How To Prepare QA For CAT 2025? - Download QA Smart Tips & Effective Formula PDF

Exam Pattern & Syllabus For QA Section Of CAT Exam

Before starting your preparation for CAT 2025 for the quant section, you should understand the CAT exam pattern well. Here is the tentative exam pattern for CAT 2025 as follows:

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CAT Quant Preparation: How To Prepare QA For CAT 2025?

Quantitative aptitude is the most predictable of all the sections of CAT exam, as the syllabus is predefined based on previous year trends, and it tests your problem-solving ability as a whole. The majority of candidates start their preparation with quants only as it takes time and consistency to ace this section.

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips 2025

Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 should keep the following points in mind to enhance their preparation for the QA section.

• Learn the basics: CAT is as much a speed test as it is a skill-based test. Thus, it is important to improve the speed of solving, including calculation speed. The different tricks and tips can be looked at in this stage to identify the ones which work for the candidate and which ones to avoid.
• Practise Questions: To boost up the preparation to the next level after establishing the basics properly, practice the level of questions by using the NCERT books from Class 10 to 12. Thus, even choosing a reference book is no longer an issue; practice and improve your speed through these books before moving on to more advanced material.
• Increase the Level of Difficulty: Following the basic preparation, the intermediate level of questions should be attempted. The concepts should be clear at this level so the focus should be on maintaining a high level of accuracy. The speed of solving can initially be sacrificed to clear the concepts further. However, once the concepts are clear, the practice of increasing the speed should start in earnest again.
• Prepare with Mocks: In the final step, the candidate should appear for as many mocks as possible. Attempting mocks will allow the candidate to identify his strengths and weaknesses in the section and will give them a target to work towards. Depending on the time remaining for the exam, the weaknesses need to be consolidated as much as possible. You should be able to answer at least the basic questions within an acceptable time.

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Topics Covered In Quantitative Aptitude Section Of CAT Exam

The QA section of CAT 2025 is expected to comprise 22 questions divided into two parts:

• Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with negative markings
• Non-MCQ questions with no negative markings

The majority of the questions in this section are from Arithmetic, followed by Algebra and Geometry, with a few questions also coming from Modern Math. Mention below is the breakdown of the syllabus for CAT QA section, as follows:

The topics covered in the Quantitative Aptitude syllabus are not clearly defined in the syllabus due to which the students are always confused about how to prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (QA) section. However, some analysis of previous year's CAT papers yielded the information that every year, Arithmetic & Algebra questions generally account for the highest number of questions in the form of almost 10-12 questions.

1. QA Preparation for CAT: Geometry & Mensuration

Geometry and Mensuration formulae are quite intensive in number which is one of the reasons that many students find this section tough. Without the formulae and the tricks, solving these questions could take a very long time. In order to help the students how to prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (QA) section, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Memorise and make note of all the commonly used formulae such as area, volume, etc.
• Symmetry should be kept in mind when solving the section since it can half the time to solve in some cases.
• Some options can be eliminated directly by looking at the dimensions or the values.
• Most of the questions on this topic are limited to a few types which have already been asked in the previous year’s CAT papers. Thus preparation for the mensuration topic can be done from there directly.

For geometry, the various theorems are difficult to remember and this makes solving some of these questions very difficult. There are questions where knowing the right theorem could solve the question within 15 seconds, while the conventional methods may exceed a couple of minutes.

2. QA Preparation for CAT: Alligations and Mixtures

Alligations and Mixtures is one such topic that can be tested in conjunction with other topics, such as profit and loss, or through stand-alone questions. The basic concept of this topic is that it consists of two or more materials/items being mixed, and the questions are usually framed to ask how much of each should be added to a mixture in order to reach a particular ratio. Profit and Loss can be added to this question by mentioning the cost of each material and the cost of the alloy.

3. QA Preparation for CAT: Sequence & Series

Sequence and Series is a topic that covers three basic topics: Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression, and Harmonic Progression. These topics, like Alligation and Mixture, can be stand-alone questions or may be mixed with other topics, although that is quite rare.

4. QA Preparation for CAT: Trigonometry

Trigonometry is an auxiliary topic that is used in geometry, time, speed, and distance and as a standalone topic. The basic formulae for trigonometry should be at every CAT student's fingertips as it can be used quite a lot.

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How To Score Well In CAT QA Section?

Below we have given some points on how to approach or improve QA section of CAT exam:

