Quantitative Aptitude (QA) is one of the three sections in the CAT exam. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025 assesses a candidate's mathematical skills, problem-solving ability, and numerical aptitude. The questions in Quantitative Aptitude for CAT section test the conceptual clarity, logical application, and time management skills. CAT Quantitative Aptitude 2025 section covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Read CAT Quantitative Ability pattern, syllabus, type of questions, how to prepare and more details.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern was same across all the three slots. Check table below. However, there were minor changes in section wise compositions. Check complete CAT 2024 exam analysis for details.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern for Slot 1, 2, 3
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 40 min | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 40 min | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | Quantitative Ability | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | - | 120 min | 46 | 22 | 68 |
Quantitative Ability or Quantitative Aptitude section in CAT exam is the test of mathematics. QA comprises questions on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and other topics. CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions will carry a weightage of 33% of total CAT. Within the Quantitative Aptitude section, around 40% questions are based on Arithmetic topics. CAT Quantitative Aptitude is the last section in the CAT exam.
The Quantitative Ability (QA) section has questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and Number Systems. Check break-up of Quantitative Ability sub sections/ areas in CAT 2024 below.
CAT 2024 Section wise Exam Pattern: Quantitative Ability
| Topic | No. of Questions | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 | Averages; Ratio & Proportion; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; LCM and HCF; Percentages, Profit and Loss; Interest (Simple and Compound); Number System; |
| Algebra | 7 | Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Progressions; Algebraic Expressions to Polynomials; Complex numbers; Sequences and series; Permutations and combinations |
| Geometry/ Mensuration | 3 | Triangles, Lines and Angles (Supplementary, Complementary, Obtuse, Acute, and Right), Quadrilaterals, Circles; Theorems (Pythagoras, Midpoint, Apollonius, Basic Proportionality, Internal and External Angular Bisector), Co-ordinate Geometry, Quadrant System, Areas of Hexagonal Polygon, Triangle, and Rectangle. Square, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Volume, Total Surface Area, and Lateral Surface Area of Different Solids like Cubes, Cuboids, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cones, Spheres, Hemispheres, and Frustum |
| Trigonometry | 3 | Trigonometric ratios, identities, and heights and distances, Sine, Cosine |
| Modern Math | 1 | Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
Once you know about the QA question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability section. Please note that CAT exam QA syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.
| Topic | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Averages; Ratio & Proportion; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; LCM and HCF; Percentages, Profit and Loss; Interest (Simple and Compound); Number System |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Progressions; Algebraic Expressions to Polynomials; Complex numbers; Sequences and series; Permutations and combinations |
| Geometry/ Mensuration | Triangles, Lines and Angles (Supplementary, Complementary, Obtuse, Acute, and Right), Quadrilaterals, Circles; Theorems (Pythagoras, Midpoint, Apollonius, Basic Proportionality, Internal and External Angular Bisector), Co-ordinate Geometry, Quadrant System, Areas of Hexagonal Polygon, Triangle, and Rectangle. Square, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Volume, Total Surface Area, and Lateral Surface Area of Different Solids like Cubes, Cuboids, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cones, Spheres, Hemispheres, and Frustum |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric ratios, identities, and heights and distances, Sine, Cosine |
| Modern Math | Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
The Quantitative Ability (QA) section of CAT primarily tests a candidate’s mathematical concepts, problem-solving ability, and speed. A structured approach with concept clarity, regular practice, and time management is key to scoring well in this section. Here’s an effective strategy to prepare for QA:
“For Quantitative Ability preparation, I worked on knowing my basic concepts and working on solving the questions that I already know would be solved quickly especially on the questions and concepts which became familiar to me. This built up my skills and strengths, improved speed and accuracy” – Kirti Goyal, CAT Topper 99.1%, IIM Kozhikode MBA 2023-25
“First of all, I brushed up all the topics in initial few months. Then appeared in mock tests. My strategy for this section was to keep myself cool and not to get influenced by the performance in other two sections, as this being the last section, there are chances of mishap easy questions if other two sections have not gone well. I was doing one after another from start in sequence. My confidence grew with each questions I could solve and I left a few, which were time consuming” – Soumik Banerjee, CAT Topper 99.95%, IIM Calcutta 2023-25
“For QA preparation, my focus areas were to build a strong foundation in math concepts, Solved a variety of math problems daily, Memorized key formulas and shortcuts, Took full-length mock tests to improve speed and accuracy, Managed time effectively during the QA section, Identified and leveraged strong math areas, Worked on improving weaker Math topics, Enhanced mental calculation skills for quicker solutions” - Akshat Agarwal, CAT Topper 99.44%, IIT Delhi MBA 2023-25
Many other CAT toppers with 99 and 100 percentile have shared that they found Quantitative Aptitude was their weak area but they improved a lot in it with consistent preparation. Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, these CAT toppers spoke about their preparation strategy for Quant section:
CAT Topper Rachit Saran, MDI Gurgaon (99.04 % in CAT 2017) on how he cracked Quantitative Aptitude in CAT
In an interview with MBAUniverse.com, CAT Topper Rachit Saran explained how he cracked Quant section. He said “I was scoring really low in Quant. I realized that the problem was not with my concepts; it was with my immature stubbornness to solve every question that came my way. Also, I wanted to solve all of them using the traditional methods. I tried to cast this behaviour out by reminding myself that my entire goal here is to get the answer in least amount of time and nothing else. So, I learnt some unconventional techniques and started being selective with the questions. Of course, the choices here would skew towards my strengths.”
“The entire strategy here circled around selecting the right questions. Once I was done with my conceptual basics, I picked up my first couple of mocks and analysed them to see whether I was wasting time on the tough nuts. I devised my strategy in a way that allowed me to go through all the questions on the test, while solving only those that I was confident about.”
CAT Topper Rohan Joshi (99.63 % in CAT 2017) on how he cracked Quantitative Aptitude section
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, CAT Topper Rohan Joshi (99.63 % in CAT 2017) explained how he cracked Quant section, “I started with solving basic questions and slowly moved on to higher difficulty levels as my preparation advanced.”
CAT Topper Somesh Lohani, FMS Delhi (99.99 % in CAT 2016) on how he cracked Quantitative Aptitude section
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, CAT topper Somesh Lohani, FMS MBA 2017-19 batch pass out said, “For quant, first thing to do is clearing your basics. There are multiple books available in the market such as by Arun Sharma, Nishit Sinha, etc. Also videos on youtube such as Dinesh Miglani collection on youtube are really helpful and will help in clearing the basics concepts. Once I had my basic concepts cleared, it was all about solving as many questions as possible from different books, online materials and mock tests.”
CAT Topper Gyayak Jain, IIM Ahmedabad (100% in CAT 2016) on how he cracked Quantitative Aptitude section
In an interview with MBAUniverse.com, CAT topper with 100 percentile and IIM Ahmedabad PGP 2017-19 batch pass out, Gyayak Jain said, “I used TIME study modules to get me acquainted with various formulas and tricks of solving various types of problems. The practice for it was done in mock tests. Also, I had no guilt in leaving questions which I was uncomfortable with or was unsure about. I did not waste time in re-solving a question more than once if I am not getting any of the options.”
The best books and study material for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section are as follows:
Also read CAT Preparation Books by Arun Sharma.
Take CAT Mock Test for Quantitative Aptitude Section Questions
In conclusion, Quantitative Aptitude (QA) is one of the three sections in the CAT exam. The questions in Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025 section test the conceptual clarity, logical application, and time management skills. CAT Quantitative Aptitude section covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Read CAT Quantitative Ability pattern, syllabus, type of questions, how to prepare and more details in the above article.
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