How To Prepare Quantitative Aptitude For IBPS PO 2023?

The quantitative aptitude section is an integral part of the IBPS Probationary Officer exam syllabus. Various topics are included in this section and candidates willing to crack the upcoming PO exam need to excel the numerical ability section as well.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts the IBPS PO exam to recruit probationary officers in public sector banks.

This IBPS exam is conducted in three stages which are as follows:

1. IBPS PO Preliminary Exam
2. IBPS PO Main Exam
3. IBPS PO Interview

The PO prelims and mains are written examinations consisting of objective type questions. One of the subjects covered in the IBPS PO syllabus is Quantitative Aptitude. It is considered one of the toughest sections of the exam.

While this is largely correct, it is also the section with the highest scoring potential given good preparation and practice. In this article, we will discuss a few strategies to prepare Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS PO.

Before we go into the ways to prepare for this subject, we should know the topics that are covered by the syllabus and their share of marks.

For relevant information on Government exams, refer to the linked article.

Aspirants can also check the shortcut tricks for cube, square and multiplication at the linked article.

Quantitative Aptitude Topics for IBPS PO

The quantitative aptitude syllabus for the IBPS PO prelims and mains exam is almost the same and is vast and too many topics are included in this section.

Candidates must know that since there is sectional cut off for both IBPS PO prelims and mains, candidates need to score the minimum qualifying marks in order to crack the Online computer-based tests.

However, there are a few common topics which are important with respect to the examination and candidates must pay special attention to these topics.

The table given below shows a general distribution of questions as may be asked in the upcoming IBPS PO quantitative aptitude section. The following table provides that information:

To get the detailed list of topics which are a part of the IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, candidates can visit the linked article.

Candidates should make strategic choices while preparing for this subject. The first four and the last two topics are very important as they carry between 25-30 marks every year.

As the section itself is very time consuming, more importance should be given to these topics to be able to clear this section in the IBPS PO Exam.

Candidates can visit the below mentioned articles to prepare topic-wise for the quantitative aptitude section for the upcoming IBPS PO exam 2023:

IBPS PO Preparation Tips For Quantitative Aptitude

Here are a few tips to excel in quantitative aptitude and clear the section well within the allotted time:

• Start With Number Systems and Number Series: Though questions related to number systems are not asked directly in the exam, this forms the basis of most of the questions. Candidates should develop skills in analysing square and cube roots, raising numbers to a given power and basic arithmetic.

Number series should be tackled after this with a focus on finding out patterns of repetition and the operations used to arrive at a number series.

• Focus on Data Interpretation: Data interpretation takes up the lions’ share of marks in quantitative aptitude. Candidates should focus on this section as the type of questions varies every year. The basic types of DI such as tabular and graph-based DI require intensive practice.

Previous years’ questions should be studied to gain insight on the types of DI that get repeated and also to find out variations of basic data interpretation that the institute uses.

• Combine Preparation for Interrelated Topics: This would help aspirants understand the nuances of the trickier questions that the institute favours for the IBPS PO mains exam. It also builds on the basic concepts for topics such as ratios and percentages, or speed and work to enable more accurate calculations in prelims and mains.

The other advantage of studying related topics together is that it saves time while preparing for the exam.

• Make a Study Schedule: A largely overlooked aspect of bank PO preparation is the study schedule. Most aspirants schedule a time for the subject but do not focus adequately on the topics within it.

Candidates should schedule time separately for every topic as well as for revision while preparing for quantitative aptitude. This enables aspirants to get enough practice for each topic.

• Practice and Revise: While preparing for the first time can seem like a daunting task, practice and revision should never be relegated to secondary tasks. The primary goal should be to become an expert in the topics, for which practice and revision is essential.
• Focus on Speed and Accuracy: Quantitative Aptitude is one of the lengthy sections of IBPS PO. The focus should be on speed and accuracy so that candidates can finish all the questions within the stipulated time and do not have to second guess their answers.

Candidates can check the 10 maths tricks and shortcuts to solve numerical ability questions in the IBPS PO prelims and mains exam.

Since this is a computer-based exam, the institute has left no scope for candidates to revisit a section once the allotted time is over.

This means that speed and accuracy are the most important traits to develop while preparing for this section.

