CAT 2024: Last week preparation tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
Admit Card - 5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25
In the run up to CAT, every day is crucial. As the last week of CAT 2024 exam aprpoaches, give your preparation the final push. Read below key tips to prepare Quantitative Aptitude in the last week of CAT exam 2024.
To excel in the CAT 2024, mastering every section of the paper is extremely important. And there can be nothing better than practicing for each and every section over and over again. Every candidate prepares each section of the CAT for months in advance, however, the preparation doesn’t end till the last week of the exam, specially in Quantitative Aptitude section. As the CAT 2024 exam is just a few days away, aspirants need to chalk out a last mile CAT preparation plan.
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This year, there is no change in the exam pattern. So, check the last years' CAT question paper to get an idea of what to study and how much. Attempt the official CAT mock test too. Since CAT is a speed based test, the time management skill of the candidate will be tested in a big way, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude sections as there will be long and intensive calculations.
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of CAT is a well scoring section and while preparing for it, candidates must ensure that the preparations are done in such a manner that they can aim for maximum marks in this section. The CAT QA section will have 22 questions. The section will appear at the last and all the questions will be calculation intensive. By the time you reach this section, you may feel drained out due to heavy VARC and DILR. Wondering how to optimise performance in QA section of CAT 2024 exam? Shiksha tells you how to go about it.
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Last Week Tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation
Assess which short-cut method to use
In the last week before the CAT exam 2024, you should try and assess which short-cut method you should be using to answer the question in the least possible time. Talking about short-cut methods, there are five methods. Let us have a look at them:
| CAT Short-Cut Method |
How it Helps? |
|---|---|
| Direct method |
Questions can be solved by applying formula, using the information provided. |
| Substitution method |
Ideal for solving problems related to Algebra. Swapping values with each other can help get the answer to the question. |
| Elimination method |
One of the most-effective methods. Options give a hint of the answer – this comes with regular practice. However, this method won't work in non-MCQ questions. |
| Observation method |
Observing a repeated pattern can help in formalising the answer. |
| Simultaneous method |
Two methods can be used simultaneously. The first half of the question can be solved using one method, and the second half using another method. |
Focus on selection of CAT questions
More than using your intelligence, use your smartness while solving the QA section of CAT. In the last week of CAT 2024 preparation, start focusing on how to evaluate which question to attempt and which ones to reject. Nobody attempts all CAT questions as there is negative marking for wrong attempts. If you gain three marks in one question, but lose one mark in the next one, it will hamper your total score. Attempt a question only when you are very sure of the answer, otherwise skip it and move on to the next one.
Aim for maximum accuracy
While preparing for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section in the last week, start giving priority to accuracy. When choosing which question to attempt, do the same based on the accuracy level you can accomplish while solving the question. It is always wise to attempt 47-57 per cent of the paper with 80 per cent accuracy rather than attempting 80 per cent of the paper with 40-50 per cent accuracy.
Refine your speed of calculation
With regular practice, candidates know how to make calculations; now is the time to improve your speed of calculation. Start dividing your time and make the calculation within the stipulated time frame. This will allow you to finish the CAT 2024 question paper on time. Also, you can allocate more time to the difficult questions. Practice a couple of sectional CAT mock tests.
Check out Free CAT mock tests by Shiksha
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Revise the main concepts of CAT Quants topics
Dedicate the last week of CAT to revising the concepts of Mathematics. CAT exam has sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section, and some QA questions can be time taking. Having fresh memory of concepts and formulae will help you immensely in solving the question paper fast. If you are strong in mental calculation, you will be able to solve questions faster. Rough work may eat up time.
Read more:
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
- How to Crack CAT Logical Reasoning
- Time Management in CAT QA and DI
- Challenges of Data Interpretation in CAT
- Six Strategies of Quant Preparation for CAT
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