Which Quant Topics Scare Non-Engineers in CAT?

You may feel that Quant is difficult. But the chapters you actually fear are few. They are the ones below.

What should you do with these 5 topics?

Put these five topics aside and write them down. Tell yourself you will not give them much attention. About 5 questions will come from them in CAT. That leaves 17 of the 22 questions, which come from topics such as Arithmetic and Algebra. Plan your Quant around those 17.

Some candidates leave out Modern Maths altogether and still get into IIMs such as IIM Lucknow, and non-engineers have done it too. CATKing is not a big fan of leaving topics out, but when time is short, set your priorities first.

What Is the Quant Preparation Plan for Non-Engineers?

What Is the Week 1 Speed Maths Foundation?

CATKing calls this the arms and ammunition of Quant. You may not get a direct question from it, but you will need it for everything. Spend one week on both of these:

Which fraction to percentage values should you memorise?

Percentage means being able to say at once that 1/6 is 16.66%. Memorise these fast:

Why should you also learn squares, cubes and tables?

Engineers tend to remember more squares, cubes and tables, because they studied maths for four years in college. As a non-engineer, you can memorise them yourself in the same week. Get both tasks done in week 1 before you move on to the next topics.

What Is the PAR Principle: Percentages, Averages and Ratios?

Every CATKing class starts with Percentages, Averages and Ratios, whether the student is in a 3-month crash course or a 2-year programme. CATKing teaches these first. They are also the base of DILR. If your Maths scores are low and you are a non-engineer, grab these three topics first.

• CAT 2024: 5 questions came from Percentages, Averages and Ratios. Open the CAT 2024 paper and see.

• DILR link: the same three topics sit under Data Interpretation sets.

What Do CATKing Students Say?

CATKing students who scored 98.76 percentile and 99.19 percentile in CAT said that Sumit Singh's motivation and his way of teaching helped them through their preparation. One said that only Sumit Singh's words work for them, and thanked him for helping on their journey.

CAT 2026 Quant for Non-Engineers: Quick-Reference

What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do Now?

• Today: write down the five scary topics and set them aside.

• This week: memorise fraction to percentage values, squares, cubes and tables.

• Next: work through Percentages, Averages and Ratios.

• Then: move on to Arithmetic and Algebra.

• Stay on track: join CATKing's mentor-led preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quant for Non-Engineers

How should a non-engineer prepare Quant for CAT 2026?

Start by setting aside the five topics that scare most non-engineers: Remainder theory with Euler's and Fermat's theorems, Permutation and Combination, Probability, Coordinate Geometry and Mixed Alligation. Then spend your first week on speed maths, and focus on Percentages, Averages and Ratios, followed by Arithmetic and Algebra.

Which Quant topics scare non-engineers the most?

Remainder theory (Euler's and Fermat's theorems) in Number System, Permutation and Combination, Probability, Coordinate Geometry and, at times, Mixed Alligation.

How many CAT Quant questions come from the scary topics?

About 5 out of 22. The remaining 17 questions come from topics such as Arithmetic and Algebra.

Can a non-engineer do well in CAT without Modern Maths?

Yes. Many candidates leave out Modern Maths and still get into IIMs such as IIM Lucknow, and non-engineers have done it as well. CATKing's advice is to set priorities when time is short.

What is the PAR principle in CATKing's Quant preparation?

PAR stands for Percentages, Averages and Ratios. CATKing starts its classes with these three topics, whether the student is in a 3-month crash course or a 2-year programme. They also form the base of DILR.

How many questions came from Percentages, Averages and Ratios in CAT?

5 questions came from these three topics in the CAT 2024 paper.

What should I memorise in the first week of Quant preparation?

Fraction to percentage conversions, such as 1/6 = 16.66%, 1/9 = 11.11% and 1/11 = 9.09%, along with squares, cubes and tables. CATKing calls these the arms and ammunition of Quant.

Why do engineers find tables, squares and cubes easier?

They have studied maths for four years in college, so they remember more of them. A non-engineer can catch up by memorising them in the first week.

How long should the speed maths foundation take?

About one week. CATKing recommends getting both the fraction to percentage table and the squares, cubes and tables done in the first week.