Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for CAT Quant

Train your brain to actually remember CAT Quant with the Sherlock Holmes of study hacks!

Quant formulas disappear from your brain like your umbrella during monsoon season?

You’re not the only one. You sit down to solve a math problem, and suddenly your brain acts like it’s never seen a percentage formula in its life. You knew this stuff yesterday—so where did it go?

Many students spend hours studying math in order to perform well on the CAT's Quant section. And often they forget formulas, make the same mistakes, or their minds go blank during the exam!

But here’s the twist: the problem isn’t you—it’s how you're studying. Active Recall and Spaced Repetition, two brain-hacking techniques, can help this time. Yep, terms that sound fancy and also work! These two memory-based study techniques help you remember for a long time.

If you use these two techniques correctly, the Quant section will be much easier, it will be easier to remember, and your percentile will also increase a lot. Always go for smart study habits, and you’ll stop forgetting formulas, dodge silly mistakes, and see a boost in your percentile without spending five hours a day on math.

What is Active Recall?

Active Recall means trying to remember it yourself, not memorizing it from a book. Suppose you read a formula, then close the book, and write it down.

“How much did I remember?” —This question is the essence of Active Recall.

This habit will help you to give the correct answer instantly when you are under pressure in the exam. A 15–20 minute Active Recall practice for a day will deepen your math understanding and reduce your mistakes.

What is Spaced Repetition?

Spaced Repetition does not mean reading the same thing repeatedly. It indicates revising at specific intervals. For example: If you read a topic today, read it again after 

1 day → after 3 days → after 7 days → after 14 days

The topic or formula will go into your brain's long-term memory by revising step by step in this way. Anki app, Google Sheets, or flashcards made on white paper—Spaced Repetition can be used in everything.

Quant formulas, geometry theory, and number properties. It is very effective for remembering these.

Why Are These Techniques So Important For Cat Quant?

The biggest challenge in CAT math questions is not just knowing, but being able to remember within a time frame.

If you can't remember the formula or shortcut, then you will waste time and make mistakes.

Active Recall teaches you how to remember correctly even under pressure.

Spaced Repetition teaches you how to remember it correctly even after 3 months of learning it today. You may do well in the beginning without these techniques, but will make mistakes in the mock test or final CAT exam 2025.

These two methods together, will help you to study, and remember for a long time.

How to use Active Recall in daily Quant Study?

Suppose you study ratios today, take a break without practicing anything new.

Then ask yourself - what formulas did I learn? Where was the shortcut?

Make a question-answer notebook for yourself, where you will write the question itself:

“What was the shortcut for Average Speed?”

“How to get Compound Interest from the formula for Simple Interest?”

Take 15 minutes at night to revise this notebook with your eyes closed, and try to answer it yourself. Active Recall means challenging your brain, and that will increase your performance in CAT exams.

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How to make a Spaced Repetition Plan for Quant

First, make a topic list as per the CAT Quant syllabus—like Percentages, Profit & Loss, Geometry, Algebra, etc.

Suppose you studied Percentages today. Then revisit that topic after 1 day, then after 3 days, 7 days, and 15 days.

You can track this “review date” in Google Sheets or write it down in a notebook.

You don’t need to re-read the entire chapter during revision. Just revise 4–5 important questions and formulas. Set aside 30 minutes every day just for Spaced Repetition. This habit will keep everything fresh in your mind before the CAT.

Combine Both for Formula & Trick Retention

Suppose you learned a new formula—“Alligation Rule”. On the first day, write down the formula yourself using Active Recall.

Then revise the formula using the Spaced Repetition rule: 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 15 days later.

If you use the two techniques together in this way, the formula will not only be memorized, but you will also remember it in a second during the exam.

Especially if you learn the theories of Algebraic identities, Number properties, and Geometry with this combination, you will not make any mistakes. When you have to make decisions in seconds during CAT, this magic combo will make a difference for you.

Tips to Make It Work Even with a Busy Schedule

Everyone is engaged with their busy schedule. These techniques should be applied in this time. When you have 10 minutes in your hand, try to memorize 5 flashcards.

Do Active Recall for 15 minutes before going to bed.

Set a routine in a specific time every day. You can take just 20 minutes in the morning and remember old topics.

Make a note on your smartphone or set a timer to remind yourself. By developing small habits, you will be 100% prepared before the CAT.

Conclusion

Cracking CAT Quant is not about drowning in practice problems—it's about remembering what matters when it counts. Active Recall builds speed and accuracy under pressure, while Spaced Repetition locks information into your long-term memory.

These two techniques are simple, effective, and perfect for even the busiest students. Start applying them today—and see how your mock scores and confidence rise steadily.