as part of your revision process, you need a CAT formulas cheat sheet. To help you with this, we have listed below the most important formulas for CAT. Also find a CAT formula sheet PDF for download (free), for CAT 2024 preparation.
Also Read:
- CAT 2024: Last week Quantitative Aptitude Tips
- CAT 2024: Last week DILR Tips
- CAT 2024: Last week VARC Tips
CAT Important Formulas: Mensuration
There are a number of questions in CAT which belong to Mensuration. Thus, you need to know and memorise the following important CAT formulas for Mensuration
Triangle
Area = (1/2) × b × h
or
√[s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c)], where s = (a + b + c)/2
Square
Area = a × a
Perimeter = 4a
Rectangle
Area = lb
Perimeter = 2(l+b)
Cube
Volume: V = a3
Lateral surface area = 4a²
Surface Area: S = 6a2
Diagonal (d) = √3 a
Cuboid
Volume of cuboid: lbh
Total surface area = 2 (lb + bh + hl) or 6l2
Length of diagonal =√(l² + b² + h²)
Q: What are the items to carry on the CAT exam day?
Q: What are the dos and don'ts for CAT exam day?
Q: What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?
Q: Which IIM will conduct CAT 2024 exam?
The top 6 Indian Institute of Management are given the responsibility to conduct the Common Admission Test exam. Each of the top Indian Institutes of Management conducts the exam rotation-wise after a gap of five years. The responsibility to conduct the CAT 2023 was given to IIM Lucknow. Professor Sanjeet Singh had been appointed as the CAT convener. For CAT 2024, IIM Calcutta will be the exam convening institute. IIM Calcutta will be responsible for preparation and conduct of the exam without glitches, in collaboration with TCS for test labs and centres. The institute will design the question papers, exam pattern and guidelines, as well as manage the conduct of exam and preparation of admit card, answer key and result.
CAT Conducting Indian Institute of Management Over the Years:
- 2023: IIM Lucknow
- 2022: IIM Bangalore
- 2021: IIM Ahmedabad
- 2020: IIM Indore
- 2019: IIM Kozhikode
- 2018: IIM Calcutta
- 2017: IIM Lucknow
- 2016: IIM Bangalore
- 2015: IIM Ahmedabad
- 2014: IIM Indore
- 2013: IIM Indore
- 2012: IIM Kozhikode
- 2011: IIM Calcutta
- 2010: IIM Lucknow
- 2009: IIM Ahmedabad
For more information, you may visit the Shiksha Common Admission Test page. (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam). I hope this will help you.
Circle
Area = πr² or πd²/4
Circumference = 2πr or πd
Area of sector of a circle = (θπr² )/360
Also Read:
CAT Important Formulas: Trigonometry
Here are important formulas for CAT Trigonometry section. Understand and memorise these formulas for solving Trigonometry questions of CAT Quantitative Aptitude.
Trigonometric Identities:
- Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse
- Secant = Hypotenuse/Adjacent
- Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse
- Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent
- Co−Secant = Hypotenuse/Opposite
- Co−Tangent = Adjacent/Opposite
The reciprocal identities are given as:
- cosec θ = 1/sin θ
- sec θ = 1/ cos θ
- cot θ = 1/tan θ
- sin θ = 1/cosec θ
- cos θ = 1/sec θ
- tan θ = 1/cot θ
CAT Important Formulas: Coordinate Geometry
Given below are the important CAT formulas for Coordinate Geometry. You need to be thorough with these formulas to be able to solve the problems accurately.
The Distance Between two Points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2):
AB² = (x2 – x1)² + (y2 – y1)²
The Midpoint of a Line Joining Two Points
The midpoint of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:
[(x1 + x2)/1, (y1 + y2)/2]
The Equation of a Line Using One Point and the Gradient
The equation of a line which has gradient m and which passes through the point (x1, y1) is:
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
CAT Important Formulas: Number Systems
Check below important CAT formulas for Number Systems. The questions on Number Systems asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT are based on these formulas.
