CAT Quant section has 22 questions and it is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. While preparing for CAT 2025, you must focus mainly on important Quantitative Aptitude topics. Check here CAT Quant weightage of past few years.
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage
CAT Quant or Quantitative Aptitude section has a well-defined structure and the questions are calculation intensive. Arithmetic and Algebra dominate the CAT question paper every year. Sometimes, Geometry also makes for a bigger chunk. It has been seen in the last few years, that the CAT QA topic wise weightage hasn't changed much. The topics have remained the same, only the number of questions per topic keep changing slightly.
The CAT QA section is tough and requires a rigorous preparation. While preparing for the CAT 2025 exam, it will be beneficial for candidates to know the CAT quant weightage topic wise so that they can focus on the high scoring chapters. In this article, have shared the breakdown of CAT Quants syllabus, so that you can assess and analyse your control on the topics for CAT 2025 preparation. We have also listed the CAT Quant topics that appeared in CAT question paper in the last few years and their weightage.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude is made up of Maths topics you have studied in class 9 and 10. But for CAT exam you need to study these topics at advance level. Thus, the rigorous preparation and time bound practice.
- CAT Quant Topics
- CAT QA Weightage 2024 (Topic Wise)
- CAT QA Weightage 2023 (Topic wise)
- CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2022
- CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2021
- CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2020
- CAT Quant Questions with Solutions for Practice
CAT Quant Topics
CAT QA syllabus is divided into five major topics – Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Geometry and Modern Maths. These topics are further divided into several Maths chapters. Check the table below for key CAT quant topics.
| CAT Quant Topics |
|
|---|---|
| Arithmetic Topics for CAT |
Profit and Loss, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Averages, Mean Median Mode, Mixtures and Allegations, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance |
| Algebra Topics for CAT |
Basics Algebraic Formulae, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Finding Out Roots, Maxima and Minima, Problems on Ages, Number of Integer Solutions, Higher Degree Equations, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The Smallest Value in a Maximum Function, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm |
| Number System Topics for CAT |
Fermat’s Theorem, Euler’s Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson’s Theorem, Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Finding Out the Last Digit, Finding Out Last Two Digits, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition / Subtraction / Multiplication in different bases |
| Geometry Topics for CAT |
Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Lines and Angles, Triangles – Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles, Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration – 3D |
| Modern Maths Topics for CAT |
Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Response sheet hosts CAT exam questions and answers.
No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.
CAT QA Weightage 2024 (Topic Wise)
Check below the table to know Quant weightage in CAT 2024 exam. The composition of QA section in CAT 2024 question paper was same in all three slots. This will give you an idea as to what to expect in CAT 2025.
| CAT Quant topics 2024 |
Slot 1 (Number of questions) |
Slot 2 (Number of questions) |
Slot 3 (Number of questions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number System (Remainder, Indices) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Algebra (Log, Equations, Functions, Maxima-Minima, Sequence & Series, Algebraic Expression) |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Arithmetic (TSD, T&W, SI-CI, Percentage, PLD, Mixture, Averages, Ratios) |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Modern Math (P&C) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Geometry (Circle, Cuboid/Square, Coordinate Geometry) |
3 |
3 |
3 |
CAT QA Weightage 2023 (Topic wise)
From previous years’ CAT questions papers, it has been noticed that the quantitative aptitude section of the exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. To help you make a focused CAT preparation plan for quantitative aptitude, we have shared the latest CAT QA weightage of CAT 2023.
| CAT quant topic wise weightage |
CAT 2023, Slot 1 |
CAT 2023, Slot 2 |
CAT 2023, Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number System (Surds, Factors, Indices, Integral Values) |
1 |
3 |
4 |
| Algebra (Log, Equations, Surds, Sequence & Series) |
8 |
7 |
7 |
| Arithmetic TSD, T&W, Ratio, SI & CI, PLD, Mixture, Clock |
9 |
9 |
8 |
| Modern Math (P&C) |
1 |
- |
- |
| Geometry & Mensuration (Triangle, Quadrilateral, Coordinate Geo Circle) |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Total |
22 |
22 |
22 |
Commonly asked questions
There are no straight forward vocabulary questions in CAT. Out of the total of 24 questions in VARC section, 12-14 questions are Reading Comprehension based and rest of them comprise parajumbles, para completion and odd sentence. CAT is the only MBA entrance exam, which does not have direct vocabulary and grammar questions. However, one needs to have strong vocabulary and grammar to be able to solve RC, parajumble, para completion and odd sentence questions.
