📊 CA Foundation Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude – Full Guide + 4-Week Study Plan

 

📊 CA Foundation Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude – Full Guide + 4-Week Study Plan

Welcome again to Towards the CA Tag!

After cracking Paper 1 (Accounting) and Paper 2 (Business Laws), it’s time to dive into Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude — a combination of Maths, Statistics, and Logical Reasoning. This paper is objective (MCQ-based) and includes negative marking, so accuracy and speed are everything here.

📝 Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude – Overview

  • Total Marks: 100

  • Question Type: MCQs (Objective)

  • Negative Marking: Yes (–0.25 per wrong answer)

  • Sections:

    • Section A: Business Mathematics (40 marks)

    • Section B: Logical Reasoning (20 marks)

    • Section C: Statistics (40 marks)

📚 Detailed Syllabus of Paper 3

📐 Section A: Business Mathematics (40 Marks)

🔹 1. Ratio, Proportion, Indices & Logarithms

  • Simple and compound ratios

  • Laws of indices

  • Logarithmic identities and computations

🔹 2. Equations & Inequalities

  • Linear and quadratic equations

  • Linear inequalities (in one or two variables)

🔹 3. Mathematics of Finance

  • Simple Interest & Compound Interest

  • Annuities

  • Present & Future Value calculations

  • Time Value of Money

🔹 4. Permutations and Combinations

  • Basic counting rules

  • Simple problems on PnC

🔹 5. Sequences & Series

  • Arithmetic and geometric progression

  • nth term and sum of terms

  • Practical application problems

🔹 6. Sets, Relations and Functions

  • Venn diagrams

  • Types of sets

  • Domain & range basics

🔹 7. Matrices and Determinants

  • Addition, subtraction, and multiplication of matrices

  • Determinants and solving equations using Cramer’s rule

🧠 Section B: Logical Reasoning (20 Marks)

🔹 1. Number Series and Letter Series

  • Patterns, missing numbers/letters

🔹 2. Coding-Decoding

🔹 3. Blood Relations

🔹 4. Direction Sense Test

🔹 5. Seating Arrangements & Puzzles

💡 Scoring and quick. Practice 20–30 mins daily for LR.

📊 Section C: Statistics (40 Marks)

🔹 1. Statistics Basics

  • Definitions, scope, limitations

🔹 2. Data Classification & Presentation

  • Frequency distribution

  • Bar charts, pie charts, histograms

🔹 3. Measures of Central Tendency

  • Mean, Median, Mode (individual, discrete, grouped data)

🔹 4. Measures of Dispersion

  • Range, Quartile Deviation, Standard Deviation

🔹 5. Correlation and Regression

  • Karl Pearson's correlation

  • Linear regression line

🔹 6. Probability

  • Basic rules

  • Simple theoretical questions

🔹 7. Index Numbers & Time Series

  • Laspeyres, Paasche Index

  • Trend analysis with moving average

📅 4-Week Study Plan for Paper 3

✅ Week 1: Maths Foundation

Day
Topics
1
Ratios, Indices & Logarithms
2
Equations & Inequalities
3
Time Value of Money (Simple/Compound Interest, Annuity)
4
Sequences and Series
5
Sets, Relations, Functions
6
Practice Quiz (MCQs)
7
Weekly Revision Test 1

✅ Week 2: Permutations + Matrices + LR

DayTopics
1Permutations & Combinations
2Matrices + Determinants
3Number & Letter Series (LR)
4Coding-Decoding
5Blood Relations + Direction Sense
6Seating Arrangements
7Weekly Revision Test 2 (Full LR + Maths Mix)

✅ Week 3: Statistics Deep Dive – Part 1

Day
Topics
1
Measures of Central Tendency
2
Dispersion Measures
3
Classification & Graphs
4
Correlation
5
Regression
6
Practice MCQs
7
Weekly Revision Test 3

✅ Week 4: Statistics + Probability + Final Review

Day
Topics
1
Probability Basics
2
Index Numbers
3
Time Series
4
Mock Test – Full Paper
5
Doubt Clearing + Review
6-7
Final Quick Revision of All Three Sections

🧠 Tips to Master Paper 3

  • Focus on accuracy – avoid guesswork in MCQs

  • Maintain a formula cheat sheet

  • Time yourself – practice solving 100 questions in 2 hours

  • Solve ICAI mock papers & RTPs

  • Focus more on Statistics and LR if you're weak in Maths

📌 Resources to Use

  • ICAI Study Material

  • ICAI MCQ Booklet

  • Scanner for Past Year MCQs

  • Edu91 / CA Foundation free YouTube lectures (optional)

🔚 Wrapping Up

Paper 3 is all about smart practice, shortcuts, and speed. You don’t need to master hardcore mathematics — just the topics relevant to business and finance.

Up next: Paper 4 – Business Economics, the final leg of your CA Foundation journey.

💬 Have questions, need topic notes, or want a formula sheet? Drop your request below or DM me!


Keep solving, keep practising, and keep marching Towards the CA Tag! 🧮✍️

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