Beginner Tips for Quants Preparation: A Step-by-Step Guide for MBA Aspirants

Quantitative Aptitude is often the most feared section for MBA aspirants, especially beginners. Many students believe you need to be great at mathematics to score well in Quants—but that’s a myth. Quants in MBA entrance exams like CAT, XAT, and CMAT test application, logic, and decision-making, not advanced math.

Here are a few things to remember as you prepare for Quant.

Begin with the fundamentals.

Lots of practice

Determine your strengths.

Calculators should be avoided:

Examine yourself

Why Quants Feels Difficult for Beginners

The good news is that Quants is highly learnable if approached systematically.

Lots of practice:

The goal of Quant is to answer as many questions as possible in the allotted period. As a result, speed becomes an important aspect in Quant preparation. To be able to answer a reasonable number of questions, you must be able to figure out the formula and complete the math quickly. This comes with more question practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be applying the concept and solving problems fast.

Step 1: Fix Your Mindset About Quants

Step 2: Start Only with Arithmetic

For beginners, Arithmetic is non-negotiable. It forms the base of Quants and contributes significantly to exam papers.

Must-Start Topics

Step 3: Focus on Concepts, Not Formulas

Memorising formulas without understanding leads to confusion.

Instead:

Understand why a method works
Solve 5–10 questions per concept
Learn one approach properly before moving ahead

Strong conceptual clarity reduces fear and increases confidence.

Step 4: Learn How to Select Questions

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is trying to solve everything.

In exams:

Skip lengthy or calculation-heavy questions
Attempt familiar question types first
Leave questions that look confusing

Quants is about choosing the right questions, not solving the toughest ones.

Step 5: Practice Without Time Pressure Initially

At the beginner stage:

Ignore timers
Focus on understanding
Solve questions step by step

Once concepts settle, gradually introduce time limits.

Step 6: Build a Daily Quants Habit

Consistency matters more than long hours.

A beginner-friendly routine:

45–60 minutes daily
One topic at a time
Weekly revision of old concepts

Daily exposure helps reduce fear and improve recall.

Step 7: Start Sectional Tests Slowly

Once basics are covered:

Attempt easy sectional tests
Analyse mistakes carefully
Identify recurring errors

Do not judge yourself by scores early on. Improvement comes from analysis, not marks.

Common Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid

Starting with advanced topics
Memorising formulas blindly
Avoiding Quants completely
Studying irregularly
Comparing progress with others

Quants improvement is gradual but reliable.

Final Takeaway

For beginners, Quants is not about brilliance—it’s about discipline, basics, and smart practice. If you start with arithmetic, focus on understanding, and practice consistently, Quants can become one of your strongest sections over time.

The key is to start simple and stay consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Quants difficult for beginners?
No. With the right approach, Quants is manageable and scoring.

2. Which topic should beginners start with in Quants?
Arithmetic should always be the starting point.

3. How much time should beginners give to Quants daily?
45–60 focused minutes daily are sufficient initially.

4. Do I need to be good at math to score well in Quants?
No. Conceptual clarity and smart question selection matter more.

5. When should beginners start Quants mock tests?
After covering basic arithmetic topics and practicing them.

you can check CATKing’s Youtube channel.

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Beginner Tips for Quants Preparation: A Step-by-Step Guide for MBA Aspirants

Why Quants Feels Difficult for Beginners

Lots of practice:

Step 1: Fix Your Mindset About Quants

Step 2: Start Only with Arithmetic