- 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … + n = n(n + 1)/2
- (1² + 2² + 3² + ….. + n²) = n ( n + 1 ) (2n + 1) / 6
- (1³ + 2³ + 3³ + ….. + n³) = (n(n + 1)/ 2)²
- Sum of first n odd numbers = n²
- Sum of first n even numbers = n (n + 1)
Mathematical Formulas:
- (a – b)² = (a² + b² – 2ab)
- (a + b)² = (a² + b² + 2ab)
- (a + b)(a – b) = (a² – b²)
- (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)
- (a³ – b³) = (a – b)(a² + ab + b²)
- (a³ + b³) = (a + b)(a² – ab + b²)
- (a³ + b³ + c³ – 3abc) = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² – ab – bc – ac)
- When a + b + c = 0, then a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc
- (a + b)n = an + (nC1)an-1 b + (nC2)an-2 b² + … + (nCn-1)abn-1 + bn
CAT Important Formulas: Profit, Loss and Discount
Check below important CAT formulas for Profit, Loss and Discount. Memorizing these formulas will be helpful to you for solving CAT questions based on the topic.
- Profit (or) Gain = SP – CP
- Profit % = (Profit/CP) × 100
- SP = (100 + gain % )/100 × CP
- CP = 100/(100 + gain %) × SP
- Loss = CP – SP
- Loss % = Loss/(CP) × 100
- SP = (100 – loss %)/100 × CP
- CP = 100/(100 – loss %) × SP
CAT Important Formulas: LCM and HCF
Given below are the important CAT formulas you need to know to solve LCM and HCF questions of Quantitative Aptitude section of the exam.
LCM × HCF = Product of the numbers
LCM of co-prime numbers = Product of the numbers
CAT Important Formulas: Speed, Time and Distance
Given below are the important CAT formulas that you should memorise to solve Speed, Time and Distance questions of the Quantitative Aptitude section.
Distance = Speed × Time
Time = Distance/Speed
Speed= Distance/Time
CAT Important Formulas: Percentages
To solve Percentages questions of CAT exam, you need to know the following formulas:
To find what percentage of x is y: (y/x) × 100
Increase N by S % = N(1+ S/100 )
Decrease N by S % = N (1 – S/100)
CAT Important Formulas: Time and Work
To solve Time and Work questions of CAT exam, understand and memorise the following formula:
If X can do a piece of work in n days, then X’s 1 day’s work = 1/n
If X’s 1 day’s work =1/n, then X can finish the work in n days.
CAT Important Formulas: Averages
Given below is the formula for Averages. To solve CAT questions based on Averages, you must know these formulas.
Average = (Sum of observations/Number of observations)
CAT Important Formulas: Simple and Compound Interest
Simple and Compound Interest questions are always there in CAT. To solve the Simple and Compound Interest questions accurately, you should memorise these formulas.
Interest compounded Annually:
Amount= P (1+ R/100)n
Interest compounded half-yearly:
Amount= P (1+R/2) 2n
100
Interest compounded quarterly:
Amount= P (1+R/2) 4n
100
When interest is compounded annually but time is in fraction:
Amount= P (1+ R)3 X P (1+R/2) 4n
100 100
When rates are different for different years, say R1%, R2%, R3% for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, respectively.
Amount= P (1+R1) + P (1+R2) + P (1+R3)
100 100 100
Present worth of Rs. x due n years hence is given by:
Present worth= _______x_________
P (1+R3)
100
CAT Important Formulas: Probability
Given below is the formula that you must memorise for solving CAT questions on Probability.
Sample Space: When we perform an experiment, then the set S of all possible outcomes is called the sample space.
Event: Any subset of a sample space is called an event.
The probability of Occurrence of an Event:
Let S be the sample and E be an event.
