Quantitative Aptitude is one of the most important &
scoring sections of the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level
Tier-1 & Tier-2 Examinations. This section requires a lot of preparation
time & concentration compared to other sections of the SSC CGL Exam.
scoring sections of the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level
Tier-1 & Tier-2 Examinations. This section requires a lot of preparation
time & concentration compared to other sections of the SSC CGL Exam.
Following is a comprehensive guide on how to kickstart & approach this section for the SSC CGL Examination:
How is the Quant section of SSC CGL different from that of the
Bank exams?
Bank exams?
The topics & questions asked in the Quant section of SSC CGL
are of higher level and more focus is on the advanced mathematics topics.
Following are some common bank exam quantitative aptitude topics:
are of higher level and more focus is on the advanced mathematics topics.
Following are some common bank exam quantitative aptitude topics:
Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation (Tabular,
Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Missing DI, Line Graph), Simplification/Approximation,
Average, Ratio and Proportion, Interest, Time & Work, Time Speed and
Distance, Boats & Streams, Permutation & Combination/Probability,
Percentage, Mensuration, Problem on Ages, Number System, Linear Equation, Mixture
and Alligation, Data Sufficiency, Partnership, Pipes & Cisterns.
Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Missing DI, Line Graph), Simplification/Approximation,
Average, Ratio and Proportion, Interest, Time & Work, Time Speed and
Distance, Boats & Streams, Permutation & Combination/Probability,
Percentage, Mensuration, Problem on Ages, Number System, Linear Equation, Mixture
and Alligation, Data Sufficiency, Partnership, Pipes & Cisterns.
As you can see, the topics under bank exams’ Quantitative Aptitude
sections are predominantly arithmetic.
sections are predominantly arithmetic.
SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude
Topics
Topics
Quant is present in both SSC CGL Tier-1 & Tier-2. The syllabus
of Quantitative Aptitude in SSC CGL can broadly be classified into: Arithmetic & Advanced Mathematics.
of Quantitative Aptitude in SSC CGL can broadly be classified into: Arithmetic & Advanced Mathematics.
The Tier-1 focuses predominantly on Arithmetic
section whereas Tier-2 the focus is mainly on advanced math. While Arithmetic
consists on concept based topics, advanced math focuses on practice based
topics. Some Arithmetic topics are Percentage,
Profit & Loss, Averages, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance,
Partnership, Interest, etc.
The Advanced math includes those and also higher-level Mensuration,
Trigonometry, Geometry and Algebra.
section whereas Tier-2 the focus is mainly on advanced math. While Arithmetic
consists on concept based topics, advanced math focuses on practice based
topics. Some Arithmetic topics are Percentage,
Profit & Loss, Averages, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance,
Partnership, Interest, etc.
The Advanced math includes those and also higher-level Mensuration,
Trigonometry, Geometry and Algebra.
The topics under Arithmetic section require a deeper
conceptual understanding and little practice whereas the topics under advanced math require
more practice and little conceptual understanding.
conceptual understanding and little practice whereas the topics under advanced math require
more practice and little conceptual understanding.
Following are the topics under the SSC CGL Quant section:
Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and
relationships between numbers, percentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square
roots, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business,
Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Basic Algebraic
identities of school algebra and
elementary surds, Graphs of liner equations, Triangle and its various kinds of
centres, Congruence and Similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords,
tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents or two or
more circles, Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular polygons, Circle, Right Prism,
Right circular cone, Right circular cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular
parallelepiped, Regular, Right pyramid with triangular or square base,
Trigonometric ratio, degree and radian measures, standard identities,
complementary angles, heights and distances, histogram, frequency polygon, bar
diagram and pie chart.
relationships between numbers, percentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square
roots, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business,
Mixture & Alligation, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Basic Algebraic
identities of school algebra and
elementary surds, Graphs of liner equations, Triangle and its various kinds of
centres, Congruence and Similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords,
tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents or two or
more circles, Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular polygons, Circle, Right Prism,
Right circular cone, Right circular cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular
parallelepiped, Regular, Right pyramid with triangular or square base,
Trigonometric ratio, degree and radian measures, standard identities,
complementary angles, heights and distances, histogram, frequency polygon, bar
diagram and pie chart.
Preparation time
If your fundamentals are strong in math, you can allot around 10 hours per week
for the Quant section. If you need to brush up on your basics, then give it 20
hours per week. If your math is average, allot 15 hours per week for Quant.
for the Quant section. If you need to brush up on your basics, then give it 20
hours per week. If your math is average, allot 15 hours per week for Quant.
Quant preparation will require around 3
months. Allot one or two days for topics under arithmetic (concept based) and
practice at least 100 questions from advanced math topics every day (3-4 hours
a day). Arithmetic should take you around 20 days to master and advanced math
15-18 days.
months. Allot one or two days for topics under arithmetic (concept based) and
practice at least 100 questions from advanced math topics every day (3-4 hours
a day). Arithmetic should take you around 20 days to master and advanced math
15-18 days.
