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8/22/2019 Tips Quant

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PART I

WINNERS DONT DO DIFFERENT THINGS, THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY

To do justice to this topic, it was not possible to keep it too short . How to

prepare is mainly divided in following subtopicsFundamentals of Preparation - This is common to all competitive exampreparationsExam Specific Preparation - Important Areas for CATBooks - A brief on text and reference books for CAT. You can also useTestBag study material

In short - first believe in yourself - you can do it and build will power,learn to manage time, study specific to competition - then self assesseach topic wise- identify gap - fill gap - move on - on completing syllabusmove to mock tests and finally no match to practice

Fundamentals for Preparation

Construction of knowledge in your mind is the key because only you haveto reproduce this knowledge in exam. Teaching (Instructions) from school/ coaching class / digital media are methods of giving knowledge to youbut far more important is how much have you gained (construction ofknowledge in your mind) and for that only your efforts will matter.Memorising is short lived. Learning is lasting as you have put in efforts tounderstand each topic. In objective exams there is no shortcut to learning

CAT mainly tests your concepts with speed and accuracy

In most competitive exams, your knowledge is important but how muchyou know more than others is more important. As CAT has a limitedcurriculum, do not leave anything

This year CAT is computer based. You may be required to practice oncomputers beforehand. However the nature of preparation is same

You can divide your CAT study in two phases

Phase 1 is setting your fundamentals right. Master each topic chapterwise. Self assessor would be of great help

Divide you curriculum into short objectives. Each objective should bespecific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. The overallperiod of all short term objectives should not extend beyond 10th October

1. Start QA, DI & DS and VA simultaneously2. Master topics step by step

Phase II - Start practicing to improve your speed and accuracy. Test


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simulator will come handy

Methodology

Study yourself from any good book

90 minutes maths30 minutes Reasoning and Logic45 minutes Data Sufficiency and Data interpretation30 minutes English Proficiency and Usage45 minutes Reading Comprehension

There after take ten to fifteen minutes self test on each topic of thesubject studied by you to assess level of understanding achieved in thetopic studied. These tests draw questions from a large and specificknowledge pool based on your selection criteria. Kindly ensure that there

is sufficient challenge in your self test. Your number of questions be morethan 10 for the topic, level of questions should be at least L2 (except inElementary maths where it should be L1) and time should be bare enoughto solve questions.

Analyse results. For questions done incorrectly refer to books tounderstand where you have gone. try to complete this exercise alone.Alternatively take help of your mentor. The mentors can be your schoolteacher or teacher in coaching class. To economise time prefer coachingif necessary only in subjects where you are weak.

Thereafter retake test with new set of questions. Once confident, move tonext topic. This is active learning as you have yourself put in efforts tounderstand topics. You will start enjoying your studies and these conceptswill be long lasting in you mindRemember - Move step by step to ensure that you cover all topics and

avoid confusion

Startarithmetic with number system - understand concepts from any

good book. Initially take a 10 minute tests with 10 questions on numbersystem in TestBag at question level L1 with question type Any. (Numbersystem questions in CAT can be straight objective multiple choice orcommon data type where more than one questions are linked to acommon data or comprehension) Analyse what is not known to you andwhat mistakes are you doing. Go back to books, peers in group study ortake help of teacher. Take tests again and till you achieve requisiteconfidence

Repeat this for other areas in arithmetic - ratio proportions, simplification,averages, logarithms, ages, boats and streams, time and work, time anddistance, calendars clocks . Thereafter work on Mensuration , followed by


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geometry. And now cover the most important - Algebra (mainly Theory ofEquations,Inequalities, Logarithms and Permutations andCombination). Atthe end work on Probability

StartEnglish with Vocabulary, then move to English Proficiency ( working

on sentence improvement, rearrangement of words in sentence, sentencein paragraphs, paragraph formation, paragraph completion etc) and thenmove to English Usage (common errors, spotting errors, in appropriateusage)

StartReading comprehension with history paragraphs, move to scienceand technology paragraphs, sociology and philosophy

Start data interpretation with less complex tables, bar charts, piediagrams, line graphs and then move to complex graphs, charts, mixed

diagrams

Start Reasoning with data arrangements, data comparison, move toanalytical reasoning and case lets

Remember - Move from simple topics to complex and excel step by step.

Each test is build on previous patterns or by subject matter experts andclearly indicating topics included, number of questions, level of questionsand type of questions. Each test simulates exam like environment with

time and marking pattern of CATMock tests and old papers have fixed question. But test patterns everytime generate new online tests where computer based on specificparameters randomly generates questions from CAT knowledge pool. Thispool keeps getting enriched regularly

Again the new set of questions replaces old questions in mock tests afterregular time intervalsTest Simulator will help you to build Speed and Accuracy and indicate

your shortcomings so that you can initiate steps for improvement

your mistakes so that you can avoid them topics you have not covered or covered inadequately

Test Bag is very comprehensive for CAT preparation and is available at areasonable cost.

