CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus: Important Topics, Weightage, Preparation Tips, Books, Question Paper
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Content Writer | Updated On - Nov 28, 2025
CAT 2025 quantitative aptitude Syllabus consists of topics like Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Maths. CAT 2025 will be conducted by IIM Lucknow. Looking at the CAT QA Paper analysis of past years, the difficulty level of this section can be moderate to high.
- As per CAT 2025 Exam Pattern, a total of 22 questions will be asked from the QA section for 66 marks.
- According to CAT 2025 marking scheme, +3 marks will be awarded for every correct answer and 1 mark would be deducted for every wrong answer.
- Attempting 16-17 questions from the QA section can be good enough for scoring high. Check CAT QA Exam Analysis
- Since the QA portion of CAT involves a lot of mathematical problems to be solved in less time, thus it requires starting preparation early and practising more with a focus on various formulas, tips, and tricks to solve such problems in less time. Download CAT Previous Year Paper
- The CAT QA section plays a vital role in deciding the CAT Cutoff and an average score of 70 – 85 percentile in the QA section is believed to be good for a decent score in CAT.
Also Check:
Table of Content
6.1 Mistakes to Avoid While Attempting CAT QA Questions
7.1 CAT 2021 QA - Slot 1 Paper Analysis
CAT QA 2025 Highlights
| Events | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the section | Quantitative Aptitude |
| Number of questions | 26 |
| Type of questions | MCQ and TITA (Non-MCQs) |
| Total marks | 78 |
| Number of MCQs | 24-26 |
| Number of TITA questions | 6-8 |
| Sectional time limit for QA | 40 minutes (53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates) |
| Difficulty level | Moderate to high |
| Marking scheme | +3 for every correct answer -1 for every wrong/incorrect answer |
CAT QA Syllabus 2025
Below is listed the topic-wise CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus:
| Coordinate Geometry | Mensuration | LCM & HCF |
|---|---|---|
| Set Theory & Function | Probability | Quadratic and Linear Equations |
| Number System | Averages | Complex Numbers |
| Ratio, Proportion & Variation | Speed, Time and Distance | Geometry |
| Compound Interest | Profit, Loss and Discount | Algebra |
| Trigonometry | Permutation and Combination | Progressions and Series |
| Factorials | Power Cycle | Relatives Speed |
| Arithmetic Progression | Polygons | Harmonic Progression |
| Quadrilaterals | Points, Lines and Planes | Circles |
| Angles | Geometric Progression | Weighted Average |
| Graphical Division Geometry | Similar Triangles | Derangement |
| Applications of Averages | Conditional probability | Application of Power Cycle |
| Constant Product Rule | Laws in Set Theory | Properties of Ratio |
| Triangles | Boats and Streams for CAT | Escalator Questions for CAT |
Topic Wise Syllabus for CAT QA
Before starting the preparation for CAT QA, aspirants must be well aware of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus and might download the same from the CAT official website. Though not any major change has been introduced in the CAT QA syllabus.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Percentages | This section includes questions mostly about changes in percentage; increase or decrease. Aspiring candidates must know the basic per cent formula |
| Profit, Loss, and Discount | This section includes questions from profit, loss, cost price, selling price, discount, and market price. At times questions on false weights are also asked in the paper. Candidates must learn all the formulas for profit and loss along with tricks for shortcuts |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Though the number of questions from this section is relatively low, candidates might expect mostly calculation-based questions. Basic formulas of Simple and Compound Interest are to be kept in mind and questions related to the rate of increase of population need to be practiced as well as such questions are asked in every alternate year. |
| Ratio and Proportion | This topic includes questions based on both multiple and fundamental concepts. The basic concepts can be put to use in solving questions on time, work, time speed, distance, mixtures, allegation, geometry, and more |
| Averages, Mixtures, Allegation | Every year CAT QA would have questions from this section and sample questions from this section include “which two elements are mixed together in different proportions to get a new mixture”. Some other important topics in this section are ratio and proportion, averages, and percentages |
| Time and Work | This is also an important section of QA and may consist of more than one hundred varieties of questions. Pipes and cisterns are also included in this section. LCM can be used to solve such problems compared to using formulas, of which a minimum 20 are available and difficult to remember and use. |
| Time, Speed, and Distance | Average and relative speed, meeting points, boats, and streams are important topics in this section and CAT QA definitely contains questions from this section. Proper knowledge of relative speed and shortcuts on meeting points should be gathered for solving problems in a limited time. |
| Equations | Questions from quadratic equations are a common topic in CAT QA. In addition, topics like integral solutions for variables, concepts of nature of roots, quadratic equations, and integral solutions are also to be practiced. |
| Progression | Every year questions from arithmetic and geometric progressions come in CAT QA. This includes summation of series, formulas from areas like number of terms, cum of AP and GP series, and their means |
| Functions and Graphs | Functions of simplification are the commonly asked questions from this section. In addition, problems based on modulus functions and graphs also occur frequently. Candidates must learn graphs of a few functions such as modulus, log, and greatest integer. With this candidates must also be well aware of functions and composite functions |
| Maxima Minima | Mostly 3 types of questions (maximum in equation form) are asked in CAT QA; AM-GM concept, polynomials, functions/graphs. Candidates must learn the method for solving each of these problems |
