CAT '09: Tips for the Quantitative Ability

section

If there is anything that would upset the confidence of the maximum number of CAT
aspirants in any given year, then it would be the very mention of the name ‘Quantitative
Ability’. This section of the CAT paper has undoubtedly, over the years, managed to evoke a
very formidable image in the minds of anyone seriously vying for a berth at one of the
prestigious IIMs or some of the other top MBA colleges in the country. But before we delve
into the details of how to tame this monster of a section, let us look at what exactly it is and
how it is relevant for an exam like the CAT.

To begin with, we need to understand that the name Quantitative Ability would be more
appropriately thought of as ‘problem solving’ ability, something which, intuitively at least,
everyone of us can relate to, without having to conjure up a gory mental image of
complicated mathematical formulas, abstruse equations and a scratch paper that looks more
like a mini battlefield, albeit doused with ink.

Yes, problem solving is something we all do, most of the time, the only exception being we
use facts, common sense and our judgment instead of mathematical formulas, concepts and
equations. The kind of expertise that an exam like CAT expects when it talks of Quantitative
Ability is very unlike the dry, academic and vague kind which one would have encountered
in their bulky mathematics text books during their school days and perhaps even later. The
questions encountered in an exam like CAT are mostly application oriented and test ones
grasp of the fundamentals in arithmetic and algebra and ability to use information/concepts in
an integrated manner, i.e., questions often tend to be based on more than one topic and need a
combination of concepts to crack them. For example a question may simultaneously involve
concepts of both ‘Geometry’ and ‘Time, Speed & Distance’.

The questions usually do not get very technical in terms of the concepts but they are
definitely challenging in terms of the manner in which one can

1. Comprehend the circumstances given

2. Correlate them to known concepts and then

3. Find the solution to the problem.

The actual solving process is rarely lengthy or complicated and it is the former two aspects
that are the most critical to cracking the test.

Now the next logical question one would have is “How important is it that I know
Quantitative Ability well?” or, more directly put, “What is the weightage given to
Quantitative Ability in CAT?” The exact weightage of this section in the various
management entrance exams varies between one-fourth to one-third of the total marks. CAT
accords approximately one-third weightage to Quantitative Ability and almost all the IIMs
and some of the top management colleges take this section quite seriously. These institutes
have a Quant section cut-off that could be as high as 85 to 90 percentile. That means that one
really has to manage a decent performance in this section – read figure among the top 10 to
15 percent of the test takers in terms of their score in the section – to be considered for the
next stage of their selection process. While that may sound a bit intimidating, the fact is it is
not as bad as it looks, especially because such performance sometimes translates into absolute
score that could be as low as 20 to 25 percent of the maximum possible score in the section.

Therefore, one would be pleasantly surprised to know that, with CAT2009 expected to have
as low as 20 to 25 questions in each section, just about six successful attempts should get one
through the section, even if it is by the skin of one’s teeth!

Speaking more specifically about the topics covered in the syllabus for the Quantitative
Ability Section of the CAT, one would have to enlist topics such as Numbers, Geometry,
Permutations & Combinations, Simple Equations, Quadratic Equations, Progressions,
Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Number Systems, Concepts of
Functions & Graphs, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Indices, Logarithms & Surds,
Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry, etc. – the topics appearing roughly in above list the
decreasing order of their average weightage in the section over the years. The first three to
four topics in the above list, themselves, usually comprise about 40 to 50% of the section in
terms of weightage.

Also, one needs to note that there is actually no official syllabus that the CAT committee
prescribes or declares, and a whole variety of miscellaneous kinds of questions do keep
appearing from time to time, which cannot be classified neatly into one or more of the above
topics. But one can rest assured that the level of the concepts required to tackle all these
topics is not much higher that of a 10th standard student, with an uncanny eye for application,
of course!

Also, with the CAT going online this year, many would be very apprehensive about what to
expect on the D-Day and as to how they will be able to perform, especially without the usual
convenience of being able to scribble/draw and do calculations on the question paper itself.
However, overcoming this setback is only a matter of practice, i.e., take enough practice tests
online and remember that the case is the same for all the test takers and that sort of evens out
the ground.

