If the sections of an entrance test are listed every time one writes about it, it becomes synonymous with starting every movie with a hackneyed plot. Such a movie would provide entertainment to the audience through a plot that would differ only in parts. Therefore, rather than going into a cursory look at all the sections, we provide details of the quantitative aptitude section dedicated to Mathematics. Read, How to prepare quant section of SSC CGL.
Quantitative Aptitude questions for banking and Government jobs are both of objective and subjective type. The objective ones cover fundamentals while the subjective ones test the ability to use a larger data-set to arrive at the solution. It is not just the answer but the methodology employed that is put to test. CAT quantitative aptitude questions are of the objective type too but a greater in-depth understanding and conceptual clarity is tested.
Simple algebra, geometry and number theory are tested in the basic quant tests but for XAT, CAT, etc. even permutations & combinations, trigonometry, coordinate geometry are topics that are not left untouched. Graphs & coordinate geometry remains a favourite with the examiners with no test going without more than a few questions from the topics.
Number theory questions based on theorems are asked only in CAT or similar tests. For banking & SSC exams, question types relate to number of odd and even factors, divisibility, last digit; time, speed, distance; average, ratio & proportions. Binomial & multi-nomial theorem related questions do make a rare appearance. Read, Prepare for Both Bank and SSC simultaneously.
Each of these questions can further be detailed upon:
- Odd & even factors: GCD, LCM, factor and remainder theorem based questions are based on formulae. These are a few typical questions that are asked in various recruitment tests. Speed and accuracy are the main factor here.
- TSD: Time, speed, and distance questions require solving for time taken for completion of a work, filling of a water tank, those relating to races in linear or circular motion. There are formulae that one can use to solve these questions but solving the question to arrive at the solution would ensure that you never get it wrong. However, implementing a few reliable short-cut tricks would save time.
- Ratio & Proportions: Mixtures, with proportionate amounts of different liquids, forming the one in a specific ratio; prices of varying quantities of products depending on variation in price points to calculate the price of the final mix. Complexity of the questions can be varied depending on the number of times the process is carried out.
- Averages: The questions may deal with only simple averages or a more complex yet simple treatment of numbers. The techniques will not only increase the speed but will only intrigue and shape your interest in numbers.
- Geometry: Simple geometry questions use concepts from what is taught in school till class X. It is only in case of trigonometry and coordinate geometry, that the ones having studied higher mathematics prove themselves to be better candidates than the rest. Maths thus gives their score a pro-rata increase as per the skill level. A higher skill level reflects in the mathematical score.
These mathematical questions can be solved easily and any basic mathematical book would have them listed in hordes but the techniques listed vary. Every book provides a different kind of method to solve those questions. The most efficient one can only be chosen for from among these if all these techniques are used and tested. These are also taught in exam specific coaching institutes. Not all educational institutions in this industry are focused on all examinations but the ones that are, can make a student take the questions on a scale that can be varied for to test the ability of a student.