Books : Study from any good book. Preferably use only one/two books asyour base/test books . Other books be only used for reference. This saveslot of time. Few books are mentioned below

Topic Name of the Book Writer/Publisher


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MathsNCERT Maths from 8thto 10th

NCERT

MathsQuantitative Aptitudefor CAT

NishitSinha/Pearson

MathsQuantitative Aptitudefor MBA EntranceExaminations

Abhijit Guha

MathsQuantitative Aptitudefor MBA EntranceExaminations

R.S. Aggarwal

MathsHow to prepare forQuantitative Aptitudefor CAT

Arun Sharma/TATAMcGRAW HILL

Maths

Puzzles and some

other number books Shakuntla DeviMaths Higher Algebra Hall and Knight

Maths and DICrack The CatQuantitative Aptitude &Data Interpretation

Vivek Gupta andSandeep Amar

DataInterpretation

Any good book inStatistics

DataInterpretation

How To Prepare ForThe DataInterpretation And

Logical Reasoning ForThe CAT 3rd Edition

Arun Sharma/TATAMcGRAW HILL

DataInterpretation

Course in MentalAbility andQuantitative Aptitude

Edgar Thorpe

DataInterpretation

Fundamental ofReasoning A LogicBook

Robert M. Johnson

EnglishHigh School EnglishGrammar and

Composition

Wren and Martin

English Word Power Made EasyNorman Lewis

EnglishBusiness English andCommunication

Clark Grade C

English All about WordsRosenblum andNurenberg

English

How to Prepare for theVerbal Ability andReadingComprehension for the

CAT

Arun Sharma &Meenakshi


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PART II

This is a special notes for all CAT and MBA aspirants.. by IIM Topper.

QUANT THEORY

1) nPr= n!/(n-r)!

2) nPn = n!

3) nCr= n!/(n-r)!r!

4) nCn = 1

5) nP0 = 1

6) nC0 = 1

7) AP An = a + (n-1)d

Sn = n/2[2a + (n-1)d]

8) GP An = ar(n-1)

Sn = a(rn1 )/ (r-1)

S = a/(1-r)

9) 1 mile = 1760 yards

10) 1 yard = 3 feet

11) 1 mile2 = 640 acres

12) I gallon = 4 quarts

13) 1 quart = 2 pints

14) 1 pint = 2 cups


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15) 1 cup = 8 ounces

16) 1 pound = 16 ounces

17) 1 ounce = 16 drams

18) 1 kg = 2.2 pounds

19) 30-60-90 triangle 1:3:2 sides

20) 45-45-90 triangle 1:1:2 sides

21) a3>b3 a>b

22) If A than B => not B than not A

23) Zero divided by any nonzero integer is zero.

24) Division by 0 is undefined.

25)
http://catindiaonline.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/11.jpg


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26) The standard deviation is a statistic that tells you how tightly all the various examples are

clustered around the mean in a set of data. When the examples are pretty tightly bunched together and

the bell-shaped curve is steep, the standard deviation is small. When the examples are spread apart

and the bell curve is relatively flat, that tells you have a relatively large standard deviation.

27) n(A U B U C) = n(A) + n (B)+ n(C)n(A n B)n(A n C)n(B n C) + n(A n B n C)

28) n(Aonly) = n(A)n(A n C)n(A n B) + n(A U B U C)

29) Dividend = Divisor * Quotient + Remainder

30) LCM * HCF = Product of 2 numbers.


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31) 1 + 2 + 3 ..n = n * n+1 / 2

32) Sum of squares of 1st n natural numbers = n (n+1)(2n+1) / 6

33) Sum of cubes of 1st n natural numbers = [n (n+1)/2]2

34) Squares and Cubes

Number ( x ) Square ( x2

) Cube ( x3

)

1 1 1

2 4 8

3 9 27

4 16 64

5 25 125

6 36 216

7 49 -

8 64 -

9 81 -

10 100 -

11 121 -

12 144 -

13 169 -

14 196 -

15 225 -

16 256 -

17 289

18 324

19 361

21 441

22 484

23 529

24 576

25 625


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35)Fractions and Percentage:

Fraction Decimal Percentage1 / 2 0.5 501 / 3 0.33 33 1/3

2 / 3 0.66 66 2/31 / 4 0.25 253 / 4 0.75 751 / 5 0.2 202 / 5 0.4 403 / 5 0.6 604 / 5 0.8 801 / 6 0.166 16 2/35 / 6 0.833 83 2 / 31 / 8 0.125 12 1 / 23 / 8 0.375 37 1 / 25 / 8 0.625 62 1 / 2

7 / 8 0.875 87 1 / 21 / 9 0.111 112 / 9 0.222 221 / 10 0.1 101 / 20 0.05 51 / 100 0.01 1

36) Average speed = Total distance / Total Time

1. When equal distances are covered in different speed then we take the harmonic meanAv Speed = 2ab / a + b

1. Different distances in same time we take AMAv Speed is = a + b / 2

37) Simple Interest: SI = PRT / 100, A = P + SI

38) 1 Nickel = 5 cents

1 dime = 10 cents

1 quarter = 25 cents

1 half = 50 cents

1 dollar = 100 cents

39) Equilateral triangle, Area = (3 * a2)/4

40) Area of trapezium = (Height * Sum of parallel sides)

41) Arc Length = (/ 360) 2 r


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42) Area of sector = (/ 360) r2

43) Equal chords are equidistant from the center.

