XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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Mastering escalator problems, Venn diagram puzzles, and participle questions can significantly boost your CAT preparation and overall score. On Day 34 of the Careers360 60-day guide, we focus on important Time, Speed, and Distance questions from the Quantitative Aptitude section, complex logical reasoning through Venn diagrams in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and essential participle questions in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In this article, we will discuss topics that help sharpen your problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and accuracy, all crucial for cracking the CAT 2025 successfully.
Preparing for CAT 2024 in 60 days requires a focused and strategic approach. With disciplined study, regular practice, and smart revision, you can strengthen key concepts, improve speed, and boost accuracy.
Part-1: Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam
Important Concept/Formula Used in Time, Speed and Distance escalator problems
Time speed distance escalator problems:
Moving ‘with’ the escalator means one has to climb fewer steps on one’s own. (Similar to downstream)
Moving ‘against’ the escalator means one has to climb more steps on one’s own. (Similar to upstream)
Types of Escalator based problems:
Length-related questions
Time-related questions
Steps-related questions
Speed-related questions
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CAT Exam:
Previous Year CAT Questions On Time, Speed and Distance (Escalator):
Q1. Rakesh takes 45 seconds on an escalator which is moving down when he walks down but takes 35 seconds when he runs down. He takes 25 steps when he walks whereas he takes 35 steps when he is running. What is the total number of steps in the escalator? [TITA, Based on CAT]
Common escalator problems and solutions:
Let the speed of the escalator be ‘x’ steps per second.
tsd CAT Questions Escalator Trick: The distance covered in going down in both cases should be the same.
Distance covered when he is walking = 25 + 45x (45x is covered by escalator)
Distance covered when he is running = 35 + 35x (35x is covered by escalator)
=> 25 + 45x = 35 + 35x
=> x = 1
Total number of steps = 25 + 45(1) = 70 steps
Time speed distance escalator problems
Q2. Amit and Sumit are climbing on a moving escalator that is going up. Amit takes 40 steps to reach the top whereas Sumit takes 45 steps for the same. Sumit takes 5 steps whereas Amit can take only 4 steps in one second. What is the total number of steps in the escalator? [TITA, Based on CAT]
Common escalator problems and solutions:
tsd CAT Questions Escalator Trick 1: First find the time taken by both to reach the top
For Amit, t = 45/5 = 9 seconds
For Sumit, t = 40/4 = 10 seconds
Let the escalator move with a speed of x steps per second.
tsd CAT Questions Escalator Trick 2: The distance covered in going down in both cases should be the same.
=> 9(5 + x) = 10(4 + x)
=> x = 5 steps per second
Number of steps in the escalator = 9(5 + 4) = 81 steps
Prerequisite for Escalator Questions For CAT
Relative speed
Upstream and downstream
Basics of Time, speed and distance
CAT Exam Important Topic: Strategy to Prepare “Escalators (Time, speed and Distance) and Escalator Questions For CAT
Time, Speed and Questions for CAT (Escalator)
The height of each step does not matter.
Distance is measured in terms of steps.
The total steps by a person and the escalator are equal to the number of visible steps.
CAT study material: References to Study (Theory) Escalator Concepts
Escalator Questions For CAT
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma (7th Edition; Pg No 335 to 339)
Rodha (YouTube, Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLtv86sWgI)
References to Study (Practice)Escalator Questions For CAT
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT – Sarvesh Verma.
Rodha (YouTube, (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHflaojKVlI)
Part-2: CAT 2024 Preparation Tips: CAT DILR tips (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation)
CAT 2024 Syllabus Topic: Strategy to prepare “Venn Diagram” (Part-2) and Venn Diagram Questions
CAT Exam:
CAT Previous Year Questions on Venn Diagram :
Q1. A club has 256 members of whom 144 can play football, 123 can play tennis, and 132 can play cricket. Moreover, 58 members can play both football and tennis, 25 can play both cricket and tennis, and 63 can play both football and cricket. If every member can play at least one game, then the number of members who can play only tennis is?
32
38
43
45
Venn Diagram Questions with Solution: ANS. (3)
According to the information given in the question
Considering that all those who play all their games as X as shown in the above Venn diagram, we will consider Student’s playing football and cricket both as 63-x, Student’s playing football and tennis both will be 58-x and student’s playing cricket and tennis both as 25-x.
Venn Diagram Trick: Firstly, as we know each student is playing at least one game so the addition of all players playing must be equal to the total number of students.
Secondly, as we know student playing game is clearly given in question
So, solution would be like
Only football would be 144-(63-x + x + 58-x) =23+x
Similarly, only tennis would be 123-(58-x+x+25-x) =40+X
Venn Diagram Trick: Students playing all the games must be equal to 256
256= Cricket + only football + only tennis + both football and tennis
256 = 132 + 23+x + 40+x + 58-x
On solving we get
X = 3
So, they have asked for only tennis so we would put x=3 in 40+x
So, answer would be = 40+3=43
Q2. Out Of 60 students in a class, anyone who has chosen to study maths elects to do physics as well. But no one does maths and chemistry, 16 do physics and chemistry. All the students do at least one of the three subjects and the number of people who do exactly one of the three is more than the number who do more than one of the three. What are the maximum and the minimum number of people who could have done Chemistry only?
