Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
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 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 |
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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
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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Get here CAT Quant questions and solutions for practice. The free PDFs can be downloaded by simply clicking on the links.
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.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:
The key change in CAT question paper 2024 was increase in number of questions in DLIR section. Till 2023, the DILR section used to have 20 questions. In 2024, it had 22 questions. The time limit for it was the same and no other section had less questions. Which means, in CAT 2024, candidates had to attempt 68 questions instead of 66 to solve in the same time (120 minutes). DILR sectional time limit was 40 minutes as in previous years. There was no other change in CAT 2024, the difficulty level was same as previous years.
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.
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.
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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