BANK PO, SBI PO-1

SSC-10
AO AAO-20
RBI PH1-26

[Studyplan] IBPS CWE PO/MT: Quantitative Aptitude, Maths, Data Interpretation (DI),
Speed Maths
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2.
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4.
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15.

IBPS Data Interpretation & Maths: Internal breakup

Ignore following topics
Speed Maths
Booklist for IBPS Data Interpretation & Quantitative Aptitude
#1: Data Interpretation (DI)
#2: BODMAS/Simplification
#3: Number sequence-series
#4: Linear Equations
#5: Permutation-Combination-Probability
#6: Average
#7: Ratio-Proportion-variations
#8: Percentages, profit-loss, SI-CI
#9: Number theory and Remainders
#10: Geometry (Area-Volume-Perimeter)
#11: Time-Speed-Work-Distance

IBPS Data Interpretation & Maths: Internal breakup

Topicwise Breakup IBPS CWE PO/MT

2011

2012

Data Interpretation (DI)

20

15

BODMAS/Simplification

10

10

number sequence-series(although reasoning topic but asked here)

Linear Equation

Permutation-Combination-Probability

Average

%, profit loss, simple-compound interest

Ratio-Proportion-Variation

Number theory (Remainders)

Time-Speed-Work

Geometry (Area-Volume-Perimeter)

Total

50

50

Obviously high priority = DI + BODMAS + Sequence-series.

And, Although not many questions are coming from the individual topics of percentages, profit loss, simple-compound interest, Time-speed-word, ratio,
averages etc. but collectively, these topics help you raise your score by atleast 10 marks. Hence their Cost:Benefit is quite good. (compared to the amount
of data youve to memorize to get 10 marks out of Misc.GK/Sports/Persons in News type MCQs.) Therefore, donot run away from Maths, prepare it
diligently.

Ignore following topics

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Quadratic equations (ax2+bx+c=0)

Geometry theory (except area-volume-perimeter)
Trigonometry
Coordinate Geometry
logarithm

Speed Maths
In Both previous years, at least 25 out of 30 questions came from Data interpretation+ BODMAS only
for both ^these topics, speed Maths=essential. Although internet is full of techniques of Speed Maths, Vedic Maths, but you must atleast master following
techniques:

1.

Trachtenbergs Techniques for:

a.
Multiplication by 5. It also indirectly helps you find out half (50%)of the given number as well. Because mx5= 10m/2. This helps you
eliminate wrong answers quickly whenever youve find percentages.
b.
Multiplication by 9. It indirectly helps you guestimate the division by 11 as well. Because m/11=~0.9m
c.
Quick multiplication by 11. It indirectly helps you guestimate the number division by 9 as well. Because m/9=~0.11m

here is the wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachtenberg_system

2.

Two digit division / long division / percentages approximation explained on

http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-long-division-two-digit-division-calculation-without-tears-and-without-boring-vedic-speed-maths.html

3.

Divisibility rules for various numbers (Given in NCERT, Quantitative aptitude books)

4.

Multiplication tables of 2 to 9, 12 to 25 must be learned by heart. Especially the tables of 13, 17, 19 and 23.

5.

Squares upto 29 and cubes upto 12 (required for the sequence-series questions and BODMAS)

6.

After that, as per your time and mood, learn the Vedic math techniques for finding cube-roots, square-roots of large numbers; three-digit
multiplication etc.etc.etc.

Booklist for IBPS Data Interpretation & Maths

NCERT Maths
for clearing the basic concepts: all of them available at Mrunal.org/download

Mrunal.org/aptitude
for simplified techniques on %, Compound interest, permutation-combination-probability etc.

Require mainly for the Data interpretation practice.

Any one BankPO paperset

Any one book

1. Arihants paperset of previous Bank PO exams

2. Kiran Prakashans Practice book workbook for IBPS PO/MT (with FREE
CD for computer test)
3. If youve paperset from any other publication, thatll also work just
fine.

Im biased for Sarvesh Kumar (Quantam CAT) by Arihant Publication

onMaths/Quantitative
Aptitude

Reason: for the given price range Sarvesh Kumar helps in all
competitive exams: starting from SSC CGL, PSU, IBPS, UPSC to all the
way upto CAT.
While its competitors (RS.Aggarwal, M.Tyra etc) start biting dust
when it comes to geometry-theory, trigonometry, and quadratic
equations for SSC-CGL and CDS.
However, As far as IBPS is concerned, all books work fine.
Hell, You can even do without a book, by combo of NCERTs+
mrunal.org/aptitude +practice papersets.

#1: Data Interpretation (DI)

Can be of two types

DI

with photo (Chart)

without photo

Example

1. pie chart
2. bar graphs
3. line graphs

1. Paragraph/caselets (youre given a lengthy paragraph on

how a company has total 1200 workers out of them 500
are males and 300 union-workers etc.etc.etc.)
2. Youre given a big table about temperature, number of
students in university etc. and youve solve questions
based on that.