• Learn to Solve From One Chapter to Another: Know the difference between being able to decipher a problem and solving a problem smoothly. The best advice is to solve the easy questions first, then work your way up to the medium questions of each chapter, as this will enable you to solve and understand the questions effortlessly. Aspirants can also refer to books from authentic authors, specifically about the QA section.
• Staying Power: The QA section of the CAT is the final section which means candidates would arrive at this part of the question paper in whatever time remaining of the test. So if you do not have enough stamina, you might end up wasting a lot of time on a single question. This is something that one should learn during their CAT preparation journey. Hence, it is important to build stamina as you reach the QA section and give your best performance.
• Memorizing Formulas: While solving the chapters, students are urged to memorize all the formulas and maintain a separate note containing only the formulas. Try solving the questions without peeking at the notes that you have jotted down the formulas. Once you have finished memorizing the formulas, test yourself and try to remember them, and if you are unable to do so, you can learn them again and solve the question again. Keep repeating this, and you will eventually master it. Also, make sure that you keep the formulas where you can see them every day so that you’ll be able to recall them easily.
• Cultivate a Time Management Tactic: An aspirant needs a precise time management tactic to attain a maximum score in the quant section. To do so, begin by finding the questions that are uncomplicated and manageable, which you can solve within a short time frame and accurately. This way, it will help you build your confidence. In case you encounter a difficult question. Try not to panic, and don’t spend plenty of time solving the question. Instead, you can just mark it and move to the next question. If you have enough time, you can always come back later and solve it.
• Hone Your Calculation Skills: The two most important things in the quant section are speed and accuracy. To improve your calculation skills, the best strategy is to revise and practice quick methods for common calculations like percentages, square roots, and so on. To solve these questions in a short time will save you time during the exam. Also, pay heed not to commit careless blunders while reading the question. This is especially suitable for questions that involve several steps or formulas.

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Effective CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Strategies

These are some of the topics that carry significant weight in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Some general tips on how to prepare for the QA section are:

• As you proceed in your CAT preparation, be sure you practice math questions from diverse topics on a regular basis. Regular practice will make you feel more at ease and confident when answering the questions in this area.
• Practicing with a number of numerical examples and simulated tests to improve your problem-solving abilities. This will expose you to various question styles and assist you in developing effective problem-solving strategies.
• Improve calculation speed through practice as well as other techniques such as Vedic Maths.
• Build a strategy on how many questions to attempt based on your comfort level with this section.
• In the exam, the main focus should be on accuracy, even if the speed is slightly slower than expected since the paper's level varies every year.
• Attempt different strategies in CAT full-length and sectional mock tests in order to arrive at the final strategy that you wish to use in the final exam.

Also Read: How To Improve My CAT Mock Percentile?

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How To Improve Speed & Accuracy In CAT Quantitative Ability Section?

For this section, Practice! Practice! and Practice! The more you practice, the better you will be prepared. Revision of weak topics is also beneficial. These approaches can help you improve your accuracy and stay up with the time constraints of the exam.

Learn and Use Shortcut Techniques

Get to know different shortcuts and tricks that can help save time during your exams. Some useful strategies include:

• Arithmetic Shortcuts: Quick ways to do calculations for percentages, simplify ratios, and tackle percentage problems efficiently.
• Algebra Tricks: Methods for solving equations swiftly.
• Geometry Formulas: Memorize key formulas for calculating areas, volumes, and other properties of shapes.

Use these shortcuts while practicing to make them a natural part of your problem-solving approach.

Focus on Accuracy First

While speed is important, getting the right answers is even more crucial. Here’s how to ensure accuracy:

• Double-Check Your Work: Regularly review your answers to catch any mistakes.
• Avoid Guessing: Use logic to eliminate wrong answers rather than guessing, which leads to more accurate results.
• Learn from Mistakes: When analyzing your practice test errors, try to understand where you went wrong to prevent making the same mistakes again.

Take Full-Length Mock Tests

Mock tests are great for measuring your preparation and improving your speed and accuracy. Follow these practices:

• Simulate Real Exam Conditions: Take practice tests as if they were the actual exam to get used to the format and timing.
• Review Your Results: After each mock test, check where you did well and where you can improve.
• Adjust Your Approach: Use what you learn from the mock tests to tweak your problem-solving techniques and how you manage your time.

Develop Effective Time Management Skills

Good time management can greatly enhance your performance in quantitative aptitude. Use these strategies:

• Set Time Limits: Assign specific time limits for each question or section while practicing to develop your pacing.
• Prioritize Questions: Learn to quickly spot and tackle easier questions first to maximize your scores.
• Use a Timer: Practice under timed conditions to sharpen your ability to manage your time during the actual exam.

Stay Calm & Focused

Keeping a calm and focused mind is key to performing well. Try these techniques to reduce stress:

• Relaxation Methods: Engage in deep breathing or meditation to maintain calmness during the exam.
• Positive Visualization: Picture yourself succeeding in the exam to boost your confidence and decrease anxiety.

You can also improve your QA sectional score and get into the 99%ile bracket in the most unpredictable section of CAT, with QA1000, curated by our CAT experts, Gautam Puri (IIM-B), Shiva Kumar (IIM-C), Gautam Bawa (IIM-C) and Shashank Gahoi.

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Best Books To Improve QA For CAT

Success in the QA section depends entirely on your problem-solving and mathematical skills, along with consistent practice of related questions. Past analysis shows that scoring well in QA is comparatively more difficult than in the other two sections.

To help candidates prepare for QA for CAT, we have listed a few books that can be used for guidance alongside CAT previous year papers and mock tests.

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Conclusion

How to plan QA preparation for CAT was once one of the biggest questions aspirants needed to answer before planning on taking the exam. However, today, we have several resources available online to start our preparation right away. Still, the competitiveness of classroom coaching in QA classes is difficult to compete with as it is the most level field between the aspirants, while VA and DILR favor those who might have a natural knack for it.

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