🗣️ CAT 2024 Quantitative Section Analysis: Slot-Wise Breakdown & Lessons for CAT 2025

Total Questions: 22Format: All questions were MCQs, no TITA (Type in the Answer) questions reported.Topics Covered: Arithmetic-heavy, followed by Algebra, Numbers, Geometry, and Modern Math.Level of Difficulty: Slot 1: Moderate Slot 2: Moderate-Difficult Slot 3: Easy-ModerateTrend continued from CAT 2023: conceptually simple, but calculation-intensive and selection-based. 🎯 SLOT-WISE QUANT ANALYSIS 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 1: Moderate ✅ Topic-Wise Distribution (Approx.) Arithmetic: 8–9 Qs Algebra: 5–6 Qs Numbers: 2–3 Qs Geometry & Mensuration: 2 Qs Modern Math (Logs, Functions, P&C): 1–2 Qs 🔍 Key Observations Arithmetic questions were standard, but required careful reading. Algebra had questions from quadratic identities, modulus, and inequalities. Numbers included base systems and divisibility. Geometry was limited, but both questions had diagrams. A couple of questions had traps—language ambiguity. 🧩 Notable Questions A question on mixture and ratio with three containers. A tricky modulus-based inequality. A time-speed-distance problem involving trains crossing a platform. 🧠 Ideal Attempts: 14–16 🎯 Good Score: 36–40 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 2: Moderate to Difficult ✅ Topic-Wise Distribution (Approx.) Arithmetic: 7 Qs Algebra: 6–7 Qs Geometry & Mensuration: 2–3 Qs Numbers: 3 Qs Modern Math: 1–2 Qs 🔍 Key Observations Questions were conceptually twisted even if the topic was standard. Some algebra problems needed 2–3 substitutions before clarity emerged. Time and work, pipes and cisterns problems were heavily calculation-driven. Several questions were non-formula-based, required logical reasoning. 🧩 Notable Questions Cyclic quadrilateral with radius and area implications. Work Efficiency problem involving 4 people with changing speeds. A clever logarithmic identity question. 🧠 Ideal Attempts: 12–14 🎯 Good Score: 32–36 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 3: Easy to Moderate ✅ Topic-Wise Distribution (Approx.) Arithmetic: 9 Qs Algebra: 5 Qs Numbers: 3 Qs Geometry: 2 Qs Modern Math: 2–3 Qs 🔍 Key Observations Highest number of doable questions compared to other slots. Arithmetic was dominant and very straightforward—profit-loss, time-speed-distance, averages. Algebra focused on basic identities and equations. Geometry included triangle and circle properties, but with clean data. Many students reported finishing 18–20 questions with confidence. 🧩 Notable Questions Partnership-based question with simple logic. Progression question (AP) involving sum and term value. An easy function-based problem involving modulus. 🧠 Ideal Attempts: 16–18 🎯 Good Score: 42–48 📈 Comparative Summary Table Parameter Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3 Difficulty Level Moderate Moderate–Difficult Easy–Moderate Arithmetic Focus High Moderate Very High Algebra Focus Medium High Medium Geometry & Numbers Low–Medium Medium Low–Medium Modern Math Low Low Low–Medium Good Attempts 14–16 12–14 16–18 Good Score (Raw) 36–40 32–36 42–48 🔎 Key Takeaways for CAT 2025 Aspirants Arithmetic is the King – It has consistently made up 35–45% of QA in all recent CATs. Practice Selection – Choose which 14–16 questions to attempt in 40 minutes. Deepen Algebra – Emphasis on modulus, quadratic inequalities, and functions. Numbers – Focus on divisibility, base systems, and remainders. Smart Practice – Simulate CAT difficulty and decision-making in mocks.     📘 Topic-Wise CAT 2024 Quant Question Bank (Based on Memory) Arithmetic (8–9 Qs per slot) Profit-Loss: % gain/loss, marked price, successive discounts Time-Speed-Distance: Trains, relative speed, circular tracks Time & Work: Efficiency, men-women days, pipes & cisterns Averages, Mixtures & Alligation: Three container mix, weighted averages Ratio-Proportion: Partnership, direct/inverse variation Simple/Compound Interest: Basic applications Percentages: Discounts, change comparisons Algebra (5–7 Qs per slot) Quadratic Equations: Roots, nature, factorization Modulus Inequalities: |x–a| = b; conditions Linear Equations: Two variable setups Algebraic Identities: a² + b² + 2ab forms Functions & Graphs: Domain, modulus, piecewise Surds & Indices: Comparisons, simplifications Numbers (2–3 Qs per slot) Divisibility: LCM/HCF, remainders Base Systems: Binary/decimal conversion Number Properties: Digits, even/odd, unit digits Geometry & Mensuration (1–3 Qs per slot) Triangles: Similarity, right-angle, medians