CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Score 25+ Marks & Get 95+ Percentile
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 admit card download
4 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26
CAT Quantitative Aptitude has the potential of getting 100 percentile. If not 100, then 95+ percentile is very much possible. You should know how much and what to prepare. Here’s a plan for scoring 25+ marks in CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude and get 95+ percentile.
How to score 95+ percentile in CAT Quant section
Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT appears at the end and 22 calculation intensive questions may feel exhausting after heavy VARC and DILR questions. Moreover, the difficulty level of the section of CAT is high. Despite being tough, CAT Quants questions have the potential of 100 percent accuracy, more than VARC or DILR. If you can crack the basics of CAT Quantitative Aptitude, it can yield best results. What it requires is smart planning and consistent practice.
There are 22 questions in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT exam and an attempt of 10-12 questions can easily get you 95+ percentile. Maximum questions are asked from Arithmetic. In fact, it has been seen in the past few years, that 7-8 questions are asked from Arithmetic. So, if you are planning to appear for CAT 2026 exam on November 29, you should know what to do. Focus on main topics. Here’s CAT 2026 quant strategy to score 25+ marks and get 95+ percentile.
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude: Key Points
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude: Important Topic
- CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Score 25+ Marks
- CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Get 95+ Percentile
CAT Quantitative Aptitude: Key Points
CAT Quantitative Aptitude section is always dominated by Arithmetic questios. Out of 22 questions, 7-8 are based on Arithmetic. The next main topic is Algebra. There are usually 5-7 questions on Algebra in each slot of the CAT exam. Now, that the exam is less than a month away, change your strategy and focus on these to strengthen your hold on thesw topics. Practice sectional mocks for quants as you need to have speed and accuracy and the question can be time consuming.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude: Important Topic
CAT syllabus 2026 for Quantitative Aptitude mainly has four main topics – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths. Keep your focus on Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry.
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
|
|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
Averages, Mean Median Mode, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance |
| Algebra |
Basics Algebraic Formulae, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minima, Higher Degree Equations, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The Smallest Value in a Maximum Function |
| Number System |
Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Fermat’s Theorem, Euler’s Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson’s Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition / Subtraction / Multiplication in different bases |
| Geometry |
Lines and Angles, Triangles – Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles, Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration – 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry |
| Modern Maths |
Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability |
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CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Score 25+ Marks
In the last few years, questions have been asked from Factors, Log, Linear Equations, Functions, Inequality, Time Speed Distance, T&W, Simple Interest Compound Interest, Percentage, Ratio, PLD, Mixture, Maxima/Minima, P&C, Circle, Polygon and Coordinate Geometry. To score 25+ marks in Quantitative Aptitude, you should choose questions from your strength areas.
- We have already indicated that during CAT 2026 exam preparation, your focus should be on Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry. To strengthen these, work on conceptual clarity.
- Algebra and Geometry are all about theorems so memorise them by heart. Understand the basic formulas of Arithmetic clearly for quick calculation.
- Practice a good number of sectional CAT mock tests, to be able to optimally utilize 40 minutes in exam for Quants. Analyse each mock test and work on problem areas.
- You must also solve equal number of overall CAT mock tests, so that you are used to solving Quants questions towards the end (with a partially exhausted mind).
- Check CAT question papers of last 5-10 years and solve questions from them to have complete control on Quants. It is rarely that the test deviates from previous trends.
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CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Get 95+ Percentile
- In the CAT 2026 exam, you should be very clear about which questions you will be attempting. Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT, tends to have 1-2 tricky or lengthy questions, which can break your rhythm.
- There is negative marking of -1 so don’t even think about doing guess work. CAT Quantitative Aptitude has Type In The Answer (TITA) questions too, and they don’t have negative marking. Take a risk on those. If you don’t get it correctly, you will not lose anything.
- Apply Mental Maths to save time and effort both so that you can focus on alternative questions. At the same time, have a pre decided exam strategy with a clear understanding of how many questions to attempt in each section of CAT.
- Since your target is 95+ percentile, you should aim to attempt between 10-12 questions out of 22, with 100 percent accuracy. If the time permits, go for more questions. But, again, don’t risk negative marking. Solve only what you know.
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Commonly asked questions
CAT is a speed-based test of 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 advanced-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.
Hope it was helpful!!!
India's premiere b-schools accept CAT for MBA admissions. More than 2.5 lakh candidates fighting for limited seats at these institutes make the exam tough to crack.
Yes, it is possible to score 99.99 percentile in CAT in first attempt. Many toppers of previous years' are such candidates. One must study in a focussed manner and do a lot of mock test practice. Exam day strategy is also crucial for better performance.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 18 hours ago
No, according to the estimated data, you would need a CAT cutoff of atleast 94 percentile to be qualified for final admission offer. Note that this percentile is not official and is only an estimate, since the institute does not release the cutoff publicly.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, you can join IIM Kashipur without CAT, depending on the desired programme. You can get admission to any of the offered courses except MBA. Check the list below to know which exam is accepted for which programme.
- Executive MBA (EMBA): GMAT, IIM Kashipur EMAT (Executive Management Aptitude Test).
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates must maintain a dedicated formula sheet for properties of polygons, circle theorems, and mensuration formulas. Instead of memorising blindly, candidates must solve 15-20 problems for each sub-topic to understand how and when to apply each formula.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
It is technically possible to get 99 percentile in CAT Quants if a candidates obtains a perfect score in Arithmetic and Algebra. However, it can be highly risky as CAT exam often has Geometry questions aligned with Algebra or Coordinate systems. Sometimes candidates must know two different concepts
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Triangles (properties, similarity, congruence, and theorems) is the most heavily tested sub-topic in CAT exam. Other high-yield areas include Circles (tangents, chords, and cyclic quadrilaterals), Mensuration (area and volume of 2D/3D shapes), and Coordinate Geometry.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Geometry is a an important topic in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section. Candidates can typically expect 3 to 5 questions out of the 22 total QA questions, making up roughly 15% to 20% of the section.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates should first understand basic concepts, including divisibility rules, prime factorisation, HCF and LCM, and remainders. They should then solve topic-wise practice questions and previous years' CAT questions to improve accuracy and problem-solving speed.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
There is no fixed number of questions from the Number System in CAT. The number of questions varies across exam slots and years. Candidates should prepare the topic along with other important areas of Quantitative Aptitude.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, the Number System is an important topic for CAT Quantitative Aptitude. Questions may test concepts such as divisibility, remainders, factors, and properties of integers. Candidates should also practise applying these concepts to different question types.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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