NIFT GAT has an important Quantitative Ability section that weighs a lot in your overall score and admission chances. Since GAT carries 40% weightage in the final selection, it becomes very important to do well in high-weightage concepts for you to get NIFT 2026 . A strategic preparation plan that concentrates on high-scoring topics with less preparation time will boost your scoring chances.
High Weightage Topics in NIFT Quantitative Ability 2026
Check here the high-weightage topics you should be aware of in NIFT quantitative ability for 2026:
Topic | Weightage | Questions (Approx) | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Percentage | 15-20% | 4-5 | Easy to Moderate |
Ratio and Proportion | 12-18% | 3-5 | Easy to Moderate |
Time, Speed & Distance | 10-15% | 3-4 | Moderate |
Profit, Loss & Discount | 8-12% | 2-3 | Easy to Moderate |
Simple & Compound Interest | 8-12% | 2-3 | Moderate |
Averages | 6-10% | 2-3 | Easy |
Work and Time | 6-10% | 2-3 | Moderate to Difficult |
Geometry & Mensuration | 8-12% | 2-3 | Moderate to Difficult |
Number Systems | 5-8% | 1-2 | Easy to Moderate |
Data Interpretation | 5-8% | 1-2 | Moderate |
Algebra (Basic) | 5-8% | 1-2 | Moderate |
Probability | 3-5% | 1 | Moderate |
Detailed Topic Breakdown
Now that you have an idea of the important high-weightage topics, let's understand them one by one in detail:
Topic | Key Concepts Tested | Quick Tips & Formulas |
|---|---|---|
Percentage (15-20%) | • Percentage increase/decrease • Successive percentage changes • Percentage-based profit/loss • Population growth problems • Fraction to percentage conversion | Master conversions: 25%=1/4, 33.33%=1/3, 50%=1/2 Practice reverse percentage problems |
Ratio & Proportion (12-18%) | • Dividing quantities in ratios • Partnership problems • Mixture and alligation • Fourth proportional • Comparing multiple ratios | Use unitary method for proportion Alligation formula saves time in mixture problems |
Time, Speed & Distance (10-15%) | • Average speed calculations • Relative speed (trains, boats) • Meeting point problems • Circular track races • Boats and streams | D=S×T Relative speed: same direction (subtract), opposite (add) Downstream = boat + stream speed |
Profit, Loss & Discount (8-12%) | • Profit/loss percentage • CP and SP problems • Successive discounts • Marked price vs selling price • Break-even analysis | Profit% = (Profit/CP)×100 Two discounts x% & y% = [x+y-(xy/100)]% |
Simple & Compound Interest (8-12%) | • SI calculations • CI for multiple years • Difference between SI and CI • Rate, time, principal relations • Amount calculations | SI = (P×R×T)/100 CI: A = P(1+R/100)^T Memorize 2-year & 3-year CI formulas |
Averages (6-10%) | • Average of numbers • Weighted averages • Average speed problems • Impact of adding/removing values • Age-based averages | Average = Sum/Count New avg = old avg + (change/count) |
Work & Time (6-10%) | • Work efficiency problems • Multiple workers • Pipes and cisterns • Work done in given days • Combining work rates | Together time = (ab)/(a+b) days Convert work to fractions (1/days) |
Geometry & Mensuration (8-12%) | • Area & perimeter (triangles, circles) • Volume (cubes, cylinders, cones) • Surface area problems • Pythagoras theorem • Similar triangles | Circle: area=πr², circumference=2πr Triangle area = (1/2)×base×height Memorize all mensuration formulas |
Number Systems (5-8%) | • LCM and HCF • Prime numbers and factors • Divisibility rules • Even/odd properties • Simplification | Know divisibility rules 2-11 Use prime factorization for LCM/HCF |
Data Interpretation (5-8%) | • Bar graphs and line charts • Pie charts with percentages • Tables with multiple data • Comparing data • Percentage from data | Read graphs quickly Use approximations to save time Look for trends |
Algebra Basics (5-8%) | • Linear equations • Quadratic equations • Algebraic identities • Age-based equations • Two-variable problems | (a+b)² = a²+2ab+b² (a-b)² = a²-2ab+b² a²-b² = (a+b)(a-b) |
Preparation Tips for NIFT Quantitative Ability 2026
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Read below to understand some of the best preparation strategies for NIFT quantitative ability 2026:
- Tackle the topics with higher weightage first since Percentage, Ratio, and Time-Speed-Distance account for about 40-50% of quant questions. Mastering the three topics can give you an easy 12-15 marks.
- Practice 50+ questions from each topic from last year's papers or standard preparation materials. Maximize your speed by maintaining the average time of 90-120 seconds per question.
- Take weekly mock tests to measure progress and recognize weak areas. Strive to take 80-85% of the total questions with 75-80% accuracy in the quantitative section.
- Use some shortcut formulas and methods for percentage conversion, Ratio, and speed questions to gain valuable time during the exam.
- Revise the formula daily, especially for interest, mensuration, and algebra. Prepare the formula sheet and go through it before the mock test and the actual exam.
Focus your NIFT 2026 quantitative preparation on mastering high-weightage topics first, and then move on to medium and low ones. Intensive practice on past years' papers and occasional tests also increases your speed and accuracy, which count in the ultimate score in the fiercely competitive scoring.
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FAQs
Practice 50+ questions from each high-weightage topic, maintain an average time of 90-120 seconds per question, and take weekly mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.
Remember the fundamental formula D=S×T (Distance = Speed × Time). For relative speed, subtract speeds for the same direction and add for opposite directions.
You can expect approximately 4-5 questions from the 'Percentage' topic, making it a crucial area to master.
Percentage (15-20%), Ratio & Proportion (12-18%), and Time, Speed & Distance (10-15%) are among the topics with the highest weightage.
The Quantitative Ability section in NIFT GAT carries a significant 40% weightage in the final selection process for NIFT 2026.
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