Quantitative Aptitude
The speed paper. Maths, logical reasoning and statistics in an objective format with 0.25 negative marking — which means accuracy drills matter far more than solving every question.
- Level
- CA Foundation
- Paper
- Paper 3
- Marks
- 100 marks
- Pattern
- Objective · 2 hours · negative marking
Why this paper matters
Quantitative Aptitude builds the numerical fluency that Cost Accounting and Financial Management assume at Intermediate. It is also the paper where a wrong strategy costs the most marks per hour of study.
Chapter-wise weightage
Indicative distribution based on the published syllabus structure. Always confirm against the ICAI study material for your attempt.
- Business Mathematics40 marks
- Statistics40 marks
- Logical Reasoning20 marks
How to actually score it
- Negative marking changes the maths of attempting. At 0.25 negative, a blind guess across four options is break-even at best. Attempt what you can reason to two options; skip the rest without guilt.
- Build a formula sheet in week one. Ratio, proportion, interest, annuities, permutations, measures of dispersion and correlation. One page, revised nightly, replaces most re-reading.
- Time-box every practice set. Two hours for 100 questions is roughly 72 seconds each. Practise against the clock from the start or speed never arrives.
- Logical reasoning is free marks. Twenty marks of syllogisms, seating arrangements and number series need no formulas — just pattern practice. Do not leave them for the last week.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Guessing blindly on a negatively marked paper
- Practising untimed and discovering the speed problem in the exam hall
- Memorising formulas without doing enough problems to recognise which one applies
- Neglecting statistics because maths feels more familiar — they carry equal marks
Related papers
Have questions?
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Talk to usHow much negative marking is there in Paper 3?
0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. That makes accuracy drills more valuable than raw speed drills, especially in the final month.
Is a calculator allowed?
ICAI permits a basic non-programmable calculator. Practise with the exact model you will carry so the keystrokes are automatic under pressure.
Which section should I attempt first?
Start with logical reasoning to bank quick marks and settle nerves, then move to your stronger of maths or statistics, and leave the weakest for last.
Reading the weightage is step one. Working it is step two.
Generate MCQ tests on any Quantitative Aptitude chapter, get step-by-step solutions, and have your handwritten answers evaluated.
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