ATMA 2026 Quantitative Skills Preparation: Syllabus, Topics, Books, Tips & Strategy

ATMA 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Tips: How to Ace the Section

Here are some ATMA 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Tips to ace the section. To clear the quantitative section, you need to understand the types of questions asked by analysing previous years. Question papers and prioritise the high-weightage questions during preparation.

Understanding the Question Types in the ATMA Quantitative Section

Here, we provide a few examples from each topic to help you understand the types of questions asked in ATMA.

Modern Math:

Question 1: In a classroom, there are 30 students. Of these, 18 students like mathematics, 15 like science, and 10 like both subjects. How many students like do not like any subject?

Solution:

Total number of students, $n(U) = 30$
Let the number of students who like Mathematics be $m$, $n(m) = 18$
Let the number of students who like Science be $s$, $n(s) = 15$
Let the number of students who like both Mathematics and Science be $n(m \cap s) = 10$

The number of students who do not like at least one subject = Total number of students - The number of students who like at least one subject
$= n(U) - n(m \cup s)$
$= 30 - 23 = 7$

Hence, the correct answer is 7.

Question 2: In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'VIRTUAL' be arranged among themselves?

(a) 840

(b) 5040

(c) 2520

(d) 1680

Solution:

The word "VIRTUAL" has 7 distinct letters: V, I, R, T, U, A, L.

The number of different ways to arrange 7 distinct letters is given by $7!$ (7 factorial).

Calculate $7! = 7 \times 6 \times 5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 = 5040$.

Therefore, the number of different arrangements is $5040$.

Number system:

Question 1: Which of the following is the smallest 5-digit number that is exactly divisible by 526?

1. 10520

2. 11046

3. 10516

4. 10424

Solution:

Given: The smallest 5-digit number that is exactly divisible by 526.
Let the smallest 5-digit number be $10000$.
If $10000$ is divided by $526$, then,
$10000 = 526 \times 19 + 6$

To get the smallest 5-digit number divisible by $526$,
Required number to be added $= 526 - 6 = 520$

So, the required number $= 10000 + 520 = 10520$

Hence, the correct answer is $10520$.

Question 2: The sum of the two numbers is 35 and their product is 250. What is the sum of the reciprocals of these numbers?

(a) 6/25

(b) 4/25

(c) 9/50

(d) 7/50

Question 3: Find the maximum number of girls among them 2923 bags and 3239 eyeliners can be distributed in such a way that each student gets the same number of bags and eyeliners.

(a) 80

(b) 79

(c) 78

(d) 81

Arithmetic:

Question 1: A father gives 8% of his monthly income to both his sons as pocket money. The elder son gets 85% of the total amount given to both sons. He spends 90% of the amount and saves INR 17. What is the father's monthly income?

Solution:

Let the father’s monthly income be $X$.
Money saved by elder son = INR $17$
Money given to the sons = $8%$ of $X = 0.08X$
Money given to elder son = $85%$ of $0.08X = 0.068X$
Percentage of money spent by him = $90%$
Percentage of money saved by him = $10%$
Money saved by him = $10%$ of $0.068X = 0.0068X$
Also, $0.0068X = 17$
$\Rightarrow X = 2500$
Hence, the correct answer is INR $2,500$.

Question 2: The product of 10% of a positive number and 5% of the same number is 0.125. What is the half of that number?

(a) 2.5

(b) 2.7

(c) 3

(d) 5

Question 3: A 480 meter long train crosses a platform in 240 seconds. What is the speed of the train?

(a) 4 m/s

(b) 2 m/s

(c) 3 m/s

(d) Cannot be determined

Question 3: The price of 8 chairs is equal to that of 2 tables. The price of 12 chairs and 2 tables together is 4000. The total price of 10 chairs and 1 table is:

(a) 2700

(b) 2800

(c) 1900

(d) 2870

Geometry:

Question 1: The perimeter of a sector of a circle is 24 cm and the radius is 3 cm. Calculate the area (in cm2 ) of the sector.

Solution:

Given: The perimeter of a sector of a circle = $24$ cm
Radius, $r = 3$ cm
Perimeter of the sector = $(2 \times \text{radius}) + \text{length of the arc}$
$\Rightarrow 24 = (2 \times 3) + \text{length of the arc}$
$\Rightarrow$ Length of the arc, $l = 18$

We know that, Area of the sector $= \frac{1}{2} l r = \frac{1}{2} \times 18 \times 3 = 27$ cm$^2$

Hence, the correct answer is $27$.