Order of topics
Arithmetic:
In Arithmetic, understanding the concept is more important that
practicing it. Percentage, Interest & Profit & Loss are considered as
base of the Arithmetic section.
practicing it. Percentage, Interest & Profit & Loss are considered as
base of the Arithmetic section.
Most of the Quant topics will require you to apply the concepts of
these three topics. Therefore, while it is important to learn each and every
topic under Quant it’s also important to learn it in an order. Start with the
topics that form the base or foundation of Quantitative Aptitude and then move
on to the higher-level topics, which require you to have a knowledge of the
base topics.
these three topics. Therefore, while it is important to learn each and every
topic under Quant it’s also important to learn it in an order. Start with the
topics that form the base or foundation of Quantitative Aptitude and then move
on to the higher-level topics, which require you to have a knowledge of the
base topics.
Follow this order for your Quant preparation:
- Percentage
- Interest (Simple Interest &
Compound Interest) - Profit & Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Number System
- Average
- Time and Work
- Mixture & Alligation
- Pipes & Cisterns
- Partnership
- Time & Distance
- Boats & Streams
- Train
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Indices and Surds
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Stats and DI
- Data Interpretation
Advanced mathematics:
The Advanced math is labeled as an intimidating section, but in
reality it isn’t. It’s just a complex version of the advanced math topics you
learnt in high school.
reality it isn’t. It’s just a complex version of the advanced math topics you
learnt in high school.
The four major topics under advanced math are: Geometry,
Mensuration, Trigonometry and Algebra. After a thorough analysis of Previous
years question papers, we discovered that the questions from topics under
Advanced Mathematics are repeated year after year. So, it’s a good to refer to Previous Year Question Papers and
solve all the Quant questions.
Mensuration, Trigonometry and Algebra. After a thorough analysis of Previous
years question papers, we discovered that the questions from topics under
Advanced Mathematics are repeated year after year. So, it’s a good to refer to Previous Year Question Papers and
solve all the Quant questions.
Preparation Material
What you need:
·
Practice
Sets
Practice
Sets
·
Previous
Year SSC CGL Question Papers (organized chapter-wise)
Previous
Year SSC CGL Question Papers (organized chapter-wise)
Note on books: It
has been noticed that a lot of books containing SSC CGL practice sets and
previous year question papers have a lot of errors. Therefore, you need to be
extremely careful when it comes to choosing books for your preparation. Make
sure you pick the best & the most recommended preparation material with
least errors.
has been noticed that a lot of books containing SSC CGL practice sets and
previous year question papers have a lot of errors. Therefore, you need to be
extremely careful when it comes to choosing books for your preparation. Make
sure you pick the best & the most recommended preparation material with
least errors.
Here’s a list of books frequently recommended for SSC CGL Exam:
- SSC 7300 by Rakesh Yadav
- Kiran Prakashan’s SSC CGL Question Bank
- Rakesh Yadav’s Class Notes
Note: Do
not buy too many books or other preparation material as it will end up
confusing you. Keep your preparation material minimum and make sure they’re
free of errors.
not buy too many books or other preparation material as it will end up
confusing you. Keep your preparation material minimum and make sure they’re
free of errors.
Approach
Basic concepts –> Advanced
concepts –> Practice sets –> Previous year question papers –> Revision
–> Mock tests
concepts –> Practice sets –> Previous year question papers –> Revision
–> Mock tests
Basic Concepts
To solve higher-level Math questions, your fundamentals need to be
strong. If your fundamentals in math isn’t strong enough, we recommend you
start by brushing up the basic math concepts.
strong. If your fundamentals in math isn’t strong enough, we recommend you
start by brushing up the basic math concepts.
Refer to the NCERT Mathematics books of 8th, 9th and
10th grades (selected chapters). Focus on Linear
Equations (1 or 2 variables), and advanced mathematic topics like Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry
and Mensuration. A lot of questions in Quant
are based on these basic concepts, so it’s good to have a good command over
them.
10th grades (selected chapters). Focus on Linear
Equations (1 or 2 variables), and advanced mathematic topics like Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry
and Mensuration. A lot of questions in Quant
are based on these basic concepts, so it’s good to have a good command over
them.
Calculation speed:
To save time during the exam, you must have a good calculation
speed. Following are things you can do to make your calculation faster &
save time & energy:
speed. Following are things you can do to make your calculation faster &
save time & energy:
·
Learn
quicker Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. These are used in
almost every math problem
Learn
quicker Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. These are used in
almost every math problem
·
Learn
Tables up to 20, Square roots up to 30 and Cube roots up to 20
Learn
Tables up to 20, Square roots up to 30 and Cube roots up to 20
·
Follow
the one-liner approach technique for quicker
Addition & Subtraction
Follow
the one-liner approach technique for quicker
Addition & Subtraction
While learning these is important, it’s equally important to
revise them multiple times. Practice by writing these down in a practice
workbook and revise them regularly.
revise them multiple times. Practice by writing these down in a practice
workbook and revise them regularly.
