How to prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude? Tips and Tricks
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
Registration - To be notified
Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 must read below to know key tips and tricks for Quantitative Aptitude section of the exam. Aspirants will need these quick tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude on the exam day for solving the questions quickly and accurately.
CAT exam is considered to be a tough entrance exam, mainly because its Quants questions pose challenge to both Engineering and non-Engineering candidates. Quantitative Aptitude is one of the toughest section of CAT for most students as is it calculation and formula based. CAT Quantitative Aptitude or Quant comprises numerous theorems, formulas and long calculations.
This section of the CAT exam requires extra attention from students of non-Engineering background as they leave Maths after class 12. Even for candidates with Engineering background, it is tough to crack this question, if they haven't done enough practice. Since this is one of the challenging sections of CAT exam, candidates must learn shortcuts and tricks that can help them save time and develop accuracy. Read below in detail to know how to prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
Also Read:
- How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude Questions Expected in CAT 2025 Question Paper
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025
How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Quantitative Aptitude
It has been proven that it is possible to score 100 percentile in CAT Quantitative Aptitude section. Many candidates in the previous years have scored 100 percentile in this section. So, it is possible this year too. CAT 2025 question paper will see around 22 questions on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Mathematics. Focus more on Arithmetic chapters as the CAT question paper is usually dominated by this topic.
One thing that most candidates miss out in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is accuracy. Rather than focusing on the number of questions attempted, one must focus on accuracy of solutions. So even if you do not attempt all the CAT questions, you can still score great marks in the section. To get a better understanding of the difficulty level of the Quantitative Aptitude, let us have a look at the CAT exam pattern:
| CAT Exam Features |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Details |
|---|---|
| Total number of Questions in QA |
22 |
| Type of Questions in QA |
MCQs, no negative marking |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+3 |
| Negative Marks for Each Wrong Answer |
-1 |
| Difficulty Level of QA |
Generally Moderate to High |
It is difficult but not impossible. If you give yourself a good enough time to improve English comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, you will be able to do it. Yes, a non- English medium student will require longer time for CAT preparation as they will have to start reading and improving English comprehension. So, may be they need to start English preparation for CAT in the second year of graduation, instead of final year (much earlier than English medium students). They may also need two attempts to crack CAT with high percentile. But that's not true for all. If you work hard and study smartly, you will be able to crack it.
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should check previous years’ question papers. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is important.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
Quantitative Aptitude Questions Expected in CAT 2025 Question Paper
Based on the last year's CAT question paper, we have estimated the topic wise break up of Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2025. Take a look at the table below:
| CAT QA Topics |
No. of Questions |
Ideal Attempt |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
11 |
7-9 |
| Algebra |
5 |
2 -3 |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
3 |
2 |
| Number System |
2 |
1-2 |
| Modern Math |
1 |
0-1 |
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
26 Feb '26
28 Feb '26
28 Feb '26
3 Mar '26
23 Feb '26 - 26 Feb '26
TANCET
5 Feb '26 - 2 Mar '26
2 Mar '26
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025
Shiksha brings to you some tips and tricks on how to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025:
Begin with the basics
The key to excel in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is to get the basics right. It is extremely important have conceptual clarity of QA topics and know the formulae by heart. Start by covering the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus. Learn concepts thoroughly so that you can apply them to various types of Quantitative Aptitude questions with ease and speed. Once your concepts are clear, start attempting practice questions. Practice a large number and a variety of CAT Quantitative questions to gain control on all topics. Start by attempting easy questions first, and then move on to the difficult ones.
Also Read:
| Permutation and Combination | Probability | Simple Interest Formulae |
| Square Root and Cube Root | Mean, Mode, Median | Mensuration Formulae |
| Binomial Theorem | ||
Use shortcuts to solve CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions
Once you are confident of the concepts, switch to learning shortcuts of solving QA questions. Mental calculation is one of the best ways to solve Quants questions quickly. Work towards it. When attempting the questions, use shortcuts to reach the answer instead of using long methods. This will save time and will ensure accuracy.
Plan your CAT Quantitative Aptitude schedule
CAT Quantitative Aptitude requires a lot of practice, and creating a schedule is of utmost importance. Each topic of QA needs enough attention and time. Spread out the CAT syllabus equally so that do not miss out any important topic. One of the tricks here is to identify your weak areas and devote more time to that topic. Create a day-wise schedule and stick to it.
Attempt a range of CAT mock tests
There is nothing better than attempting previous years' CAT question papers and mocks tests as possible. The more you practice, the better you get! A mock test can help an individual analyse his/her performance in the section. This can help in assessing your shortcomings and which topics need practice.
Pay attention to CAT Quants sectional time limit
Time management plays an important role in CAT. The exam has sectional limit of 40 minutes for each section. While attempting mock tests, do not focus only on attempting the question. Focus on both speed and accuracy. It is advised to keep two minutes for every question in the CAT exam. In case it is taking more than two minutes to solve a particular question, it is advisable to move on to the next one.
CAT 2025 will be conducted on November 30, 2025 in three sessions. There is no change in the CAT Quants syllabus. Candidates appearing for the exam must keep the above mentioned points in mind while preparing for the Quant section. Regular practice and revision of important formulas can ensure a good score in CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
| VARC preparation tips for MBA | DILR preparation tips for MBA |
Also Read:
- How To Prepare for CAT 2024: Preparation Tips & Strategies
- How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 6 Months
- Best Books for CAT Preparation 2024
- CAT Preparation Tips by Toppers
- CAT Preparation Tips by Experts
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
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
29 Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
16 Jan '26 | XAT 2026 result |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
26 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card |
1 Mar '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
27 Dec '26 - 28 Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
17 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 result |
31 Jan '26 - 2 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 exam answer key obje... |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
Feb '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '26 | TANCET admit card download |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 22 hours ago
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Candidates have to wait for IIM Ranchi MBA CAT cutoff. Those who clear it become eligible for further scanning process. The candidates may have to visit the website and provide CATID (application sequence number), date of birth, and registered email as per CAT application. The waiting status appears
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IIM Ranchi MBA aspirants need to have a valid CAT score. The entrance test is expected to be held on Nov 29, 2026. Candidates taking the exam will be able to download admit cards online. It is generally released online in the first or second week of November. Candidates should stay updated with adm
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IIM Ranchi offer admission to its MBA courses based on CAT scores only. The candidates have to take this test and secure a valid percentile. IIMs release its cutoff based on which candidates are called for further selection rounds. There may not be any other provision for admission to the PG level c
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The students who wants to get admission into the MBA course must obtain minimum 50% in their UG degree. They have to appear for any one of the national level entrance exams for MBA course admissions such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, MAH-CET and ATMA exam. The minimum cutoff required in CAT exam is 50%. I
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Students may get admission in IIM Bangalore with 95 percentile in CAT. But this is not enough to get a seat. The admission chances also depend on student's overall profile. This includes academic scores + performance in the selection rounds. Students can check the cutoff trends to know better.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IM selection criteria includes Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Academic record and work experience are also taken into consideration for final selection.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
To get 99 percentile and above, candidates must attempt 40-45 out of 68 questions in CAT, with maximum accuracy.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Yes, six months are enough to prepare for CAT exam, if you can dedicate 8-10 hours to it daily. In the first three months complete the syllabus. In the last three months practice mock tests and do revision.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Students may get admission in IIM Kozhikode with 95 percentile in CAT. But this is not enough to get a seat. The admission chances also depend on student's overall profile. This includes academic scores + performance in the selection rounds. Students can check the cutoff trends to know better.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.