| Properties of Numbers | This section includes questions on topics such as perfect squares, prime numbers, fractions, and integers. Candidates should have knowledge on elementary concepts along with the properties of numbers. The level of difficulty of questions in this section is moderate to hard |
| Divisibility Rules | Questions from this topic are straight forward. Commonly asked problems in this section are based on divisibility rules on the initial sets of natural numbers. Candidates must learn the divisibility rules of these numbers - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7,8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 |
| Remainders | The difficulty level of questions from this topic is mostly easy to moderate with fewer chances of questions being asked from this section as, over the past few years, questions from this section were not set. Candidates must have basic concepts of remainders and negative remainders |
| Factors, HCM & LCM | This section is also not a very important topic. Questions from factors and remainders were asked in a few of the previous years’ papers. Candidates must learn prime factorization and the approaches involved in finding integral solutions |
| Factorials | This is also not an important topic, and problems are mostly based on finding the number of zeros that are trailing |
| Unit and Last Two Digits | Questions from this section are based on finding the last or second last digit in the expansion from a single-digit number raised to an exponent. Candidates must learn power cycles and the last 2 digit tricks |
| Base System | This is also not an important topic. Candidates need to be aware of the fundamental concepts of the base system. Questions from this section are based on the method of converting numbers from a given base to another. |
| Triangles | This section includes questions from the fundamentals theorems of triangles and requires knowledge of Pythagoras' theorem, various degrees of triangles like isosceles, equilateral, and mass point geometry |
| Circles | This is an important topic in geometry and includes questions that test the basic concepts, and problems involving multiple circles, and tangents. Candidates must focus on learning the theorems, formulas, segments, and tangent circles |
| Quadrilaterals | This section includes questions mostly from parallelograms, trapeziums, squares, and rectangles. Candidates must learn the formulas of areas for all quadrilateral figures and their perimeters |
| Polygons | This is not an important topic and questions are mostly based on the hexagon. Shortcut tricks and direct formulas for hexagon diagonals should be learned |
| 3D mensuration | Questions from this section require learning the formula for the area and volume of cones, cylinders, cubes, cuboids, spheres, and cylinders |
| Coordinate Geometry | This is not at all an important topic and learning the basics of coordinate geometry is sufficient enough |
| Permutations and Combinations | This is a moderately important topic. Questions from this section mainly include committee formation, arrangements, and counting. Candidates must have knowledge of the elementary formulas for this topic. Candidates are advised not to ignore the fundamental principles of counting |
| Probability | Candidates can avoid learning this topic as problems from probability have stopped coming altogether |
| Set Theory | This section includes problems on variable Venn diagram problems that include minima and maxima. Candidates are advised of getting a working knowledge of Venn diagram concepts |
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CAT QA 2025 Question Distribution
Based on analysis of the previous 10 years papers, topic-wise question distribution for the CAT 2025 QA section is tabulated below:
| QA Main Topic | No of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 11 - 12 | Moderate |
| Geometry | 7 - 8 | Moderately Difficult |
| Algebra | 6 - 8 | Easy to Difficult |
| Number Theory and Modern Math | 6 - 8 | Moderate |
CAT QA 2025 Weightage
Based on analysis of the previous 10 years' papers, topic-wise weightage for the CAT QA section is tabulated below:
| Topic Name | Marks |
|---|---|
| Geometry | 29% |
| Algebra | 24% |
| Arithmetic | 23% |
| Number System | 15% |
| Modern Maths | 9% |
CAT QA: Preparation Books and Resources
Though CAT coaching institutes offer relevant study materials for CAT QA preparation, still books help build your basics and help clear doubts on various topics. A few of the books on QA as suggested by CAT toppers and coaching institutes are listed below:
| Name of Book | Name of Author/ Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R S Aggarwal |
| NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 to 10) | NCERT |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Sharma |
| Crack The Cat Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation | Vivek Gupta and Sandeep Amar |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
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CAT QA 2025 Preparation Strategy
CAT being a national-level entrance examination and attempted by lakhs of candidates, aspiring candidates must make the right strategic plan to score decent marks in the examination. Before having a preparation strategy, candidates must be well conversant with the syllabus and examination pattern for the current year. Below are listed a few tips and strategies to be followed to excel in the CAT examination:
- Focus on Basics - Select individual QA topics and solve various types of questions. Start with easier ones until you are confident enough to solve the difficult questions. Put more emphasis on the Number system and Geometry as these topics hold maximum weightage in QA.
- Prepare timetable - Prepare an extensive timetable and devote your time dedicatedly to each topic and improve your knowledge and problem-solving skills on those topics
- Take mock tests - Mere Practicing is not sufficient enough to score good marks in QA, candidates are also required to take mock tests either offline/ online offered by CAT coaching institutes or free mock tests service available over the Internet.