Data Interpretation or DI is a sub part of CAT's second section DILR. This section has 20 -22 questions (until 2023, the totla number of DILR questions was 20, and in 2024 the number of questions was 22). Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions have equal number of questions. Candidates must make sure that they prepare for both topics well as the weightage is equal and if they are ill prepared for either of the two, their score will get affected.
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CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2022
Given below is the topic wise Quantitative weightage in CAT 2022. If you notice, there is not much difference between topic-wise composition of the Quant section of the three sessions.
| CAT quant topic wise weightage |
CAT 2022, slot 1 |
CAT 2022, slot 2 |
CAT 2022, slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERPV |
2 |
- |
- |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
| Simple Interest & Compound Interest |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Time & Distance |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Time & Work |
- |
1 |
2 |
| Numbers |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| Geometry |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Progressions/Series |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| ILS |
- |
2 |
- |
| Sets |
1 |
- |
- |
| Quadratic Equations |
1 |
2 |
4 |
| Inequalities & Modulus |
2 |
- |
- |
| Averages Mixtures & Allegations |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Coordinate Geometry |
1 |
- |
4 |
| Permutations & Combinations |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Trigonometry |
- |
1 |
1 |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2021
Given below is the topic wise Quant weightage in CAT 2021. Most of the questions belong to Arithmetic.
| CAT quant topic wise weightage |
CAT 2021, slot 1 |
CAT 2021, slot 2 |
CAT 2021, slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geometry |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Quadrilateral, Polynomial Equations |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Progression & Series |
1 |
3 |
1 |
| Linear Equation & Inequalities |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Average, Ration & Proportion |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Profit, Loss & Interest |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| Time, Work & Distance |
1 |
2 |
5 |
| Logarithm, Surds & Indices |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Probability |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Number System |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Venn Diagram |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Functions & Graphs |
3 |
2 |
1 |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2020
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2020 question paper included the following topics. In that year too, most of the questions were asked from Arithmetic.
| CAT quant topic wise weightage |
CAT 2020, slot 1 |
CAT 2020, slot 2 |
CAT 2020, slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functions, Graphs |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| Progression & Series |
- |
1 |
- |
| Linear Equations |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Quadratic Equations |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Average, Ratios & Percentages |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Profit, Loss & Interest |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Time, Distance & Work |
4 |
5 |
4 |
| Inequalities |
2 |
4 |
2 |
| Logarithms, Surds & Indices |
4 |
1 |
4 |
| Geometry |
3 |
4 |
2 |
| Probability |
2 |
1 |
- |
| Number Systems |
1 |
1 |
3 |
| Venn Diagram |
- |
1 |
- |
Those preparing for CAT 2025, must go through previous years’ CAT question papers to know the weightage of topics in not only Quant but also other topics in order to have a focused preparation plan that can be well executed and can get high scores in the exam.
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CAT Quant Questions with Solutions for Practice
Get here CAT Quant questions and solutions for practice. The free PDFs can be downloaded by simply clicking on the links.
CAT Mock Test
Shiksha has created free CAT mock tests for aspirants to practice and assess their preparation level. These CAT mock tests are based on actual CAT questions and have the same difficulty level.
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 20 hours ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
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Answered 23 hours ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
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Answered Yesterday
No, IIM Calcutta cannot get into MBA courses without appearing CAT first. CAT is a mandatory entrance exam and it is conducted every year for admissions into all MBA courses offered by this institute.
However, candidates who are applying for MBAEx course will be required to appear in GMAT for admissi
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To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
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No, you cannot use the CAT score for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at this university.
You would need to first appear for the CAT entrance exam, and then get shortlisted for the PI and or GD rounds to be considered for a seat. Since the CAT cutoff is not released publicly, the closest esti
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The Vishwakarma University CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course for the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the estimated Vishwakarma University MBA cutoff 2025 was 50. Students who gained this percentile are then eligible to enter the second round of admission
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Answered 2 days ago
The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.
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Answered 2 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT exam result for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at AIMS Institutes, Bangalore.
The college accepts the CAT, XAT and MAT exam results for admission to the management programme. Students have to first attain the qualifying cutoff percentiles and then sit in the select
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Answered 2 days ago
Candidates applying for admission in MBA at IIM Raipur should have qualified the CAT exam. Check below the application fee of CAT:
- INR 2,300 for general category students
- INR 1,150 for SC/ST/PwD students
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To get a seat in the FLAME University of the MBA/PGDM course, you have to appear for any one of the accepted exams, like CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. After clearing the exam, you have to get shortlisted for further admission round, which involves PI or GD.
The FLAME University CAT cutoff 2025 was 75 for the
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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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