Advanced concepts
Once you’re done brushing up your basics, move on to more advanced
competition specific concepts:
competition specific concepts:
·
Watch online topic-wise video lectures
Watch online topic-wise video lectures
·
Make
a note of the concept and important formulas and shortcut tricks (if
any)
Make
a note of the concept and important formulas and shortcut tricks (if
any)
·
After
learning each topic, practice 3 to 4 examples from the practice sets
After
learning each topic, practice 3 to 4 examples from the practice sets
A word on Shortcut Tricks:
Learn the shortcut tricks only after you have learnt &
mastered the conventional way of solving the questions under Quant topics.
Also, it’s important that you’re selective about which shortcuts you’re
learning. There are plenty of books available in the market with shortcut
tricks and learning all of them doesn’t make sense as it will end up confusing
you.
mastered the conventional way of solving the questions under Quant topics.
Also, it’s important that you’re selective about which shortcuts you’re
learning. There are plenty of books available in the market with shortcut
tricks and learning all of them doesn’t make sense as it will end up confusing
you.
Learn the most important ones that will help you arrive at
solutions quickly. The key is to master both conventional method of solving and
solving using shortcuts.
solutions quickly. The key is to master both conventional method of solving and
solving using shortcuts.
How to learn the shortcut techniques?
You can personalize your shortcuts. Every individual has their own
strengths and weaknesses and can device shortcuts depending on it and on the
understanding of the concepts. We highly recommend you try to come up with your
own shortcut techniques. If and only if you cannot do that, refer to books that
contain shortcut techniques.
strengths and weaknesses and can device shortcuts depending on it and on the
understanding of the concepts. We highly recommend you try to come up with your
own shortcut techniques. If and only if you cannot do that, refer to books that
contain shortcut techniques.
Likewise, don’t waste your time trying to mug up all the formulas
to all the questions. Learn only the most important formulas.
to all the questions. Learn only the most important formulas.
Practice Sets
To build concepts use practice sets which include topic-wise
questions for practice. Each topic will have a variety of sample questions.
Solve these after learning the concepts from video lectures or books and master
the topics. Repeat till you finish all the chapters in Quant.
questions for practice. Each topic will have a variety of sample questions.
Solve these after learning the concepts from video lectures or books and master
the topics. Repeat till you finish all the chapters in Quant.
Previous Year Question Papers
After covering all the topics and understanding the concepts and
after sufficient practice, its time to move to your next level: Solving
Previous year SSC CGL question papers.
after sufficient practice, its time to move to your next level: Solving
Previous year SSC CGL question papers.
Why is it important to solve Previous Year Question Papers:
- The SSC tends to repeat
questions from previous years in its question papers - Solving previous year question
papers gives you a brief idea of the difficulty levels of questions asked - They will familiarize you with
the question patterns
Revision
Revision is one of the most underestimated part of preparation
process. It’s not taken as seriously as it should be. It’s important to retain
information learnt and master the concepts. So, make sure you:
process. It’s not taken as seriously as it should be. It’s important to retain
information learnt and master the concepts. So, make sure you:
- Revise the basics (NCERT) at
least twice before moving on to the competition specific lectures/books - Revise the practice sets twice
- Revise important and high-level
questions
Mock Tests
The one thing that will be constant from the start to the end of
your preparation cycle is the Mock Test.
your preparation cycle is the Mock Test.
- Take one Mock Test before you
begin your preparation to assess your level - Take Topic Tests during your
preparation - Take complete Mock Tests post
your revision stage
Taking Mock Tests will help you measure
your progress, determine your speed & accuracy and identify your strong and
weak areas. Take as many Mock Tests as
you can to fine-tune your Quant preparation.
your progress, determine your speed & accuracy and identify your strong and
weak areas. Take as many Mock Tests as
you can to fine-tune your Quant preparation.
Try a FREE SSC CGL Mock Test here.
General tips:
- Maintain a book to write down mistakes
you’re making and write down questions of higher level. This way, you won’t
repeat mistakes again. Make separate notes of formulas of each chapter. - Practice questions and take
Mock Tests in an Exam like environment to familiarize yourself with it. Avoid
using calculators, minimize the number of rough sheets used, time yourself
during practice sessions. - Do not waste too much time on a
particular question during the exam. If you find yourself unable to answer a
particular question, mark it for review and solve it later if time permits. - If you’re good at sections
other than the Quant, solve them before Quant in as less time as possible (with
great accuracy, mind you) and use the saved time for Quant. - Minimize the time and Maximize
the accuracy in the Quant section. Try to solve all the questions in 25 minutes
if you’re a fast solver and 30 minutes if you’re slow. - Try and answer all the
questions. However, you can afford to leave 2-3 time-consuming questions
unanswered, if you’re running out of time.
Use the above as a guideline to formulate your own preparation strategy for the Quantitative Aptitude
section of SSC CGL Exam, based on your strengths and weaknesses. Here’s hoping
the above tips help you prepare better.
section of SSC CGL Exam, based on your strengths and weaknesses. Here’s hoping
the above tips help you prepare better.
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The article is penned by Oliveboard team & published on exampundit.in
