
CAT Arithmetic questions are typically of moderate difficulty level. CAT arithmetic questions have not been known to pose any sort of challenge to students in exams. Arithmetic forms the bulk of the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT exam. Typically, 8-10 questions on arithmetic come every year. These questions are of multiple choice or type-in-the-answer type from the following topics – Averages, Mean Median Mode, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Mixtures and Allegations, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance. If your multiplication, division and percentage calculation skills are strong, then these topics won’t give you too much of trouble.
Find Arithmetic-based problems with solutions and shortcuts.
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Take a look at some of the CAT arithmetic questions below. Solve them to assess your proficiency in this topic. You need to solve CAT Arithmetic questions every day as part of CAT 2026 preparation. Please also take a look at the CAT Arithmetic PDF Guide. The guide is available for free download and can be used for CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Preparation.
- CAT Arithmetic Sample Questions with Answers
- CAT Arithmetic Topic Breakdown
- CAT Arithmetic Weightage & Past Year Trends (CAT 2020 - 2025)
- Important CAT Arithmetic Formulas
- How to Prepare CAT Arithmetic Topics
- Explore More CAT Prep Content
CAT Arithmetic Sample Questions with Answers
Question 1: There is an increment of 600 gm in the average weight of students in a class when some new students join the class. If the average weight of the new students is 3 kg more than the average weight of the old students, then what is the ratio of the number of old students to the number of new students?
a) 1:4
b) 1:2
c) 4:1
d) 3:1
Answer: 4:1
Question 2: Two trains A and B started simultaneously from stations X and Y, respectively. Both the trains move towards each other with their constant speeds. Train A travels from station X to station Y in 10 minutes, while train B travels from station Y to station X in 9 minutes after meeting train A. Then, what is the total time taken, in minutes, by train B to travel from station Y to station X?
a) 6
b) 15
c) 10
d) 12
Answer: 15
Question 3: Ankita bought 4 kg cashews, 14 kg peanuts, and 6 kg almonds when the cost of 7 kg cashews is equivalent to the cost of 30 kg peanuts or 9 kg almonds. She mixed all these nuts together and marked a price on the mixture in such a way that she can earn a profit of ₹1752. She sold 4 kg of the mixture at the marked price and sold the rest at a discount of 20%, earning a total profit of ₹744. Find the total amount, in rupees, that Ankita spends on buying almonds?
a) 1680
b) 1176
c) 2520
d) 1440
Answer: 1680
Question 4: A mixture of lemon juice and sugar syrup in equal proportion is taken and another mixture is formed by mixing the first mixture with sugar syrup in the ratio 1 : 3. Then find the ratio of the lemon juice and sugar syrup in the second mixture?
a) 1:4
b) 1:5
c) 1:6
d) 1:7
Answer: 1:7
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CAT Arithmetic Topic Breakdown
When preparing for the CAT Arithmetic topics of CAT, aspirants must ensure they have complete clarity of the following concepts:
- Percentages
- Profit, Loss & Discount
- Simple & Compound Interest (SI & CI)
- Ratio and Proportion
- Averages, Mixtures & Alligations
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
CAT Arithmetic Weightage & Past Year Trends (CAT 2020 - 2025)
Check the below table for the number of Arithmetic questions asked in the last few years in CAT exam.
| CAT Exam Year |
Number of Arithmetic Questions |
|---|---|
| CAT 2020 |
10 |
| CAT 2021 |
10 |
| CAT 2022 |
8 |
| CAT 2023 |
7 |
| CAT 2024 |
8 |
| CAT 2025 |
8 |
Important CAT Arithmetic Formulas
Profit / Loss Percentage:
- Profit% = (SP-CP/CP) X100
- Loss% = (CP-SP/CP) X 100
Discount and Markup:
Discount = Marked price (MP) - Selling Price (SP)
MP/CP = 100+profit%
100-discount %
Dishonest Dealer Faulty Weights:
Profit % = (Time Value –False Value) x 100
False Value
Simple & Compound Interest
Simple Interest:
SI = PxRxT | Amount (A) = P +SI
100
Compound Interest:
A= P (1+R/100)T | CI = A-P
Download the CAT Arithmetic Study Guide PDF shared above on this page for complete list of formulas.
How to Prepare CAT Arithmetic Topics
Arithmetic is easier than Algebra and Geometry both in terms of theory and practice. Candidates can master CAT Arithmetic questions by practicing sample questions of various difficulty levels. Here’s what you should do:
- First of all, study all the Arithmetic topics in detail. Study from How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Memorise important formulae and concepts of each Arithmetic sub topic
- Practice various sample CAT questions. Use recommended question banks for Arithmetic
- Solve all the Arithmetic questions asked in CAT exam in last five year. Refer previous years’ CAT question papers for the same.
*Refer the downloadable PDF given above for detailed assistance.
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Answered Yesterday
Dedicate one focused hour in the morning to QA formulas or an RC passage, one hour in the evening to DILR sets, and reserve weekends for full-length mocks and thorough review.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
It is not too late, provided you adjust your scope. Focus directly on core topics, start taking sectional tests immediately, and spend time learning through mock test analysis.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Focus on formula sheets, mental math tables, grammar pointers, and your accumulated test error log. Avoid attempting full-length tests during the final three days before the exam.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Enrolling in a classroom programme is rarely practical with two months left. However, a dedicated mock test series or a targeted crash course for specific weak subjects can provide structured practice material.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
A beginner can build a respectable attempt by focusing strictly on high-yield areas such as Arithmetic, Algebra, core DI arrangements, and Reading Comprehension, rather than attempting the entire syllabus.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Taking 12 to 18 full-length mocks across the 60-day window is generally sufficient. Candidates must scatter these mocks into phases and dedicate at least three to four hours to analysing each test.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, 60 days is adequate if you have a basic understanding of mathematics and reading skills. It provides sufficient time to revise concepts, complete timed sectional practice, and take 12 to 15 full mocks.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
IIM Indore will release CAT admit card 2026 on November 4. Candidates will be able to download the admit card of CAT exam 2026 until the exam date, i.e. November 29.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Candidates can edit the following details during the CAT form correction process:
- Photograph uploaded
- Signature uploaded
- Test city preferences
Personal details like name, date of birth, gender, nationality, or any other information, besides those above mentioned, cannot be changed using CAT correction w
N
Contributor-Level 7
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