Circles: Radius, chords, cyclic quadrilateral Quadrilaterals: Areas and diagonals Mensuration: Cuboids/cylinders basic formulae Modern Math (1–2 Qs per slot) Logarithms: log identities, base conversions Progressions: AP/GP nth term and sum Permutations & Combinations: Seating/basic cases 🧭 Chapter-wise CAT 2025 Quant Prep Plan (July–November) 🔹 JULY: Foundation Building Arithmetic Basics: Percentages, Ratios, Averages Numbers: Divisibility, Factors, HCF/LCM Algebra Intro: Linear equations, identities Geometry Basics: Lines, angles, triangle properties✅ Daily: 10 QA Questions (Beginner), 2 Mocks/Week 🔹 AUGUST: Core Skill Development TSD & Work: Solve 30+ mixed questions Quadratics, Modulus, Inequalities Mensuration: Area & Volume formulas Logs & Progressions✅ Weekly Topic Test + 2 Mocks + Error log 🔹 SEPTEMBER: Moderate to Advanced Problems Functions, Graphs, Surds, Base systems Circles & Triangles Advanced Arithmetic Mixed Sets under time DI with Quant: Apply %/Ratios in DI✅ 3 Full Mocks/week + Past CAT QA Practice 🔹 OCTOBER: Final Strengthening Focused Practice on Weak Areas Mixed Topic Tests – 40-minute blocks Timed Sets – 22 questions in 40 mins CAT-style Questions from 2023–24 papers✅ 4 Mocks/week with video/peer analysis 🔹 NOVEMBER: Final Push Revise key formulas & concepts Mocks every alternate day 3-hour full CAT simulations Use Endeavor Magic Tolkit Solve last 10 years QA questions (slot-wise)   For more information or to buy magic toolkit product contact or click  

MBA Entrance Exam Calendar 2025 : How it might look like.

As we get ready for MBA entrance season for MBA Batch 2026-28 intake here is how the exam calendar might stack this year basis information already made public on these institutes website or tentative calendar basis last year dates.   CAT 2025 (Common Admission Test) Notification Release: Last week of July 2025 Registration Window: Early August 2025 to mid-/late September 2025 Admit Card Release: First week of November 2025 Exam Date: Sunday, November 23/30, 2025 (tentative) Result Declaration: Third/Fourth week of December 2025 Notes: CAT is typically held on the last Sunday of November; in 2025 this falls on November 30, 2025. Registration normally opens in the first week of August and closes by the third week of September, with a correction window soon after. Exact dates will be confirmed by IIM Kozhikode (conducting institute for CAT 2025) in the official notification around late July 2025. XAT 2026 (Xavier Aptitude Test) Notification & Registration Start: Mid-July 2025 (around July 15, 2025) Registration Last Date: Early/mid-December 2025 (around December 10, 2025) Admit Card Release: Late December 2025 (around December 20, 2025) Exam Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026 Notes: XAT is traditionally conducted on the first Sunday of January. Registration opens mid-July and typically runs until early December in the preceding year. Many B-schools (including XLRI) and associated institutes accept XAT scores for admission to PGDM/MBA programs. CMAT 2026 (Common Management Admission Test) Notification & Registration Start: November 14, 2025 Registration Last Date: December 25, 2025 Admit Card Release: Around January 20, 2026 Exam Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 (expected) Answer Key & Objection Window: Early February 2026 Result Declaration: Mid-February 2026 Notes: Conducted by NTA, CMAT usually takes place on the third Sunday of January. For 2026, January 24 is the likely date. Many AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM institutes consider CMAT scores in their admission process. SNAP 2025 (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) Notification Release: Early August 2025 Registration Window: 1st week of August 2025 to late November 2025 (around November 22–30, 2025) Admit Card Release: Early December 2025 Exam Dates (Multiple Slots): December 2025 (typically 3 slots; e.g., December 7, 14 & 20, 2025) Result Declaration: 2nd week of January 2026 Notes: SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University; candidates may choose up to two slots among the three offered in December. Registration normally opens in August and closes by late November. NMAT 2025 (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test by GMAC) Registration Window: Early August 2025 to mid-/late October 2025 (e.g., Aug 1 – Oct 20, 2025) Scheduling Window: Aug 1 – mid-October 2025 Exam Window: November 5 – December 20, 2025 Retake/Rescheduling Window: November 6 – December 17, 