Now that we’ve gained an appreciation for what exactly is the Quantitative Ability Section of
The CAT is all about, let us look a few last minute tips for preparation as well as the actual
test taking.

With just under three weeks of time left, I would hope that you have already done most of the
ground work required in terms of covering the basics and practicing the concepts for the D-
day. If not, then you should be someone who is new to the CAT and is planning for a serious
attempt in the next year or two – in which case, I would seriously recommend that you enroll
for a structured training programme, with a reputed institute, keeping in mind the tremendous
competition at least.

If you are planning to take the CAT this year and already have booked your appointment,
then you would be anxious to figure out how best to spend the rest of your time before the
test. As far as Quantitative Ability is considered, it is recommended that you brush up all
your basics once in the next week and then take up the questions from your practice mocks in
a topic wise manner. This way you will be able to capitalize on the learning from each
question and apply it in the subsequent questions, thereby giving you a tremendous advantage
in terms of optimum utilisation of time and effort. Also, this approach would help you learn
more and remember more. Focus on the concepts and their application rather than on
memorizing mere formulas.

Alongside this, it is also recommended that you keep yourself in good test taking condition
by taking at least one sectional practice test in every two days and an equal number or full
length practice tests too. Another important piece of advice is that given the short time left,
try to capitalize on your strengths and not waste your time on topics that you are unfamiliar
with or topics that have eluded you continually.

Therefore, strike a balance between starting on new/unfamiliar topics versus perfecting your
abilities in those topics that you already are good at – keeping an eye out for the weightages
of the topics. Hence, if you are not familiar with a not so important topic like Trigonometry,
then simply let it go and forget about it, but if you are not familiar with an important topic
such as Numbers or Geometry, then try to at least get a grasp of the basics, if not the
advanced concepts or the difficult questions, within the limited time available. This is
because there will always be a certain number of direct or simple questions in the Quant
sections that are of an elementary level and identifying and cracking such questions is a
major part of the game.

Now let us come to some tips that will help you during the exam time. Firstly, be disciplined
in your approach, that is, stick to your time limits for each section, as it will help maintain a
cool head and give you much required control and confidence during the test. Oftentimes,
lack of discipline is the greatest negative factor that could pull down one’s performance.
Secondly remember that there are no marks for trying and neither are there any extra marks
for solving more difficult questions. Hence, make sure you do not waste your time on
questions that either seem difficult or unfamiliar.

When you are tackling the Quant section, approach it in a group wise manner. This means
that you first read through a group of three to four quant questions at a time, by using the
‘next’ and ‘previous’ buttons, before actually jumping into any of them. This will help you
optimize your time and number of attempts. Out of about four questions consider attempting
just around one or two questions, and more only if you find them doable or easy.

Also, while attempting any question, first put down all the given information in a neat and as
structured a manner as possible, after which you will be in a position to decide whether you
can proceed further or whether you should leave that question and move on. Also, try to
check for alternative approaches like elimination/substitution of choices, which often save a
lot of time and pay rich dividends. These can be mastered thorough practice. You should also
actively mark questions for review, if you think that you may be able to solve them with
some more effort, so that, time permitting, you could come back to look at them. This way,
you would be working through the 20 to 25 questions in the quant section in around five to
six groups of four questions each. And each group should take you about 5 to 6 minutes on an
average, thereby leaving you with around 10 to 15 minutes of free time (out of the
approximately 40 to 45 minutes that you could spare for the quant section).

And by then you should have already attempted anywhere from 7 to 10 questions already! In
fact, this strategy, of managing about 10 to 15 minutes of spare time will work wonders for
you if you can implement it well, wherein the extra time at the end will also yield about
another 3 or 4 questions. Now with about a total of 10 to 14 attempts and an accuracy of even
70 per cent you can easily expect to not only clear the cut-off mark but actually manage an
impressive score too.

