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How to Prepare For Quantitative Aptitude (QA) for CAT 2024

CAT, commonly known as Common Admission Test is a computer based exam, conducted by IIM ( Indian Institute of Management) every year for admission purpose to post-graduate management programs like MBA in various management institutes of the country such as IIMs, FMS, DMS, etc of India. The usual duration of the exam is 2 hours but may vary depending upon the exam policies and is divided into 3 sections namely Quantitative Ability, Verbal Reasoning & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The eligibility criteria for the students to give the exam is-

  • Bachelor’s degree( or equivalent) with 50%
  • Final year undergraduate students can also be eligible to give exam.

The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT alone consists of 22 questions out of total of 66, making it one of the most important section of the exam, which can’t be ignored. So, this article will mainly focus on ‘ How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude’ to ace the CAT exam.

Quantitative Aptitude Pattern:

Before moving on making preparation strategy for Quantitative Aptitude, it’s important to deep dive into it’s exam pattern.

Components

Details

CAT

Common Admission Test

Mode of Conduct

Online only ( Computer based)

Question types

MCQ & Non MCQs ( TITA)

Exam marking scheme
  • +3 for correct answers
  • -1 for incorrect answers
  • 0 for Unattempted questions
  • No negative marking for TITA questions

Quantitative Aptitude

Total questions- 22

MCQ type questions- 14

Non MCQ type questions- 8

Total marks- 66

Time given- 40 minutes

CAT 2024:

Candidates going to give CAT 2024 exam must familiarize themselves about the latest 5 year changes in the CAT exam pattern over the past 5 years.

Over the CAT 2020 exam, the total time duration of CAT exam has been reduced from 180 minutes to 120 minutes, where each section is allocated with 40 minutes now, instead of 60 minutes. Along with time duration, the total number of exam questions also reduced from 76 to 66 questions for the CAT 2024. As per latest data, the questions in Quantitative Aptitude in CAT 2023 exam were toughest in the last 5 years. CAT 2024 will be held on November 24, 2024. This year we expect IIM will follow the same pattern based on no change in the exam pattern over 2-3 years.

Quantitative Aptitude Topic Wise Weightage:

Quantitative Aptitude has a comprehensive and well defined syllabus to prepare for. Looking over the latest past year papers, we have curated a list of frequently appearing and most common quantitative aptitude topics, appeared over the several past year CAT exam papers. The previous 5 years CAT exam papers topic wise questions weightage is as follows:

Quant CAT 2023 Topic Wise Weightage:

Topics

Subtopics

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Algebra

Inequalities

Functions & equations

Linear equations

Logarithms

Exponential & polynomial equations

Quadratic equations

Arithmetic mean & algebra

Exponents and Powers

Proportionality & System of equations

Linear Equations & word problems

1

–

1

1

2

1

2

–

–

–

1

–

–

1

1

2

–

1

1

1

1

1

–

1

1

1

–

1

–

1

Number System

Number Theory

1

3

1

Geometry

Clocks

Coordinate Geometry

Circles & Quadrilaterals

Triangles & Areas

Triangles & Rectangle properties

Polygons

1

1

1

1

–

–

–

1

–

1

1

–

–

–

–

1

1

1

Arithmetic

Percentage

Ratio & proportion

Mixture & Allegation

Profit & Loss

Speed, Time, Distance

Work, Time & Rate

Simple & Compound Interest

Averages

–

1

1

1

2

1

1

–

–

1

1

2

1

1

1

–

2

1

1

1

1

2

–

1

Modern Maths

Permutation & Combination

Sequence & Series

1

1

–

1

–

2

Quant CAT 2022 Topic Wise weightage:

Topics

Subtopics

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Algebra

System of equations

Quadratic equations & inequalities

Functions

Polynomials

Logarithms

Algebric equations

Exponentiation & Logarithms

Linear equations

Arithmetic Progressions

2

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

–

3

1

2

1

–

–

–

–

–

2

2

–

–

1

1

1

–

Number System

Number Theory

Factorials & Divisibility

Remainder Theorem

1

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

1

Geometry

Trapeziums & right angles

Circles & rectangles

Coordinate geometry

Trigonometry and geometry

Triangles

Polygons & angles

Quadrilaterals & Triangles

Triangle & circles

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

–

1

1

–

1

1

Arithmetic

Speed, Time, Distance

Mixture & Allegation

Averages, Ratios

Profit & Loss

Ratio & Proportion, Mixture & Profit & loss ( combined)