• Solve Question Papers and Mock Tests: Once preparation is well underway, candidates should start solving previous years’ papers and mock tests. These should be done for all the sections simultaneously to familiarise with the pattern of the IBPS PO exam and also to find out the areas in which more intensive preparation is required.

Important IBPS Exam related topics:

Weak areas can be identified and worked upon well before the examination to save time for revision later in the preparation process.

The above tips when combined with good IBPS PO books will guarantee success on exam day.

The following books should be referred extensively for the quantitative aptitude section:

• Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Agarwal
• Basic Numeracy, Numerical Aptitude and Data Interpretation by Nishit K Sinha
• Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma

The key takeaways from these strategies for the subject are to develop speed and accuracy while solving the questions. Without them, any amount of expertise will not be helpful on exam day as the limited time allotted for the section precludes deliberation while solving the questions. Practice, revision and focus on important topics should be the main features of your preparation plan.

Quantitative Aptitude Practice Questions for Bank Exams

Q.1. A can do a certain job in 12 days. B is 60% more efficient than A. The number of days it takes B to do the same piece of work is ………

(A) 6 days

(B) 6 ¼ days

(C) 7 ½ days

(D) 8 days

Q.2. A can do a piece of work in 14 days which B can do in 21 days. They begin together but 3 days before the completion of the work, A leaves off. The total number of days to complete the work is……

(A) 6.6

(B) 8.5

(C) 10.2

(D) 13.5

Q.3. If x : y = 6 : 5, then (5x+3y) : (5x-3y) is equal to……

(A) 2 : 1

(B) 3 : 1

(C) 5 : 3

(D) 5 : 2

Q.4. What number must be added to each term of the ratio 7 : 3 so that the ratio becomes 2 : 3?

(A) 1

(B) 2

(C) 5

(D) can’t be determined

Q.5. The ratio of the two numbers is 3 : 4 and their sum is 420. The greater of the two numbers is……

(A) 175

(B) 200

(C) 240

(D) 315

Q.6. Excluding stoppages, the speed of a bus is 54 km/ph and including stoppages, it is 45 km/ph. For how many minutes does the bus stop per hour?

(A) 9

(B) 10

(C) 12

(D) 20

Q.7. A walks at 4 km/ph and 4 hours after his start, B cycles after him at 10 km/ph. How far from the start does B catch up with A?

(A) 16.7 km

(B) 18.6 km

(C) 21.5 km

(D) 26.7 km

 Q.8. A thief steals a car at 2.30 pm and drives it at 60 km/ph. The theft is discovered at 3 pm and the owner sets off in another car at 75 km/ph. When will he overtake the thief?

(A) 4.30 pm

(B) 4.45 pm

(C) 5 pm

(D) 5.51 pm

Q.9. A train 100 meters long takes half a minute to cross tunnel 400 m long tunnel. The speed of the train is……

(A) 72 km/ph

(B) 65 km/ph

(C) 60 km/ph

(D) 58 km/ph

Q.10. A train 180 m long travels at 60 km/ph. A man is running at 6 km/ph in the direction opposite to that in which the train is going. The train will cross the man in….

(A) 9 sec.

(B) 16 sec.

(C) 15 sec.

(D) 17 sec.

Q.11. A batsman has a certain average of runs for 16 innings. In the 17th innings, he made a score of 85 runs, thereby increasing the average by 3, what is the average before the 17th innings?

(A) 30

(B) 32

(C) 34

(D) 35

Q.12. Three years ago, the average age of Nandu and Panna was 18 years. With Shubha joining them now, their average age became 22 years. How old is Shubha now?

(A) 27

(B) 28

(C) 24

(D) 25

Q.13. Two pipes fill a tank in 10 hours and 12 hours respectively, while a third pipe empties the full tank in 20 hours. If all the three pipes operate simultaneously, in how much time will the tank be filled?

(A) 7 hrs.

(B) 8 hrs.

(C) 7 hrs. 30 minutes.

(D) 8 hrs. 30 min.

Q.14. A person standing on a platform 160-meter-long finds that a train crosses the platform in 54 sec. but himself in 30 seconds. Then the length of the train is……

(A) 100 m

(B) 175 m

(C) 150 m

(D) 200 m

Q.15. If 30% of a number is 12.6, then the number is …….

