CAT Trend & Analysis

Mathematical Aptitude

The three most favorite topics for CAT makers are Number system, Algebra and Geometry. To know why & how - Let's first find out how many questions are being asked from different chapters in last few CAT exams.

Mathematical Aptitude - Number of question Distribution
CHAPTERS		2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
1.	Number System	9	8	8	15	12	7
2.	Percentage	3		1	2	1
3.	Ratio	1	4		3	1	1
4.	Clock	1
5.	T S D	9	7	4	8	2	1
6.	Algebra	11	12	15	26	6	6
7.	Mensuration	6	2	4	10	5
8.	Geometry	2	7	4	13	2	5
9.	P C P			5	5	1	1
10.	Miscellaneous	5	5	4		4

So it's obvious - "To clear CAT, clear all your doubts in Algebra, Geometry and Number System". In the latest trend where different questions carry different marks, its also important to know how vital are each chapters mark wise.

Mathematical Aptitude - Mark wise Distribution
CHAPTERS		2001	2002	2003	2003 Retest	2004	2005	2006	Total	Percentage
1.	Number System	13	13	7	11	4	12	28	88	22%
2.	Ratio & Proportion	2	2	2	1	2		4	13	3.25%
3.	Percentages	3		2		4			9	2.25%
4.	Profit & Loss			1					1	0.25%
5.	T.S.D	5	4	1		5	2	4	21	5.25%
6.	Linear Eqn	4	2	2	1		2	12	23	5.75%
7.	Quadratic Eqn	1	2	2	1	2			8	2%
8.	P and C	2	6	3	4	5	3	4	27	6.75%
9.	Inequalities	7	3	5	6	1		4	26	6.5%
10.	Functions		1	2		4	4	8	19	4.75%
11.	Logarithms			1	2		2	4	9	2.25%
12.	Geometry	9	10	14	17	15	17	20	102	25.5%
13.	Time & work	9	2			1	1		6	1.5%
14.	Progressions	2	2	3	2	4	2	4	19	4.75%
15.	Logic		3		3	1	2		9	2.25%
16.	Sets			2	1			4	7	1.75%
17.	Equations			3	1	2	3	4	13	3.25%
	Total	50	50	50	50	50	50	100	400

You don't need to be a scientist to figure out that around 50% of the total marks are coming from 2 chapters

(i) Number System and
(ii) Geometry

Don't make the conclusion that just by mastering above two chapters you can get a decent score in math section. Rather think like "You cant miss any of the above two chapters" and if you are not so good in one of them then try to be a whiz cat taker in the other.

English Usage and Reading Comprehension

EU and RC - Mark wise Distribution
		2001	2002	2003	2003 Retest	2004	2005	2006	Total	Percentage
1.	Reading Comprehension	30	25	30	25	21	20	60	211	52.8%
2.	Fill in the Blanks	5	6	5	8	5	8		37	9.25%
3.	Jumble Paragraph	5	5	5	8	7	3		33	8.25%
4.	Grammer & Usage	5	9	10	5	6	11		46	11.5%
5.	Dictionary Usage	5	5						10	2.5%
6.	Sentence Completion					3	8	20	31	7.75%
7.	Essence of the text				4	8			12	3%
8.	F I J							20	20	5%
	Total	50	50	50	50	50	50	100	400	100

Many have asked earlier why CAT4MBA English Zone has only questions on Fill in the blanks and Jumbled Paragraph. It should be apparent by now that after RC the only other type of questions, which are part of CAT for almost all these years are JP and FIB.