Ratio & proportion

Simple & compound interest

Work, Time, Rate

Percentages & Proportion

1

1

2

1

1

2

1

–

–

1

1

2

–

–

–

1

1

1

2

1

2

–

–

–

1

2

–

Modern Maths

Set theory

Combinatorics

Permutations & arithmetic mean

Sequence & Series

1

1

–

1

–

1

–

3

–

–

1

1

Quant CAT 2021 Topic Wise weightage:

Topics

Subtopics

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Algebra

Recurrence Relations

Inequalities

Logarithms

Polynomials

System of linear equations

Quadratic equations

Functions

Non- Linear equations

Exponential & Logarithm functions

1

2

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

–

2

1

–

–

1

1

1

–

–

1

1

–

3

1

–

–

1

Number System

Number Theory

1

1

–

Geometry

Regular Polygons

Regular Hexagons

Triangles & Circles

Area of Rhombus

Trapeziums & Parellograms

Area of Rectangle

Parellograms

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

1

1

–

1

1

Arithmetic

Profit & Loss

Speed, Time, Distance

Work, Time & Rate

Ratio & Proportion

Mixture & Allegation

Ratios & Percentages

Simple & Compound Interest

Averages

Percentages

Arithmetic Mean

1

1

2

1

1

1

–

1

2

–

1

1

2

–

2

1

–

1

1

–

1

1

2

–

1

–

1

–

2

1

Modern Maths

Combinatorics

Sequence & Series

1

1

1

2

1

1

Quant CAT 2020 Topic Wise Weightage:

Topics

Subtopics

Slot 1

Slot 2

Slot 3

Algebra

Logarithm

Exponential & Polynomial equations

Functions

Geometric Progressions

System of equations

Linear equation & Inequalities

2

3

1

1

1

–

1

–

1

–

2

2

2

–

1

–

1

1

Number System

Number Theory

Real Numbers

Number Theory & Inequalities

2

–

–

1

1

–

3

–

1

Geometry

Areas of circles & rectangles

Coordinate Geometry

Area of Rhombus

Volume of cone & frustum

Equilateral triangle & rectangle

Circle Geometry

Trapezium

1

1

1

1

–

–

–

–

1

–

–

2

1

–

–

3

–

–

–

–

1

Arithmetic

Simple & Compound Interest

Ratio & proportion

Speed, Time, Distance

Profit & Loss

Averages

Percentages

Work, Time, Rate

Arithmetic & Geometric Mean

Mixture & Allegations

1

2

4

1

1

1

–

–

–

1

1

4

1

–

1

1

2

–

1

1

3

1

2

1

1

–

1

Modern Maths

Combinatorics

Set theory

Permutations & Combinations

Sequence & Series

2

–

–

–

–

1

1

1

1

–

–

1

Quant CAT 2019 Topic Wise Weightage:

Topics

Subtopics

Slot 1

Slot 2

Algebra

System of equations

Exponential & Polynomial equations

Quadratic equations

Functions

Trigonometric equations

Logarithms

Quadratic equations & logarithms

2

1

1

2

1

1

–

3

1

1

1

–

1

1

Number System

Number Theory

Divisor & Number properties

Rational expressions & integers

–

–

–

1

1

1

Geometry

Ratio & Area of Triangle & Hexagon

Coordinate Geometry

Area of circle

Properties of triangles & circles

Rectangular solids

Area of cylinders

Properties of Right- angle triangles

Pyramids & spatial reasoning

Regular Polygons

1

2

2

1

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

1

–

1

1

1

1

Arithmetic

Percentage

Profit & Loss

Averages

Work, Time, Rate

Arithmetic Progression

Simple & Compound Interest

Speed, Time, Distance

Mixture & Allegations

Ratio & Proportions

Arithmetic sequences

3

1

1

2

1

2

4

1

1

–

3

2

1

3

–

1

2

1

1

1

Modern Maths

Set theory

Sequence & Series

1

3

–

1

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024:

Before moving on to the CAT 2024 exam syllabus, candidates must familiarize themselves with exam structure including conducting body, exam date, marking scheme, exam form fees & it’s official website. Here’s an concise overview of it:

  • CAT 2024 exam conducting body- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta
  • CAT 2024 exam date- 24 November 2024
  • Exam marking scheme- Negative Marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer & Positive marking of 3 marks of each correct answers
  • Exam application form fees– INR 2,400 for General category & INR 1200 for SC/ST/ PwD
  • CAT official website- https://iimcat.ac.in

