CAT Arithmetic vs Algebra vs Geometry Analysis: Quant Weightage 2021-2025

CAT Quant Topic-Wise Weightage: 2021-2025 Trend

The questions from the CAT 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 exams are combined in the five-year CAT Quant PYQ resource. The distribution of questions on the basis of the topics is a great surprise, as a majority of the topics have a huge difference in their frequency. The difference between the top three and the rest is significant in this particular case.

The data shows Arithmetic and Algebra together at nearly 74% of the five-year questions.

How to use this weightage?

• 2.1% Arithmetic: Highest share in the five-year analysis.
• 31.8% Algebra: Second-highest share and a major part of the Quant section.
• 14.5% Geometry & Mensuration: Lower share, but present consistently across the analysed years.
• 9.4% Number System: Smaller share, but still part of the five-year distribution.
• 2.1% Modern Mathematics: Lowest broad-category share in this analysis.

How Was This CAT Quant Weightage Data Calculated?

Data methodology: The figures are based on 330 CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions from 15 slots that appeared between 2021 and 2025. All questions have been grouped according to the main concept tested in the question. The percentages have been calculated based on the number of questions that appeared in the given category. The figures should be used as preparation trends and should not be used to predict the CAT 2026 paper pattern.

Are you looking to practice CAT Quant questions? You can download the complete 5-year CAT Quant PYQ PDF (2021–2025) and start preparing for CAT!

CAT Quant Arithmetic vs Algebra vs Geometry: 5-Year Slot-Wise Comparison

The table below provides the number of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration questions in each of the 15 CAT QA slots of 2021 through 2025. The last column provides the difficulty reported for the overall QA of that slot, which helps to compare the weightage and difficulty in one view.

Note: Aspirants should not get confused; this comparison is only about ‘Algebra vs Arithmetic vs Geometry’. One must understand that CAT Quantitative Aptitude has other sections, such as Modern Maths and Number System, as well.

Arithmetic has been the largest or one of the largest categories in almost all the slots, while Algebra was close in second place. Geometry has consistently ranged between 3-4 questions in a 22-question QA section.

CAT 2026 Arithmetic Weightage: Arithmetic continues to be the favourite

Arithmetic constitutes 139 out of 330 questions in our analysis, making it the largest broad category that has appeared in the last 5 years. Arithmetic includes topics such as Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Interest, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Mixtures, Averages and Partnership/Investment

The CAT Previous Year Question Papers also show us that CAT has been consistently using familiar topics in different ways. For instance, the questions in 2022 included investment, interest, work, average and mixtures rather than straight forward formulae based questions.

Download and practice with the past 10 years' CAT Question Papers with Solutions.

People Also Ask: What is the CAT 2026 Arithmetic weightage?

CAT does not officially release any information regarding the weightage of chapters. But according to our analysis, 42.1% or 139 questions out of 330 questions were from Arithmetic, making it the largest broad section in CAT in the last 5 years.

CAT 2025 Arithmetic Analysis

The latest analysis throws light on the fact that Arithmetic was the largest area in all three slots of the CAT 2025.

In total, 27 out of 66 QA questions or 40.6 per cent, appeared from Arithmetic. The distribution was concentrated, as sub-topics such as Ratio & Proportion were asked 4 times, whereas Percentages, Profit/Loss/Discount, Time-Speed-Distance, Mixture & Alligation and Partnership/Investment appeared in all three slots.

Top 30 CAT 2026 Time and Work Practice Questions PDF

CAT 2026 Algebra Weightage: The Second-Highest Contributor

Coming to Algebra, we find that it is the second-largest chunk of questions that have appeared in the past five years in the CAT. In fact, Algebra constitutes 105 questions or 31.8 per cent of the total questions that have appeared in the past five years. Even though it trails behind Arithmetic, the difference is not that large for aspirants to ignore it.

The five-year question bank covers Linear and Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities, Logarithms, Progressions, Exponents, and Algebraic Expressions. For instance, CAT 2022 saw questions on quadratic roots, functions, progressions and algebraic expressions.

People Also Ask: Is Algebra more important than Arithmetic in CAT?

Based on our analysis, Arithmetic is the biggest contributor, followed by Algebra. Aspirants must prepare both areas in-depth.

Build your CAT 2026 Arithmetic foundation from the basics with concepts and practice questions designed for aspirants with little or no maths background.