Essential
Skill

1. percentage: calculation
and approximation
2. multiplication and long
division (two-digit
division)
3. Ratios

Addition-subtraction. (although sometimes will require %, ratio,

division as well.)

How is Bank DI different from other exams?

In SSC CGL, LIC, State PCS exams, usually chart- based simple case. Doesnt involve lengthy calculations.
In IBPS/Bank PO, even if chart-based DI is asked, often youll be given an additional table showing ratio/sales etc. So youve to utilize the
information from both chart + table to derive the answers.

How to approach?
Data interpretation doesnt have much theory, except in pie-chart case (about conversion between % and circle degrees + when and where will the answer
= data-insufficient)

1.
2.
3.
4.

First master the minimum speed math techniques given above.

Understand the Ratio related concepts.
Understand the basic concepts of bar graph, pie-charts etc. from Class 11 NCERT Statistics.
Then start solving DI questions given the paperset book (Arihant / Kiran )

#2: BODMAS/Simplification
Bank exams (PO and Clerk) have an unwritten rule: first 10-12 questions must be from BODMAS.
Here are two sample questions

1.
2.

[Square root (6354)] x 34.993=?

39.89% of 4331 divided by 58.779% of 5003=?

#1: first clear you basic concepts about following

Simplification (BODMAS)

NCERT Class 8 Chap 1

Surds, indices

1.
2.

Roots, squares, Cubes

Basics from NCERT Class 8 Chap 6 and 7.

NCERT Class 8 Chap 12

Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 1

#2: then master the speed math techniques I listed earlier.

#3: Have a target of solving atleast 10 questions from your paperset every night, before going to sleep.

#3: Number sequence-series

Although it is a reasoning topic, but theyve asked it in Maths section. Consider following examples from previous IBPS papers

Q. In the following number series, only one number is wrong. Find out the wrong number

8424, 4212, 2106, 1051, 526.5, 263.25, 131.625

Answer-choices

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

131.625
1051
4212
8424
263.25

Preparation source

1.
2.

for the warm up exercise, go through chapter 3 (Classification) of RS Aggarwals Reasoning book
Then maximum practice, go through your paperset book.

Bad thing about such questions: Sometimes youll be able to decipher the pattern within a minute, and sometimes, even after doing trial-error for more than
15 minutes, you might not see the pattern. Therefore, my suggestion is: during the exam, you put the entire set of sequence-series questions on mark and
review. (And when youre done with other sections, come back and solve these questions at the end of exam.) Dont waste initial momentum here.

#4: Linear Equations

Another reliable area in IBPS. Sometimes, youll need to apply concepts of linear equations, to tackle questions from Time-speed-distance, ratioproportion-variation, averages etc as well.

Here are some samples questions from previous exams:

1.
2.
3.

Rubina could get equal number of Rs. 55, Rs. 85 and Rs. 105 tickets for a movie. She spends Rs. 2940 for all the tickets. How many of each did she
buy?
The ratio of the present age of Manisha and Deepali is 5 : X. Manisha is 9 years younger than Parineeta. Parineetas age after 9 years will be 33
years. The difference between Deepalis and Manishas age is the same as the present age of Parineeta. What should come in place of X?
Akash scored 73 marks in subject A. He scored 56% marks in subject B and X marks in subject C. Maximum marks in each subject were 150.The
overall percentage marks obtained by Akash in all the three subjects together were 54%. How many marks did he score in subject C ?

Two things to be kept in mind, while solving questions on linear equation:

#1: keep minimum variables

Suppose the question runs like this The sum of present ages of father and son is 56, and 5 years ago Sons age was.blah blah blah.find the
present age of Father.

avoid this

do this

assume fathers present age f

sons present age s

assume fathers present age f

assume Sons present Age=(56-f)

here you assumed two variables f and s= lengthier calculations and

chances of mistakes.

here youve to worry about only one

variable f

#2: Cannot be determined

Suppose you end up with two equations like this:

I.
II.

x+y=5
y+z=6

Here youve two equations but three variables (x, y and z). You can never find out the unique value of x, y, z in such situation. Hence answer = Cannot be
determined.

But sometimes, even two variable-two equation set can be impossible to solve. For example

No solution

I.
II.

x+ 2y=4
2x+ 4y= 12

infinite solution

2x+ 3y=94x+ 6y=18

To learn more about ^this, refer to NCERT Maths Class 10, Chapter3, table given on the page #9.

Preparation source for Linear Equations

1.

2.

Understand basic concepts from

a.
NCERT Class 8 Chap 2 and 9.
b.
Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 4
c.
Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 3.
Then maximum practice from your Quantitative Aptitude book and OR paper set book.

