CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) is an important topic in the Algebra chapter of the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT). It covers sum and nth term of AP and GP, harmonic progression, means and series problems. Practising CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQs helps candidates understand question patterns, improve calculation speed, and identify concepts that appear frequently. Based on a five-year analysis of CAT 2021-2025, Progressions (AP, GP and HP) accounted for 21 out of 330 Quantitative Aptitude questions, or approximately 6.4% of the questions analysed.
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The following guide covers the year-wise weightage trend, question types, where the topic fits within Algebra, difficulty level, and preparation strategy.
This PDF includes:
| 76 Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions in the PDF | 6.4% Five-year QA Share (2021-2025) |
The PDF holds 76 Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions from CAT 1990-2025, grouped by year and slot. Answer keys and solutions are not included.
CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQ Statistics (2021-2025)
The following figures represent the aggregated number of Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions across all three slots of CAT each year, not the count in an individual slot.
| Year | Total Questions (All Slots) | Average per Slot | Weightage in QA | Change in Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1.00 | 4.55% | 0.00% |
| 2024 | 3 | 1.00 | 4.55% | −4.55% |
| 2023 | 6 | 2.00 | 9.09% | +3.03% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1.33 | 6.06% | −1.52% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1.67 | 7.58% | — |
| Total | 21 | 1.40 | 6.36% overall | — |
Weightage is the share of the 66 Quantitative Aptitude questions across the three slots in that year. Change in weightage is the difference in percentage points from the previous year. The busiest year for Progressions (AP, GP and HP) across the whole PDF was CAT 2003, with 8 questions.
CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQ Question-Type Distribution
CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions in the Quantitative Aptitude section can appear as Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) or Type In The Answer (TITA) questions.
Across the 15 slots of CAT 2021-2025, 17 of the 21 Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions were MCQs and 4 were TITA. In the full PDF of 76 questions, 66 are MCQs and 10 are TITA.
| Question Type | Questions in CAT 2021-2025 | Share | Questions in the full PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) | 17 | 81.0% | 66 |
| TITA (Type In The Answer) | 4 | 19.0% | 10 |
| Total | 21 | — | 76 |
Where Progressions (AP, GP and HP) Fits in CAT Algebra
Progressions (AP, GP and HP) accounts for 76 of the 417 questions in the Algebra chapter PDF, about 18.2%.
| Chapter | Questions in chapter PDF | Questions on this topic | Share of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 417 | 76 | 18.2% |
Difficulty Level of CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQs
By the difficulty tag in our question bank, 49 of the 76 Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions are medium, 27 are hard and 0 are easy.
| Difficulty | Typical question characteristics | Preparation focus | Questions in PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Direct application of one standard formula or rule | Formula recall and accuracy | 0 |
| Moderate | Multi-step problems that need two or three ideas | Concept selection and efficient calculation | 49 |
| Difficult | Questions that combine several concepts or need case analysis | Case analysis and alternative solving methods | 27 |
How to Prepare for CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) Using PYQs
Follow a three-stage preparation plan to get the most out of the question bank.
- Build conceptual clarity: Revise sum and nth term of AP and GP, harmonic progression, means and series problems before attempting timed practice.
- Practise topic-wise PYQs: Solve the 76 CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions in this PDF. Record the year and slot, your accuracy, and the time taken.
- Attempt mixed sets: Once Progressions (AP, GP and HP) is comfortable, mix it with other Algebra questions. Review incorrect answers and identify whether the mistake came from concept selection, calculation, or time management.
Because Progressions (AP, GP and HP) contributed 6.4% of the five-year QA dataset analysed, give it time in proportion to its share, and keep preparing the other QA chapters as well.
Related CAT Resources
CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQs FAQs
Ques. How many Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions are asked in CAT?
Ans. Based on 2021-2025 analysis, Progressions (AP, GP and HP) accounts for 21 out of 330 QA questions, representing approximately 6.4%. The number varies across exam years and slots.
Ques. What does CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) cover?
Ans. It covers sum and nth term of AP and GP, harmonic progression, means and series problems.
Ques. How can I practise CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) questions PYQ topic-wise?
Ans. Solve the 76 questions in this PDF in order, noting the year and slot. Note the concepts or calculation methods you find difficult, then practise mixed Algebra questions under timed conditions.
Ques. Does the CAT Progressions (AP, GP and HP) PYQ PDF include solutions?
Ans. No. The PDF contains the 76 questions with their year, slot and source question number, without answer keys or solutions.
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