Quant Cracker- CAT’21- Major Topics, Key Points, Strategies

Quant Preparation for CAT’21

CAT syllabus consists of three sections Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude(QA), with the total no of questions (both MCQ and subjective type) being 76 (3 marks for each question). The time allotted for each section is 40 minutes (Total time 120 minutes or 2 hours). Quantitate Aptitude is the most time-consuming as well as unpredictable part of CAT that comprises 34 percent of question paper having 26 questions for 78 marks and a sectional timing of 40 Minutes to solve the respective section. Aspirants from non-engineering backgrounds or having no pure maths as a part of their syllabus in their high school education will have a tough time solving the Quantitate Ability part. Aspirants need effective knowledge and the ability to solve the question in a given limited time. With proper knowledge about the Quantitative Aptitude section and some tips/strategies about how and what to prepare, can bring differences in your preparation of Quant for CAT and you will gain a competitive advantage that will enhance your question-solving ability in a given limited time.

Candidates must have a complete understanding or knowledge about the syllabus of Quant for CAT, the extent of details required to cover for each topic in the syllabus, its question pattern or type (whether subjective or MCQ), the time required to solve questions of a particular topic as it helps them to prepare for the exam on the basis on their ability or knowledge about the topic and time management in examination i.e., which question to choose first to solve during exams.

Major Topics Of Quant For CAT And Expected No Of Questions

Topics	Chapters	Expected No of Question
Modern Maths	Permutation and Combination, Probability, Logarithms, Functions, Set Theory, Series	2-3
Geometry & Mensuration	Geometry (we’re not blind to the irony :P), Mensuration, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Lines-Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals & Higher Polygons, Circles, 3-D Figures	7-8
Algebra	Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Polynomials, Exponents, Logarithms, Simultaneous Equations	6-7
Arithmetic	Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Ratio, Proportion & Mixtures, Speed, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Pipes and Cisterns, Races, Work & Time	10-12
Number System	Number Theory and Remainders, Set Theory, Progressions	4-5

Some Key Points To Consider Based On The Syllabus Of Quant preparation For CAT’21

• Preparing modern maths is relatively easy as questions are formula-based, straightforward and lesser in number.
• Arithmetic is also basic and easy to prepare as it covers chapters that form part of your secondary education (Class 10), the only tip here required is to solve them quickly.
• Finding the most accurate geometry rules applicable to questions is the key and will allow solving quickly. 
• In CAT 2021 exam Trigonometry can be used in conjunction with other topics.
• Sequence and Series, Allegations and Mixtures are topic that is occasionally tested in CAT and they are fairly easy to solve.
• Quantitate aptitude section has more MCQ type questions than subjective type questions and there is negative marking for every MCQ type question answered wrong, so candidates are advised not to attempt questions on guesswork. 

Strategies For Preparing Quant For CAT

It is important to have a preparation strategy depending upon your own strength and weakness Given below are the major strategies or useful tips from toppers and experts for your Quant preparation for CAT’21. There are few things that you can include in your Quant preparation for CAT’21, plan for a better outcome.

Prepare A Planned Schedule

An accurate timetable plays a vital role in any preparation. A schedule of time regarding the allotment of your time for each topic, and what to do during such time allotted to ace that topic or section. The candidate must give three to four hours to the quantitate aptitude section as it is a time-demanding section of CAT. Start with learning the basics, follow the time strictly, and then practice what you prepare. Prepare a daily or weekly strategy and make sure you accomplished it.

Build Your Basics

To ace, the quantitative aptitude section, building your concepts is the first and foremost requirement. The candidate must have conceptual clarity regarding each topic. Instead of solving complex questions, first, clear your basic concepts and gradually start solving questions from easy to difficult grade under each topic. The Quantitative ability section is all about how much time and practice you can give, because once the fundamental concept is clear, the more you practice the better the chances of success.

Shortcut Skills And Techniques

The candidate must try to solve each Quant question in 2 minutes for time management, as this is the average time per question you can spend on each question during the CAT exam. While preparing Quant for CAT, the very first thing that comes to mind is – How to solve the questions accurately in such a limited time?  Candidates must try to find ways of solving questions in an accurate yet rapid manner, so that focus on time management can be done. 

For candidates, it is very important to understand every given question and formula to apply for solving the same without consuming more than the average time given to solve a question. A calculator will be provided for the exam but still, the importance of doing mental calculations cannot be ignored. Candidates must make themselves proficient with advanced calculative techniques and for that learn time-saving techniques like tables till 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and percentage equivalent of fractions till 25. Note down all the essential and direct formulas and go through them regularly.

Focus On Weak Areas

An important tip or rule of Quant preparation for CAT’21 is that in the initial months of practice candidate must try to focus on the areas of improvement and overcome the mistakes by practicing more. While preparing Quant for the CAT section, weaker sections must be given due weightage. However, if a candidate is having limited time (less than 3 months)  for preparations of Quant for CAT then it is better to focus on main areas rather than spending time on weaknesses as one can score fairly good even by solving half a number of questions (correctly) in Quant for CAT.

Mock Test And Previous Year Papers

One of the strategies on how to prepare Quant for CAT is to solve more and more CAT mock tests and previous year papers of CAT and to monitor your progress and deficiency. Once candidates have gained the basic fundamental concepts, techniques, and shortcut skills to solve various question types of each topic under Quantitate Aptitude section start practicing in actual exam conditions. Candidates are advised to practice Quant for CAT on regular basis to get a command over the Quantitate Aptitude section. Through CAT mock tests, candidates will encounter variations in questions and this will help them improve themselves.

Selecting Question 

Candidates must take easy questions or questions of topics on which they have enough conceptual knowledge first while taking the actual exams to solve them rapidly and securing some confirmed score. 

We hope that this article has given you effective knowledge,  key points to consider, and strategies on how to prepare Quant for CAT.

FAQ

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