#5: Permutation-Combination-Probability

Most of that can be solved without memorizing any formulas. In my opinion, this is the easiest of all math problems. Go through following articles

Permutation-Combination

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

[Aptitude] Permutation Combination made easy without Formulas

[Aptitude] Combination: Coins possible Sums (without formula)
[Aptitude] PnC: arrange such that two people Always sitting together?
[Aptitude] PnC: How many Ways to arrange letters of word RECUPERATE (Permutation without Formulas)
[Aptitude] PnC Arrange digits in ascending order to form numbers (asked in UPSC 2009)
[Aptitude] PnC: Conditional Selection in Committee
[Aptitude] PnC: Binomial Expansion. How many ways to select one or more out of given Items?

Probability

1.
2.

[Aptitude] Probability Made Easy (Extension of Permutation Combination Concept!)

[Aptitude] Probability : Two Dice problems Sums and multiples

Then solve maximum questions from your Paperset book.

Sample Questions from previous exams

1.

2.
3.

(IBPS 2011) An urn contains 4 green, 5 blue, 2 red and 3 yellow marbles. Answer following questions
1.
If two marbles are drawn at random, what is the probability that both are red or at least one is red?
2.
If three marbles are drawn at random, what is the probability that at least one is yellow?
3.
If eight marbles are drawn at random, what is the probability that there are equal numbers of marbles of each colour?
4.
If three marbles are drawn at random, what is the probability that none is green?
5.
If four marbles are drawn at random, what is the probability that two are blue and two are red?
(IBPS 2012) A bag contains 13 white and 7 black balls. Two balls drawn at random, what is the probability that both are of same color?
(IBPS 2012) In How many different ways can the letters of the word THERAPY can be arranged so that the vowels never come together?

#6: Average
Go through following articles, then maximum practice from your paper set book.

1.
2.

[Aptitude] Averages: Entry / Removal of 1 element => Increase / Decrease in Average Shortcut method explained
[Aptitude] Averages: More than two elements added / removed : shortcut technique explained

Sample questions

1.
2.

3.

The average marks in English of a class of 24 students is 56. If the marks of three students were misread as 44, 45 and 61 in lieu of the actual marks
48, 59 and 67 respectively, then what would be the correct average?
The sum of the ages of 4 members of a family 5 years ago was 94 years. Today, when the daughter has been married off and replaced by a daughterin-law, the sum of their ages is 92. Assuming that there has been no other change in the family structure and all the people are alive, what is the
difference in the age of the daughter and the daughter-in-law?
In an entrance examination, Ritu scored 56 percent marks, Smita scored 92 percent marks and Rina scored 634 marks. The maximum marks of the
examination is 875. What is the average marks scored by all the three girls together?

Alligations (Wine-Water Mixture)

Although not asked in previous exams but since it is an allied topic of averages, so just to be safe, go through following articles

1.
2.

[Aptitude] Alligations,Mixtures,Alloys: Water,Milk,Wine mixing: Weighted Average Made Easy for CSAT,CAT,CMAT,IBPS Aptitude
[Aptitude] Alligation: Advanced applications in Interest rates, Profit-loss, Average Wages (Wine-Water Concept)

#7: Ratio-Proportion-variations

NCERT Class 8 Chap 13.

then max practice from your Quantitative Aptitude book and or papersets
Also prepare the allied topic: Partnership, using this article http://mrunal.org/2012/05/aptitude-partnership-and-profit-sharing.html

Sample Questions from previous papers

1.
2.
3.

A certain amount was to be distributed among A, B and C in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4 respectively, but was erroneously distributed in the ratio 7 : 2 : 5
respectively. As a result of this, B got? 40 less. What is the amount?
Rs.73,689 are divided between A and B in the ratio 4 : 7. What is the difference between thrice the share of A and twice the share of B?
The fare of a bus is X for the first five kilometers and 13/- per kilometer thereafter. If a passenger pays Rs. 2402/- for a journey of 187 kilometers,
what is the value of X?

#8: Percentages, profit-loss, SI-CI

No need to mugup any formulas. Can be solved effortlessly, just go through following articles

1.
2.
3.

[Aptitude] Concepts of Marked Price and Successive Discounts (Profit-Loss) without (stupid) formulas
[Aptitude] Compound Interest Rate, Population Growth without Formulas
[Aptitude] Product Consistency: If Sugar price increases then consumption should be Decreased by What %, Time-Speed-Distance problems,

Then solve maximum sums at home.

Sample Questions from previous IBPS PO Exams:

1.
2.
3.
4.

An article was purchased for Rs.78.350/. Its price was marked up by 30%. It was sold at a discount of 20% on the marked up price. What was the
profit percent on the cost price?
What is the difference between the simple and compound interest on Rs. 7,300/- at the rate of 6% per annum in 2 years?
The simple interest accrued on an amount of Rs. 22,500 at the end of four years is Rs. 10,800. What would be the compound interest accrued on the
same amount at the same rate of interest at the end of two years?
Ramolas monthly income is three times Ravinas monthly income, Ravinas monthly income is fifteen percent more that Ruchikas monthly
income. Ruchikas monthly income is Rs. 32,000. What is Ramolas annual income?

