Agreed or not, candidates appearing for the CAT examination are worried about preparation, and choosing the right study material can reduce the stress. You need to know that there are many quantitative aptitude books available in the market and a very thin line separates them. You need to ensure that the book you choose offers an all-around approach. Apart from the books, you also need to use free online resources and mock tests.
If you are the one preparing for the CAT examination, you need to use the right study material which will help you clear the section with good marks. Here in this post, we have mentioned some of the best quantitative aptitude books for you.
So let us get started!
Quantitative Section In CAT Exam
Quantitative Ability in the CAT exam is the last and 3rd most important section which can improve or reduce your CAT score. This section contributes 34% to the overall CAT examination.
Out of 3 sections in the CAT exam with 100 questions, the QA questions in the CAT exam have 34 questions. It is divided into MCQs with negative marking and Non-MCQs without negative marking.
The major aspects of CAT preparation for the Quantitative Aptitude section are:
- Strengthen your basics and formula knowledge in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern maths, and other related topics.
- Practice various questions of different difficulty levels.
- Solve the previous year’s CAT question papers, mock tests, and more which will help you get good marks.
10 Best Quantitative Aptitude Books For CAT Preparation
1. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
Author: Dr. R.S. Aggarwal
Latest Edition: 21 February 2017 (Revised Edition)
Publisher: S.Chand Publishing
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal is one of the best books for CAT preparations. It is a highly-comprehensive guide with 5500+ quantitative aptitude questions that are fully solved.
Moreover, this book is very easy to follow. The chapters in this book begin with easy-to-remember theories and contain formulas with a few solved questions. The questions in the book are from examinations up to 2016 and follow the latest exam pattern.
This book is divided into two sections, namely arithmetical ability and data interpretation. Another advantage is that, apart from the CAT examination, it is also a helpful guide for other examinations like Bank PO, SBI-PO, IBPS, RBI Exams, MBA, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, IIFT, IGNOU, Railway Recruitment Board Exams, Campus Recruitment Tests, SSC combined preliminary exam, hotel management, and more.
You can buy this book here.
2. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic
Author: Rajesh Verma
Latest Edition: 1 January 2018 (4th Edition)
Publisher: Arihant Publications
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma is a bestseller book from the time it was published. It covers all the basic concepts required to master arithmetic concepts. Moreover, all the chapters in this book are graded: base and higher skill levels.
This book is a perfect combination of basic concepts and short tricks that helps to solve various aptitude questions. The new edition of the book covers all the examination questions.
It is the best book that helps to improve the quantitative aptitude skills of many aspirants across the country. The book covers the syllabus for competitive exams such as RBI, SBI, IBPS PO, SSC, LIC, CDS, UPSC, Management, and all other Entrance Recruitment and Aptitude Test.
The updated version of the book includes new questions, is completely error-free, and has a good command of the subject.
You can buy this book here.
3. A Modern Approach To Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (2 Colour Edition)
Author: Dr. R.S. Aggarwal
Latest Edition: 1 January, 2018 (2nd edition)
Publisher: S. Chand Publishing
The latest edition of Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning is more effective than the previous edition of the same. Moreover, the latest edition of the book includes additional questions from various competitive examinations and is based on the latest exam patterns and trends. This book is suitable for various competitive examinations like SSC, SBI-CGL Tier 1, AFCAT, RBI Grade B, and more.
Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning helps the candidates solve the problems effectively and efficiently. Here is how:
- The author offers questions that are based on the latest exam pattern.
- The book also includes many questions for practice with answers which helps the candidates to learn concepts with the right approach.
You can buy this book here.
4. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs(Old Edition)
Author: Sarvesh K Verma
Latest Edition: 1 January, 2017 (7th Edition)
Publisher: Arihant Publication
Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma is another best study material for Quantitative Aptitude and is an all-inclusive book for students who want to get into the IIMs. This book is tailor-made for those who are appearing for the CAT examination. It is suitable for those who are from a non-maths background trying to learn the basics.
This quantitative aptitude study material is divided into 21 chapters- Fundamentals, Averages, Allegations, Ratio, Proportion and Variation, Percentages, Profit, Loss and Discount, CI/SI/Instalments, Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry, Elements of Algebra, Theory of Equations, Set Theory, Logarithm, Functions and Graph, Sequence, Series and Progressions, Permutations and Combinations, Probability and Co-ordinate Geometry.
Every chapter of the book starts with a summary and ends with three leveled practical exercises, including the final revision and some self-analysis. All the practical sums come with detailed hints and solutions.
You can buy this book here.
5. Magical Book on Quicker Maths
Author: M Tyra & K Kundan
Latest Edition: 1 January, 2018 (5th Edition)
Publisher: BSC Publishing Co Pvt Ltd
Magical Book On Quicker Maths is another best maths book that helps to improve quantitative aptitude skills while preparing for quantitative examinations like SSC, UTI, GIC, LIC, UPSC, SSC, etc.
