This post is a continuation of the previous post on how to build a strategy for PGDBA 2021 written exam in 4 months. The previous post focused on Verbal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation sections of the section. This post talks about the Quant section and aims to provide insights on the Quant side of the preparation.
Below is a detailed break-up of the type of questions asked in the previous years’ papers.
| Topic | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Grand Total |
| Algebra | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 23 |
| Binomial Theorem | 1 | 1 | |||
| Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Permutations and Combinations | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| Sequence and Series | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| Calculus | 11 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 37 |
| Applications of Derivatives | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Applications of the Integrals | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Continuity and Differentiability | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| Determinants | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Integrals | 1 | 1 | |||
| Limits and Derivatives | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Matrices | 1 | 1 | |||
| Coordinate Geometry | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| Conic Sections | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| Geometry | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Geometry | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Numbers | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Numbers | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Relations and Functions | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Inverse Trigonometric Functions | 2 | 2 | |||
| Relations and Functions | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Sets and Functions | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Sets | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Trigonometric Functions | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Grand Total | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 100 |
Check our PGDBA 2020 exam analysis.
Every year, the quant section of the entrance exam has 25 questions out of a total of 50 questions. The topics are based out of class XI and class XII Mathematics. About 37% of questions are based on Calculus – the majority of them around continuity/differentiability, application of derivatives and integrals, limits and determinants. About 23% of questions are related to Algebra – Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Permutation Combination and Series. Coordinate geometry and geometry account for 20% of questions – covering circles, locus of a point, distances, equation of conic sections, formula related to triangles. Other topics include sets, functions, relations and functions and they cover the remainder of the section.
A single question might test you on multiple topics and is necessarily not limited to just a single topic. The above categorization is only indicative of the pattern of Quant section and aims to help you prepare for the entrance accordingly in conjunction with Verbal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
The top 3 categories are Calculus, Algebra and Co-ordinate geometry which together comprises almost 70-80% of the quant section every time. This should be the starting point of preparation and the remaining topics can be covered in succession. Though Numbers aren’t covered as part of NCERT syllabus, a few questions in this category can be expected as can be seen in 2019. Do watch out for PGDBA 2021 Test Series + Preparation Package for more info.
To begin your preparation for the Quant section, you can start with NCERT books. You can also view the entire list of topics in the table below.
| Class | Unit | Topic |
| 11 | Algebra | Sequence & Series |
| 11 | Algebra | Quadratic Equations |
| 11 | Algebra | Linear Inequalities |
| 11 | Algebra | Permutations and Combinations |
| 11 | Calculus | Limits and Derivatives |
| 11 | Coordinate Geometry | Conic Sections |
| 11 | Coordinate Geometry | Straight Lines |
| 11 | Coordinate Geometry | Circles |
| 11 | Geometry | Heights & Distance |
| 11 | Sets and Functions | Relations and Functions |
| 11 | Sets and Functions | Sets |
| 11 | Sets and Functions | Trigonometric Functions |
| 11 | Statistics and Probability | Probability (Mainly for interview) |
| 11 | Statistics and Probability | Statistics |
| 12 | Calculus | Applications of Derivatives |
| 12 | Calculus | Applications of the Integrals |
| 12 | Calculus | Continuity and Differentiability |
| 12 | Calculus | Determinants |
| 12 | Calculus | Limits |
| 12 | Calculus | Integrals |
| 12 | Calculus | Matrices |
| 12 | Relations and Functions | Relations and Functions |
| 12 | Relations and Functions | Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
Hello,
Although I haven’t cleared the written test, I did write it last year and I do plan on writing it again this year. I’ve been through numerous websites, blogs, and posts related to preparation for the quant section of PGDBA. I’ve have seen many of them stating that a comprehensive run-through NCERT would suffice for the entrance exam although, from my personal experience solving previous years’ papers, I think NCERT should just be used to brush-up/ get comfortable with concepts that would make up the quant section. It would definitely fall short if the aspirant hopes to clear the section with a margin. The questions in NCERT aren’t competitive enough to help aspirants prepare thoroughly for the test. Again, this is just my opinion. People who have cleared the test believe otherwise. Maybe they’re just really smart or I’m really stupid, but I thought I’d just put it out there 🙂
Hi Mayank,
We completely agree with you. NCERT is just the starting point for your preparation. And, we have mentioned this in our another post: https://aimonks.com/counsel/pgdba-strategy/.
It’s not that people are smart or anything else, it’s just the conceptual understanding people have. Some people develop that very fast, while others have to put in extra effort. So don’t worry about, just focus on your preparation and practice as much as you can.
Hello sir , i am just starting my preparation for Pgdba … Can you please help me knowing the general ews composite score cutoff (out of 100 ) .. or just an approximate idea … It would be of great help to me …. Thank you …
Hi Rakesh,
You can find the details in this post: https://aimonks.com/counsel/pgdba-cut-off/. Hope this helps.
[…] You can also get detailed insights and analysis on how to go about developing a PGDBA 2020 strategy … […]
[…] quantitative aptitude section has a similar pattern of questions as in previous years. ( Check here for past years’ question analysis on quantitative aptitude section) Algebra had questions on […]
Hey! I wanna start preparing for PGDBA from March 01,2020 for 2021 exam from scratch. Could you please tell me the books to follow other than NCERT and the strategy to prepare well?
Hi,
You can share details about yourself at info@aimonks.com. We will be happy to talk to you and guide you in your preparation.