Important formulas or CAT exam (Quantitative Aptitude) are listed here. Candidates preparing for CAT 2024 exam make sure that they are thorough with these CAT formulas in order to solve the Quantitative Aptitude accurately and score above 99 percentile. Check here CAT Important formulas.
CAT Quant formulas to score 99 percentile
Being thorough with CAT important formulas is very important for aspirants if they want to score 99+ percentile in the exam. In CAT and other MBA entrance exams, Quantitative Aptitude is an important section, there are about 20 Quants questions in every exam and are usually of higher difficulty level than VARC or DILR.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.CAT Quantitative Aptitude is a calculation intensive section and one needs to be thorough with the basic concepts, theorems and formulae of the topics. The CAT quant 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.
Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2024, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2022 and CAT 2023 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.
The most important things to keep in mind are:
- CAT exam mode is online
- Each question carries three marks
- There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts
The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:
- Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high
Q: Is CAT exam tough for an average student?
Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?
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All these CAT exam topics 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. You need CAT formulas cheat sheet. To help you with this, we have listed below all important formulas for CAT. Also find a CAT formula sheet PDF for download (free), for CAT 2024 preparation.
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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
Q: When should I start preparing for CAT exam?
Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not.
Divide your preparation into two phases -
- Covering the CAT syllabus
- Practicing mock tests, sample questions and revision.
The CAT syllabus includes the following topics:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences, Questions based on passages, para meaning, order of sentences
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism
- Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration.
You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation:
- CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
- Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
- 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/ Simon and Schuster
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha.
Q: Which CAT exam slot is the toughest?
Q: Can I prepare for CAT within 3 months?
Q: How would I know my CAT exam centre?
Candidates will know their allotted CAT exam centre only from the admit card. There is no way to know the test centre before the release of the CAT admit card. The examination authority allots a test centre to aspirants in the city of their first preference as mentioned in the city. So, candidates can atleast be assured that they will get a test centre in the city they had chosen as first preference in the CAT application form. However, the venue will be mentioned only on the candidate’s admit card. So as soon as the CAT admit card is released, candidates must check the test city and test centre details. In order to avoid any confusion, they must visit the centre at least once before the exam day.
Q: How to improve reading speed for CAT preparation?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year. The CAT exam is an online computer-based test that is used as a primary criterion for admission into various management programs offered by the IIMs as well as other top business schools in India.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam syllabus is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of 24 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours). Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions. (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Here is a brief overview of the syllabus and some tips on how to prepare for each section:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section tests your reading comprehension and language skills. The syllabus includes reading comprehension passages, grammar, para jumbles, para completion, sentence correction, and vocabulary. To prepare for VARC, read a lot of books, newspapers, and magazines to improve your reading speed and comprehension skills. Practice grammar and vocabulary exercises regularly to improve your language skills. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section tests your ability to interpret data and make logical deductions. The syllabus includes bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, tables, Venn diagrams, blood relations, seating arrangements, and puzzles. To prepare for DILR, practice solving a variety of puzzles and logical reasoning questions. Develop a systematic approach to solving questions and focus on improving your speed and accuracy. Practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section tests your mathematical skills. The syllabus includes number systems, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic, and modern mathematics. To prepare for QA, start with the basics and gradually move to advanced topics. Practice solving a variety of mathematical problems regularly to improve your speed and accuracy. Memorize important formulas and theorems. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Each correct answer carries 3 marks.
Each incorrect answer carries a penalty of -1 mark.
There is no negative marking for questions that are left unanswered.
The CAT exam is used as a primary criteria for admission into various management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as other top business schools in India. The selection process for CAT typically includes the following stages:
CAT Exam: Candidates who clear the CAT cutoff are shortlisted for the next stage.
Written Ability Test (WAT)/Group Discussion (GD)/Personal Interview (PI): Shortlisted candidates are required to appear for a WAT/GD/PI round, which is conducted by the respective IIMs or business schools.
Final Selection: Candidates are selected based on their CAT score, performance in the WAT/GD/PI round, academic background, work experience, and other relevant factors. The final selection is based on a composite score that considers all these factors.
The weightage given to CAT score and other selection criteria vary from institute to institute. It is important to check the admission criteria of the respective institutes you are applying to.
Overall, the CAT exam is a highly competitive exam, and candidates are advised to prepare well and perform to the best of their abilities.
If you want to prepare you can download LK ACADEMY learning app for daily free mock test, Current Affairs video lectures, study notes and many more all on your convenient time. The coaching provides comprehensive way to cover the syllabus and make you prepare for preliminary, Mains and interview round.
Good luck!
Length of diagonal =√(l² + b² + h²)
Circle
Area = πr² or πd²/4
Circumference = 2πr or πd
Area of sector of a circle = (θπr² )/360
Also Read:
CAT Important 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
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)²
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)
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 Important 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 Important 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 |
Get free CAT mock tests by Shiksha below:
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JIMS Rohini MBA cutoff 2024 will be released soon after the result is out for CAT, XAT and MAT. However the CAT cutoff percentile for JIMS Rohini remains the same for every year i.e 75 for the General AI quota. So, candidates preparing for next academic session must aim to secure more than 75 percen
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