Question 2: The perimeter of a square is twice the perimeter of a rectangle. If the perimeter of the square is 56 cm and the length of the rectangle is 9 cm, what is the difference between the breadth of the rectangle and the side of the square?

(a) 7cm

(b) 9cm

(c) 11cm

(d) 5cm

Question 3: A man riding a bicycle completes one lap of a square field along its perimeter at the speed of 39.6 km/h in 1 minute 20 seconds. What is the area of the field?

(a) 52900 sq m

(b) 44100 sq m

(c) 48400 sq m

(d) Cannot be determined

Algebra:

Question: If $a + b + c = 19, ab + bc + ca = 120$, then what is the value of $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 – 3abc$?

Solution:

We know,
$a^3 + b^3 + c^3 - 3abc = (a + b + c) \left[ (a + b + c)^2 - 3(ab + bc + ca) \right]$
$= 19 \left[ 19^2 - 3 \times 120 \right]$
$= 19 \left[ 361 - 360 \right]$
$= 19 \times 1$
$= 19$

Hence, the correct answer is $19$.

Data Interpretation:

The following graph shows the number of illiterates in different states of a country in the year 2021.

Total illiterates in 4 states = 4,50,000

The following graph shows the number of illiterates in different states of a country in the year 2021.

Total illiterates in 4 states = 4,50,000

Solution:

The total percentage of illiterates in D= 44 %

Percentage of rest of illiterates = 56%

Therefore Percentage of the total number of illiterates in A, B, and C to the illiterates in D in 2021

= (56/44) × 100 = 127.27%

Hence, the correct answer is 127.27%.

Prioritising High-Weightage Topics for ATMA Quantitative Skills

Check previous years’ question papers to identify the weightage of each topic and incorporate the same in your preparation.

We have made a small analysis for you as provided below:

How to Prepare for ATMA Quantitative Section: Step-by-Step Strategy

A good ATMA 2026 Quantitative Preparation Guide will always focus on mastering the basic concepts of Mathematics at the beginning of the preparation.

Building a Strong Foundation in Basic Mathematics

Having a solid foundation in basic concepts of Mathematics is always a plus point for ATMA aspirants.

Here are some ways to build the basics of Mathematics.

Study NCERT textbooks: NCERT textbooks are a very good tool to master the basic concepts of mathematics.

Memorise key formulas: Make a chart or use flashcards to remember all the important formulas of Mathematics.

Sharpen mental math: Use mental calculation for basic arithmetic operations. Practice solving without using a calculator during preparation.

Understanding of real-life concepts: Arithmetic problems like profit loss, average, interests, work done, pipes and cistern are based on real-life situations. It is important to understand these concepts before attempting to solve them.

Conceptual Clarity vs Speed: Finding the Right Balance

Balancing conceptual clarity with the right speed is the mantra for success. Here are tips to strike the right balance.

Conceptual clarity: Students often start to practice Mathematical problems without clearing their basics and start making lots of mistakes. That is why focus on fully understanding each topic before attempting timed-based practice.

Speed comes naturally: When your concepts are clear, then you can solve questions with accuracy and faster times.

You will also develop skills like mental math and shortcut tricks to save time.

Regular practice will help to improve speed gradually. By the time the exam comes, you will be ready to complete the Quant section within the allotted time.

ATMA 2026 Quantitative Preparation Guide: Important Topics to Focus On

Here are some ATMA 2026 math preparation tips that will be helpful to students who are aiming to get admitted to a top B school.

Arithmetic and Algebra: Essential Topics to Master

Here are important topics of Arithmetic and Algebra respectively which students need to master to achieve high percentile. The candidates should be able to complete these topics before the ATMA 2026 exam dates.

Data Interpretation Tips for the Quantitative Section

Data Interpretation chapters are important for ATMA because almost 25% of questions from Quantitative skills come from tables, charts, graphs and caselets.

Here are some tips for DI preparation.

• Understand the types of problems and practice them during mock tests to interpret data quickly.

• Practice basic arithmetic operations like percentages, ratios, and averages to work with the datasets.

• Pay attention to the datasets like pie charts, and focus on the proportion of each section. In bar and line graphs, look for scales, intervals and trends.

• There will be irrelevant points in the datasets. Skim the data if you have to and underline the important data points for your reference.

• Solve easier DI questions first to secure marks and gain confidence to attempt the complex ones.

ATMA 2026 Quantitative Practice Tips: Boost Your Performance

Here are some ATMA 2026 Quantitative practice tips that will help students boost their performance. Previous year sample papers are essential during the preparation of ATMA.

Here are some ways to use ATMA's previous year's sample papers effectively.