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024:

The Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus of CAT 2024 comprises in mainly 5 sections, covering vast number of topics:

Arithmetic

Algebra

Geometry

Number system

Modern Maths

Percentages

Linear equations

Circles

Number theory

Sequence and series

Simple & Compound Interest

Quadratic equations

Triangles

Properties of digits

Set theory

Averages

Functions

Mensuration

Factors & Multiples

Permutations & combinations

Ratio and proportion

Logarithms

Quadrilateral

Divisibility rule

Coins + Dices

Mixture and allegation

Maxima & Minima

Coordinate Geometry

Factorials

Selections

Time, Speed, Distance

Modulus

Trigonometry

Highest power

Arrangements

Time, Work & Rate

Inequalities

3D Geometry

Base system

Combinatorics

Change of Base( percentage)

Roots

Lines & Angles

HCF & LCM

Probability

Successive change

Graphs

Polygons

Euler Number

Derangement

Profit, Loss and Discount

Polynomials

Mass point geometry

Remainder concept and theorem

Puzzles

Adulteration

Exponential and Polynomial equations

Clocks

Complex Numbers

Faulty weights

Exponents and powers

Rectangle properties

Power cycle

Partnership( ratio & proportion)

System of equations and proportionality

Trapezium & right angles

Binomial theorem

Replacement

Algebric equations

Hexagons

Cyclicity of remainders

Mean, Mode, Median(averages)

Recurrence relations

Area of Rhombus & parallelograms

Real numbers

Weighted average

Non-linear equations

Volume of cone & frustum

Rational expressions and integers

Pipes & cisterns( work, time & rate)

Arithmetic, Harmonic & Geometric Progressions

Equilateral triangle

Even & odd numbers

Efficiency

Trigonometric equations

Cylinders

Surds

Negative work

Number of Integers

Pyramids

Indices

Boats & streams & Escalators( speed, time, distance)

Vectors

Spatial reasoning

Average+ relative speed

Height & Distance

Linear & circular tracks

Arithmetic & Geometric Mean

Best Books to prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2024:

Quantitative Aptitude is the complex section to study for many of the students, especially for the Non- engineering students. To prepare for this section, students need extra resources like Books, mock test series, concept books, and what not. Given below is the list of Best Quantitative Aptitude Books to thoroughly cover your CAT syllabus:

  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Sarvesh.K.Verma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S Aggarwal
  • Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit. K. Sinha
  • NCERT Mathematics Books( Class 6 to 10) by NCERT( to build foundation in Maths)
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha

How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam( Preparation Tips & Strategies)

Preparation Strategy to Ace Quantitative Aptitude:

Now as we have covered and understand the syllabus and pattern of Quantitative Aptitude, let’s deep dive onto the preparation strategy to strategically enhance your Quant score. Given below are the effective preparation strategy steps to excel your quantitative aptitude score:

1. Complete and understand the syllabus and concepts- The first step of your effective preparation strategy should be to complete the whole quant syllabus while understanding the concepts. The first 2-3 months of your CAT preparation should be given to rigorous syllabus completion. Under this time period, one can improve their quantitative aptitude section by-

  • Working on Improving calculations- You can start it by doing calculations mentally instead of using calculator to better prepare your mind, learning tables till 30, learning squares and cubes till 30, Square roots and factorials till 10, learning powers.
  • Learning formulas- Formulas are the essential part of Maths and so is learning them. Make the formula sheet, learn it thoroughly and solve the questions without looking the formula sheet, revise the formulas whenever got time and repeat this process until the formulas got learned by heart. Remember, learning formulas, not only helps you solve the questions but also helps you save time in exam to solve questions quickly.
  • Make a Study Schedule- Create a study schedule covering your quant syllabus and allocates time for every topic you not covered

2. Build strong fundamentals- The Foundation makes the Building, so in case of the Maths too. Focus on Building the Basics of Maths. You can start by solving simple questions first, then gradually moving on to the complex problems. To build the fundamentals of Maths, you can start by solving NCERT Maths books from class 6 to 10th in order to improve your Maths basics. Initially focus on building accuracy rather than speed!

Additionally, you can also use suggested books like of Arun Sharma, Sarvesh.K.Verma and R.S Aggarwal and can also utilize the online resources like online courses, practice materials, video tutorials from different coaching and do practice regularly by solving various quantitative questions for at least 1-2 hours daily.