At the end of the day, it is a level and cool headed approach that will make all the difference,
so give it your best and do not worry too much about the result, at least not while you are
giving the exam! Wishing you all the very best for the CAT.
LAST days Quant’s mug up for CAT 2010, for all QUANT’s problems coming
in CAT/XAT/FMS   like exams..

1.     1 mile = 1760 yards

2.     1 yard = 3 feet

3.    1 mile2 = 640 acres

4.    1 gallon = 4 quarts

5.    1 quart = 2 pints

6.    1 pint = 2 cups

7.    1 cup = 8 ounces

8.    1 pound = 16 ounces

9.    1 ounce = 16 drams

10. 1 kg = 2.2 pounds

11.  nPr = n!/(n-r)!

12. nPn = n!

13. nCr = n!/(n-r)!r!

14. nCn = 1

15. nP0 = 1

16. nC0 = 1

17. AP An = a + (n-1)d

1.     Sn = n/2[2a + (n-1)d]

1.     Sn = a(rn – 1)/ (r-1)

19.   S∞ = a/(1-r)

20.TRIGO : me go..c..go..mug up n go J
21.  30-60-90 triangle è 1:√3:2 sides

22. 45-45-90 triangle è 1:1:√2 sides

23. a3>b3 è a>b

24. If A than B => not B than not A

25. Zero divided by any nonzero integer is zero.

26. Division by 0 is undefined.

Quant

Quant for CAT

1.     The standard deviation is a statistic that tells you how tightly all the various examples
are clustered around the mean in a set of data. When the examples are pretty tightly bunched
together and the bell-shaped curve is steep, the standard deviation is small. When the
examples are spread apart and the bell curve is relatively flat, that tells you have a relatively
large standard deviation.

Yup..mug up

2.     n(A U B U C) = n(A) + n (B)+ n(C) – n(A n B) – n(A n C) – n(B n C) + n(A n B n C)

3.     n(Aonly) = n(A) – n(A n C) – n(A n B) + n(A U B U C)

4.     Dividend = Divisor * Quotient + Remainder

6.     1 + 2 + 3 ………………..n = n * n+1 / 2

7.     Sum of squares of 1st n natural numbers = n (n+1)(2n+1) / 6

8.     Sum of cubes of 1st n natural numbers = [n (n+1)/2]2

Squares n Cubes

Quant for CAT

1.      Fraction and Percentage

Little more : J

1.     Average speed = Total distance / Total Time

1. When equal distances are covered in different speed then we take the harmonic mean

1.     Av Speed = 2ab / a + b

3.    Different distances in same time we take AM

1.     Av Speed is = a + b / 2

4.    Simple Interest: SI = PRT / 100, A = P + SI

5.    1 Nickel = 5 cents

1.     1 dime = 10 cents

2.    1 quarter = 25 cents

6.    1 half = 50 cents

8.    Equilateral triangle, Area = (√3 * a2)/4

9.    Area of trapezium = ½ (Height * Sum of parallel sides)

10.  Arc Length = (θ/ 360) 2 ∏ r

11.   Area of sector = (θ/ 360) ∏ r2

12.   Equal chords are equidistant from the center.

13.  (x+y) 8 = 8C8x8 + 8C7x7y + 8C6x6y2 + 8C5x5y3 + … + 8C2x2y6 + 8C1xy7 + 8C0y8

14.  Sometimes we get so involved with the nitty-gritties of mathematics that we start
functioning like automatons and stop thinking. Don’t fall prey to this trap. For example, what
is the probability that a number amongst the first 1000 positive integers is divisible by 8?
Don’t start counting the multiples of 8! The figure of 1000 is a red herring. Use a little
common sense. The numbers will be 8,16,24,32…So, 1 in every 8 numbers is a multiple of 8,
even if you consider the first million integers. So Probability is 1/8

15. The number of integers from A to B inclusive is = B -A +1

16.  Average of consecutive numbers:

Eg from 13 to 77 = (13+77)/2

Slope = (change in y)/(change in x)

