CAT 2025 Quantitative Syllabus PDF - Download CAT Quantitative Syllabus Topic wise

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024

CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus 2024 includes all the Math topics of Class 9th and 10th, such as Arithmetic, Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration. The analytical reasoning, logical thinking, mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities of a candidate will be assessed in this section. The quant section in CAT syllabus 2024 assesses if a candidate can analyze and solve complex mathematical problems under time constraints.

CAT exam will be conducted most likely on November 24, 2024, in 150 test cities in India. MBA aspirants can have a look at the detailed CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus 2024 to gain a better understanding of the questions they will come across in the exam.

CAT QA Syllabus PDF Download

Since the IIMs do not release an official syllabus PDF for CAT, candidates may find it difficult to ascertain the important topics for each CAT section. Check out the CAT Qunatitative Aptitutde Syllabus PDF mentioned below:

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024 Highlights

Given below are the primary highlights of the aptitude syllabus for CAT 2024.

CAT Quant 2024 Important Topics

The QA section comprises the final part of the CAT exam. Candidates are required to complete the QA section in the final 40 minutes of the exam. Arithmetic is a fundamental part of the CAT QA syllabus. This section evaluates a candidate’s mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities through the following sections:

• Arithmetic: It covers topics such as percentages, ratio and proportion, time and work, profit and loss, time, speed and distance, simple and compound interest, etc.
• Algebra: It covers topics like linear equations, quadratic equations, progressions (arithmetic, geometric, harmonic), inequalities, functions, etc.
• Geometry: Lines and angles, polygons, circles, triangles, coordinate geometry, mensuration (area, volume), etc. are important topics in this section.
• Number Systems: It includes topics like Properties of numbers, remainders, factorization, divisibility rules, HCF, LCM, etc.
• Modern Math: Important topics in this section are probability, set theory, permutations and combinations, logarithms, etc.

Here are some important topics from the Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT 2024 syllabus:

Topic-wise CAT Exam Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024

The crucial topics included under the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus 2024 have been provided below. The following syllabus must be used as the foundation for the quant preparation of the CAT 2024 aspirants.

Important Number System Topics for CAT 2024

The topics that must be covered under Number System are as follows:

• Basics of Numbers
• Properties of Numbers
• Divisibility Rules
• Divisibility and Factors
• Finding Out the Last Digit
• Finding Out Last Two Digits
• Number of trailing zeroes
• Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple
• Finding out Remainders based on:
  • Wilson’s Theorem
  • Binomial Theorem
  • Fermat’s Theorem
  • Euler’s Theorem
  • Basic divisibility rules
  • Pattern Recognition and cyclicity of remainders
  • Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors)
• Base Systems
  • Conversion of Bases
  • Addition/subtraction/multiplication in different bases

Important Arithmetic Topics for CAT 2024

The topics that must be covered in Arithmetic are as follows:

• Averages
• Mean Median Mode
• Percentages
• Ratio and Proportion
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Profit and Loss
• Mixtures and Allegations
• Time and Work
• Time Speed and Distance

Important Algebra Topics for CAT 2024

The topics that must be covered in Algebra are as follows:

• Basics Algebraic Formulae
• Linear Equations:
  • Problems on ages
  • Number of integer solutions
• Quadratic Equations:
  • Finding out roots
  • Maxima and Minima
• Higher Degree Equations- Descartes Rule of Signs
• Inequalities
• Logarithm
• Arithmetic progression and Geometric progression
• Functions:
  • Modifications of graphs
  • The smallest value in a maximum function

Important Geometry Topics for CAT 2024

The topics that must be covered in Geometry are as follows:

• Lines and Angles
• Triangles – Basic Concepts:
  • Area, Angles
  • Similar Triangles
• Polygons
• Circles
• Trigonometry
• Coordinate Geometry
• Solids / Mensuration – 3D Geometry

Important Modern Maths Topics for CAT 2024

The topics that must be covered in Modern Maths are as follows:

• Probability
• Set Theory
• Sequence and Series
• Binomial Theorem
• Permutation and Combination

Topic-wise Weightage in CAT QA Syllabus 2024

A total of 26 questions will be asked in the QA section, among which 8 questions will be TITA (Non-MCQs) and 18 questions will be MCQs. 

The expected topics and the number of questions asked from each topic have been provided below.

Expected Weightage of CAT Quant Topics in 2024

Find the expected number of questions from each topic in the CAT quant syllabus in the table below.

Best Books for CAT Exam Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024

Due to its heavy emphasis on calculations and the use of mathematics, the QA component of the CAT exam is regarded as the most difficult. The best books for CAT 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude that explain the fundamentals in a simple and understandable manner are listed here:

1. Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
2. NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
3. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
4. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
5. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
6. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma

These books also contain more than 4000 practice questions with varying levels of difficulty for each topic.

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2024 Important Points

The most important points related to the Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT 2024 syllabus have been provided below:

• Since the CAT QA section carries a substantial weightage in the overall CAT score, it is mandatory for the candidates to score well in this section for achieving a competitive percentile.
• A candidate's analytical reasoning skills, logical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills will be evaluated in this section.
• There will be 22 questions in the CAT QA section.
• Questions will be of both MCQ and non-MCQ type. There will be approximately 14 to 16 MCQs and 8 non-MCQs.
• 3 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. If candidates answer an MCQ incorrectly, there is a negative marking of 1 mark. However, no marks will be deducted for non-MCQ questions.

CAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Quantitative Aptitude

Mathematics covers a significant part of the CAT QA syllabus. Questions of the 10th and 12th-grade levels are typically covered in this section and hence a very fundamental and simple understanding of arithmetic enables the candidates to answer questions accurately. 

• The first step is to build a strong conceptual understanding of mathematical topics. Do not overlook fundamental concepts that speed up calculations and hence save time. The most crucial of these concepts, which you shouldn't overlook, include the unitary method, cube, and square root, percentage conversion ratios, tables up to 25, cubes up to 20, and squares up to 35. Also, practise basic math fundamentals like number systems, geometry, and arithmetic problems (profit and loss, percentage, etc.).
• The key to mastering quantitative aptitude is daily practice. Solving a variety of problems from different topics and difficulty levels enables one to answer the maximum number of questions within the allotted time with high accuracy. The ideal strategy is to start with basic problems and gradually move on to more complex ones. Candidates should allocate specific time for practising each topic from this section every day.
• Candidates must become well-versed with important geometric principles to deal with QA problems as rapidly as possible. 
• Trigonometry may be practiced in combination with other subjects.
• The problems on Sequence & Series and Alligations & Mixture can be simply solved with regular practice.
• Practice previous year's question papers and take mock exams to simulate the exam environment and analyze your performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving your weak areas.
• Regular practice, revision of formulae, shortcut learning, and development of quick calculation speed are all recommended.

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CAT 2024 Syllabus for Other Sections

Candidates preparing for CAT 2024 must also check out the syllabus for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning provided below.