CAT Surds and Indices is an important topic in the Algebra chapter of the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT). It covers laws of exponents, simplifying surds, comparing powers. Practising CAT Surds and Indices 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, Surds and Indices accounted for 11 out of 330 Quantitative Aptitude questions, or approximately 3.3% 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:
| 26 Surds and Indices questions in the PDF | 3.3% Five-year QA Share (2021-2025) |
The PDF holds 26 Surds and Indices questions from CAT 1997-2025, grouped by year and slot. Answer keys and solutions are not included.
CAT Surds and Indices PYQ Statistics (2021-2025)
The following figures represent the aggregated number of Surds and Indices 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% | −1.52% |
| 2024 | 4 | 1.33 | 6.06% | +1.52% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1.00 | 4.55% | +3.03% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0.33 | 1.52% | +1.52% |
| 2021 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00% | — |
| Total | 11 | 0.73 | 3.33% 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 Surds and Indices across the whole PDF was CAT 2024, with 4 questions.
CAT Surds and Indices PYQ Question-Type Distribution
CAT Surds and Indices 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, 8 of the 11 Surds and Indices questions were MCQs and 3 were TITA. In the full PDF of 26 questions, 21 are MCQs and 5 are TITA.
| Question Type | Questions in CAT 2021-2025 | Share | Questions in the full PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) | 8 | 72.7% | 21 |
| TITA (Type In The Answer) | 3 | 27.3% | 5 |
| Total | 11 | — | 26 |
Where Surds and Indices Fits in CAT Algebra
Surds and Indices accounts for 26 of the 417 questions in the Algebra chapter PDF, about 6.2%.
| Chapter | Questions in chapter PDF | Questions on this topic | Share of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 417 | 26 | 6.2% |
Difficulty Level of CAT Surds and Indices PYQs
By the difficulty tag in our question bank, 11 of the 26 Surds and Indices questions are medium, 14 are hard and 1 is easy.
| Difficulty | Typical question characteristics | Preparation focus | Questions in PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Direct application of one standard formula or rule | Formula recall and accuracy | 1 |
| Moderate | Multi-step problems that need two or three ideas | Concept selection and efficient calculation | 11 |
| Difficult | Questions that combine several concepts or need case analysis | Case analysis and alternative solving methods | 14 |
How to Prepare for CAT Surds and Indices Using PYQs
Follow a three-stage preparation plan to get the most out of the question bank.
- Build conceptual clarity: Revise laws of exponents, simplifying surds, comparing powers before attempting timed practice.
- Practise topic-wise PYQs: Solve the 26 CAT Surds and Indices questions in this PDF. Record the year and slot, your accuracy, and the time taken.
- Attempt mixed sets: Once Surds and Indices 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 Surds and Indices contributed 3.3% of the five-year QA dataset analysed, give it time in proportion to its share, and keep preparing the other QA chapters as well.
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CAT Surds and Indices PYQs FAQs
Ques. How many Surds and Indices questions are asked in CAT?
Ans. Based on 2021-2025 analysis, Surds and Indices accounts for 11 out of 330 QA questions, representing approximately 3.3%. The number varies across exam years and slots.
Ques. What does CAT Surds and Indices cover?
Ans. It covers laws of exponents, simplifying surds, comparing powers.
Ques. How can I practise CAT Surds and Indices questions PYQ topic-wise?
Ans. Solve the 26 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 Surds and Indices PYQ PDF include solutions?
Ans. No. The PDF contains the 26 questions with their year, slot and source question number, without answer keys or solutions.
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