- Focus on a sectional time limit - Aspiring candidates must learn to stick to a sectional time limit for each section in CAT including QA. Practice and master this skill to score well in QA.
- Focus on weak areas - Each section in CAT consists of some easy topics and some harder ones. Candidates need to figure out their weak areas and start gaining conceptual clarity and improve those areas through regular practice.
- Develop the skill of mental calculation to reduce the time for calculation on paper.
- To score more than 95 percentile in QA, candidates are advised to answer more than 25 questions perfectly in this section.
- Lastly, be stress-free by having proper sleep, eating healthy food and doing meditation.
Mistakes to Avoid While Attempting CAT QA Questions
- Devoting more than 90 seconds to a question: Since 22 questions need to be attended to in 40 minutes, hence candidates must not spend more than 90 seconds on any particular question.
- Learning too many formulas and tricks: It is advisable for candidates to avoid learning too many formulas and short tricks to avoid unnecessary confusion. It is best to learn 1-2 tricks that work best to save time.
- Not using the option elimination strategy: For questions based on numbers and algebra, it is always advisable to go through the options and choose the best one to avoid lengthy calculations and save time.
- Silly mistakes of calculation: Candidates need to be very careful during calculation as they are prone to make mistakes in a hurry. It is always better to solve 85-90% of questions accurately instead of attempting 100% with silly mistakes.
CAT QA Previous Year Paper Analysis
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2021 was of moderate difficulty. The questions were distributed into 14 MCQs and 8 TITA-type questions. Topics with the highest weightage were Arithmetic, Number Systems, Algebra, and Geometry. Slot-wise analysis of CAT QA 2021 is given below:
CAT 2021 QA Slot 1 Paper Analysis
| Topic | No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) | Ideal Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| Number System | 2 | 1-2 |
| Algebra | 5 | 3-4 |
| Arithmetic | 11 | 7-8 |
| Modern Math | 1 | 1 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | 1-2 |
| Total | 22 | 14-16 |
CAT 2021 QA Slot 2 Paper Analysis
| Topic | No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) | Ideal Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| Number System | 2 | 1-2 |
| Algebra | 5 | 3-4 |
| Arithmetic | 11 | 6-7 |
| Modern Math | 1 | 1 |
Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | 2-3 |
| Total | 22 | 13-15 |
CAT 2021 QA Slot 3 Paper Analysis
| Topic | No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) | Ideal Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| Number System | - | - |
| Algebra | 6 | 4 |
| Arithmetic | 11 | 7-8 |
| Modern Math | 1 | 1 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 4 | 2-3 |
| Total | 22 | 15-17 |
Previous Years’ CAT QA Paper
FAQs
Ques. How many questions will be asked in the QA section of CAT 2025?
Ans: CAT exam conducting authority has introduced a few changes in the CAT exam pattern from 2021 which totals 22 questions in the QA section consisting of 14 objective-type MCQs and 8 TITA-type.
Ques. What does the quantitative aptitude section of CAT signify?
Ans: CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) tests the ability of a candidate to solve numerical and mathematical calculations within a limited time. In other words, it tests a candidate’s ability to play with numbers in a logical manner.
Ques. What are the different sub-sections in CAT QA?
Ans: The different sub-sections of CAT quantitative aptitude are listed below:
- Arithmetic
- Number System
- Algebra
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Modern Math
Ques. What are the sub-topics which come under the Arithmetic section of CAT QA?
Ans: The Arithmetic section of CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) consists of the following sub-topics:
- Percentages
- Time, Speed, and Distance
- Averages
- Time and Work
- Ratio and Proportion
- Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Mixtures and Alligations
Ques. Is there any negative marking in the QA section of CAT 2025?
Ans: Yes, the quantitative section (QA) of CAT 2025 would be having negative marking whereby 1 mark would be deducted for every wrong/incorrect answer.
Ques. Are NCERT Mathematics books sufficient enough for CAT QA 2025 preparation?
Ans: NCERT Mathematics books for Classes 9 and 10 help understand the fundamentals. But if you want to score good marks in CAT, it is advisable to refer to books exclusively written for CAT preparation.
Ques. Suggest a few books for CAT QA 2025 preparation?
Ans: Below are listed some of the best books for CAT QA 2025 preparation:
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
Ques. What is considered to be a good attempt in CAT QA?
Ans: Since CAT is a national-level entrance with difficulty levels varying from year to year and there is fierce competition, an attempt of 14-16 questions is considered to be good to score above the 85 percentile.
Ques. Is Modern Math important for CAT QA 2025 preparation?
Ans: Modern Math is a low-priority topic for CAT QA preparation. Permutation and Combination, Probability, topology and foundations etc come under the scope of Modern Math.
Ques. What are the topics included in the geometry and mensuration section of CAT QA 2025?
Ans: Topics which are included in the geometry and mensuration section of CAT QA 2025 are as follows:
- Circles
- Polygons
- Triangles
- Trigonometry
- Lines and Angles
- Coordinate geometry
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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