CAT Quant topic wise weightage 2026 gives you an idea of the 66-mark distribution for this section, along with the high-priority chapters. The CAT QA section comprises 22 questions, each worth 3 marks, to be answered within 40 minutes.
- As per the previous years’ question distribution, Arithmetic leads with 8 questions and has the highest CAT Quant topic wise weightage of around 36%.
- Algebra is followed by Arithmetic, which will contribute 23% of the CAT Quant weightage. It has roughly 5 questions from Linear Equations and Inequalities, Quadratic Equations and Logarithms.
- This section typically comprises 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions, and you are advised to attempt all TITA questions as it has no negative marking.
To excel in the CAT Quant section, focus on high frequency topics such as Speed, Distance and Time, Ratio, Proportion and Averages, Linear Equations and Inequalities, Triangles and Circles.
The following article covers the CAT Quant topic wise weightage 2026 in detail, along with preparation strategy and resources to follow to score well in QA.
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- Best CAT Mock Test Series 2026: Free PDF Download, Solutions and Performance Analysis
Key Summary
- The CAT 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled for November 29, 2026, and IIM Indore is the conducting body.
- The CAT exam pattern 2026 consists of 68 questions and a total of 204 marks, to be completed within 120 minutes.
- The CAT VARC section has 24 questions, and the QA and DILR sections have 22 questions each.
- As per CAT Quant slot-wise trends, the same number of questions will be asked across topics.
- Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths contribute roughly 3 questions each based on CAT Quant topic wise weightage.
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026: Overview
The IIMs have never published an official CAT syllabus. There is no notified topic list and no notified mark split.
But based on past years' trends, Quant question pattern has been consistent over the decade. The same five topics appear every year.
Those five topics include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration, Number System and Modern Maths.
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore (expected) |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (expected) |
| Official Syllabus | Not released by the IIMs |
| QA Questions | 22 |
| QA Marks | 66 |
| QA Duration | 40 minutes |
| Question Types | MCQ and TITA |
| Highest Weightage Topic | Arithmetic (about 8 questions) followed by Algebra (about 5 questions) |
| Section Switching | Not allowed |
Related Articles:
- CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise Pattern, Marking Scheme, Syllabus, Question Paper
- CAT QA Syllabus 2026: Topic-Wise List, Weightage and Important Chapters
Ques. Which topic has the highest weightage in CAT Quant 2026?
Ans. Arithmetic carries the highest weightage at roughly 8 of 22 questions. That is about 36 per cent of the QA section, or 24 of the 66 marks.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and QA Marks Framework
CAT QA is the third and final section. You reach this section after 80 minutes, having completed VARC and DILR sections:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes |
The CAT marking scheme is as follows:
| Question Type | Approx. Count in QA | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 14 | +3 | -1 |
| TITA (Type In The Answer) | 8 | +3 | 0 |
Related Article: CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Sections, Marking Scheme, TITA & Normalisation
Ques. Is there an official CAT syllabus for Quant?
Ans. No. The IIMs have never released an official CAT syllabus. All topic weightage comes from analysis of previous year question papers.
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026: Expected Distribution
The table below is prepared from CAT paper analysis of recent years. Arithmetic and Algebra together account for nearly 13 questions, which carry 39 marks out of 66.
If you are strong in Arithmetic and Algebra, you can achieve a percentile around 90 in QA.
The other three topics (Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths) have 9 questions altogether. To secure a percentile above 95 in QA, you should attempt the questions you are confident in, as there is a negative marking of 1 (each) for MCQs.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Expected Marks | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 | 24 | 36% |
| Algebra | 5 | 15 | 23% |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 9 | 14% |
| Number System | 3 | 9 | 14% |
| Modern Maths | 3 | 9 | 14% |
| Total | 22 | 66 | 100% |
Source: YouTube
Related Articles:
- CAT QA Paper Analysis 2026: Difficulty Level, Topic Distribution, and Good Attempts
- CAT Syllabus 2026- Download Syllabus PDF, Section-wise Weightage and Preparation Tips
Ques. How many questions are there in the CAT Quant section?
Ans. The QA section has 22 questions worth 66 marks. You get 40 minutes, and section switching is not allowed.
CAT Quant Slot Wise Weightage: Latest Paper
CAT runs in three slots on a single day. The papers differ, but the topic split stays close.
The table below shows the QA breakup from the most recent CAT.
| Topic | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Algebra | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Number System | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Modern Maths | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Related Articles:
- CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Question
- CAT Topic-Wise Previous Year Questions (PYQs) with Solutions: QA, VARC & DILR
Ques. Is Arithmetic alone enough to clear CAT Quant?
Ans. Arithmetic plus Algebra covers about 13 questions and can take you past 90 percentile. Crossing 99 percentile needs the remaining three topics too.
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026 in Arithmetic
The CAT Quant Arithmetic weightage is tabulated below, which also gives you an idea of the number of questions asked from various units.
- The time, distance, and speed, along with ratio, proportion and averages, contribute half of the Arithmetic questions.
