Let’s face it—Quantitative Aptitude (QA) in CAT can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The trick? Stop trying to solve everything. With 22 questions in just 40 minutes, CAT is more about strategy than showing off your math skills. The good news? You already have what it takes if you’re willing to approach QA smartly. Here’s how to crack it.

1. Start with the Easy Ones—It’s About Confidence

CAT isn’t a test of heroics. Skip the intimidating, long-winded problems right off the bat and focus on the low-hanging fruit. These are your quick wins—questions on percentages, averages, ratios, or simple geometry. Solving these builds confidence and saves precious time for trickier questions later.

2. Simplify, Don’t Complicate

CAT loves to make simple problems look hard. Don’t fall for it.

• Word Problems: Break them down. Translate long sentences into equations—it makes things far less confusing.
• Geometry: Draw it. A quick sketch can solve half the problem by helping you visualise relationships.
• Large Numbers: Use factorisation or modular arithmetic to simplify calculations. 

Simplifying isn’t just smart—it’s survival in QA.

3. Use Shortcuts and Spot Patterns like a Pro

Here’s the thing: CAT is all about speed, shortcuts are your best friends, and CAT loves patterns. Once you start spotting them, half the questions will solve themselves.

• Unit Digits: Recognise recurring cycles in powers to solve questions in seconds.
• Approximation: Estimating works wonders for ratios, percentages, or questions with widely spaced options.
• Backsolving: Plug in the answer options and see which one works—it’s often faster than solving step-by-step.

Shortcuts don’t just save time—they keep you ahead of the game.

4. Prioritise High-Scoring Topics

Not all topics are created equal. Focus on these heavy hitters:

• Arithmetic: Time and work, percentages, averages, and ratios dominate the QA section. They’re straightforward and easy to score.
• Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, and progressions appear often. Most of these problems are more logical than numerical.
• Geometry: Triangles, circles, and polygons are staples. Memorise key formulas and properties.
• Number Systems: Divisibility, remainders, and HCF/LCM questions are common. If you know modular arithmetic, you can ace them.

Mastering these topics can help you score big with minimal effort.

5. Know When to Skip—Seriously, It’s a Strategy

Not every question is worth your time. If a problem isn’t clicking after two minutes, it’s time to move on. Think of it this way: spending five minutes on one question could cost you three easier ones. Skip, breathe, and move forward.

6. Practice Mocks Like They’re the Real Deal

Mocks aren’t just practice—they’re your training ground. And the secret to improving lies in analysing them ruthlessly:

• Where did you waste time? Fix it.
• Which questions did you skip unnecessarily? Solve them later to learn what went wrong.
• What were your silly mistakes? Eliminate them in the next round.

Mocks help you test not just your knowledge but your strategy. Use them wisely.

7. Rely on Mental Math, Not the Calculator

Yes, CAT has a calculator. No, it’s not your friend. It’s slow, clunky, and best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Memorise tables, squares, and cubes up to 20. These basics are extremely time-saving.

QA in CAT is a game of choices. You don’t need to be a math wizard—you just need to know where to focus, how to simplify, and when to move on. Solve what you know, skip what you don’t, and keep your cool. Trust your preparation, stick to your strategy, and remember: you’ve got this!