3. Solve Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers- Take mock tests regularly and previous year question papers to better analyze and identify your strength and weaknesses & the exam pattern and difficulty level of the questions to work on your weak areas and topics in order to score good.

4. Solve Questions under given Time constraints- Once well prepared with the concepts and solving plenty of questions, try the hack of solving the quantitative questions under given time constraints by setting time limit to improve speed and learn time management to handle the upcoming exam stress. Try giving mocks by allocating specific time to each question to effectively manage exam time. Again analyze and try to improve your solving speed and accuracy.

5. Revision- Revise important concepts, formulas and techniques and maintain on- the point notes for quick revision and to not forget the important concepts.

6. Stay positive and consistent- Stick to your preparation and avoid long gaps. Keep positive attitude throughout your preparation journey and be consistent. Consistency always pay off!

Useful Preparation Tips:

There are some useful general tips you can follow, while preparing Quantitative section for CAT:

1. Start Early: Do begin your preparation early, it not only gives you ample of time to cover your syllabus and for practice but also prevents you from last moment chaos and preparation stress. Starting early preparation helps one to work on his/her weak areas early by utilizing the precious time.

2. Avoid Guesswork: Always try to avoid the guesswork as doing it, can lose the marks. Try solving questions first you are confident in to gain maximum marks.

3. Learn the Elimination Art: Stuck in MCQ’s! Don’t stress. Read and analyze question carefully and try to eliminate the options that don’t aligns with the question. Reach to the final correct option by carefully eliminating the remaining questions.

4. Practice Time Management: Practice question solving by setting time, and analyze the time you take more and on which questions. Work on those questions. Do careful analysis & time yourself again and try to improve your speed. It’s important to do this practice in order to handle your exam timings efficiently.

5. Join Study Groups & Forums: Participate in study groups or forums to discuss problems, share study resources, and to gain effective solutions to your doubts & problems from your peers, as’ Learning together is like Growing together’.

6. Regularly Revise, Evaluate & Work on Weak Areas to Improve- Do regular revision of the topics previously studied, important formulas and shortcut techniques and do regular evaluation based on your mocks to work upon the weak areas to improve and ace good marks in the exam. Regular revision helps you retain and remember the concepts in long term and help avoids last minute cramming.

Lastly, don’t panic and keep yourself motivated. Just believe in yourself, as Hardwork always pays off!

Conclusion:

In conclusion, preparing Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam requires strategic planning, approach, consistency and solid understanding of basic quantitative concepts. Preparing Quantitative Aptitude can prove to be a tough journey but don’t you worry, with the right approach and attitude you can definitely owe it! Before beginning your preparation journey, thoroughly go through the exam structure, pattern and the syllabus. Start by mastering basics and build foundation in topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System and Geometry. Practice regularly using useful study resources, solving previous year question papers and taking on the mock tests along with analyzing your performance to identify and work upon your weak areas by focusing on important topics. Lastly, revise and develop time management skills by solving questions under time pressure to manage exam time pressure. The more motivated & consistent you remain, the more will be your chances of success. Wish you all the best for your future. Keep Going!

FAQ’s- How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT Exam:

1. How to clear the basics of quants for CAT?

To build the basic concepts of quant, start solving as many easy questions as possible and if got stuck while solving, read the theory of that question concept thoroughly to better understand the quant basics.

2. How to make quants strong for CAT?

To make your CAT quant section strong, follow the certain steps-

  • Build up your basics involving solving as many basic questions as possible and learning important formulas and techniques and basic calculations( try to avoid calculators)
  • Attempt mock tests & previous year papers to know your preparation position
  • Analyze & work upon weak areas & practice as many questions as possible
  • Try to build up your questions solving speed to handle the exam time pressure
  • Revise the concepts, formulas and important topics. Practice & be consistent.

3. How much time should I dedicate to my preparation?

Practice at least 2-3 hours daily for 3-4 months, depending upon your current preparation level to level up your preparation.

4. What type of questions are asked in quantitative aptitude in CAT?

The Quantitative section of CAT consists of approx 22 questions which are divided into MCQ’s ( one with negative marking) and Non-MCQ type questions( one with no negative marking). Most of questions in Quant are asked from Arithmetic, followed by Algebra, Geometry, Modern Maths and Number System.

5. Is coaching necessary to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude?

No, not necessary but can be helpful for structured and timely preparation for Quantitative Aptitude.


 


Reffered: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org

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