#9: Number theory and Remainders

Topic

approach

Divisibility, remainders
LCM and HCF
Unknown numbers from given conditions
Fractions-comparisons.

This article explaining the concept of HCF, LCM click me

NCERT Class 7 Chap 2, 9 (fraction)
NCERT Class 10 Chap 1 (divisibility)
Finally practice sums from your Quantitative aptitude book / Papersets.

Sample Questions from previous papers

1.
2.
3.

When X is subtracted from the numbers 9, 15 and 27, the remainders are in continued proportion. What is the value of X?
The product of three consecutive even numbers is 4032. The product of the first and the third number is 252. What is five times the second number?
Sum of three consecutive numbers is 2262. What is 41% of the highest number?

#10: Geometry (Area-Volume-Perimeter)

1.

2.

Basics from
a.
NCERT Class 8 Chap 3, 11.
b.
NCERT Class 9 Chap 9, 12, 13.
c.
NCERT Class 10 Chap 13
Then maximum practice @home.

Sample Questions from IBPS-2012

I.
II.

The area of a square is 1444 square meters. The breadth of a rectangle is 1/4th the side of the square and the length of the rectangle is thrice the
breadth. What is the difference between the area of the square and the area of the rectangle?
The premises of a bank are to be renovated. The renovation is in terms of flooring. Certain areas are to be floored either with marble or wood. All
rooms/halls and pantry are rectangular. The area to be renovated comprises of a hall for customer transaction measuring 23 m by 29 m, branch
managers room measuring 13 m by 17 m, a pantry measuring 14 m by 13 m, a record keeping cum server room measuring 21rn by 13 m and locker

area measuring 29 m by 21 m. The total area of the bank is 2000 square meters. The cost of wooden flooring is t 170/- per square meter and the cost
of marble flooring is Rs.190/- per square meter. The locker area, record keeping cum server room and pantry are to be floored with marble. The
branch managers room and the hall for customer transaction are to be floored with wood. No other area is to be renovated in terms of flooring.
1.
What is the respective ratio of the total cost of wooden flooring to the total cost of marble flooring?
2.
If the four walls and ceiling of the branch managers room (The height of the room is 12 meters) are to be painted at the cost of 1901- per
square meter, how much will be the total cost of renovation of the branch managers room including the cost of flooring?
3.
If the remaining area of the bank is to be carpeted at the rate of Rs. 110/- per square meter, how much will be the increment in the total cost of
renovation of bank premises?
4.
What is the percentage area of the bank that is not to be renovated?
5.
What is the total cost of renovation of the hall for customer transaction and the locker area?

#11: Time-Speed-Work-Distance
All of them can be solved with our universal STD formula. See following articles to learn the concept

Time-speed-Distance

1. Trains, Platforms TSD (Time, Speed,

Distance) made easy
2. Boats and Streams made-easy using
our STD-Table Method
3. Average Speed made easy without
Formulas
4. STD table : Application in train man
bridge, time and work problems
5. Time n Distance: Early and late to
office (shortcut using product
consistency method)
6. Product Consistency: Time-SpeedDistance problems

Time-speed-work

1. [Speed Time Work] Two Men can finish a work, A is 3x

more efficient than B, B leaves before completion &
variety of cases
2. [Speed Time Work] Three men can finish a work in x
days, A & B start work, C joins after x day, share in wages
& other special cases
3. Time n Work: 4 men and 6 women can complete a work
in 8 Days then

Sample Questions from previous IBPS exams

1.

A and B together can complete a task in 20 days. B and C together can complete the same task in 30 days. A and C together can complete the same
task in 40 days. What is the respective ratio of the number of days taken by A when completing the same task alone to the number of days taken by
C when completing the same task alone?

AP-GP
Although these questions were not seen in recent exams but if youve time and mood left, prepare the basics from NCERT and practice a few MCQs. You
might get lucky for question or two!

Arithmetic Progression

NCERT Class 10 Chap 5.

Geometric Progression

NCERT class 11 chapter 9.

For more on IBPS PO/CWE related articles and study plans, visit Mrunal.org/IBPS

[Studyplan] SSC-CGL Maths, Quantitative Aptitude, Algebra, Trigonometry: Approach,

Booklist, Strategy, Free Studymaterial 2013 for Combined Graduate Level Exam Tier 1, 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Introduction
#1: Getting the conceptual clarity
Breakup: SSC-CGL Tier I (2010, 2011, 2012)
Breakup: SSC-CGL Tier II (2010, 2011, 2012)
#2: Practice
Choice of Quantitative Aptitude Book?
Books for Maths/Quantitative Aptitude
Download: NCERT Maths Textbooks
Download: Blank answersheet

introduction
Competitive exams are meant for real-men and women. This is no country for crybabies, kids, college teens and no0bs. So first of all, you must get rid of
the following loser mindsets:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Yaar this maths is so hard, I cant do it.

