CMAT Quants and DI questions can be time consuming and calculation intensive. A total of 20 questions are asked in the exam. Read here key tips to crack Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section of CMAT 2026. Also understand types of questions asked in CMAT and how to solve them.
CMAT preparation for Quantitative Technique (QT) and Data Interpretation (DI) section requires dedication and focus as it is all about Mathematics. Most of the CMAT aspirants appear for CAT, XAT and SNAP too, thus by the time CMAT exam approaches, they are already familiar with the topics of Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation. CMAT 2026 will be held on January 25, 2026, which means most of you would have already gained experience of CAT, SNAP, XAT and NMAT.
If you start CMAT 2026 preparation even now, you have enough time to crack Quantitative Technique section. With regulat topic coverage, you need to practice CMAT sample questions and CMAT mock tests along with revision of important Mathematical concepts. Make an exam focussed CMAT preparation strategy in order to complete the syllabus too and get enough time for practice.
Since the Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation subjects will be clubbed together in CMAT 2026, the stress of solving too many questions per subject will not be there. Usually, out of 20 questions in this section, only 3-8 are based on DI. Start with understanding the theoretical concepts of the topics included in the CMAT syllabus for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation.
Arithmetic and Algebra are the main topics you should focus on. Since DI is calculation-based, one need not prepare for it separately. Tables and graphs will have Arithmetical calculations. Solve questions of various difficulty levels after completing each topic to understand the application of the concept. This is necessary so that you don't fumble at the later stage of your CMAT 2026 preparation journey, especially in mock tests. In this article, we have shared tips and shortcuts to crack Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section of CMAT exam, along with other key details about the section. Read on.
CMAT Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation Syllabus 2026:
Given below are the main topics of Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, candidates need to study for CMAT 2026.
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CMAT Preparation Books 2026: Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
Check below the list of CMAT books for Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation preparation. Aspirants can refer to additional books and practice booklets along with these for better preparation.
- The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant)
- Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10 by NCERT
- Quantitative Aptitude by Dr RS Aggarwal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education)
- Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT/XAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank by Disha Experts
- How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
Also Read: Top 10 CMAT Preparation Books 2026
CMAT Preparation 2026: Tips to Crack Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
The difficulty level of Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section of CMAT exam is usually higher than other sections, but if you are strong in Mathematics, scoring well in this section is not too difficult. Keep the following tips in mind during CMAT 2026 preparation for Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section:
- This section of CMAT exam is dominated by Quantitative Technique. Data Interpretation questions are usually limited to four to six which are based on Tables.
- Within the Quantitative Technique section, most of the questions are asked from Arithmetic and Algebra. There will be 1-2 questions from other areas of Quants. So, pay special attention on Arithmetic during exam preparation.
- Spend a good amount of time in gaining clarity of concepts, formulae and theorems because that is the base of proper CMAT 2026 preparation.
- After studying a Quants topic, solve a few sample questions for CMAT. This will help you in understanding the application of the theory studied.
- Solving previous year CMAT questions will also help you in assessing whether you have understood the topics or not.
- Both Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation sections of CMAT are calculation based. There is nothing intuitive about them. So, adequate practice of questions is a must.
- Solve CMAT mock tests, sample papers and previous years question papers to familiarise yourself with a variety of questions based on Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation.
- Develop mental maths or practice calculation on onscreen calculator. You will be given a rough sheet for calculation but mental calculation will be faster.
Practice Free CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha
- CMAT sample paper booklets for practice are available in the market as well as o internet. Solve a few of them to gain control over tough topics.
- In the last one month before CMAT 2026 exam, start practicing mock tests on alternate days. After every mock test, analyse your performance and score to know what are your weak points.
- By practicing CMAT mock tests, you will be able to evaluate your strong and weak areas which will aide you in making the exam strategy. Attempt only those questions which are your type i.e. the ones you can solve accurately.
- Memorise Tables up to 20, Square and Square Roots up to 100, Cubes, Cubes Roots, etc. for quick calculation.
- Devise an exam strategy for the test day. If Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation are your strong areas, start CMAT 2026 question paper by solving questions from this section. Choose questions wisely.
- In the CMAT 2026 exam, try to reach the minimum sectional cut-off level first by solving questions from your strength areas and then go ahead with other questions if time permits. You can come back to attempt the remaining questions if time permits.
To conclude, memorizing all the Quants formulae and theorems is the key to crack this section of CMAT exam. Keep aside two hours twice a week for revision of formulae and theorems. If you have conceptual clarity of each of the topics included in the Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section of CMAT, you can score well.
All the best!
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CMAT RC passages are easy. Candidates need not worry about RCs in CMAT because they are short and pretty much straight forward. Questions are fact based and generally require candidates to identify the main argument/theme/idea of the passage. Sometimes, there are a few vocabulary and idiom based questions too, but mostly from familiar areas and topics. The length is about 200-500 words.