This book’s main aim is to provide the students with various problems and teach them how to solve these problems most effectively. Moreover, clearing a competitive examination is not just about writing the correct answer; it is about time management.
The author also explains each concept in a simple way that even a student from a non-mathematical background can understand. It has been divided into clearly explainable chapters containing a clear introduction, important formulas and derivations, and practical questions that help ace a concept.
You can buy this book here.
6. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
Author: Arun Sharma
Latest Edition: 5 June, 2018 (8th Edition)
Publisher: McGraw Hill Education
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma is the best quantitative aptitude book for CAT preparation and is based on the latest CAT exam pattern.
Apart from CAT, this book is also recommended for other management entrance exams such as XAT, SNAP, CMAT, NMAT, and more.
Quantitative Aptitude is a challenging section in the CAT question paper. The author provides a comprehensive package of both theory and practical problems. Solving the questions given in the book will make the candidates confident, manage time, and improve the speed of solving questions.
The features of this book include:
- Comprehensive theory based on the latest CAT syllabus and exam pattern.
- The topics are divided into “Blocks.”
- Tips and Tricks to solve problems quickly.
- “Taste of the Exams” section covers all questions that were asked in the past CAT, XAT, and IIFT exams for over 20 years.
You can buy this book here.
7. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT
Author: Nishit K. Sinha
Latest Edition: 25 April, 2020 (5e Edition)
Publisher: Pearson Education
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha is a completely revised edition that helps to improve understanding and knowledge.
The book covers everything from the basics to the complex concepts. It also helps the students to understand the most important and complex concepts of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section.
In this book, all the topics are explained in detail, including comprehensive tips, strategies, and a thorough analysis of the concepts. The most unique feature of this book is that it includes a “Test your learning” section after every chapter. This section helps to evaluate your knowledge.
Since all the questions are framed strategically at the end of each chapter and section, it offers confidence to the students and at the same time helps to achieve overall excellence in the subject.
You can buy this book here.
8. The Pearson Guide To Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations
Author: Dinesh Khattar
Latest Edition: 1 January, 2013 (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Pearson
The Pearson Guide To Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations by Dinesh Khattar is one of the best quantitative aptitude books for CAT preparation. It includes a detailed set of questions that helps to master the quantitative section for various MBA entrance exams, bank tests, defense, and more.
The author has included both practical questions and theory questions for students to practice. Since the book is written in an easy-to-understand manner and is point-to-point, it is the best book for CAT exams. Apart from standard formulas and definitions, the new edition also includes tips and tricks which help in quick revision.
The main features of this book are:
- Detailed explanations of concepts and theories.
- Valuable insights in the form of shortcut methods.
- 4000 MCQs for practice.
- It provides the right approach to learning rather than just a pile of questions and answers.
You can buy this book here.
9. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Dinesh K. Sinha
Author: Dinesh K. Sinha
Latest Edition: 1 June 2015 (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Cengage Learning India Private Limited
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Dinesh K. Sinha helps the CAT aspirants to prepare for CAT in a more systematic and focused way and at the same time helps to save time, money, and energy in the most effective way and help them get into the IIM of your choice.
This book helps the students to plan their preparation for the exam. It includes many exercises, section tests, full-length tests, detailed solutions with justifications, and explanatory notes which will help to assess your performance.
The book also includes free tests from the CAT previous years’ question papers which will help the aspirants get hands-on experience in solving various types of questions asked in the quantitative aptitude section of the CAT exam.
You can buy this book here.
10. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT, XAT & other MBA Entrance Exams
Author: Deepak Agarwal
Latest Edition: 15 January 2021 (5th Edition)
Publisher: Disha Publication
The Quantitative Aptitude for CAT, XAT, and other MBA entrance exams by Deepak Agarwal is a revised and updated version of the CAT book.
The book starts by explaining the basic concepts of quantitative aptitude and goes ahead to explain the advanced topics. Not only does it cover theoretical concepts but also offers practical questions.
The book consists of 6 units divided into 23 chapters. This book also consists of past 7-8 years’ previous year question papers for CAT, XAT, IIFT, and more. It is one of the best quantitative aptitude books if you are preparing for all the management entrance exams.
You can buy this book here.
Conclusion
Quantitative Aptitude is the most important section in every management entrance exam, bank exam, defense, and more. Quantitative Aptitude books help to solve numerical and mathematical problems. It will also help the students to analyze the given data.
Here in this post, we have mentioned the 10 best quantitative aptitude books which will make your CAT examination preparation easier.
Happy Reading!
FAQs
Q.1 How many attempts can I give in the CAT exam?
Ans. There is no age limit in the CAT exam.
Q.2 Is CAT exam tougher than SBI PO?
Ans. Yes, the CAT exam is comparatively more challenging than the SBI PO exam.
Q.3 How long is needed to prepare for the CAT exam?
Ans. You need 7-8 months of dedicated study to cover the syllabus for the CAT exam.
Q.4 How long is the CAT exam score valid?
Ans. The CAT exam score is valid for one year only.
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