Im not from science/engineering background hence this is not my cup of tea.
Im poor in maths and I cannot improve.
Thik hai, dekh lenge. (alright, Ill see).

Maths is not difficult. All it requires is concept clarity + lot of practice. In SSC-CGL exam, youve to face Mathematics at two stages

Stage

Maths-Questions

Penalty

Tier-I (Prelims)

50 Qs

Negative 0.25

Tier-II (Mains) Paper I: Arithmetical Ability

100 Qs worth 200 marks

Negative 0.50

The Approach for Maths, stands on two pillars.

Pillars

1. Conceptual
clarity

2. Lot of practice

How?

1. NCERTs (Free download links @bottom)

2. Mrunal.org/aptitude
3. For some topics, directly Quantitative aptitude books.

From Quantitative aptitude books.

There are lot of books in market, the question is, which one to refer? It is
explained at the bottom of this article.

#1: Getting the conceptual clarity

Well divide Maths or Quantitative Aptitude, into topics and further into subtopics.
Your task is to cover one topic at a time, first get conceptual-clarity and then solve maximum questions at home.
Whenever you learn any shortcut technique, you note it down in your diary.
Similarly, whenever you make any mistake while solving sums, you also note that down in your diary. Night before the exam, you review that diary
of mistakes. (why do this? Because it is the Art of Aptitude (Click ME)

Topic

Number
theory

Subtopics

How to approach

1. Divisibility,
remainders
2. LCM and HCF
3. Unknown numbers
from given
conditiofor
4. Fractionscomparisions.

NCERT Class 7 Chap 2, 9 (fraction)

NCERT Class 10 Chap 1 (divisibility)
Finally your Quantitative aptitude book.

NCERT Class 8 Chap 1

NCERT Class 8 Chap 12

Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 1

Basics from NCERT Class 8 Chap 6 and 7.

Mothers age was x and daughters age..

3 mangos and 5 bananas purchased for
X+1/2x+3=3/8 then find X.

^This type of stuff. Just practice and youll get a hang of it.
Basics given in NCERT Class 8 Chap 2 and 9.
Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 4
Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 3.

Factorization and roots. Heavily asked in Tier-II.

NCERT Class 8 Chap 14
And then NCERT Class 9 Chap 2

1. Simplification
(BODMAS)

Basic
Maths

2. Surds, indices

3. Roots, squares,
Cubes

1. Linear equation

Algebra

2. Quadratic
equations,
Polynomials

1. Wine-Water mixture
(Alligations)

2. Simple Average
Avg and
Ratios

3. Ratio-Proportionvariations

4. Partnership

STD

1.
2.
3.
4.

Time speed distance

Trains, platforms
Boats-streams
Time and Work
5. Pipes and Cisterns

1. Angles, sides,
bisectors, circles etc

2. Mensuration (area
and volume).

Geometry

3. Trigonometry

Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 4

Can be solved without formula. Go

through http://mrunal.org/2012/03/aptitudealligationsmixturesalloys.html

Lolz

For ratio-proportion NCERT Class 8 Chap 13.

http://mrunal.org/2012/05/aptitude-partnership-and-profitsharing.html

All of them can be solved with just one Universal STD formula.
Explained inwww.Mrunal.org/aptitude

NCERT Class 9 Chap 6, 7, 8 and 10. Quantitative aptitude book.

Basics explained in NCERT Class 8 Chap 3, 11.

Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 9, 12, 13.
Lastly Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 13

Understand basics from NCERT Class 10 Chap 8 and 9. Then examoriented concepts from your Quantitative Aptitude book.

Basic % (increase,
decrease in
consumption,
population)

Also do NCERT Class 8 Chap 8.

Data-interpretation

Mere extention of % concept. Just practice.

cases.

PCP

For long division, use this approximation

method: http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-long-division-twodigit-division-calculation-without-tears-and-without-boring-vedicspeed-maths.html

Profit, loss, discount,

marked price.

http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-concepts-of-marked-price-andsuccessive-discounts-profit-loss-without-stupid-formulas.html

Simple and compound

interest rate

http://mrunal.org/2012/04/aptitude-compound-interest-rate.html

1. Permutation
2. Combination
3. Probability

1. Coordinate

Lately SSC has started asking 1-2 question in each of Tier I and II.
But they can be solved by merely plugging numbers in the
readymade formulas given in your Quantitative Aptitude book.

Again, rarely asked in SSC. Sometimes a question or two comes

in the Reasoning portion of Tier-I.
Basically you just have to plug in the values in formulas. Basics of
Arithmetic progression explained in NCERT Class 10 Chap 5.