Download Now: The CAT Arithmetic Hackbook PDF: Zero Math Background? No Problem – Concepts, Questions

CAT 2025 Algebra Analysis

CAT 2025 witnessed a fairly consistent pattern for Algebra across the three slots. Interestingly, Algebra questions did not appear to be skewed towards a particular slot.

We see that topics such as Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Linear Inequalities and Functions/GIF have appeared across the slots in 2025. Logarithms, Exponents/Powers and other miscellaneous topics have also been tested

Top 30 CAT Quadratic Equations Questions PDF

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CAT 2026 Geometry Weightage: Lower Than Arithmetic and Algebra, But Consistent

Geometry & Mensuration had 48 questions, i.e., 14.5% of total questions, in the five-year analysis. The topic has questions on Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, Quadrilaterals, Polygons and Mensuration.

Geometry is mostly asked in relations and applications rather than direct questions on the formulas. CAT 2022 saw questions on areas of triangles, circles, and rectangles.

People Also Ask: Is it safe to skip Geometry for CAT 2026?

It will be a wrong decision to skip Geometry altogether in CAT 2026 because it maintains a decent presence in the QA section. Its percentage in the five-year analysis may look lower than Arithmetic and Algebra, but it still appeared in all slots of CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Geometry & Mensuration Analysis

The trends of Geometry & Mensuration for CAT 2025 show that this topic has been consistent, with all slots having this topic, but the third slot having an extra question. This makes it a smaller but safer choice for the QA section.

The 10 questions were from Circles, Triangles, Coordinate Geometry, Regular Polygons/Hexagon, Rhombus/Quadrilaterals and Mensuration, helping students get an idea of the topics that were tested in the most recent CAT.

Better prepare for CAT 2026 Geometry and Mensuration with key concepts, shortcuts & relevant practice problems.

Download Now: CAT 2026 Geometry & Mensuration PDF: Important Concepts, Shortcuts & Practice Questions

CAT 2025 QA Analysis: How Did the Three Slots Compare?

A study of all three slots together reveals the most representative CAT 2025 pattern – i.e., the paper changed the distribution of topics every slot while maintaining the dominance of Arithmetic and Algebra.

While the distribution varies across slots, Arithmetic and Algebra remain the two big contributors in CAT 2025.

Know more about the topic-wise distribution in individual slots with the help of our Master Weightage Matrix PDF, which will help you understand the trends across different sections in CAT.

Download Now: CAT 2025 Slot-by-Slot Master Weightage Matrix

Which CAT Quant Subtopics Stood Out in 2025?

Similarly, the broad areas provide a general idea, but the CAT 2025 subtopic matrix shows that questions were distributed across various subtopics rather than being concentrated in one or two chapters. The table below shows the subtopics:

It is evident from the above that the candidate needs to focus better on the relevant areas. The best lesson for preparation would be to not leave out any high-weightage chapters. However, since CAT has a pattern of asking questions from various sub-topics, it would be helpful for the candidate to focus on which concepts to practice more using previous years’ questions.

How to Use CAT Quant Weightage for CAT 2026 Preparation

The five-year trend can help you decide where to allocate practice time, but it should not be treated as a prediction of the CAT 2026 paper. With limited preparation time remaining, use the data alongside your own mock and PYQ performance to identify topics that need more practice.

• Prioritise high-frequency areas such as Arithmetic and Algebra.
• Continue practising Geometry rather than skipping it.
• Use PYQs and mocks to identify your personal weak areas.

CAT Quant Preparation: What to Focus on Now

The five-year data gives a useful picture of recurring Quant areas, but preparation should also reflect the latest CAT trends and your own performance. With the exam approaching, focus on strengthening high-frequency topics while using PYQs and mocks to identify areas where you can improve accuracy and speed.

The objective is not to predict which chapters will appear in CAT 2026, but to use past trends to make preparation more targeted.

CAT Arithmetic vs Algebra vs Geometry: What Should You Prioritise?

Unlike the five-year trend that establishes a definite idea of priority, the 2025 analysis suggests that the candidates’ preparation should cover all the domains comprehensively.

The information presented above reveals that the candidates should devote the most time to preparing Arithmetic and Algebra and then continue practising Geometry systematically. Given the five-year trend, Number System and Modern Mathematics should get a smaller share of preparation time and effort.

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CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Mock Tests

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Other Useful Resources for CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Preparation

Explore these additional CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude resources to strengthen your concepts, practise exam-level questions and improve speed and accuracy.

These resources can complement your regular PYQ and mock-test practice.