November 25, 2025
Overview: Boost your CAT score with 35+ high-quality CAT Percentage Questions and detailed solutions. Practice, learn expert tips, and ace percentages in CAT Quant!
Percentages are a cornerstone of the Quantitative Ability (QA) section of the CAT (Common Admission Test). Mastering CAT percentage questions isn't just about memorising formulas; it's about developing a deep, intuitive understanding of the concepts.
Read on to know 35+ CAT Percentage Questions with solution to boost your score and percentile!
Preparing for the CAT 2026 exam means focusing strategically on important topics that frequently appear in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
One such high-yield topic is percentages, a crucial part of the Arithmetic syllabus in CAT Quant. Trends from the past four years show a consistent pattern in the number of CAT percentage questions asked, helping aspirants plan their preparation more effectively.
|
Year |
Weightage |
|
2024 |
4 |
|
2023 |
2 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2021 |
3 |
As seen above, around 2-5 percentage CAT questions have appeared regularly, confirming that CAT 2026 aspirants should expect 3-5 direct questions on percentages. Focusing on this topic will boost your overall scoring potential in the Quant section.


1. A solution contains 40 liters of milk and water in the ratio 3:1. If 20% of this mixture is removed and replaced with pure water, what is the new percentage of milk in the solution?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 66%
D) 72%
Correct Answer: B) 65%
2. A number is increased by 15% and then the result is decreased by 20%. What is the net percentage change?
A) 2% decrease
B) 8% decrease
C) 8% increase
D) 5% decrease
Correct Answer: B) 8% decrease
3. A shopkeeper marks an item 40% above the cost price and allows a discount of 10%. If his profit is ₹72, find the cost price.
A) ₹200
B) ₹250
C) ₹300
D) ₹400
Correct Answer: A) ₹200
4. Three vessels contain mixtures of milk and water in the ratio 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 respectively. An equal quantity is taken from each and mixed together. What is the percentage of milk in the final mixture?
A) 75%
B) 76%
C) 74%
D) 77%
Correct Answer: B) 76%
5. A’s income increases by 20% every year. If his income was ₹50,000 three years ago, what is his income now?
A) ₹86,240
B) ₹85,000
C) ₹86,400
D) ₹87,000
Correct Answer: A) ₹86,240
6. If the value of a machine depreciates by 10% annually, what will be its value after 3 years if its present value is ₹80,000?
A) ₹58,320
B) ₹60,000
C) ₹64,800
D) ₹72,000
Correct Answer: C) ₹64,800
7. 8A candidate scoring 25% in an exam fails by 45 marks, but another candidate scoring 40% gets 30 marks more than the pass mark. What are the maximum marks for the exam?
A) 300
B) 360
C) 400
D) 450
Correct Answer: C) 400
8. If the price of a commodity increases by 60%, by what percentage must a consumer reduce consumption so that his expenditure remains unchanged?
A) 37.5%
B) 50%
C) 44%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: A) 37.5%
9. Rahul’s salary is 25% less than Amit’s salary. By what percent is Amit’s salary more than Rahul’s?
A) 33.33%
B) 25%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: A) 33.33%
10. Ashish invested ₹5,00,000 in a business. In the first year, he incurred a 4% loss, in the second, he earned 5%, and in the third year, a 10% profit. Find his overall net profit/loss for three years.
A) ₹44,000 profit
B) ₹55,000 profit
C) ₹50,000 profit
D) ₹55,400 profit
Correct Answer: B) ₹55,000 profit
11. The price of sugar is increased by 20%. By what percent must consumption be decreased to keep expenditure constant?
A) 16.67%
B) 20%
C) 18.5%
D) 14%
Correct Answer: A) 16.67%
12. A population increases by 10% in the first year and 20% in the second year. What is the total percentage increase over two years?
A) 30%
B) 32%
C) 32.5%
D) 28%
Correct Answer: C) 32%
13. If an alloy contains zinc and copper in the ratio 3:2, what percent of the alloy is copper?
A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: C) 40%
14. If a number is reduced by 20% and then again increased by 20%, what is the final percentage change?
A) No change
B) 4% decrease
C) 4% increase
D) 8% decrease
Correct Answer: B) 4% decrease
15. In a school, 60% of the students are girls and the rest are boys. There are 30 more girls than boys. How many students are there in the school?
A) 150
B) 120
C) 75
D) 200
Correct Answer: A) 150
16.A watermelon weighs 20 kg with 96% water. Left in the sun, water content reduces to 95%. What is its reduced weight?
A) 20 kg
B) 18 kg
C) 17 kg
D) 16 kg
Correct Answer: C) 17 kg
17. A bottle contains a mixture of acid and water in the ratio 3:5. How much of the mixture should be replaced with water to make the ratio 1:4?
A) 1/3
B) 1/2
C) 1/4
D) 2/3
Correct Answer: C) 1/4
18. A shopkeeper purchases two items at ₹100 each. On one he gains 20% and on the other, loses 20%. Find the net profit/loss percent.
A) 0%
B) 2% loss
C) 4% loss
D) 2% gain
Correct Answer: C) 4% loss
19. A man spends 60% of his income. If his income increases by 15% and his expenditure increases by 10%, what is the percentage increase in his savings?
A) 10%
B) 12.5%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Correct Answer: D) 25%
20. Fresh grapes contain 80% water, dry grapes contain 10% water. How much dry grapes can be produced from 850 kg fresh grapes?