Geometry

2. Progression:
Misc.

Arithmetic+
Geometry

3. Logerithms

Not asked as such.

But Sometimes a question or two comes in the Reasoning
portion of Tier-I. Hence not much attention necessary.
But again, they too can be solved without mugging up formulas:
go through various articles on www.Mrunal.org/aptitude

Not asked.

Breakup: SSC-CGL Tier I (2010, 2011, 2012)

Topic

2010

2011

2012

Ratio+Partnership

number theory

Avg+alligation

TSD

Misc.

basic math

11

11

algebra

DI

14

Trigonometry

Geometry

12

Total

50

50

50

The 2012s Tier-I paper, is trend-breaker. Because

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The conventional questions from ratio-proportion, basic maths, time-speed-work are asked for namesake only.
Otherwise, Out of 50 Maths questions in tier-I, almost 30 questions are from just Geometry+Trig+Percentage application.
Earlier, they used to ask mostly area-volume-perimeter type questions from Geometry segment. You just had to plug-in values into the formulas and
get the answer.
But This 2012s paper has mostly theory based geometry (angle, bisector, tangent, inequality of triangles etc.)
Similarly the difficulty level of algebra, number theory based questions is bit raised.

Or perhaps SSC too decided to employ the BackbreakingTM move of UPSC! Anyways, jokes apart, the lesson here is, adapt.

Breakup: SSC-CGL Tier II (2010, 2011, 2012)

Type

2010

2011

2012

basic math

11

Misc.

number theory

DI

10

20

Ratio+Partnership

Avg+alligation

TSD

12

Trigonometry

Algebra

10

13

10

27

18

19

Geometry

14

10

27

Total

100

100

100

Here too, Geometry+Trigonometry have been given emphasis like never before.
Almost 65% of the paper is made up of Geometry, Trig, Percentage and Algebra (and in that too, mostly Quadratic equations.)

#2: Practice

Merely knowing the concepts or formulas wont help. Because unless you practice different variety of questions, you wont become proficient in
applying those concepts flawlessly in the actual-exam.

Second, despite knowing concept and formulas, people make silly mistakes either in calculation or in pluging the values.

So it is beyond doubt that you have to practice excimer number of questions at home.

Third reason- Tier I has 200 questions in 120 limits. =not even 2 minutes per question. Plus, questions reasoning and comprehension might take
more than 5 minutes! Therefore speed is essential. Since there is negative marking system, accuracy also matters.
The question is where to get the practice? Which book should be used for SSC exam?

Choice of Quantitative Aptitude Book?

In all competitive exams, uncertainity factor is involved. Despite your best preparation, you might lose the success-train by 2-3 marks.
Therefore you must never put all eggs in one basket.
While you are preparing for SSC, you should also keep open mind and apply for other competitive exams, such as IBPS, ACIO, ONGC, Railways,
LIC, CDS, Coast Guard etc. (Depending on your career-taste).
Publication houses will come up with new books for each and every of ^these exams, but we have neither the time nor the money to buy a new book
for every new exam.
Such readymade books are only skimmed down version of original topicbooks. For example, if there is SSC-FCI exam, or ACIO exam, these people
will combine a few topics of GK, maths, reasoning and english. And present you a book.
Problem= you dont get comprehensive understanding or coverage. Besides, given the population of India, competition level is always high,
irrespective of exam. So half-hearted preparations with readymade condensed books dont help much.

Almost all of these exams follow same structure:

1.
2.
3.
4.

General awareness
Maths
Reasoning (Verbal, Non-Verbal)
English vocabularly, grammar and comprehension.

How do they differ from each other?= number of questions, difficulty level and inclusion / exclusion of particular subtopics.
So when youre picking up books for the first time, you should choose the books, that have universal usefulness for similar exams. That way your
time, effort and money will be saved.

Books for Maths/Quantitative Aptitude

DONOT use Quantitative Aptitude by R.S.Agarwal for SSC-CGL.

Problems with RS Agarwals Math book:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The way SSC-CGL question pattern is transforming, R.S.Agarwals book on Quantitative aptitude, is just not upto the mark to match this changing
environment.
Its chapter on Trigonometry (Height and Distance) is simply insufficient to handle SSC-CGL level bombarding.
Similarly coverage of algebra, quadratic equations and number theory is either absent or just for namesake.
Geometry coverage is mostly confined to area-volume-perimeter (=mensuration). But SSC-CGL is moving towards Non-mensuration geometry
(angle, bisectors, midpoint, circles, triangles etc.)
The printing and presentation is very cluttered. He has written the book assuming that you were already good at maths from school level.
If youre already good at basic concepts, use this book for practicing and improving your speed, else dont bother, there are better books in market.

