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CAT Quant Syllabus 2025: While the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) don’t officially release a defined CAT 2025 Quant syllabus, analysis of past CAT papers helps identify important topics. The Quantitative Aptitude section in CAT 2025 is likely to include around 22 questions covering Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Number Systems. This CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus 2025 helps aspirants pinpoint challenging areas. Candidates can prioritise high-weightage topics and plan a focused study strategy to enhance speed and accuracy in the QA section of CAT 2025. In this article, we have discussed, CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, important MCQs, expected topics and best books.
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Candidates who will appear for the Common Admission Test must be well versed in the CAT exam syllabus for IIM, especially for the Quantitative Aptitude section. There is no syllabus available on the official CAT 2025 syllabus website. Moreover, while trying to cover the syllabus of quantitative aptitude, candidates can also check what the best books are for them. Also, the candidates must be aware of the CAT exam pattern. Read the full article to know all the details related to the CAT syllabus, quantitative aptitude topics to be covered, how many questions are likely to be asked in CAT 2025, and what are the best books and preparation tips.
Aspect | Particulars |
Section | Quantitative Aptitude |
Number of questions | 22 |
Type of questions asked | MCQ and TITA (Non-MCQs) |
Sectional time limit for QA | 40 minutes (53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates) |
Marking scheme |
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The quantitative ability syllabus for CAT 2025 consists of numerical-based questions to assess the candidate’s mathematical skill and accuracy. The CAT quantitative aptitude syllabus includes questions related to elementary and basic mathematics. This section consists of a time limit of 40 minutes (53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates). On the basis of the questions asked in CAT previous year question papers, let’s have a look at the important topics of the CAT 2025 quant syllabus.
Master Quantitative Aptitude (QA) with these important QA MCQs tailored for CAT preparation. These CAT-focused multiple choice questions help improve speed, accuracy, and conceptual clarity. Boost your CAT 2025 score with high-quality QA practice questions designed to match the latest exam pattern.
The CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude syllabus covers essential math topics that form the backbone of the exam. From Arithmetic to Algebra, mastering these concepts is key to cracking the CAT QA section. Get a detailed breakdown of the CAT 2025 QA syllabus to maximise your score.
Coordinate Geometry | Mensuration | |
Set Theory & Function | ||
Complex Numbers | ||
Geometry | ||
Profit, Loss and Discount | ||
Trigonometry | Progressions and Series | |
Quantitative Aptitude Questions | Quantitative Aptitude Shortcut Techniques for CAT | Number System Shortcut for CAT |
Remainder Concepts | Circles | |
Factorials | Power Cycle | Relatives Speed |
Points, Lines and Planes | Circles | |
Weighted Average | ||
Graphical Division Geometry | Derangement | |
Conditional probability | Application of Power Cycle | |
Constant Product Rule | Laws in Set Theory | Properties of Ratio |
Boats and Streams for CAT | Escalator Questions for CAT |
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To help CAT 2025 aspirants understand the latest trends in the Quant section, we’ve provided a detailed slot-wise analysis of the CAT 2024 Quantitative Aptitude paper. This breakdown highlights important topics, difficulty levels, and the types of questions asked across all three slots—offering valuable insights for strategic preparation and topic prioritization.
Category | No. of Questions |
Arithmetic | 9 |
Algebra | 6 |
Geometry | 3 |
Modern Maths | 2 |
Number System | 2 |
Category | No. of Questions |
Algebra | 8 |
Arithmetic | 7 |
Geometry | 3 |
Number System | 2 |
Modern Maths | 1 |
Category | No. of Questions |
Arithmetic | 9 |
Algebra | 7 |
Geometry | 3 |
Number System | 2 |
Preparing for the CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude section requires the right set of books that cover the complete syllabus with conceptual clarity and ample practice questions. Candidates can refer to some of the important books for the CAT quant syllabus section as mentioned below:
Title | Name of the author |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams | Trishna Knowledge Systems (Pearson) |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha (Tata McGraw-Hill) |
The Complete CAT Digest, by Tata McGraw-Hill | Arun Sharma |
Maximise your score with these CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude syllabus high-yielding topics. Focus on concepts that consistently carry more weight in the CAT exam, like Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry. Strengthen these scoring areas to boost accuracy, speed, and your overall CAT 2025 QA section performance.