18.  00 = undefined

Quant for CAT

1.     Sum of interior angles of a polygon with n sides = (n-2)*180

2.     Degree measure of one angle in a regular polygon with n sides = {(n-2)*180 }/n

3.     When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative number, the
inequality sign reverses.
–x < y => -(-x) > y => x > -y

4.      Fraction > (fraction)2 for all positive fractions

5.      Fraction > √(fraction ) for all positive fractions

6.      If n is a positive integer, (n6)/2 = √(n12 / 4)

7.      If z1, z2, z3 … zn are consecutive positive integers and their average is an odd integer =>
n is odd => sum of series is odd

8.      In a triangle with sides of measure a, b and c<!–[if supportFields]> SHAPE *
MERGEFORMAT <![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>, a-b<c<a+b

9.     When the question mentions prime number, remember to think of 2 too.

In a triangle, if the sum of two angles = third angle, then it is a right angled triangle.

Do not transport information from another statement unless considering both collectively.

A-b = odd => a + b = odd

Inequality

1.      If a DS question simply asks whether a, b, c and d are consecutive integers; use your
brain. It has just asked u to answer if they are consecutive, not if they are consecutive in
order.

2.       Measure of an angle of a cyclic polygon = 180 – 360/n , where n is the number of sides
of the polygon.

3.  Sometimes, mistakes might also be committed by simply misreading the statement. Eg
Both Tim and Harry received an acre of land more than Neel => t = n + 1, h = n + 1

Tim and Harry received an acre more than Neel => t + h = n+1

ABC Triangle

Let Triangle ABC be equilateral with each side of measure ‘a’ and AC ^ BD

1.     ð AB = BD = AD = a

2.    ð Ða = Ðb = Ðc = 600

3.    ð AC = √(a2 + a/2 2)

4.    = √3*a/2

5.    ð Area = √3 * a2/4

6.    ð Perimeter = 3a

7.    ð Radius of circle O = a/√3 = AC * 2/3

8.   Radius of circle O’ = √3a/6 = AC * 1/3

1.     Two circles will touch each or intersect each other if the distance between their centres d
is such that

R – r £ d £ R + r, where R and r are the radii of the two circles

3.     Do not make unwarranted assumptions. 12 midnight to 12 noon does not mention what
days, and hence you cannot find out the time period.

4.     Standard deviation of a set is always negative and equals zero only if all elements of the
set are equal.

5.     If the difference between the largest and the smallest divisor of a number is X, the
number is X + 1

6.     Always remember the special watch out cases in DS questions. If the question mentions
mean of a set, the mean can be ZERO also.

7.     If area of a rectangle is known, diagonal is known, perimeter can be found

a2 + b2 = diagonal2

a2 + b2 + 2ab = diagonal2+ 2ab

(a + b)2 = diagonal2+ 2*area

√(y2) = |y| => y if y is positive, -y if y is negative

angle = mod [(60H - 11M) /2 ]

H = value of hour hand

e.g., if time is 2:30, then H =2 and M =30

8.     Every number raised to power 5 has the number itself as unit digit

9.     If a + b + c = Z, than the largest of a, b, and c cannot be greater than the mean of the
other two.

10.  The rule that one side of a triangle cannot be > sum of other two, only applies to sides,
not angles

11.   FINALLY, MAKE SURE OF WHAT THE QUESTION SAYS – INTEGER MEANS
INTEGRAL LENGTH. And, DIVIDING A WIRE INTO PIECES, DOES NOT
NECESSARILY IMPLY THAT THEY WILL BE INTEGRAL LENGTHS. Similarly, that a
boat covers a distance upstream in 3 hours, states only the time, even if it has been mentioned
that it covers a distance 12 km downstream in 2 hours.

12.  x2 = 9*y2 does not necessarily imply that x2 > y2. (Hint : consider x=y=0)

13. When we say multiples between 16 and 260, and inclusive/exclusive is not mentioned,
take 16 and 260 to be exclusive.
14. The statement implies :

The hourly wage for each employee ranges from $5 an hour to $20 an hour.

minimum average = (20 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5)/5

maximum average = (5 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20)/5