Pricing factor

Author

Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations (S.Chand)

Quantum CAT (Arihant)

Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Arihant)

R.S.Agarwal

Sarvesh Kumar

Rajesh Verma

The point is, both books of Arihant Publication (Sarvesh or Rajesh) are way better than R.S.Agarwal, in terms of content, presentation, language and
coverage, without being too expensive than R.S.Agarwals book.
And both of them have universal application for almost all of the competitive exams in India (for maths segment).
My advice, go with either Rajesh Verma or Sarvesh Kumar. Then the question, which one to pick up?

Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma.

The size and price factor goes in favor of

this book.
Concepts, techqniues, readymade formulas
given here and there. Language,
presentation is lucid.
Algebra, quadratic equation and
Trigonometry specific chapters are given
for exclusively for SSC.
If you solve all the sums of this book, then
mathematics portion of SSC-CGL (Tier-I and
II) will be as easy as a walk in the park.

While it is excellent for SSC, IBPS, UGC, LIC,

CDS etc. level exams, its utility starts
diminishing as you move towards higher-

Quantam CAT by Sarvesh Kumar

Although book is written for CAT and Management

exams, he starts explaining everything from basics.
Then exercises are divided into Introductory<level
1<Level 2<Final round, based on difficulty level.
Thus it becomes ideal choice for any aptitude exam.
So for lower level exams (SSC/IBPS), you should solve
all his solved examples, then introductory exercises,
finally level 1.
Thatll be quite sufficient.

Function, graphs, Quadratic equations, Geometry,

Permutation-Combination-Probability coverage is
Thorough. (Hell even more sums than Arun
Sharmas).

end exams.

This make it ideal text-book for CAT/CMAT and

other higher end exams.

^But merely getting either of these books, is not going to make you a topper.
If you want to become truly invincible for the maths portion of any competitive exam, then you must practice maximum numbers of questions at home
and maintain a diary of mistakes.

This concludes how to approach Mathematics/Quantiative Aptitude for SSC-CGL exam.

Now only two topics remain (will be discussed later, in separate articles):

1.
2.

How to approach Logical Reasoning

How to approach English vocabulary, grammar and comprehension

Download: NCERT Maths Textbooks

Mrunal.org/download
Download: Blank answersheet
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9AJvFSzIyiwVGZBbHMtUWEwV2M
Studyplans for other topics of SSC-CGL
Click on following articles to know strategy, booklist for General Awareness, Reasoning and English.

General Awareness for Tier I

Click me

Reasoning / General Intelligence for Tier I

Click me

English Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension for Tier I and II

Click me

1. INSURANCE AO AAO: Approach: Maths, Quantative aptitude for LIC

How is LIC maths different from SSC CGL?
How is LIC maths different from IBPS/SBI PO?
Book for Quantitative aptitude?

Approach: Maths, Quantative aptitude for LIC

Maths of LIC is pretty much the 90s era Bank/SSC tests = few questions on BODMAS, algebra,
percentages, average-alligiation, Time speed work distance and youre done. So, If youre a serious player
of SSC/IBPS, then it should hardly pose any challenge to you.

How is LIC maths different from SSC CGL?

Trigonometry not asked

Geometry not asked (only mensuration asked that Is area, volume, perimeter)
Coordinate geometry not asked.

How is LIC maths different from IBPS/SBI PO?

LICs data interpretation questions are very cheap and easy compared to them.

ok, Question (again) is how to prepare it in a systematic manner?

Ofcourse you can just mugup a few formulas, practice a few questions from book. But thats like
firefighting / desi-jugaad= not good.
Why? Because apart from LIC, youd also be preparing for IBPS, SSC, CDS, CAPF, ONGC, CSAT,
CAT (depending on your taste). So better approach is: first get basic concepts clear (from NCERT
etc), then try maximum questions.

Topic

Subtopics

1. Number
theory

Divisibility,
remainders
LCM and HCF
Unknown
numbers from
given condition
for
Fractions-

How to approach

Basics of LCM, HCF explained in this article click me

NCERT Class 7 Chap 2, 9 (fraction)
NCERT Class 10 Chap 1 (divisibility)
Finally your Quantitative aptitude book.

comparisions.

2. Basic
Maths

Simplification
(BODMAS)

NCERT Class 8 Chap 1

Surds, indices

NCERT Class 8 Chap 12

Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 1

Roots, squares,
Cubes

Basics from NCERT Class 8 Chap 6 and 7.

Mothers age was x and daughters age..

3 mangos and 5 bananas purchased for
X+1/2x+3=3/8 then find X.
^This type of stuff. Just practice and youll get a hang of
it.
Basics given in NCERT Class 8 Chap 2 and 9.
Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 4
Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 3.

Not asked.

