Paper 3 — Quantitative Aptitude
A fully objective paper where the binding constraint is speed, not knowledge. Statistics carries the largest single block of marks.
Paper at a glance
Quantitative Aptitude is the one Foundation paper where students who know the syllabus still fail, because 100 questions in two hours leaves roughly seventy seconds each. The MTP is therefore more valuable here than anywhere else in the course — it is the only realistic way to discover that your maths is fine and your pace is not. Statistics and logical reasoning together carry more than half the paper and are the fastest sections to score, which makes attempt order a genuine strategic decision.
100
Objective questions
2h
Duration
70s
Average per question
Statistics
Logical reasoning
Algebra
Maths of finance
Calculus
Sets & relations
Marks allotted by section
Chapter repeat strip
One square per recent attempt, filled when the chapter was asked. Read across a row to see how consistently a chapter appears, and down a column to see how broad a single paper tends to be.
| Chapter | M24 | N24 | M25 | N25 | M26 | Typical weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measures of Central Tendency & Dispersionasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 10–14 marks |
| Correlation & Regressionasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 8–12 marks |
| Probability & Distributionsasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 8–12 marks |
| Index Numbers & Time Seriesasked in 4 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: not asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 6–10 marks |
| Ratio, Proportion, Indices, Logarithmsasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 6–10 marks |
| Equations & Inequalitiesasked in 4 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: not asked | M26: asked | 6–8 marks |
| Time Value of Moneyasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 8–12 marks |
| Permutations & Combinationsasked in 4 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: not asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 5–8 marks |
| Logical Reasoning — Series, Coding, Seatingasked in 5 of 5 | M24: asked | N24: asked | M25: asked | N25: asked | M26: asked | 18–20 marks |
Indicative pattern compiled from publicly available past papers, RTPs and MTPs. It is a revision-sequencing aid, not a prediction — and not a basis for leaving any chapter unprepared.
Revision priority
Revise first
P1Highest marks and the fastest to solve once the formulas are automatic. These decide the paper.
- Logical Reasoning — Series, Coding, Seating
- Measures of Central Tendency & Dispersion
- Time Value of Money
- Correlation & Regression
Revise second
P2Reliably asked, moderate volume, and heavily formula-driven — which makes them predictable once drilled.
- Probability & Distributions
- Index Numbers & Time Series
- Ratio, Proportion, Indices, Logarithms
Do not skip
P3Smaller blocks, but in an objective paper every question is worth the same. Cheap marks if prepared, pure loss if not.
- Permutations & Combinations
- Equations & Inequalities
- Sets, Relations & Functions
- Basic Calculus
Typical question structure
Business mathematics — ratios, equations, calculus
Skip anything that does not resolve in ninety seconds and return to it only if time remains.
Logical reasoning
The fastest section per mark. Many students should attempt it first, not in printed order.
Statistics
The largest block. A single formula slip in dispersion or regression costs several questions at once.
Time series and index numbers
Formula-heavy and highly scoreable. Do not leave these stranded at the end of the clock.
How to use this paper
- Take the MTP strictly to time. An untimed attempt tells you nothing here. The entire diagnostic value of this paper is pace.
- Decide your attempt order in advance. Most students gain marks by starting with logical reasoning and statistics rather than working front to back.
- Log every question that took over two minutes. That list, not your score, is your revision plan for the following week.
- There is no negative marking, so leave nothing blank. Reserve the last five minutes to fill every unattempted answer. Confirm the current marking scheme on icai.org before you rely on this.
Have questions?
Find answers.
Still unsure about something? We're happy to help you figure it out.
Talk to usHow do I improve speed in Quantitative Aptitude?
Drill the formulas until recall is automatic, then practise in timed blocks of twenty questions rather than full papers. Speed comes from removing hesitation at the formula-recall step, which is where most of the lost seconds actually go.
Which section should I attempt first?
Whichever you are fastest at, which for most students is logical reasoning followed by statistics. There is no requirement to answer in printed order, and attempt sequence is one of the few levers fully within your control.
Is a calculator allowed in this paper?
ICAI permits a battery-operated, non-programmable calculator subject to its stated specifications. Check the current instructions on icai.org before your attempt, and practise with the same model you will carry.
Please note
These are study aids, not ICAI publications. Kartavvya is not affiliated with ICAI. Chapter-frequency patterns are indicative, compiled from publicly available past papers, Revision Test Papers and Mock Test Papers to help you prioritise revision — they are not a prediction of any future paper and should not be used to skip syllabus. Always download the official RTP, MTP and Suggested Answers from icai.org and treat those as authoritative.
Other papers
The analysis tells you where to look. Practice is what changes the score.
Generate fresh questions on your weakest chapters in this paper, work them under time, and have your answers evaluated step by step.
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- Step-wise marking
- All 3 CA levels