• ATMA 2026 Sample papers contain various types of questions which are important for this year's exam as well. You can get an in-depth idea about those types of questions.

• Attempt the sample papers to check your score in previous years and compare them with the required percentile for top B-schools.

• Practising ATMA 2026 e-books with time constraints will help to get familiar with the real exam environment.

• From the sample papers, get an idea about the diversity of the questions and practice in that direction.

• You will also be aware of the common pitfalls and challenges in this section.

Utilising Mock Tests for ATMA Quantitative Skills

Mock tests are an integral part of the preparation process for ATMA. Here are the points of how students should utilise the mock tests to maximise their scores.

• Mock tests are prepared closely following the real exam pattern and syllabus. So you will get an in-depth idea about the questions that will be asked in the real exam.

• You can enhance your time management skills by giving regular mock tests.

• Students can also identify their strengths and weaknesses after reviewing the mock test results and give more attention to those weaker sections.

• Consistent practice of mock tests will increase your speed as well as accuracy.

• Giving full-length mock tests will also build your mental stamina to sit for 180 minutes in one sitting which is critical for performing well in the exam.

• Mock tests improve your educated guessing skills for the questions you are unsure of. After practicing lots of mock tests, you will be able to identify quickly which options should be canceled out and from which you have to choose to get the answer.

Improve Quantitative Skills for ATMA Exam: Practical Tips

Here are some tips that you can use to sharpen your quantitative skills and help you to solve mathematical problems fast.

Techniques to Enhance Mental Calculation Speed

Enhancing mental calculations can save valuable time during the exam. Here are some techniques which you can use to sharpen your mental calculation.

• Practice mental math calculations without a calculator and challenge yourself every day.

• Use approximation and estimation techniques to round off numbers for quicker calculations and adjust at the end.

• Games like crosswords, sudoku, and chess help to sharpen your mind.

• Memorize the multiplication tables, squares and cubes of numbers up to 20.

• When you work with bigger numbers, break them into smaller components and work with them.

• Spend 10-15 minutes every day to solve simple math in your head.

How to Effectively Analyze Your Mock Test Results

There are no values of mock tests if you do not review the results of those tests properly. Here are some tips which you can use to analyze mock test results.

Review: After attempting the ATMA 2026 mock tests, review thoroughly to identify the reason for the wrong answers and unanswered questions. Mark the categories where the most negative markings are happening and devise a plan to improve them.

Mistakes types and how to deal with them:

• If it is a calculation error, then focus on the calculations next time and revise them at the end.

• If it is a conceptual error, then give more attention to that chapter and take a topicwise test on that chapter.

• If you are taking too much time on any specific types of questions, then look for alternate methods to solve those problems in a quicker time.

Unanswered questions: Check the reason for the unanswered questions to understand. If it is for the time constraints or the difficulty level of the question.

Next mock test goal: Set yourself a goal for the next mock test to improve accuracy and performance.

ATMA Exam 2026 Quantitative Skills Strategy: Time-Saving Methods

There will be a sectional cutoff time of 30 minutes for each section. So building a strategy for complex and lengthy questions is necessary to perform well in the exam.

How to Solve Complex Problems Faster

Complex quant problems consume too much time during the mock tests as well as exams. Here are some tips that you can use to solve these questions quickly.

• Every problem has its unique way of solving. Understand the problem type first, then approach to solve it.

• Break the complex problems into manageable chunks and understand each part separately.

• Use tricks like breaking the percentages, Vedic math, squares, and cubes up to 20.

• Use approximation techniques to round off the numbers and calculate easily. Adjust at the end if needed.

• For geometry and mensuration problems, use diagrams to visualize the situation better and solve it more efficiently.

• Eliminate obvious wrong options and use the other options in the question to check if they satisfy the constraints or not. This is a time-saving way to solve lengthy questions.

• Practice lots of complex problems beforehand so that you can solve them during the actual exam easily.

Approaching Difficult Questions with Confidence

Difficult questions are part and parcel of the exam. Students can solve difficult problems with the right mindset and approach.

Here are some approaches to handling difficult problems.

• Break the question into smaller parts and see if you can solve it part by part.

• If a question seems unfamiliar, think about similar types of problems faced in mock tests. Apply familiar strategies and see if they help to simplify the problem.

• Eliminating the obvious wrong options and using the remaining values in the question to check if they met the constraints is a quicker way to solve difficult questions.

• Practice various types of problems during preparation and build the basic foundation of every chapter.

• Many difficult problems can be solved using easier concepts. However, students often complicate them after overthinking the problem. Do not second guess yourself and trust your initial instinct.