Therefore, P(E) =n(E) / n(S)
CAT Important Formulas: Logarithm
To crack the questions based on Logarithm, here are the important CAT formulas you need to know:
- loga (xy) = loga x + loga y
- loga (x/y) = loga x – loga y
- logx x = 1
- loga 1 = 0
- loga (xn) = n(loga x)
- loga x = 1/(logx a)
- loga x = (logb x)/(logb a) = (log x)/(log a)
CAT Important Formulas: Set Theory and Function
Given below are the important CAT formulas for Set Theory and Function. If you are thorough with these formulas, you can solve all the questions.
De Morgan’s Law:
(A ∩ B) ‘ = A’ U B’ and (A U B)’ = A’ ∩ B’
The relation R ⊂ A × A is said to be called as:
- Reflexive Relation: If aRa ∀ a ∈ A.
- Symmetric Relation: If aRb, then bRa ∀ a, b ∈ A.
- Transitive Relation: If aRb, bRc, then aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A.
If any relation R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive in a given set A, then that relation is known as an equivalence relation.
Permutation Formula: A permutation is the choice of r things from a set of n things without replacement. Order matters in permutation.
Combination Formula: A combination is the choice of r things from a set of n things without replacement. The order does not matter in combination.
CAT Important Formulas: Mixtures and Alligations
To solve questions on Mixtures and Alligations, you must be thorough with the formula given below:
Rule of Alligation:
If two ingredients are mixed, then
(Quantity of cheaper / Quantity of dearer) = (C.P. of dearer – Mean Price / Mean price – C.P. of cheaper)
Check below PDF for CAT formulas cheat sheet:
Download CAT Formula Sheet PDF |
Get free CAT mock tests by Shiksha below:
CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2-Solutions |
Read More:
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Questions and Answers for Practice - 1
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Solutions for Practice - 2
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Student Forum
Answered 13 hours ago
GNIOT CAT cutoff 2024 is yet to be released. However, in 2023, MBA cutoff for the unreserved category stood at 25. Over the period of three years, the CAT cutoff remained constant. Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out CAT percentile till 2023:
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
Every year, over 2 Lacs candidates appear for the CAT exam and about 10-14 test takers score 100 percentile. In CAT 2024, the number of 100 percentiler was 11, and in CAT 2023 the number of 100 percentilers was 14. In CAT 2022, the number of 100 percentilers was 11. In CAT 2021, only 9 candidates sc
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, it is possible to score 99.99 percentile in CAT in first attempt. Many candidates have scored 99.99 percentile in their first attempt in previously. But for that one needs to have a preparation strategy which is comprehensive and covers all the aspects of CAT. Apart from covering CAT syllabus t
M
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates can take reference of subjects and topics from CAT study material for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude, but XAT preparation has to be exam specific and must include exam specific study material. Aspirants can use CAT sample questions too for practice purpose,
E
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 days ago
XAT syllabus for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude are same as CAT syllabus. Decision Making and General Knowledge syllabus are not a part of CAT syllabus. Thus, XAT aspirants have to study more than CAT aspirants, which is why one needs to have a XAT specific preparation
N
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, candidates can do PGDM courses from SSIM Hyderabad without CAT entrance exam. The institute alsp accepts percentile ad scores of other national entrance exams such as XAT/MAT/CMAT/ATMA/GMAT/State Government Exam. Additionally, the other factors considered are academic performance, SOP, work exp
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
No, it is not wise to attempt a CAT mock test, just before the exam. Candidates must practice only one CAT mock test just before the exam; not to check his control over topics but to keep the confidence of time management high. Any candidate who has practiced a good number of mock tests will be able
N
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, it is possible to prepare for CAT exam with mock tests only if you have appeared for the exam previously and have complete control on the topics included in the CAT syllabus. But if you are a first timer, you need to first complete the syllabus, understand each and every topic and then practice
A
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For examp
A
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 days ago
CAT exam has sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section and as soon as the time gets over, the test screen moves to the new section. So, it is very important that a candidate uses 40 minutes to attempt the questions correctly and optimally. RC passages are long and dense. Sometimes, DI or LR que
What is the cutoff of GNIOT for 2023 admission?