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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Sep 8, 2025 15:50 IST

Important formulas for CAT exam (Quantitative Aptitude) are listed here. Make sure you are thorough with these CAT formulas in order to solve the Quantitative Aptitude accurately and score above 99 percentile. 

CAT formula sheet

CAT Quant formulas to score 99 percentile

If you are preparing for CAT 2025, you must know that there will be tough Quants questions in the exam. To score will in this section you need to be thorough with important  Mathematics concepts and formulas. So, your exam preparation plan must have a dedicated slot for understanding, memorising and revising CAT important formulas for Quants. If you wish to attempt 90 percent of the CAT questions you will need to do this. 

CAT Quantitative Aptitude topics include Number Systems, Profit, Loss and Discount, LCM and HCF, Time and Work, Averages, Logarithm, Surds and Indices, Probability, Set Theory & Function, Trigonometry, Permutation & Combination, Co-ordinate Geometry, Mensuration, etc. All these topics have certain formulae on the basis of which the questions can be solved. Give yourself about 2-3 months to complete the CAT Quant syllabus.  

Since CAT 2025 is scheduled on November 30, you may have completed the exam syllabus by now. So, this is the time to put theory into practice. By solving sample practice questions and CAT mock tests you will know how well versed you are with CAT quants formulas. 

Table of content
  • CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas
  • CAT Important Formulas: Mensuration
  • CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Trigonometry
  • CAT Important Formulas: Coordinate Geometry
  • CAT Important Formulas: Number Systems
  • CAT Important Formulas: Profit, Loss and Discount
  • CAT Important Formulas: LCM and HCF
  • CAT Important Formulas: Speed, Time and Distance
  • CAT Important Formulas: Percentages
  • CAT Important Formulas: Time and Work
  • CAT Important Formulas: Averages
  • CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Simple and Compound Interest
  • CAT Important Formulas: Probability
  • CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Logarithm
  • CAT Important Formulas: Set Theory and Function
  • CAT Important Formulas: Mixtures and Alligations
View More

CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas

All the CAT exam topics included in Quant can be mastered only by understanding their application which is possible only with practicing questions regularly. But for that, you need to understand and memorise important Quant formulas. The CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions cannot be solved without applying formulas correctly. When only a few days are left for CAT 2025 exam, as part of your revision process, you will need a CAT formulas cheat sheet. So you must prepare a CAT formula sheet. You can also purchase a CAT formula book. However, to make it easier for you, we have listed below the most important formula (s) for CAT exam. Also find a CAT formula sheet PDF for download (free), for CAT 2025 preparation. 

CAT Important Formulas: Mensuration

There are a number of questions in CAT which belong to Mensuration. Thus, you need to know and memorise the following important CAT formulas for Mensuration

Triangle

Area = (1/2) × b × h

or

√[s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c)], where s = (a + b + c)/2

Square

Area = a × a

Perimeter = 4a

Rectangle

Area = lb

Perimeter = 2(l+b)

Cube

Volume: V = a3

Lateral surface area = 4a²

Surface Area: S = 6a2

Diagonal (d) = √3 a

Cuboid

Volume of cuboid: lbh

Total surface area = 2 (lb + bh + hl) or 6l2

Length of diagonal =√(l² + b² + h²)

Circle

Area =  πr² or πd²/4

Circumference = 2πr  or πd

Area of sector of a circle = (θπr² )/360

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CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Trigonometry

Here are important formulas for CAT Trigonometry section. Understand and memorise these formulas for solving Trigonometry questions of CAT Quantitative Aptitude.

Trigonometric Identities:

  • Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse
  • Secant = Hypotenuse/Adjacent
  • Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse
  • Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent
  • Co−Secant = Hypotenuse/Opposite
  • Co−Tangent = Adjacent/Opposite

The reciprocal identities are given as:

  • cosec θ = 1/sin θ
  • sec θ = 1/ cos θ
  • cot θ = 1/tan θ
  • sin θ = 1/cosec θ
  • cos θ = 1/sec θ
  • tan θ = 1/cot θ

Also Read: CAT Quant topic-wise weightage in exam over the years

CAT Important Formulas: Coordinate Geometry

Given below are the important CAT formulas for Coordinate Geometry. You need to be thorough with these formulas to be able to solve the problems accurately.

The Distance Between two Points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2):

AB² = (x2 – x1)² + (y2 – y1

The Midpoint of a Line Joining Two Points

The midpoint of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:

[(x1 + x2)/1, (y1 + y2)/2]

The Equation of a Line Using One Point and the Gradient

The equation of a line which has gradient m and which passes through the point (x1, y1) is:

y – y1 = m(x – x1)

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CAT Important Formulas: Number Systems

Check below important CAT formulas for Number Systems. The questions on Number Systems asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT are based on these formulas.

  • 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … + n = n(n + 1)/2
  • (1² + 2² + 3² + ….. + n²) = n ( n + 1 ) (2n + 1) / 6
  • (1³ + 2³ + 3³ + ….. + n³) = (n(n + 1)/ 2)²
  • Sum of first n odd numbers = n²
  • Sum of first n even numbers = n (n + 1)

Mathematical Formulas:

  • (a – b)² = (a² + b² – 2ab)
  • (a + b)² = (a² + b² + 2ab)
  • (a + b)(a – b) = (a² – b²)
  • (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)
  • (a³ – b³) = (a – b)(a² + ab + b²)
  • (a³ + b³) = (a + b)(a² – ab + b²)
  • (a³ + b³ + c³ – 3abc) = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² – ab – bc – ac)
  • When a + b + c = 0, then a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc
  • (a + b)n = an + (nC1)an-1 b + (nC2)an-2 b² + … + (nCn-1)abn-1 + bn

CAT Important Formulas: Profit, Loss and Discount

Check below important CAT formulas for Profit, Loss and Discount. Memorizing these formulas will be helpful to you for solving CAT questions based on the topic.

