The Quantitative Aptitude section is where most CAT aspirants either build their percentile or lose it, and the only way to get faster is to solve full QA sample papers under the 40-minute clock. CAT 2026 keeps 22 questions in QA, a mix of MCQ and type-in-the-answer questions, so your practice sets should mirror that exact blend. On this page you get five free CAT Quantitative Aptitude sample papers, each built to the latest pattern with detailed solutions, so you can train Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Maths the way the real exam tests them.
Official website: iimcat.ac.in
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 1
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 2
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 3
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 4
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 5
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 6
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 7
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 8
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 9
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 10
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 11
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 12
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 13
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 14
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 15
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 16
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper 17
Download the sample papers above and solve it in a single 40-minute sitting to build real exam stamina. Each paper carries 22 questions in the exact CAT mix of MCQ and TITA, with full step-by-step solutions so you can review every question after you finish.
You can download these papers here on Collegedunia, and you should also check the official website iimcat.ac.in for the latest exam notification and slot timings before you plan your mocks.
- Section questions: 22 questions in Quantitative Aptitude, carrying 66 marks at 3 marks each.
- Time limit: A fixed 40-minute sectional window, which works out to under two minutes per question.
- Marking scheme: +3 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong MCQ; the TITA questions carry no negative marking.
- Question mix: Roughly 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions, though the exact split varies slightly by slot.
- Mode: Computer-based test with an on-screen basic calculator and timer.
- Syllabus base: School-level Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Number System and Modern Maths.
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers - Why Recent Papers Matter Most
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Chapter Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
- How to Use CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Negative Marking and Time Management Strategy
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude 4 Week Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- FAQs on CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers 2026
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CAT Quantitative Aptitude Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026Knowing the QA pattern helps you set a target attempt count before you open a paper. With negative marking on MCQs, your aim is a clean strike rate, not a high number of risky attempts.
- Questions: 22 in total, mixing single-correct MCQs and TITA numerical-answer questions.
- Marks: 66 for the section, with each question worth 3 marks.
- Marking: +3 correct, -1 for a wrong MCQ, and zero penalty on TITA questions.
- Time: 40 minutes for the section, with no extra time carried from other sections.
- Calculator: Only the on-screen basic calculator is allowed, so practise mental math for small steps.
Key advice: A realistic strong attempt in QA is around 14 to 17 questions with high accuracy, which is usually enough to cross the 95-plus percentile mark in the section.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers - Why Recent Papers Matter Most
CAT has no fixed syllabus, so the recent papers are your best guide to what actually gets tested. The QA section has been leaning more on Arithmetic and applied Algebra, and recent practice keeps you aimed at the high-yield topics.
- Arithmetic has grown to nearly half the section, so newer papers give you more of the questions that appear most.
- Pure formula-heavy Geometry has reduced, while logic-based Algebra and Number System questions have grown.
- The TITA count shifts each year, so fresh sets train you to spot the no-negative questions and bank them safely.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Chapter Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
This breakdown shows where the marks sit inside QA so you can decide which chapters to master first. Use it to plan your revision and to set time targets while solving the sample papers.
| Chapter | Questions | Difficulty | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic (percentages, ratio, profit-loss, TSD, time-work, mixtures) | 8-10 | Moderate | The biggest scoring block; master these first as they give the fastest, most reliable marks. |
| Algebra (equations, inequalities, functions, logarithms, progressions) | 5-7 | Moderate to High | Watch maxima-minima and functions; practise so you spot the short method quickly. |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3-5 | High | Keep all triangle, circle and 3D formulas at your fingertips to avoid losing time. |
| Number System | 1-2 | Moderate | Remainders, divisibility and factors; often one direct question worth grabbing. |
| Modern Maths (permutations, combinations, probability) | 1-2 | Moderate to High | Learn the standard counting templates so these become quick wins. |
Note: Do not skip the smaller buckets like Number System and Modern Maths, since they usually hide one easy direct question that gives you 3 marks in under a minute.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
Watching a strong solver work through QA questions teaches you the shortcuts that save the seconds which decide your percentile. The goal is to learn approach selection, not just the final answer, so you can copy the method on your own papers.
The video below is a complete CAT Quantitative Aptitude course that goes from the basics to exam-level questions across Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Maths, making it a useful revision before you attempt any of the sample papers on this page.
Watch:
Source: Free CAT Quants full course by Ravi Prakash (Rodha), covering core Quantitative Aptitude topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Maths from basics to exam level (YouTube)
How to Use CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt
A sample paper only helps if you treat it like the real test and review it harder than you solve it. Build a fixed routine around each paper so every attempt makes you measurably faster.
- Solve each paper in one strict 40-minute block with no breaks, just like the live section.
- Do a first pass for easy questions, then a second pass for the heavier ones with your remaining time.
- Flag every guessed question so you can rebuild that concept before the next paper.
- After each paper, sort your errors into silly mistakes and concept gaps, then fix the concept gaps first.
- Re-solve the questions you skipped without a timer to learn the cleanest method.
- Keep an error log of recurring traps so the same mistake never repeats.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Negative Marking and Time Management Strategy
QA rewards accuracy over volume because of the -1 penalty on MCQs, so your strategy must protect your score from blind guesses. The TITA questions are your safe attempts since a wrong answer there costs nothing.
- Always attempt TITA questions when you reach a definite number, because they carry no negative marking.
- Guess an MCQ only after eliminating at least two options, which makes the odds work for you.
- Cap each question at about 90 seconds; if it is not breaking, flag it and move on.
- Spend the last five minutes revisiting flagged questions rather than starting fresh ones.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude 4 Week Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- Week 1: Revise Arithmetic and Algebra fundamentals with topic drills, then attempt Sample Paper 1 at the end of the week.
- Week 2: Cover Geometry, Mensuration and Modern Maths, and solve Sample Papers 2 to 5 under the 40-minute clock.
- Week 3: Attempt all Sample Papers, and spend more time reviewing errors than solving new questions.
- Week 4: Re-solve your weakest paper, then keep the last two days for light revision of formulas and your error log only.
FAQs on CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers 2026
Ques.How many questions are in the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section in 2026?
Ans.The QA section has 22 questions worth 66 marks, to be solved within a fixed 40-minute sectional time limit, with a mix of MCQ and TITA questions.
Ques.Is there negative marking in CAT Quantitative Aptitude?
Ans.Yes, each wrong MCQ costs you -1 mark, while the TITA type-in-the-answer questions carry no negative marking, so they are the safest attempts.
Ques.Are these CAT Quantitative Aptitude sample papers free with solutions?
Ans.Yes, all sample papers on this page are free to download as PDFs and come with detailed step-by-step solutions for every question.
Ques.Which QA topics carry the highest weightage in CAT?
Ans.Arithmetic and Algebra together make up about 60 to 70 percent of the section, so they are the highest scoring areas to focus on while practising.
Ques.How many QA sample papers should I solve before CAT?
Ans.Solve all papers here at least twice, alongside full mocks and a few official previous year QA sections, and review each attempt thoroughly.
Ques.How much time should I spend on each QA question?
Ans.With 22 questions in 40 minutes you get under two minutes per question, so cap difficult questions at about 90 seconds and move on to protect your score.
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