Linear equation

3. Algebra

Quadratic
equations,
Polynomials

Wine-Water
mixture
(Alligations)

Can be solved without formula. Go

through http://mrunal.org/2012/03/aptitudealligationsmixturesalloys.html

Simple Average

Lolz

RatioProportionvariations

For ratio-proportion NCERT Class 8 Chap 13.

http://mrunal.org/2012/05/aptitude-partnership-andprofit-sharing.html

4. Avg and
Ratios

Partnership

5. STD

All of them can be solved with just one Universal STD

formula. Explained inwww.Mrunal.org/aptitude

Angles, sides,
bisectors, circles
etc

Not asked.

Mensuration
(area , volume,
perimeter).

Basics explained in NCERT Class 8 Chap 3, 11.

Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 9, 12, 13.
Lastly Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 13

Trigonometry

Not asked.

Basic %
(increase,
decrease in
consumption,
population)

Also do NCERT Class 8 Chap 8.

Mere extention of % concept. Just practice.For long

division, use this approximation
method:http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-longdivision-two-digit-division-calculation-without-tears-andwithout-boring-vedic-speed-maths.html

http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-concepts-ofmarked-price-and-successive-discounts-profit-losswithout-stupid-formulas.html

http://mrunal.org/2012/04/aptitude-compoundinterest-rate.html

6. Geometry

Time speed
distance
Trains, platforms
Boats-streams
Time and Work
Pipes and
Cisterns

Datainterpretation
cases.

Profit, loss,
discount, marked
price.

Simple and
compound
interest rate

7. %

8. PCP

9. Misc.

Permutation
Combination
Probability

Coordinate
Geometry

Progression:
Arithmetic+
Geometric

Logarithms

Asked in rarest cases.

However concepts are explained through various
articles on www.Mrunal.org/aptitude

Not asked

Asked in rare case (e.g. 2009s paper). Basics of

Arithmetic progression explained in NCERT Class 10 Chap
5. And for Geometric progression, use your quantitative
aptitude book.

Not asked.

Book for Quantitative aptitude?

If you already have RS Aggarwals book on Quantitative aptitude, it is sufficient for LIC Exam.
If you dont have it, I would suggest go for Fast track to objective arithmetic by Rajesh
Verma or Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar because they help in other exams as well. (RS
aggarwals Quantitative Aptitude book doesnt have good coverage for geometry, trigonometry
topics that come in SSC CGL, plus these new books have given explanations in more lucid manner .)

1.

RBI PH1:Section #2: Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Priority areas in Quantitative aptitude (QA)
Non priority areas in QA
Data Interpretation (DI)
How to get speed for DI?

Section #2: Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The maths is more oriented towards data interpretation rather than conventional profit-loss type stuff. Go through the old papers (posted at bottom), and
prepare topics accordingly. And to clear the basic concepts of maths, you may use the approach shown in the RBI Assistant exam article click me

Many articles on mrunal.org/aptitude

Practice old Bank PO question papers (can be googled).
ignore trigonometry, geometry (other than area volume perimeter), coordinate geometry and logerithms.

Priority areas in Quantitative aptitude (QA)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Operation on brackets
Linear equations
Average + alligiation
Ratios
Profit, Loss, %, SI and CI : all can be solved if youve clear concept of % calculation.
Arithmetic and Geography progression.
TSDW (Time speed distance and Work): all can be solved using the STD table, if you go through my old articles on Mrunal.org/aptitude
Permutation, Combination, Probability : all can be solved without problem, if you go through my old articles.
Geometry: Area and Volume
Venn Diagrams

Non priority areas in QA

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Geometry: things other than Area, Volume, Perimeter

Coordinate Geometry
Logerithms
Trigonometry
Functions and graphs.

^these topics are important for SSC exam but not much for RBI

Data Interpretation (DI)

In this QA (maths) portion, they also asked Data interpretation (DI) questions worth 15 marks, in 2011. There is hardly any theory in DI, all youve to do is
practice. Speed (quick calculation) is extremely important here, otherwise you might end up wasting 20+ minutes in doing barely 5 sums of DI.
Basically DI requires speed in Addition and % calculation and lot of practice from old Bank/IBPS papers.

How to get speed for maths calculations?

1.
2.
3.

Understand this two-digit long division technique explained here click me

Understand the Trachtenbergs method for multiplication, especially for 5,9 and 11. plenty of articles on google, start with this one: click me
Then practice maximum questions from previous years IBPS/Bank papers.

(There is no harm in learning Vedic maths techniques either but I find Trachtenbergs speed maths more user-friendly and convenient than Vedic maths.)

Section 2: Maths / quantitative aptitude

Topic

number of
questions

1. Operation on Brackets e.g. 27^25-31+4=??

2. Solve the Linear equations, find values of x,y and z and find relation between
them (e.g. is x<y=z? etc)

3. series of numbers is given, youve to find the next number.

4. Data interpretation case based on Venn Diagram concept.

5. Data interpretation case based on Radar graph.

6. Data interpretation case based on huge table of yearwise animal population.

Total

30