CAT Quantitative Aptitude

In the CAT exam there are three sections:

Quantitative aptitude

Verbal Ability

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

Among the three, quantitative aptitude aims to analyze and judge the mathematical knowledge of a CAT candidate. The quant syllabus covers school level topics and can be solved with right application of formulas. Also, the availability and option of on-screen calculator makes CAT exam easier for candidates.

The broad topics of quant aptitude section of CAT exam are as follows:

Number System
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Permutation & Combination/Probability

If that looks like a long list, then here is a suggested schedule by which you can learn the entire quant section of CAT exam in less than two months.

The quant section is considered the highest scoring than the rest two. The technique is to solve maximum problems in the least possible time.

The key to score the best in quant aptitude section of CAT exam is to practice in advance. Greater practice lets you learn more kinds of mathematical problems and also increases your speed of solving the quant aptitude section.Also, a clear knowledge of maths fundamentals and formulas is important in order to crack the quant section of CAT exam.

With reference to the total three hours allotted for CAT exam, the time one ideally should use for the quant aptitude section is 1 hour. However, if you intend to spend more time on quant aptitude section of CAT exam, then you have to lessen time span for the remaining two sections.

Now, some quick tips for each part of quant aptitude section of CAT exam for a healthy score:

Number system

Since concise in size, learning the number system does not take much time. Practice ample number system based sums to not go wrong on the CAT test day.

Arithmetic

Though arithmetic may sound like what you did in school but this has the maximum number of chapters listed under it. Make sure you don’t miss any of the arithmetic chapter and also, by seeing a problem on the CAT test day you should be able to understand to which chapter it belongs.

Geometry

Learn all kinds of theorems you can. Applying these theorems into the maths problems is the first key to solve the geometry questions. If still not solved, try to draw figures and diagrams to solve the geometry questions of CAT exam.

Algebra

The first step is to mug up all algebraic formulas and expressions. The next is to know, in which sum to apply which formula and how to solve the problem. If you pick the wrong algebraic formula, you are sure to go wrong with the rest of the sum.

Permutation & Combination/Probability

This is one of the advanced topic of the CAT quant syllabus. Refer to your plus two and college level maths books to learn this by heart.