A) 170 kg
B) 212.5 kg
C) 312.5 kg
D) 187.5 kg
Correct Answer: B) 212.5 kg
21. If 40% of a quantity is added to itself, by what percent does it increase?
A) 40%
B) 44%
C) 50%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: A) 40%
22. A student got 60% marks and failed by 40 marks while another who scored 75% got 35 marks more than the pass mark. Calculate the maximum marks.
A) 350
B) 380
C) 275
D) 300
Correct Answer: D) 300
23. A manufacturer increases his marked price by 25% and then gives a discount of 20%. What is his net percentage profit if he originally marked the goods at a profit of 20% on cost price?
A) 20%
B) 21%
C) 24%
D) 25%
Correct Answer: C) 24%
24. A sum of money is divided among A, B, and C in the ratio 5:6:7. If C gets ₹ 1,800 more than A, what is the total sum?
A) ₹ 6,300
B) ₹ 7,200
C) ₹ 7,800
D) ₹ 8,100
Correct Answer: D) ₹ 8,100
25. An item’s price is first increased by 50% and then decreased by 40%. What is the net percentage change?
A) 10% decrease
B) 20% decrease
C) 5% decrease
D) No change
Correct Answer: C) 5% decrease
26. What percent is 3/5th of 2/3rd of 540?
A) 60%
B) 90%
C) 80%
D) 100%
Correct Answer: C) 80%
27. A man sold an item at a 17% loss. If he had sold it for ₹120 more, he would have gained 13%. What is the cost price?
A) ₹500
B) ₹375
C) ₹400
D) ₹300
Correct Answer: B) ₹375
28. If Ram’s income is 20% less than Shyam’s and Shyam’s is 25% more than Aman’s. If Aman’s income is ₹40,000, what is Ram’s income?
A) ₹38,000
B) ₹44,000
C) ₹40,000
D) ₹35,000
Correct Answer: D) ₹35,000
29. An alloy weighs 50 g and contains 80% gold. How much gold must be added to make it 90% gold?
A) 25 g
B) 30 g
C) 40 g
D) 45 g
Correct Answer: B) 30 g
30. The value of a plot increases at a rate of 10% per annum. Find the value after 3 years if the present value is ₹80,000.
A) ₹1,04,800
B) ₹1,00,500
C) ₹1,06,480
D) ₹1,12,000
Correct Answer: C) ₹1,06,480
31. A’s salary is increased by 50% and then decreased by 20%. Find net percentage change.
A) 20% increase
B) 30% increase
C) 25% increase
D) 10% increase
Correct Answer: A) 20% increase
| Number System Formula PDF | |
| Arithmetic Formula PDF | |
| Number Theory Formula PDF | |
| Quadratic Equation Formula PDF | |
| Inequalities Formula PDF | |
| Logarithms, Surds & Indices Formula PDF | |
| Time, Speed & Distance Formula PDF | |
| Linear Equations Formula PDF | |
| Ratio, Proportion & Variations Formula PDF | |
| Simple Interest - Compound Interest Formula PDF | |
| Profit & Loss Formula PDF |
32. A man gets a 15% discount on the list price of an article, but it allows a profit of 19% on the cost price. If the article costs ₹180, what is the list price?
A) ₹220
B) ₹230
C) ₹250
D) ₹240
Correct Answer: C) ₹250
33. After a 25% discount, an item is sold at ₹60. What was the original price?
A) ₹70
B) ₹80
C) ₹75
D) ₹90
Correct Answer: B) ₹80
34. The population of a town increases by 12% annually. If the present population is 2,00,000, what will be the population after 2 years?
A) 2,48,320
B) 2,45,600
C) 2,50,000
D) 2,30,000
Correct Answer: A) 2,48,320
35. A mixture contains 30% alcohol. How much pure alcohol must be added to 100 liters mixture so that the alcohol’s strength becomes 50%?
A) 20 liters
B) 25 liters
C) 30 liters
D) 40 liters
Correct Answer: B) 25 liters
36. Due to a fall in price by 12%, a man can buy 2 kg more sugar for ₹224. What was the original price per kg?
A) ₹10
B) ₹12.5
C) ₹14
D) ₹16
Correct Answer: C) ₹14
Percentages are a fundamental part of the CAT Arithmetic syllabus. Mastering topics like profit and loss, percentage increase or decrease, and conversions between fractions, decimals, and percentages can significantly improve your speed and accuracy.
You can check out our detailed guide on CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026 to understand where this topic fits within the overall syllabus.
To strengthen your command over percentages, practising previous year percentage CAT questions is key. You can access our bank of Previous Year CAT Percentage Questions with Solutions to simulate exam-like conditions and get comfortable with question types.
Additionally, understanding the broader context of Arithmetic within the QA section can help you manage your time effectively during the exam. Visit our page on How to Prepare for CAT Arithmetic Questions to get comprehensive preparation strategies.
Percentages often appear in combination with other important topics like Profit & Loss and Simple Interest & Compound Interest. These topics are integral parts of the Quant section and often interlink conceptually.
Conclusion
With this strategic focus on percentages and the suggested related topics, CAT 2026 aspirants can strengthen their Quant section attempt, improve time management, and boost their overall score.
If you're interested in detailed PDF resources and video solutions for percentage CAT questions, check out our special collection on Practice CAT Percentage and Profit-Loss Questions.
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