44) (x+y) 8 = 8C8x8 + 8C7x

7y + 8C6x6y2 + 8C5x

5y3+ + 8C2x2y6 + 8C1xy

7 + 8C0y8

45) Sometimes we get so involved with the nitty-gritties of mathematics that we start functioning likeautomatons and stop thinking. Dont fall prey to this trap. For example, what is the probabilitythat a number amongst the first 1000 positive integers is divisible by 8? Dont start countingthe multiples of 8! The figure of 1000 is a red herring. Use a little common sense. Thenumbers will be 8,16,24,32So, 1 in every 8 numbers is a multiple of 8, even if you considerthe first million integers. So Probability is 1/8

46) The number of integers from A to B inclusive is = B -A +1

47) Average of consecutive numbers:

Eg from 13 to 77 = (13+77)/2

48) Slope = (change in y)/(change in x)

49) 00 = undefined

50)

Graph

51) Sum of interior angles of a polygon with n sides = (n-2)*180

52) Degree measure of one angle in a regular polygon with n sides

= {(n-2)*180 }/n

53) When multiplying ordividingboth sides of an inequality by a negative number, the inequality

sign reverses.

x < y => -(-x) > y => x > -y

54) Fraction > (fraction)2 for all positive fractions


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55) Fraction > (fraction ) for all positive fractions

56) If n is a positive integer, (n6)/2 = (n12 / 4)

57) If z1, z2, z3 zn are consecutive positive integers and their average is an odd integer => n is odd=> sum of series is odd

58) In a triangle with sides of measure a, b and c SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT

, a-b


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65)

66) If a DS question simply asks whether a, b, c and d are consecutive integers; use your brain. It hasjust asked u to answer if they are consecutive, not if they are consecutive in order.

67) Measure of an angle of a cyclic polygon = 180360/n , where n is the number of sides of thepolygon.

68) Sometimes, mistakes might also be committed by simply misreading the statement. Eg

Both Tim and Harry received an acre of land more than Neel => t = n + 1, h = n + 1

Tim and Harry received an acre more than Neel => t + h = n+1
http://catindiaonline.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/7.jpghttp://catindiaonline.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/1.jpg


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69)

ABC Traingle

Let Triangle ABC be equilateral with each side of measure a and AC ^ BD

AB = BD = AD = a

a = b = c = 600

AC= (a2 + a/2 2)

= 3*a/2

Area = 3 * a2/4

Perimeter = 3a

Radius of circle O = a/3 = AC * 2/3

Radius of circle O = 3a/6 = AC * 1/3

Traingle
http://catindiaonline.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/3.jpghttp://catindiaonline.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/2.jpg


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Traingle

70) Two circles will touch each or intersect each other if the distance between their centers d is suchthat

Rr d R + r, where R and r are the radii of the two circles

71) Remainder of less than two means not just one; it also means remainder of zero.

72) Do not make unwarranted assumptions. 12 midnight to 12 noon does not mention what days, andhence you cannot find out the time period.

73) Standard deviation of a set is always negative and equals zero only if all elements of the set areequal.

74) If the difference between the largest and the smallest divisor of a number is X, the number is X +1

75) Always remember the special watch out cases in DS questions. If the question mentions mean of aset, the mean can be ZERO also.

76) If area of a rectangle is known, diagonal is known, perimeter can be found

a2 + b2 = diagonal2

a2 + b2 + 2ab = diagonal2+ 2ab

(a + b)2 = diagonal2+ 2*area

77) (y2) = |y| => y if y is positive, -y if y is negative

78) angle = mod [(60H - 11M) /2 ]

H = value of hour handM = value of minute hand

eg, if time is 2:30, then H =2 and M =30

79) Every number raised to power 5 has the number itself as unit digit


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80) If a + b + c = Z, than the largest of a, b, and c cannot be greater than the mean of the other two.

81) The rule that one side of a triangle cannot be > sum of other two, only applies to sides,not angles

82) FINALLY, MAKE SURE OF WHAT THE QUESTION SAYSINTEGER MEANS

INTEGRAL LENGTH. And, DIVIDING A WIRE INTO PIECES, DOES NOT NECESSARILYIMPLY THAT THEY WILL BE INTEGRAL LENGTHS. Similarly, that a boat covers a distanceupstream in 3 hours, states only the time, even if it has been mentioned that it covers a a distance 12km downstream in 2 hours.

83) x2 = 9*y2 does not necessarily imply that x2 > y2. (Hint : consider x=y=0)

84) When we say multiples between 16 and 260, and inclusive/exclusive is not mentioned, take 16and 260 to be exclusive.

85) The statement implies :

The hourly wage for each employee ranges from $5 an hour to $20 an hour.

minimum average = (20 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5)/5

maximum average = (5 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20)/5

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