  • Profit (or) Gain = SP – CP
  • Profit % = (Profit/CP) × 100
  • SP = (100 + gain % )/100  × CP
  • CP = 100/(100 + gain %) × SP
  • Loss = CP – SP
  • Loss % = Loss/(CP) × 100
  • SP = (100 – loss %)/100 × CP
  • CP = 100/(100 – loss %) × SP

CAT Important Formulas: LCM and HCF

Given below are the important CAT formulas you need to know to solve LCM and HCF questions of Quantitative Aptitude section of the exam.

LCM × HCF = Product of the numbers

LCM of co-prime numbers = Product of the numbers

CAT Important Formulas: Speed, Time and Distance

Given below are the important CAT formulas that you should memorise to solve Speed, Time and Distance questions of the Quantitative Aptitude section.

Distance = Speed × Time

Time = Distance/Speed

Speed= Distance/Time

CAT Important Formulas: Percentages

To solve Percentages questions of CAT exam, you need to know the following formulas:

To find what percentage of x is y: (y/x) × 100

Increase N by S % = N(1+ S/100 )

Decrease N by S % = N (1 – S/100)

CAT Important Formulas: Time and Work

To solve Time and Work questions of CAT exam, understand and memorise the following formula:

If X can do a piece of work in n days, then X’s 1 day’s work = 1/n

If X’s 1 day’s work =1/n, then X can finish the work in n days.

CAT Important Formulas: Averages

Given below is the formula for Averages. To solve CAT questions based on Averages, you must know these formulas.

Average = (Sum of observations/Number of observations)

CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Simple and Compound Interest

Simple and Compound Interest questions are always there in CAT. To solve the Simple and Compound Interest questions accurately, you should memorise these formulas.

Interest compounded Annually:

Amount= P (1+ R/100)n

Interest compounded half-yearly:

Amount=  P (1+R/2) 2n
                      100

Interest compounded quarterly:

Amount= P (1+R/2) 4n
                      100

When interest is compounded annually but time is in fraction:

Amount= P (1+ R)3 X P (1+R/2) 4n
                      100           100

When rates are different for different years, say R1%, R2%, R3% for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, respectively.

Amount= P (1+R1) + P (1+R2)  + P (1+R3)
 
                     100            100           100

Present worth of Rs. x due n years hence is given by:

Present worth= _______x_________
                                P (1+R3)
 
                                      100

CAT Important Formulas: Probability

Given below is the formula that you must memorise for solving CAT questions on Probability.

Sample Space: When we perform an experiment, then the set S of all possible outcomes is called the sample space.

Event: Any subset of a sample space is called an event.

The probability of Occurrence of an Event:

Let S be the sample and E be an event.

Therefore, P(E) =n(E) / n(S)

CAT Quantitative Aptitude formulas: Logarithm

To crack the questions based on Logarithm, here are the important CAT formulas you need to know:

  • loga (xy) = loga x + loga y
  • loga (x/y) = loga x – loga y
  • logx x = 1
  • loga 1 = 0
  • loga (xn) = n(loga x)
  • loga x = 1/(logx a)
  • loga x = (logb x)/(logb a) = (log x)/(log a)

CAT Important Formulas: Set Theory and Function

Given below are the important CAT formulas for Set Theory and Function. If you are thorough with these formulas, you can solve all the questions.

De Morgan’s Law:

(A ∩ B) ‘ = A’ U B’ and (A U B)’ = A’ ∩ B’

The relation R ⊂ A × A is said to be called as:

  • Reflexive Relation: If aRa ∀ a ∈ A.
  • Symmetric Relation: If aRb, then bRa ∀ a, b ∈ A.
  • Transitive Relation: If aRb, bRc, then aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A.

If any relation R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive in a given set A, then that relation is known as an equivalence relation.

Permutation Formula: A permutation is the choice of r things from a set of n things without replacement. Order matters in permutation.

Combination Formula: A combination is the choice of r things from a set of n things without replacement. The order does not matter in combination.

CAT Important Formulas: Mixtures and Alligations

To solve questions on Mixtures and Alligations, you must be thorough with the formula given below:

Rule of Alligation:

If two ingredients are mixed, then

(Quantity of cheaper / Quantity of dearer) = (C.P. of dearer – Mean Price / Mean price – C.P. of cheaper)

Check below PDF for CAT formulas cheat sheet:

Download CAT Formula Sheet PDF

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A:
CAT exam is held in three slots for the past three years. Earlier it used to be held in two slots of three hours each, but since 2020 it is held in three slots of two hours each. The three slots are conducted between 8 am to 4 pm. The first slot is held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second slot is held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the third slot is held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. In these three slots, about 2.22 Lacs candidates are accommodated at over 400 test centres in about 150 plus cities across India. The exam slots are allotted to candidates by the examination authorities as per the receipt of applications and candidates cannot request for change of examination slot. They have to give the test in the slot mentioned on the admit card.
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A:

Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.

Q:   What are the dos and don'ts for CAT exam day?
A:

On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:

CAT exam day dos:

  1. Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
  2. Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
  3. PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents. 
  4. Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet 
  5. Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions 
  6. 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
  7. Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.

CAT exam day don'ts:

  1. Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
  2. Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
  3. Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets 
  4. Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam. 
  5. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
  6. Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
  7. Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
  8. Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Q:   What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?
A:

For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process. 

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Vipra Shrivastava
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Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio
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