(A) 41

(B) 51

(C) 52

(D) 42

Q.16. What will be 160% of a number whose 200% is 140?

(A) 200

(B) 160

(C) 140

(D) 112

Q.17. If A’s income is 33 1/3 % more than that of B, then how much percent is B’s income less than that of A?

(A) 25%

(B) 33 1/3 %

(C) 40%

(D) None

Q.18. 10 liters are removed from a cask full of wine containing 60 liters and is then filled with water. 10 liters of mixture is again withdrawn from the container. What quantity of wine is now left in the cask?

(A) 41 2/3

(B) 27 3/6

(C) 40

(D) cannot be determined

Q.19. A vessel contains 12 liters of wine and another contains 4 liters of water. 3 liters are taken from each and transferred to the other. Then again, 3 liters are taken from each vessel and transferred to the other. Ratio of wine to water in the two vessels in ….

(A) the first vessel is higher

(B) the second vessel is higher

(C) both are the same

(D) none of these

Q.20. A milk vendor purchases 33 liters of milk containing milk and water in the ratio 12: 1. He wants to make this an 11: 2 solution of milk and water and sell the entire quantity at the cost price. How much water needs to be added?

(A) 3 litres

(B) 2 9/11 litres

(C) 2.5 litres

(D) None of these

Q.21. A man buys eggs at 2 for Rs. 1 and an equal number at 3 for Rs. 2 and sells the whole at 5 for Rs. 3. His gain or loss percent is…….

(A) 2 2/7 %

(B) 3 6/7 %

(C) 3 2/7 %

(D) 2 6/7 %

Q.22. A sells a bicycle to B at a profit of 20% and B sells it to C at a profit of 25%. If C pays Rs. 1500, what did A pay for it?

(A) Rs. 825

(B) Rs. 1000

(C) Rs.110

(D) Rs. 1125

Q.23. Two mixers and a TV cost Rs. 7000, while 2 TVs and a mixer cost Rs. 9800. The value of one TV is……

(A) Rs. 2800

(B) Rs. 2100

(C) Rs. 4200

(D) Rs. 8400

Q.24. A copper wire having 0.20 cm as the radius of its circular section is one-meter long. It is melted and spherical balls of radius 0.20 cm are made. The number of balls that can be made is……

(A) 300

(B) 375

(C) 275

(D) 350

Q.25. The altitude of a circular cylinder is increased six times and the base area is decreased to one-ninth of its value. The factor by which the lateral surface of the cylinder increases is….

(A) ½ m

(B) 2/3 m

(C) 3/2 m

(D) 2 m

Q.26. A circular pipe is to be so designed that water flowing through it at a velocity of 4 meters per minute is collected at its open end of 11 cubic meters per minute. What should be the inner radius of the pipe?

(A) ½ m

(B) 1/Ö2 m

(C) Ö2 m

(D) 2 m

Q.27. ASCII code is a 7 bit code for……

(A) letters

(B) numbers

(C) other symbols

(D) all of these

Q.28. How many bytes are there in 1011 1001 0110 1110 numbers?

(A) 1

(B) 2

(C) 4

(D) 8

Q.29. An OR gate has 6 inputs, how many input words are in its truth table?

(A) 64

(B) 32

(C) 16

(D) 128

Q.30. A boy divides the numbers 7654, 8506 and 9997 by a certain largest number and he gets the same remainder in each case. What is the common remainder? 

1. 156
2. 199
3. 211
4. 231

Q.31. What is the greatest number which on dividing 1223 and 2351 leaves remainders 90 and 85 respectively?

1. 1133
2. 127
3. 42
4. 1100

Q.32. If the HCF of two numbers is 11 and the product of these numbers is 363, what is the greater number?

1. 9
2. 22
3. 33
4. 11

Q.33. A train covers a distance of 12 km in 10 minutes. If it takes 6 seconds to pass a telegraph post, then the length of the train is :

(a) 90 m

(b) 100 m

(c) 120 m

(d) 140 m

The solutions can be found in the PDF link given below:

Solutions for IBPS PO Bank Exam Quantitative Aptitude –Download PDF Here

Aspirants can refer to BYJU’S for the latest notifications, strategies and study material for the IBPS PO exam.

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