How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) 2024 - Check Expert Advice, Tips and Tricks

How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) 2024 is one of the most common concerns of MBA aspirants since this section carries the major chunk of CAT preparation. With a very vast CAT syllabus 2024 ranging from Arithmetic to Percentages and Algebra, CAT Quantitative Ability tests a candidate's numerical aptitude, Mathematical prowess, and problem-solving abilities. Thus, one must fully comprehend the fundamental concepts of solving problems to achieve high scores and meet the CAT cutoff 2024 for selection into IIMs. The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on November 24, 2024, across 170 test cities in India this year.

CAT 2024 exam Quantitative Ability section will likely have 22 questions on topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Calculus, which students have to attempt in 40 minutes of sectional time. In an attempt to help test-takers crack this QA successfully, we have provided here some of the most useful tips on how to prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability 2024.

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How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) 2024: Overall Preparation

How to prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability? The answer to this question varies from person to person. Some candidates will have to devote more time to the section due to the absence of Mathematics in their education at the graduation or school level while for some candidates, QA is their strong point for CAT. In any case, what is required the most is the continuous and consistent practice of the entire syllabus. All CAT 2024 candidates can follow the guidelines mentioned below in order to streamline their Quantitative Ability preparation for the CAT exam.

1. Strengthen the Basics

In time, we all tend to lose touch with basic mathematics and simple calculations. It is extremely important for candidates preparing for the CAT to brush up on their basic mathematics and gradually strengthen it. The essence of mathematics lies totally in its basics and if some student does not understand maths at the grass-roots level, it will become highly difficult for him/ her to solve equations and questions.

2. Gauge the Weak Points

Every candidate must be aware of his/ her strengths and weaknesses in the Quantitative Ability section. This will make it clear to him/ her the topics that need more attention. The applicants must make it a point to work extra hard on those topics and practice more questions pertaining to them.

3. Plan a Schedule

Studying haphazardly might be in favor of some students but it does not prove to be beneficial overall. The candidates must come up with a schedule regarding their Quantitative Ability preparation. It is important to chalk out a study plan keeping in mind the areas of weakness and leaving some time for revision too. Sticking to this plan will ensure that the candidate practices questions regularly and it will lead him/ her to finish the Quantitative Ability syllabus soon.

4. Practise Chapter by Chapter

Candidates should focus on one chapter at a time and must not try to mix questions. This way, they will understand each chapter in great depth and understand the nitty-gritty of it too. Preparing haphazardly will not help you much and make you confused.

5. Enhance Mental Calculations and Short Methods

Performing well in the Quantitative Ability section of CAT requires the candidate to give correct answers in optimum time. Short methods and strong mental calculation abilities will assist the candidate in saving time on many questions. In this case, the online CAT quantitative aptitude preparation group might be of great benefit. You will be able to learn the formula for quickly and accurately answering QA questions. Due to the negative marking, it is not wise to attempt too many questions that require guesswork when preparing for and answering QA section questions.

6. Employ Sectional Time to Improve Preparation

Sectional timing for CAT 2024 will be 40 minutes for each segment. Candidates should make an effort to finish the portion while keeping an eye on the clock. It is preferable to move ahead of time because having a buffer time of at least 5 to 10 minutes will allow time for revision on test day. Students must highlight crucial questions and ideas so they may quickly review them during the last phase. Candidates should adhere to the two-minute rule for questions in the QA portion, i.e. It is preferable to move on to the next question if a question cannot be answered within the allotted two minutes.

6. Practice Mock Tests

Taking more and more CAT practice tests and CAT quantitative aptitude preparation online practice exams is one of the best methods for improving one's CAT quantitative abilities. Candidates may take part in pre-mock exams to gauge their early performance and obtain an understanding of the topics they should study. They can go to post-mock CAT exams when they have finished practicing and revising. Regular practice is preferable if you want to master the QA segment. As CAT 2024 gets nearer, take at least one mock exam each day. Candidates will learn more about the variety of questions asked from each segment through CAT sample examinations, which will help them improve their preparation level.

Also Read: 15+ CAT 2024 Percentage Questions

How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) 2024: Topic-Wise Preparation Tips

While preparing for CAT Quantitative Aptitude, you may need different strategies for different topics. The tricks and formulas you apply to Arithmetic might not be helpful while solving Algebra questions. Thus, we have provided here tips to prepare for various topics in the CAT Quant section.

1. Geometry and Mensuration

There are around 6–8 problems in the CAT on geometry, along with trigonometry, mensuration, and co-geometry. One can better understand certain concepts in geometry by visualizing them, and asking oneself probing questions. From a starting point, a student advances to coordinate geometry, trigonometry, and 3D geometry. The key to answering any Geometry question on the CAT exam is comprehending which concept to apply. All the frequently used formulas, such as those for area, volume, etc., should be memorized and noted. When completing the segment, it is important to keep symmetry in mind because, in some circumstances, it can literally cut the time required in half. By examining the dimensions or values, some choices can be immediately ruled out.

2. Arithmetic

Since principles of arithmetic are built upon one another, the order in which the topics are covered simplifies the preparation. For instance: Compound interest is a series of percentage increases, while simple interest is merely an increase in percentage. This is how one should approach mathematical topics. The topic of Alligations and Mixtures can be studied independently or in combination with other topics like profit and loss. This topic's fundamental idea is that it involves mixing two or more elements or products, and questions on it are typically phrased to inquire how much of each should be added to a mixture in order to achieve a specific ratio. Questions on Profit and Loss involve mentioning the cost of each material and the cost of the alloy.

3. Number System

4. Algebra

5. Sequence and Series

6. Trigonometry

How to Schedule CAT 2024 QA Preparation

Check the table below to know the number of hours that must be allotted to each topic for mastering Quantitative Aptitude for CAT.

CAT 2024 Quantitative Ability Weightage

Apart from Quantitative Aptitude, CAT 2024 exam will comprise Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Quantitative Ability is one section of CAT that is considered to be difficult by a majority of the CAT test-takers. The candidates who belong to engineering backgrounds find this section relatively easier and hence, have an upper hand when it comes to Quantitative Ability questions.

However, students who come from those streams or backgrounds in which they were not familiarised with mathematics much or whose courses had no use of basic maths and calculations find it difficult to cope with the pressure. Undoubtedly, Quantitative Analysis is a section to which the applicant needs to give a lot of attention and practice. To begin with the preparation for QA, it is important to know the Quantitative Analysis pattern in CAT.

Also Read: CAT Predicted Question Paper 2024

Expected CAT QA Cutoff 2024

The expected CAT cutoff for each section is mentioned in the table below. 

Practice Questions to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability 2024

Click on the link provided below to get access to the practice questions for CAT Quantitative Ability 2024.

Before candidates could consider taking the test, one of the most important concerns they had to address was how to plan their QA preparation. Today, however, we have a number of online resources at our disposal to begin our planning immediately. However, it is challenging to match the competitiveness of classroom coaching in QA programs because it provides the most equal ground for candidates, whereas VA and DILR benefit those who may already possess a natural aptitude for it.

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