Why is Quantitative Aptitude important?

Quantitative Aptitude measures numerical ability and problem solving skills. It is an essential part of all competitive exams and recruitment tests –

• MBA entrance (CAT, MAT, XAT NMAT, GMAT etc.)
• SSC exams (CGL, CHSL etc.)
• Bank Exams (SBI, IBPS, RBI etc.)
• Railway CSAT and others

It is also an integral part of campus recruitment tests conducted by Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant etc. Apart from this, this is a prerequisite to study in the areas of MBA, Finance, Analytics and many more. Along with career goals, it is also used in day to day financial budget and managing personal finance.

What are the important topics in quantitative aptitude?

Important topics of Quantitative Aptitude are -

• Numbers – Classification, Fractions, Decimals, Divisibility, LCM and HCF, Unit Digit, Remainders, Factors, Factorial
• Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple Interest and Compound Interest
• Time and Distance – Questions on Trains, Boats and Stream, Races, Escalators, Relative Speed and Average Speed
• Time and Work, Pipes and Cistern
• Ratio and Proportion, Average, Mixture and Alligation, Partnerships, Questions on Ages
• Permutation and Combination, Probability
• Set Theory and Venn Diagram

Other topics which are part of specific exams are -

• Quadratic Equations and Inequalities
• Surds and Indices
• Logarithms
• Stocks and Share
• Trigonometry - Heights and distances
• Surface Area and Volume
• Statistics - Mean, Median and Mode

How should I study Quantitative Aptitude?

Syllabus for the Exam: Note down the syllabus of the exam you are preparing for. Also, download previous year papers to know your level.

Start with Basics: If you want to prepare Quantitative Aptitude for exam or otherwise, start with the basics. The following are prerequisite for Quantitative Aptitude -

• Tables up to 20
• Squares and Cubes upto 20
• Complement to 100
• Fractions, Decimals
• Basic addition and multiplication techniques
• Solving simple equations

Clear Fundamentals for each topic: This is very important to clear your concept for each of the topics before attempting questions. For this, study the topic concepts followed by topic exercises.

Note down Important Points and Formulas

Practice: Practice is the key to success. Once you are clear with topic concepts, Practice with variety of questions. You should take Full length Quantitative Aptitude test only after covering all topics.

Recognise your strong and weak areas and work on them. Increase your accuracy.

Increase your Speed with Mock Test: Time bound mock test should only be taken once you have covered all topics and have taken sectional tests. Mock tests will enhance your speed which is very important to score high in a competitive exam.

How can I score good marks in Quantitative Aptitude?

Focus on Syllabus: First, have a clear understanding of syllabus. If it is given for the exam you are planning to appear, download and go through it thoroughly. If, syllabus is not given, go through previous year papers to have an idea of syllabus.

Make a Study Plan: Make a study plan depending on exam date. The study plan should follow a weekly schedule to cover certain topics and must include the following –

• Topic wise coverage of basic concepts
• Topic wise practice and tests
• Sectional test
• Revision

As you must be preparing for an exam, this plan will be a part of the bigger Study plan covering all subjects.

Adhere to the Study Plan: You have to adhere to the study plan in all circumstances. This will make you confident to face questions in real exam.

Take Mock Test: You should also take time bound Mock Test to access your level of preparation. Keep on identifying your week areas and work on them. It will increase your Speed with Accuracy. Taking mock tests will also help you to form your strategy in real exam.

Plan for the real exam in advance: The strategy to complete the paper must have been tested by you in mock tests. Adopt the same strategy. A common strategy is to complete the paper in two attempts. This strategy should be same as you must have practices in mock tests. If the complete paper is visible to you, go through it quickly to glance how many questions you will attempt in the first attempt. Allocate the time to complete as many questions as possible in the first attempt. Once done, go for other questions in second attempt.

If the complete paper is not visible, allocate time for each of the questions and adhere to that. If you are struck, leave the question and move on.