2025 Scorecard Release: Within 48 hours of each test slot Notes: NMAT offers a flexible window (over ~45 days) in Nov–Dec, allowing multiple attempts for a student. Registration generally begins in the first week of August and closes by mid-October. MAT 2025 (Management Aptitude Test by AIMA) MAT is conducted four times a year (February, May, September, December). Although exact dates for later sessions are announced closer to time, past patterns help anticipate: September 2025 Session (tentative): Registration likely opens in August 2025; exam in late September 2025. December 2025 Session (tentative): Registration likely in November 2025; exam in early/mid-December 2025. Notes: MAT windows are spread across the year; exact registration and exam dates for September and December sessions will be announced by AIMA around 1–2 months before each session. MAT scores are accepted by many private B-schools across India. MHCET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) Notification Release: Early January 2026 Registration Window: 1st week of January 2026 to Late February 2026 Admit Card Release: Early March 2026 Exam Dates (Multiple Slots): March End 2026 Result Declaration: May 2026 Notes: There are counselling round conducted by mhcet for final admissions in June /July       Summary Table of Tentative Key Dates Exam Notification / Registration Start Registration End Exam Date(s) Result Timeline CAT 2025 Last week July 2025 ~Sep 21, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 (Sun) Late Dec 2025 XAT 2026 ~Jul 15, 2025 ~Dec 10, 2025 Jan 4, 2026 (Sun) Jan 2026 CMAT 2026 Nov 14, 2025 Dec 25, 2025 Jan 24, 2026 (Sat) Feb 2026 SNAP 2025 Aug 2025 Late Nov 2025 Dec 2025 (3 slots, e.g., 7/14/20) Jan 2026 NMAT 2025 Aug 1, 2025 ~Oct 20, 2025 Nov 5 – Dec 20, 2025 Within 48 hrs of each slot MAT 2025 (Feb/May/Sep/Dec sessions) 1–2 months before each session Feb/May/Sep/Dec 2025 2–3 weeks after each session MHCET 2026 February March April July Disclaimer: All dates above are based on official announcements where available or past-year patterns extrapolated to 2025–26. Please verify on the official exam/admission websites when the formal notification is released, as dates may slightly change due to administrative decisions.  

NMAT 2024 Overview and Lessons for NMAT 2025

  Importance of NMAT for MBA Aspirants in India The NMAT by GMAC has become a key MBA entrance exam in India. Its scores are accepted by over 50 MBA programs in India (and dozens abroad), including top schools such as SVKM’s NMIMS (various campuses), XIM University (Bhubaneswar), K J Somaiya, TAPMI, Great Lakes, SPJIMR, IFMR GSB, VIT Vellore, SDA Bocconi Asia, and others. It is often described as “candidate-friendly”: for example, test-takers enjoy flexible scheduling and up to three attempts per testing cycle. The exam is computer-adaptive (like the GMAT) with no negative marking, and candidates receive their unofficial score immediately after each attempt. Each year roughly 75,000+ aspirants take NMAT aiming for admission to ~78 participating B-schools. These features – wide acceptance by quality programs and a flexible format – make NMAT an important pathway to MBA admission in India. Top B-schools use NMAT: NMAT scores are accepted by leading MBA programs (NMIMS Mumbai/Bangalore/Hyderabad, XIMB, KJ Somaiya, etc.). Candidate-friendly format: Computer-based, no penalty for wrong answers, adaptive difficulty, instant scoring, and multiple attempts. High participation: Annually ~75,000 candidates take NMAT for admission to 78+ institutions. NMAT 2024 Exam Pattern and Structure NMAT by GMAC is a computer-based adaptive test with three sections. Each section has 36 multiple-choice questions and is independently timed. The structure for 2024 was (as per GMAC/official pattern): Section No. of Questions Time (minutes) Score Range Language Skills 36 28 12–120 Quantitative Skills 36 52 12–120 Logical Reasoning 36 40 12–120 Total 108 120 36–360 Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning. Each has equal weight (36 Q). Timing: Total time = 120 minutes. Time per section is fixed (28 min for Language, 52 min Quant, 40 min Reasoning). Candidates must attempt each section in order (they may choose section order at start) and cannot return to a completed section. Scoring: Each question carries +3 marks; no negative marking. Raw scores are scaled: each section score is reported on a 12–120 scale (so total score 36–360). For example, a perfect raw score would scale to 120 in each section. Adaptive format: The