- These are logic-based questions, so practice a mock test daily.
| Chapters | What Gets Asked | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Time, Speed and Distance | Trains, boats and streams, relative speed, races | 2 |
| Time and Work | Work rates, pipes and cisterns, efficiency | 1 |
| Ratio, Proportion and Averages | Ratio chains, weighted averages, partnership | 2 |
| Mixtures and Alligation | Two and three component mixtures, replacement | 1 |
| Percentage, Profit and Loss | Successive change, discount, marked price | 1 |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Instalments, rate calculation, growth | 1 |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026 in Algebra
Based on past years' pattern, CAT Quant Algebra has 5 questions with 2 from Linear Equations and Inequalities.
- Inequalities combined with logarithms have been consistent in CAT Algebra questions for the last three cycles.
- The questions are conceptually deeper than Arithmetic and often combine two chapters, so don't omit any topic.
| Chapter | What Gets Asked | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Linear Equations and Inequalities | Multi-variable systems, integer solutions, range problems | 2 |
| Quadratic Equations | Roots, maxima and minima, sign analysis | 1 |
| Logarithms and Exponents | Log identities, base change, mixed inequalities | 1 |
| Functions and Modulus | Composite functions, graphs, absolute value equations | 1 |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026 in Geometry and Mensuration
CAT Quant Geometry carries a steady 3 questions per slot. It is the most predictable topic in the section. Circles and tangents have appeared in almost every recent CAT slot and are the safest 3 marks in Geometry.
| Chapter | What Gets Asked | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Triangles | Similarity, area ratios, special triangles | 1 |
| Circles | Chords, tangents, inscribed angles, cyclic quadrilaterals | 1 |
| Polygons and Coordinate Geometry | Regular polygons, lines, distance, area | 1 |
| Mensuration | Cubes, cylinders, cones, spheres, surface area | Occasional |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026 in Number System
CAT Quant Number System carries 2 to 4 questions.
| Chapter | What Gets Asked | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Factors and Divisors | Number of divisors, sum of divisors, divisor forms | 1 |
| Remainders | Cyclicity, remainder theorems, last digit | 1 |
| HCF, LCM and Divisibility | Divisibility rules, co-primes, integer solutions | 1 |
| Base Systems | Conversion, arithmetic in other bases | Occasional |
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage 2026 in Modern Maths
CAT Quant Modern Maths carries about 3 questions. It is small, but questions come every year. Skipping it entirely leaves 9 marks on the table.
| Chapter | What Gets Asked | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Progressions (AP, GP, HP) | Sum of terms, infinite GP, mixed progressions | 2 |
| Permutation and Combination | Arrangements, selections, restricted cases | 1 |
| Probability and Set Theory | Basic probability, Venn diagrams, unions | Occasional |
You can watch the YouTube video by “ CAT Preparation- iQuanta” to learn about the detailed section-wise CAT topic analysis
Related Articles:
- CAT 2026 QA Chapter-Wise Weightage: High-Priority Topics
- CAT QA Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Ques. How many TITA questions are in CAT Quant?
Ans. Recent papers have carried about 8 TITA questions and 14 MCQs in QA. TITA questions have no negative marking.
CAT Quant Weightage Trend: 2022 to 2025
The table below tracks the average question count per topic across all three slots, which helps you determine the CAT Quant topic wise weightage 2026:
| Topic | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Algebra | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Number System | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Modern Maths | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Related Article: CAT Previous Year Question Paper(Available): Download PDF with Solutions (2025-1988)
Ques. Does CAT Quant ask about trigonometry or calculus?
Ans. No. CAT Quant stays within Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths. Trigonometry, calculus and higher mathematics do not appear.
CAT Quant High-Weightage Topics You Cannot Skip
Some chapters appear in nearly every CAT slot. Prepare these before you start anything else.
| Chapter | Parent Topic | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Time, Speed and Distance | Arithmetic | Appears in every slot, often twice |
| Ratio, Proportion and Averages | Arithmetic | Highest single-topic count recorded in recent papers |
| Mixtures and Alligation | Arithmetic | Consistently present and widely under-prepared |
| Linear Equations and Inequalities | Algebra | The signature CAT Algebra question type |
| Logarithms with Inequalities | Algebra | Repeated across the last three cycles |
| Quadratic Equations | Algebra | Reliable, formula driven, fast to solve |
| Circles and Tangents | Geometry | Near guaranteed presence in every slot |
| Triangles and Similarity | Geometry | Standard yearly question |
| Divisors and Remainders | Number System | Pure formula marks once factorised |
| Progressions (AP and GP) | Modern Maths | The dependable half of Modern Maths |
Related Article: CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude: Check Topic Wise Tips, Online Resources, Books, and Study Plan
Ques. Can I skip Geometry in CAT Quant?
Ans. Not advisable. Geometry has held steady at 3 questions per slot, worth 9 marks. Skipping it usually caps you below the 95 percentile.