Section | Most Asked Topics |
Arithmetic | Time, Speed & Distance, Mixtures and Alligations, Profit & Loss, Ratios & Proportions, Time & Work |
Algebra | Quadratic Equations, Surds & Indices, Linear & Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Functions |
Geometry | Triangles, Coordinate Geometry, Circles, 2D & 3D Mensuration |
Number System | Remainders (Modular Arithmetic), Integers & Factors, Floor Functions |
Modern Maths | Permutations & Combinations, Set Theory & Functions |
Arithmetic remains the most dominant section, so focus strongly on concept clarity and calculation speed in this area. Algebra is a close second and includes a wide variety of topics, many of which require strong equation-solving skills. Geometry and Number System are moderately represented and should be revised strategically. Modern Maths appears occasionally but often includes tricky applications, so familiarity is crucial.
Students must follow the following tips and strategies suggested by experts and toppers while preparing for CAT quantitative aptitude.
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Focus on Basics
Pick a topic and start solving various questions until you are clear
Practice each concept one by one and gradually move to difficult questions or topics
Prepare Time Table
Go through the CAT 2025 quant syllabus and exam pattern
Identify the topics that are uncovered
Assess the time needed to cover each topic
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Take Mock Tests
Familiarise with the type of questions asked in the exam by solving mock tests or previous-year question papers
Helps you give exam environment and prepare you for D-day
Analyse your performance and weak and strong areas.
Practice As Per Sectional Time Limit
A sectional time limit of quantitative aptitude is 40 minutes, follow the time pattern while solving mock test
Assign time for each question. Don’t waste time over a question
Focus On Weak Areas
After giving mock tests of CAT, analyse the weak areas. Also understand
Overcome that mistake by practising various questions on the particular topic from recommended books
Boost your CAT 2025 score with these smart, time-saving short tricks to solve CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions. These shortcuts improve speed and accuracy, especially in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Number systems. Know more about the basic CAT Quantitative Aptitude short tricks below:
1. Percentage to Fraction Conversion:
Memorise common conversions (e.g., $25\% = \frac{1}{4}, 33.33\% = \frac{1}{3}$) to solve percentage-based questions without calculations quickly.
2. Using the Allegation Rule (Mixtures):
Apply the cross-method for mixtures and allegations to save time over traditional weighted average formulas.
3. Unit Digit Shortcut (Number System):
For powers, use cyclicity of unit digits (e.g., $2^4 = 6$ → cycles every 4 steps: $2, 4, 8, 6$).
4. Smart Substitution (Algebra):
Substitute easy values (like $x = 1$ or $2$) in algebraic expressions to test options or simplify equations quickly.
5. Ratio Method for Time & Work:
Use inverse ratios of efficiencies to solve Time & Work problems faster (e.g., A is twice as efficient → $A:B = 2:1$).
6. Right Triangle Pythagorean Triplets (Geometry):
Memorise common triplets like $(3,4,5), (5,12,13), (7,24,25)$ to solve geometry problems without complex calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CAT 2025 is unlikely to be easy. It typically ranges from moderate to difficult, with at least one section being relatively tough. However, the difficulty level changes year to year. Consistent practice and strategic preparation are essential to crack CAT exam with high marks.
The IIM conducting CAT 2025 hasn’t been officially announced yet. It rotates annually among older IIMs. Recent years saw IIM Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow as exam-conducting bodies.
Quantitative aptitude requires a lot of practice, and to save time to practice, one should follow all the small and simple tricks to increase his practice and reduce errors. He would often have to provide pseudo-tests and go through different research materials and books of different sizes to strengthen the basic concept and basics.
Following are the most crucial topics to prepare for CAT 2024 Quantitative Aptitude Test.
Previous year’s papers are the best to practice and check your CAT preparation. Practice and practice because it will make you perfect. Candidates can refer to some of the best books for CAT 2024 like Arun Sharma, Abhijeet Guha, NCERT, etc.
Most of the candidates for the CAT 2024 exam believe Quantitative Aptitude to be the hardest section.
On Question asked by student community
Hello there,
Many colleges in India accept Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) score for their admission process. Here link attached which will provide you with the the list of premier B-Schools accepting XAT 2026 along with their percentile and XAT cutoff along with their XAT percentile.
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/top-b-schools-accepting-xat-scores-and-cutoffs
Many colleges in India
Hi there,
A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.
Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of
Hi there,
Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.
According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the
Hi there,
Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and
Hi there,
The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong
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