Venn Diagram Questions with Solution:
Trick for Venn Diagram: According to given information, draw Venn diagram as shown below:
All students studying at-least one subject so
P + M+ C +(P&C) = 60
P+M+C+14 = 60
P+M+C = 44
Trick for Venn Diagram: Apply the given condition in equations formed
The number of people who do exactly one of the three is more than the number who do more than one of the three => Only P + only C must be greater than P&M + 16
So,
Only P + Only C > P&M + 16
The Question needs the answer for maximum and minimum for only C
Since they are asking for maximum and minimum of Only C
The trick is for minimum Put only C as 0 and if this equation holds then minimum would be zero
For maximum put only C as 44 and then check for equation hold or not
So, by putting only C as zero we get
Only P+0 > P&M + 16
Now we can easily see that equation will hold, we can find many values for only P and P&M
Similarly, if we put only C as 44 which is maximum value still the equation will hold so the answer would be
Max = 44 and Min = 0
CAT entrance exam: Prerequisite to Venn Diagram Questions
Set Theory
Venn Diagram Basics
CAT syllabus 2024: References to Study (Theory) Venn Diagram Concepts
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma (7th Edition: Page No 744- 748)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHXQiDwicRon0tRuWj6r9HA (Rodha Youtube Channel)
CAT Exam:
References to Study (Practice) Venn Diagram Questions
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma (7th Edition: Page No 749- 764)
CAT Previous years Papers and Sample Papers.
Part-3: CAT Exam Preparation 2024: CAT exam tips for VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
CAT Exam Important Topic: Strategy to Prepare “Participles” for CAT-2024
CAT Important Basic Concept
Participles are forms of verbs that can be used as nouns, modifiers, and compound verbs.
CAT Previous Years' Questions on Participles
Find the error in the underlined part:
Question: Due to the slow-moving nature of tectonic plate movement, the oldest ocean crust is thought to date from the Jurassic period, formed from huge fragments of the Earth’s lithosphere and lasted 200 million years. [CAT PYQ]
formed from huge fragments of the Earth’s lithosphere and lasted 200 million years.
forming from huge fragments of the Earth’s lithosphere and lasting 200 million years.
forming from huge fragments of the Earth’s lithosphere and lasted 200 million years.
formed from huge fragments of the Earth’s lithosphere and lasting 200 million years.
Solution: [D]
The “oldest ocean crust” was “formed” in the past during the Jurassic period and is currently still around (since the word ‘oldest’ directed towards its presence, otherwise the word ‘oldest’ would not have been used). We need the past tense/participle verbs to be used correctly.
Option (A): The ocean crust was “formed” in the past” but if “lasted” is past tense then the oldest ocean crust is no longer around.
If you chose (B) or (C), “forming” implies the ‘oldest ocean crust is still being formed. and that part is no longer continuing to form but was formed at some point during the Jurassic period.
Option D is correct.
CAT 2024:
Prerequisite
Verb
Tenses and Sentence Verb agreement
Tips and Tricks for CAT Exam
To figure out which role a participle is playing, find the core of the sentence.
Try to spot the participle in this sentence.
Present participles always end in “-ing”
Past participles are generally identical to the past tense form of the verb.
CAT exam: References to Study (Theory)
Wren and Martin
Bodhee Prep CAT Preparation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diPZrBHQ7rM)
CAT exam: References to Study (Practice)
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT by Ajay
CAT Previous years Papers and Sample Papers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql5ipQILsKM
Venn Diagram questions in the CAT exam appear frequently in the DILR section, testing your ability to understand and organise data involving overlapping sets. With the right techniques and regular practice, you can solve these questions accurately and within time limits.
1. Understand Set Terminology
Tip: Know what union (A ∪ B), intersection (A ∩ B), complement (A′), and subsets mean.
Example: If 40 students like Math (M) and 30 like English (E), A ∪ B = those who like at least one = M + E – M∩E.
2. Start with the Innermost Set
Tip: Begin solving from the part common to all sets (triple intersection in 3-set problems), then move outward.
Example: If 10 students like all three sports—Cricket, Football, and Hockey—place 10 in the intersection of all three circles first before filling other sections.
3. Use Variables for Unknowns
Tip: Assign variables to unknown segments and use given totals to form equations.
Example: If 100 people were surveyed, x like only A, y like A and B, z like all three, create equations:
Total = x + y + z + other regions = 100.
4. Draw Neat, Labelled Diagrams
Tip: Keep the diagram clean with labels for each region (Only A, A∩B, A∩B∩C, etc.).
Example: For a 3-set Venn diagram, label 7 distinct regions. It avoids confusion when plugging in values or solving equations.
5. Practice Common Set Patterns
Tip: Know standard expressions like “Only A” = A – (A∩B + A∩C – A∩B∩C).
Example: If 50 like A, 30 like both A and B, and 10 like all three, then "only A" = 50 – (30 – 10) (A∩C – A∩B∩C).
