So instead of panicking, you should concentrate on brushing up the basics and learning the right tricks.

What is Quant all about?
The Arithmetic sub-section in the CAT entrance exam consists of questions from number systems and theory, percentage, profit and loss, interest, speed time and distance, average, ratio and proportion etc. The Algebra section consists of linear and quadratic equation, logarithm, progression, binomial theorem, inequalities, permutation and combination, probability, function, set theory etc. The Geometry section consists of topics like coordinate geometry, trigonometry, mensuration etc.

This section consists of very basic questions and in order to get a decent score, the basic concepts regarding numbers and mathematics has to be crystal clear, according to experts MBAUniverse.com spoke with. “The Quant section in CAT entrance exam tests fundamentals and application skills. Hence, focus on building basics in Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Mathematics and Geometry,” Aziz Manva, Content Head of Testfunda.com said.

Preparation for Quant
To start with this section of the CAT entrance exam, you should get yourself accustomed to all possible types of questions of this section. After that you will get a fair idea about your strengths and weaknesses in that particular area. “Based on this, divide your time, but do not let loose your strong fronts while mending the weaker walls,” Manish Gulati, CEO & Co founder, topCATcoaching.com said.

In order to carry on with the preparations, it is necessary to learn all the formulae by heart and keep on revising them. “Learn to apply these formulae in more difficult problems. It will be possible only through practice. Make your own formula sheet – because learning is best done by doing,” Manva said, and added, “Be comfortable with handling calculations. Learn multiplication tables at least up to 30, squares and cubes at least up to 30 and reciprocal percentages by heart.”
Manva explained the importance of focusing on developing estimation and approximation skills and learn intelligent guessing. “Estimation and approximation skills and intelligent guessing are beneficial, though not mandatory, to know speed calculation techniques. Needless to say, all this requires plenty of practice,” he said.

Books & preparation material for Quant
‘Back to Basics’ is the right mantra when you consider preparation strategy for CAT entrance exam’s Quant section. “I would suggest starting preparation with the very basic materials and which you are accustomed with. NCERT arithmetic text books from classes VIII to X are the best in this regard,” Kamelsh Sajnani, Managing Director of IMS Learning, said. Voicing similar advices, Manva, said, “The basic books you can refer are CBSE textbooks for standards VIII, IX and X. They build sound concepts.”

Apart from the NCERT books, Manish Saraf, COO, PT Education suggested books specially written for CAT entrance exam preparation like ‘How To Prepare For Quantitative Aptitude For The CAT’ by Arun Sharma (TATA-McGraw Hill publications), ‘Quantitative Aptitude for CAT’ by Nishit Sinha (Pearson publications), ‘Quantum CAT’ by Sarvesh Kumar Verma (Arihant publication) and ‘Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations’ by Abhijit Guha (TATA-McGraw Hill publications).

Apart from them, you can also invest on the course materials provided by the leading MBA coaching institutes. They provide comprehensive material for your preparation along with enough practice materials.

How to analyze your learning?

The answer is quite simple – by taking more and more mock tests.

“Test series are an ideal way to gauge one’s preparation level and find out the problem areas,” said Sahil Bansal, CAT 2008 topper with 99.91 percentile and student of IIM Lucknow (2009-11). Another CAT 2008 topper, Glen D’Silva, now a student of IIM Ahmedabad, told MBAUniverse.com, “Try and analyze the mocks. Find the reason you are unable to score in your weaker sections and improve on that.” Glen D’Silva scored 99.83 percentile in CAT entrance exam last year.

Sandeep Anand, CEO, 100Percentile, “Practice, do more and more problems, give number of tests, that is the only way to do well in this section of CAT entrance exam.”

The MBA coaching institutes, both the traditional and the online players, provide sectional mock tests. You can take their mocks for a particular section or a full-length test that covers the area, and you won’t even need to enroll in their MBA coaching institute’s classes for this! These coaching institutes provide such test for a minimal sum these days. And with CAT becoming a computer-based exam from 2009 onwards, taking online/computer-based tests are very important.