The USAT has 25 quantitative reasoning MCQs in every group. The maths is mostly Matric level: percentages, ratios, averages, speed, work and simple algebra. The hard part is doing it fast without a calculator, because HEC does not allow calculators in the test centre.
Topics that come the most
- Percentages, profit and loss
- Ratios and proportion
- Averages
- Speed, distance and time
- Work and time (how many days to finish a job)
- Simple equations and algebra
- Basic geometry: angles, area and perimeter
- Reading simple tables and graphs
Formulas to learn by heart
| Topic | Formula |
|---|---|
| Percentage change | (change ÷ original) × 100 |
| Speed | distance ÷ time |
| Average | total ÷ number of items |
| Work together | 1/A + 1/B = 1/(time together) |
| Area of a circle | π × r × r |
| Area of a triangle | ½ × base × height |
Solved examples
Percentage
The population of a town rose from 1800 to 2070. What was the percentage increase?
Answer: 15%. Increase = 270. Divide by the original value: 270 ÷ 1800 × 100 = 15%. Many students divide by 2070 and choose 13.04%, which is a trap option.
Ratios
If a:b = 2:3 and b:c = 4:5, what is a:c?
Answer: 8:15. Multiply the fractions: 2/3 × 4/5 = 8/15.
Work and time
A and B together finish a job in 12 days. A alone takes 20 days. How long will B take alone?
Answer: 30 days. B does 1/12 − 1/20 = 1/30 of the job per day.
Unitary method
If 9 notebooks cost Rs. 540, how much do 11 cost?
Answer: Rs. 660. One costs 540 ÷ 9 = 60, so 11 cost 660.
What our question bank shows
We have 556 quantitative questions in our bank. We marked 39% as easy, 47% as medium and only 15% as hard. So most of this section is about speed and not making silly mistakes. My advice is to check the "trap" options. Test makers put the answer you get from the most common mistake as one of the choices.
Tips to get faster
- Practice without a calculator from day 1.
- Learn squares up to 20 and the 5%, 10%, 25% shortcuts.
- Estimate first. If 3 options are far from your estimate, you may not need the full sum.
- Skip any question that takes more than 2 minutes and come back later.
HAT students: the same topics come in the HAT quantitative section. See the HAT test pattern to know how many maths questions your category has.
Common questions
How many maths questions are in the USAT?
USAT has 25 quantitative reasoning MCQs in every group, plus extra maths in USAT-E, USAT-CS and USAT-GS.
Is a calculator allowed in USAT or HAT?
No. HEC does not allow calculators in the test centre, so practice doing sums by hand.
What level of maths comes in USAT quantitative reasoning?
Mostly Matric level: percentages, ratios, averages, speed, work, simple algebra and basic geometry.
How can I get faster at USAT maths?
Learn the main formulas by heart, practice without a calculator, and do 20 timed questions a day.