exam adapts to ability – as you answer correctly, questions become harder – similar to GMAT. This ensures a consistent scoring scale. Section-wise Difficulty and Score Analysis (NMAT 2024) In 2024 the NMAT was generally rated easy-to-moderate in overall difficulty. Section-by-section observations (per post-exam analyses) were: Language Skills (36 Q, 28 min): Easiest section. Typically included 3 RC passages (12 Q) plus questions on para jumbles, analogies, error-detection, prepositions, sentence completion, etc. Most candidates found it “easy-to-moderate” in difficulty. Strong performance here greatly benefits the overall score. Logical Reasoning (36 Q, 40 min): Moderate difficulty. Included analytical puzzles (arrangement, seating, etc.), input-output sequences, and critical reasoning questions. The section emphasized critical reasoning and deductions (with some new puzzle types), and was generally tougher than Language but easier than Quant. Quantitative Skills (36 Q, 52 min): Most challenging section. Topics included arithmetic, algebra, number systems, probability, permutations & combinations (PNC), logs, sequences (AP/GP), and data interpretation. In 2024, there was an increased focus on divisibility, PNC, logs, etc. Overall, this section ranged from moderate to tough, with some questions considered time-consuming or tricky. Each section is scored out of 120. For context, a total NMAT score in the 230–250 range is typically excellent and reflects ~99th percentile performance. In 2024, a score of ~240+ was often considered outstanding (especially for top-tier colleges), whereas around 200–220 would be competitive for many good B-schools. (Note: NMAT no longer reports percentiles per score; selection is based on raw scores.) Some B-schools enforce sectional cutoffs as well; for example, in 2024 NMIMS Bangalore reportedly required ~74 in Quant, 73 in Reasoning, 75 in Language to shortlist. NMAT Scores and B-School Shortlists (Cutoffs) Different B-schools set their own NMAT cutoff scores for interview calls. The following table summarizes approximate NMAT 2024 cutoffs for prominent programs (total score out of 360) based on official announcements and expert estimates: B-School (Program) NMAT 2024 Cutoff (Score Range) NMIMS, Mumbai (MBA Core) ~225–235+  (209 for application) NMIMS, Bangalore (MBA) ~220+ NMIMS, Hyderabad (MBA) ~200+ NMIMS, Navi Mumbai (MBA) ~210+ Xavier University (XIMB, Bhubaneswar) ~200–210 K J Somaiya Institute, Mumbai ~220–225 SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, Mumbai ~190–200 T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) ~220 Notes: These are indicative ranges. NMIMS Mumbai historically had the highest cutoffs (~230+ NMIMS Bangalore and Hyderabad have slightly lower cutoffs (~220 and ~200 respectively). XIM University Bhubaneswar (XIMB) typically looks at scores around 200+.  Each school may also consider sectional cutoffs and other factors, so candidates should check specific program requirements. (For comparison, Great Lakes PGPM (~190–200) and SPJIMR GMP/PGDMW (~170–190) also use NMAT, but are outside the above list.)   Exam Administration and Policies NMAT is administered by GMAC over an extended window each year. For NMAT 2024, the exam window ran roughly from November 5 to December 20, 2024. Candidates could register beforehand and then schedule their preferred test date within this window. Mode: Test-takers in India can choose between taking the exam at an official test center or via online proctored (home) mode. GMAC operates 70+ test centers across India. (Outside India, only the online mode is available.) The online mode is proctored, requiring identity verification and continuous monitoring. Attempts/Retakes: Each candidate is allowed up to 3 attempts in the testing window (initial test + 2 retakes). There must be at least a 15-day gap between attempts. This flexibility lets aspirants improve their score if needed. (Caution: Some institutes – e.g. NMIMS – accept only the first-attempt score for admission, so applicants targeting those schools should plan accordingly.) Results: After completing an attempt, the candidate sees an unofficial score immediately. The official NMAT scorecard (with sectional and total scores) is released within 48 hours. Scores from all attempts are available, and candidates has to choose which attempt’s score to send to schools. Other details: The NMAT registration fee (2024) was ₹2,300 (late fee ₹2,800). Test-takers may reschedule (with a fee) up to 72 hours before an exam slot.