ATMA 2026 Math Preparation Tips

Knowing all the important formulae and theorem will benefit students during the quantitative skills section.

Focusing on Important Formulas and Theorems

Here are some important formulae and theorems that will help students to ace this section and answer the questions fast.

How to Strengthen Your Weak Areas in the Quantitative Section

A systematic approach towards the weaker sections is necessary.

How to identify them?

Review the results of mock tests and sample papers to check which sections you lack preparation for and in which section mistakes are happening frequently.

How to deal with them?

Revisit the fundamentals of those chapters and go through them. Use different books, online platform video tutorials, and materials to clear the concepts.

Checking again:

Now take section-wise tests on those sections and see if the problems persist or not. During the initial tests, focus on accuracy rather than speed. Speed will gradually increase once you have a grasp on the fundamentals.

Top ATMA Quantitative Skills Preparation Books for 2026

Having a proper idea about which books are essential during preparation is very important.

Here are the names of some important books that will improve your Mathematics section.

1. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal

2. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma

3. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma

ATMA 2026 Quantitative Section: Exam Day Tips

On exam day, the ATMA 2026 Quantitative section requires focus, speed, and strategy. Stay calm, read each question carefully, and manage your time efficiently. Prioritize accuracy over attempting all questions, and use shortcuts for calculations wherever possible.

1. Time Management

Allocate a fixed amount of time for each question or section. Don’t spend too long on a single problem; move on if it seems too tough. This ensures you attempt all questions without leaving easy marks behind.

2. Read Carefully

Many mistakes happen because candidates rush through the question. Pay attention to details, units, and what is specifically being asked before solving. Misreading a small word can change the entire solution.

3. Start Easy

Begin with questions you find simple or familiar. This builds confidence, warms up your mind, and secures quick marks early in the section, leaving more time for complex problems later.

4. Use Shortcuts

Familiarise yourself with formulas, tricks, and approximation methods before the exam. Techniques like Vedic math, percentage shortcuts, or ratio methods can save precious minutes and increase speed without compromising accuracy.

5. Avoid Guesswork

Random guessing can reduce your score due to negative marking. Attempt only those questions you have a reasonable chance of solving correctly, and leave difficult ones for review if time permits.

6. Stay Calm

Stress can cloud judgment and slow calculations. Take deep breaths if you feel anxious, maintain steady pacing, and focus on one question at a time. A calm mindset improves both accuracy and speed.

Effective Time Management in the ATMA Quantitative Section

Effective time management is key in the ATMA Quantitative section. Quickly scan the paper to identify easy questions, allocate time for each topic, and tackle confident ones first. Save challenging problems for later, use shortcuts where possible, and keep an eye on your pace to ensure all questions are attempted without rushing.

Quick Scan

Spend the first 2–3 minutes scanning the entire section. Identify the questions that seem easy or familiar. This helps you plan your approach and ensures you don’t miss out on straightforward marks.

Prioritize Questions

Start with questions you are confident about. Solving them first builds momentum, boosts confidence, and secures easy marks early on.

Allocate Time per Topic

Divide your total time among different topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation. This prevents spending too much time on one area and helps cover all sections efficiently.

Use Shortcuts

Apply formulas, approximation techniques, and mental math tricks wherever possible. These can significantly speed up calculations and save valuable minutes.

Leave Tough Questions

Don’t get stuck on difficult questions at the start. Skip them initially and return only if time permits. This reduces stress and ensures maximum attempt rate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ATMA 2026 Quantitative Skills

Here are some common mistakes which students should avoid during the preparation time and in the actual exam as well.

Overlooking Basic Calculation Errors

Students often neglect basic calculation errors during mock tests and do not work on them. It is necessary to address them during the preparation to not repeat them in the actual exam.

Error type: Some basic calculation errors like misplacing decimal points or misinterpreting signs happen during the exam.

Solutions to avoid them:

These mistakes generally happen because of rushing through questions and panicking.

• Always recheck the calculations.

• Sometimes slowing down is necessary to improve accuracy.

• Sharpen mental math skills to minimize silly errors.

Misinterpreting Data in Data Interpretation Questions

Misreading graphs, charts, or tables is a common mistake among students in the DI section. This happens when students overlook important information like scales, units, or percentage differences.

• Read the graphs carefully and analyze the axes and labels.

• Highlight the key details as there will be irrelevant points in the question.

• Ensure the basic calculations are right.

ATMA Practice Resources by Careers360

You can download and study the various ATMA preparation resources using the link given below.