While it might seem like a far-fetched thought at first glance, but the fear of mathematics haunts many right from their elementary school days. And most of the national and regional competitive exams like Common Entrance Test (CAT), Delhi Police Constable, Services Selection Commission (SSC), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Railways Recruitment Board (RRB), include Quantitative Aptitude within their syllabus.
It will usually host questions from topics like Time & Distances, Mensuration, LCM & HCF, basic Algebra, Ratio & Proportion and more. The advantage with such topics is that this section can be subdivided and handled individually. They might seem intimidating at first glance, but with time and practise, turn out based on pretty simple concepts that need to be kept in mind.
As expected, Quantitative Aptitude - generally known as Quant - carries significant weightage in almost all prominent exams held throughout the year. It requires a decent hold of basic mathematical concepts followed by tons of practise. Which is why many candidates fail to capitalise on this section of the question paper and end up scoring less than what they’d require to get through.
On that note, let’s skim through some effective tips that will help you attain mastery over this subject.
- Get a grip of your calculations:Speeding up calculations, mainly multiplications, will help you save time while attempting the paper. It is highly advisable to learn tables up to 25, along square and cubes up to 25 at the very least. In order to ensure optimum speed as well as accuracy, you can also grab hold of Vedic Maths concepts, which will provide you with tricks to perform multiplications of three-digit numbers in the blink of an eye.
- Focus on the fundamental concepts:It is easy to get caught in the daily ritual of cramming as many challenging questions as possible. But it is even more important to realise that Quantitative Aptitude is primarily based on basic mathematical concepts. And therefore, it becomes imperative to stay in touch with the roots all along the preparation period. Make short notes of all the important concepts/formulas and be sure to go through them on a daily basis.
- Perform a SWOT Analysis:Being able to identify your strong and weak points goes a long way in fine-tuning the preparation strategy. Carrying out a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) for quantitative aptitude will help you segregate topics that need more attention. Practising to solidify your weak points will save time and result in an efficient approach.
- Accuracy matters more than attempts:It is important to note that a wide majority of these examinations come with a negative marking scheme in their respective question papers. This calls for a heightened level of accuracy, and less inclination towards attempting questions in bulk. It is completely fine to leave a question if you’re not perfectly sure about the solution, and move on to the next one.
- Practise until you can’t get it wrong:Candidates who practise regularly end up noticing a certain pattern in the type and build of questions. Once the crux of a particular topic has been grasped from an examination standpoint, it becomes easy to master that section effortlessly. And this can only be achieved through rigorous practise.
For instance, Delhi Police Constable Admit card prohibits the use of any calculators or external devices inside the exam hall. When candidates are on their own, skills and quickness in calculations acquired through previous practise comes in handy. Mastery of Quant requires a decent grip over mathematical concepts, and if handled right from the basics, this can turn out to be one of the most scoring sections for aspirants.
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