6. Use Total = A + B + C – (Pairwise Intersections) + (All Three)
Tip: Apply the inclusion-exclusion principle.
Example: If:
A = 60
B = 70
C = 50
A∩B = 30
B∩C = 20
A∩C = 25
A∩B∩C = 15
Then Total = 60 + 70 + 50 – (30 + 20 + 25) + 15 = 120
7. Use Complementary Information Wisely
Tip: Subtract people outside the sets from the total to focus only on those involved.
Example: Out of 200 students, 40 like none of the three subjects. So, only 160 belong inside the Venn Diagram.
Practice and remain focused; Day 35 will be posted tomorrow.
Visualise escalator problems as relative speed problems. Use the formula: Relative Speed = Speed of person ± Speed of escalator, depending on direction. Practice varied types to build speed and confidence.
Start from the intersection of all three sets, then fill outward. Use variable substitution for unknowns and apply the inclusion-exclusion principle for accurate calculations and logical deductions.
Participles aren't tested directly, but knowing them improves grammar and sentence structure understanding. Practice identifying participles in RCs and para jumbles to improve comprehension and sentence flow.
Yes, escalator or TSD-based logic may feature in DI sets. Recognise patterns, extract data efficiently, and apply logical formulas to solve them in time-sensitive environments.
Participles help identify verbals, clarify sentence intent, and avoid modifier errors in para jumbles and sentence rearrangement. Mastery ensures you spot structural flaws in options with greater accuracy.
Hello aspirant,
The question papers for CAT MGU University can be found on their official website, or you can also visit careers360 website for the same.
The link of which, I am attaching here,
https://university.careers360.com/articles/mgu-cat-2025
Regards
Hello Anshuman!!!
You have gotten 86% in 10th, which is a good score. 70% in graduation is not the best but decent. But the main problem is your 12th score which is 62%.
You would be already aware that the Top IIMs (BLACKI) give a big emphasis on your academic score. Let me tell you one example of IIM Ahmedabad,
According to a research i read a few days ago, in IIM Ahmedabad,
70.8%
of students has 90+ percent in 12th,
25.8%
has 80-90 percent and around
3.8%
has less than 80% with the bracket of 60-69 having only
0.26%
students of the total batch. Nearly same is the case of the other top IIMs like IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore.
Statistically, getting into these TOP IIMs is possible with 62% in 12th is possible (0.26% has done it) but practically you cannot get into these TOP IIMs unless you top the CAT exam.
See, I don't wish to dishearten or demotivate you but I wish to tell you the truth. Although the probability of you getting into these TOP IIMs is very less, but trying is better than doing nothing. You have a good score in 10th which will certainly help you. The least you could do is try your best.
My advice would be that you should not focus on these things like "Will I get top IIM" or negative talk like " I got low marks I won't qualify" etc.
The main focus should be on your preparation.
Give 100% in your preparation because that's the only thing in your hand. You can't change your 10th/12th/Graduation scores but you can put some more effort in your preparation which would certainly help to get better percentile.
Keep working hard and give your best. You might surprise yourself!!! And if not BLACKI, there are many other good colleges like FMS, MDI, newer IIMs etc.
Hello,
Yes, with a 622 rank in IPU CET for MBA and being a Delhi candidate, you have a good chance of getting admission in MAIT (Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology).
You don’t need to worry about not giving the CAT exam. IPU CET rank is enough for admission in MAIT under the CET quota.
Just make sure to keep MAIT high in your preference list during counselling.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
A NEET 2025 score of 333 marks, an All India Rank (AIR) near 3,56,000, and belonging to the SC category from Andhra Pradesh suggest a fair possibility of obtaining an MBBS seat within the state quota, especially in private medical colleges under Category A (government quota seats in private institutions).
In Andhra Pradesh, SC category cut-offs for Category A seats in private institutions generally vary from 320 to 370, influenced by the college and the counselling round. Government medical colleges tend to be more competitive, with the SC cut-off for MBBS frequently rising, often exceeding 400 marks.
Although obtaining a government MBBS seat is improbable, you stand a feasible opportunity in private medical colleges within A category (which offer lower tuition than B and C categories). In Round 2 or the Mop-Up round, you can anticipate improved opportunities, since cut-offs generally decrease when other students move to superior colleges or vacate seats.
Colleges such as NRI Medical College (Guntur), Katuri Medical College (Guntur), Great Eastern Medical School (Srikakulam), Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences (Eluru), and Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences (Kadapa) are among those where seats could become available for SC students in subsequent rounds under Category A.
Hope this helps. All the best!
Yes, candidates who qualify in CUSAT CAT can gain admission to various participating institutes based on their rank. These include engineering colleges associated with CUSAT, such as its own School of Engineering in Kochi, Model Engineering College, and over 20 government and private engineering colleges across Kerala like College of Engineering Thrikkaripur, Co-operative Institute of Technology Vadakara, and MG College of Engineering Thiruvallam. The final seat allotment is based on your rank and your choice of program during the counselling process.
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