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Start by building conceptual clarity topic-wise, beginning with Arithmetic and Algebra which together account for 70% of the section. Refer to NCERT Class 9 and 10 books for fundamentals, then move to CAT-specific preparation books. Practice mental calculations daily and avoid using a calculator during mock tests. Take sectional tests after each topic, then move to full-length mock tests.

The top recommended books are: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma, Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal. Study material from IMS, TIME, CL and Cracku are also useful for CAT preparation.

Arithmetic has the highest weightage in CAT Quantitative Aptitude at approximately 40%. This means that around 8–9 out of 22 questions come from Arithmetic topics such as percentages, profit and loss, time and work, time-speed-distance, ratios, and averages. Algebra follows at about 30% weightage. Aspirants should prioritise these two areas for maximum score impact.

CAT 2026 QA syllabus covers five main areas: Arithmetic (40% weightage — percentages, ratios, time-speed-distance, profit & loss), Algebra (30% — equations, inequalities, functions, logarithms), Geometry and Mensuration (15% — triangles, circles, coordinate geometry), Number System (5–7%), and Modern Math (5–7% — permutation & combination, probability, set theory). Candidates should note that there is no officially published syllabus and these weightages are based on past five years of CAT papers.

Based on CAT 2025 exam pattern, CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude section is expected to have 22 questions with 14 MCQs and 8 TITA (non-MCQ) questions. The section is 40 minutes long and carries approximately 33% weightage of the total CAT score.

As advised by CAT toppers, begin by scanning all available DI sets in the first 2 minutes and select the ones you are most comfortable with. Break down complex data sets into smaller parts, use approximation techniques to avoid lengthy calculations, and use the on-screen calculator. Accuracy matters more than attempting all sets.

The most widely recommended book is How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (9th Edition, 2025), which includes 9 new chapters, 2,500+ practice questions, 100+ videos, and solved CAT 2020–24 DI papers. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha is another strong option known for its structured approach and shortcuts.

CAT DILR section has both MCQ and TITA (non-MCQ) questions. MCQ questions carry negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer against +3 for a correct answer. TITA questions carry no negative marking. In CAT 2025, DI sets had a mix of MCQ and TITA questions across all three slots.

CAT 2026 Data Interpretation syllabus covers Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Venn Diagrams, Mixed Graphs, Data Sufficiency, and Logical DI sets. There is no fixed official syllabus — the section tests a candidate's ability to analyse, interpret, and draw conclusions from numerical data presented in various formats.

The CAT DILR section has 22 questions in total, broadly divided between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sets. Based on CAT 2025, DI questions ranged from 9 to 14 across the three slots, presented in 2 to 3 sets per slot. The exact DI-LR split varies across slots each year.