Good Attempts and Percentile in CAT Quant
The table below shows the good attempts in CAT Quant against various percentile ranges. Based on the previous years' trend, 14 accurate attempts out of 22 will usually place you above the 96th percentile in QA.
| Accurate Attempts (out of 22) | Approx. QA Score | Indicative Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 10 | 24 to 30 | 85 to 90 |
| 11 to 13 | 33 to 39 | 92 to 95 |
| 14 to 16 | 42 to 48 | 96 to 98 |
| 17 and above | 51 and above | 99 and above |
Related Article: CAT Previous Year Question Papers Difficulty Comparison 2020 to 2025
According to a Reddit post, a user shared the good attempts in CAT Quant for various percentile ranges. He/She mentioned that if you have less than 15 marks, then focus on Arithmetic, as it will give you 90%. Attempting geometry and algebra basics will fetch you a percentile between 90 and 95.
Source: Reddit
Ques. Which books are good for CAT 2026?
Ans. For Quant, you can follow NCERT and RS Aggarwal, focus on reading and solving passages for VARC books like Word Power Made Easy, but RC practice is more important and for DILR practice, mix sets of questions to score well in CAT 2026. In short, RS Agarwal and NCERT books are good for CAT 2026.
Best Books for CAT Quant 2026
As per previous years' CAT toppers, the following are the best books for CAT Quant 2026. Toppers suggest avoiding too many books, as it may create confusion regarding concepts, and recommend buying Arun Sharma’s How to Prepare for QA for CAT and Nishit K Sinh’s QA for the CAT.
Along with it, practice PYQs and mock test papers.
| Purpose | Book Name | Author / Publisher | Why This Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Concepts | Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha (Pearson) | Cleanest CAT-aligned concept build up across all five topics |
| Practice Volume | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) | Level of Difficulty tiers let you scale up gradually |
| Arithmetic Depth | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Useful only for basics if your Arithmetic is weak |
| Geometry | Geometry for CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | Focused coverage of triangles, circles and polygons |
| Practice Source: | CAT Previous Year Question Papers | Official past papers | The single most reliable indicator of real difficulty |
Related Article: Best Books for CAT 2026: Section-Wise Recommendations & Mock Plan
Ques. How many attempts are good in CAT Quant?
Ans. Fourteen accurate attempts out of 22 typically place you above the 96 percentile. Eleven to thirteen accurate attempts sit in the 92 to 95 band.
CAT Quant Preparation Strategy Based on Weightage
Phase 1: Build the Arithmetic Base (Months 1 to 2)
- Start with Arithmetic, since it carries 36 per cent of the section.
- Cover Time, Speed and Distance, Ratio and Averages, and Mixtures first.
- Target 90 per cent accuracy on untimed Arithmetic sets before adding a clock.
- Finish Percentage, Profit and Loss and Interest as a single block.
Phase 2: Layer in Algebra and Geometry (Months 3 to 4)
- Move to Linear Equations, Inequalities and Quadratics.
- Give Logarithms and Modulus a dedicated week each.
- Cover Geometry as a fixed 3 mark block, focusing on circles and triangles.
- Begin timed 22 question sectional tests once Algebra is complete.
Phase 3: Close the Gaps and Simulate (Months 5 to 6)
- Finish Number System with divisors and remainders as the priority.
- Cover Progressions, then Permutation and Combination.
- Attempt at least 20 full-length mocks and analyse each one topic-wise.
- Solve the last 5 years of CAT QA papers under exam conditions.
Related Articles:
Ques. How to score 99% in CAT 2026?
Ans. You can score 99% in CAT 2026 by following a smart preparation strategy as listed below:
- Focus on covering the high-weightage topics in CAT from Quant, VARC and DILR
- Practice as many mock tests as you can in the last three months
- Analysing the mistakes made in the mock test helps you know the corrections or revisions required for CAT 2026.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
The important events of CAT 2026 are tabulated below:
| Events | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration Begins | August 1, 2026 |
| Registration Ends | Third week of September 2026 |
| Form Correction Window | Early October 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Late October to early November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Response Sheet and Answer Key | Early December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result | Third week of December 2026 |
Note: All dates above are expected and based on previous CAT cycles. IIM Indore will confirm the official schedule in the notification as it is the conducting body for CAT 2026.
Related Articles:
- CAT 2026 Registration to Begin in August at iimcat.ac.in: Exam Date, Fee & How to Apply
- CAT 2026 Exam Dates (Soon): Check Registration, Schedule, Admit Card & Result
CAT Quant Weightage 2026 FAQs
Ques. Does the Quant weightage change across CAT slots?
Ans. Only slightly, Arithmetic and Geometry stay fixed across slots. Algebra, Number System and Modern Maths vary by one or two questions.
Ques. Which are the best books for CAT Quant 2026?
Ans. Nishit K. Sinha for concepts and Arun Sharma for graded practice cover the section fully. Previous year papers remain the most reliable practice source.
Ques. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
Ans. IIM Indore is expected to conduct CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026. The conducting IIM is officially confirmed in the notification.
Ques. How should I use the weightage table while preparing?
Ans. Allocate study hours in proportion to marks. Give Arithmetic and Algebra the largest share, since they carry about 39 of the 66 marks.
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