What to Prioritize in Quant, DI or Arithmetic for Exams?

Published on 10 September 2025 by

How much DI vs Arithmetic actually matters?

Recent papers and prep guidance show that DI often forms a large, high-scoring chunk of Quant commonly 8–15 DI questions in various regulatory/banking prelims and mains. Well-prepared test-takers can score several marks quickly from DI if they master interpretation and quick calculations. At the same time, Arithmetic (percentages, ratio, profit & loss, SI/CI, time & work, TSD, averages) forms the backbone: many DI sets are arithmetic-heavy and require fast, accurate calculations.

DI gives high immediate payoff but depends on arithmetic skill. If you ignore arithmetic, you’ll struggle even on “easy” DI sets; if you ignore DI, you’ll miss grouped high-value questions.

Why DI depends on Arithmetic and why arithmetic is non-negotiable

DI problems present data (tables, charts, caselets) and usually ask multiple questions that are arithmetic in nature: percentage change, ratios, averages, growth rates, cumulative sums, etc. In other words, DI is the application environment, arithmetic is the toolset. Candidates who are fast with simplification, approximations and mental math convert DI sets into quick wins; those who aren’t, take far longer or make careless mistakes. Sources and tutors consistently recommend pairing DI practice with focused arithmetic drills.

You cannot treat DI and arithmetic in isolation strengthen arithmetic first enough to convert DI attempts into accurate marks, then push DI volume.

Top 50 High Level Quant Questions for Regulatory Exams

When to prioritise DI (late-stage prep or if you already have arithmetic strength)

Prioritise DI when:

  • Your arithmetic basics are solid (you can do quick %/ratio/simplify mentally).
  • The exam is near (4–6 weeks) and you need maximum marks quickly.
  • You already score consistently on chapter-wise arithmetic but lose marks on mixed/caselet sets.

How to focus: shift to regular DI sets (bar/line/pie/caselet/table). Practice pattern recognition spotting which arithmetic operation is needed and use approximation where allowed. Experts recommend timed DI marathons because a well-performed DI set (5–10 correct answers) can yield a big score spike in a short time.

A practical blended plan: mix arithmetic and DI for steady gains

Below is a pragmatic weekly schedule you can use (adapt number of hours to your available time). It balances both so you don’t overfit to one at the expense of the other.

DayFocusWhat to do
MonArithmetic Foundations40–60 min: core topic drill (percent, ratio, averages). 20 min: 10 simplification timed questions.
TueDI Practice60 min: 2 full DI sets (tables/graphs) time yourself and mark weak patterns.
WedMixed Arithmetic45–60 min: mixed chapter sets (SI/CI, TSD, time-work). 15 min: quick mental math drills.
ThuDI + Shortcut Work45 min: 1 DI caselet; 30 min: practice approximation & elimination strategies.
FriTopic Test60 min: timed mini-test (10 arithmetic + 10 DI); analyze mistakes 20–30 min.
SatMock / Full Section1–2 hours: sectional Quant mock (simulate exam). Deep error analysis.
SunRevision & Light Practice30–45 min: formula revision, 10 problems of mixed difficulty, rest.

Notes:

  • If exam is <6 weeks away, double DI sets on Tue/Thu and replace one arithmetic session with another DI set.
  • If fundamentals are weak, add an extra arithmetic session and reduce DI volume until accuracy improves.
Regulatory Exam Free Mock Tests

Speed tricks and error-control techniques that work for both DI & Arithmetic

Speed in Quant comes from practicing quick calculation methods such as approximation, ratios, and percentage conversions. These tricks save crucial seconds in both DI and Arithmetic questions.

  1. Simplify first, calculate second. Reduce fractions and cancel factors before multiplying. This saves time and reduces careless errors.
  2. Use approximations for elimination. If options are spaced out, approximate to eliminate one or two choices quickly.
  3. Memorise common conversions. 1/3 ≈ 33.333%, 2/7 ≈ 28.57% etc. These speed up quick percentage checks.
  4. Spot the “question pattern.” Many DI sets repeat templates (growth %, share of total, differences). Identify the template before jumping into arithmetic.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many candidates struggle not because of lack of knowledge, but due to avoidable mistakes like misreading data, calculation slips, or poor time allocation. Identifying these mistakes early helps improve accuracy.

  • Over-practising one at the cost of the other. Don’t become “DI-only” or “arithmetic-only.” The best scorers balance both.
  • Doing DI without checking calculations. A small arithmetic slip ruins multiple DI answers. Always cross-check critical intermediate values.
  • Ignoring time management. Spending 20+ minutes on one DI set without securing other quick marks is a tactical error — skip and return if needed.
  • Not reviewing mocks properly. Error analysis (pattern of mistakes) is where improvement happens, not just taking more tests.

FAQs

Q1. How much DI vs Arithmetic actually matters in regulatory exams?

Both matter significantly. DI often contributes 8–15 questions in prelims and mains, offering high marks in one go. But DI relies heavily on arithmetic concepts like percentages, ratios, averages, and growth rates. Ignoring arithmetic weakens your DI performance, while ignoring DI means missing grouped, high-value questions.

Q2. Why is arithmetic non-negotiable for DI preparation?

Because DI is essentially arithmetic applied to data. Most DI questions ask for percentage changes, averages, or ratios. Without strong arithmetic basics and quick calculation ability, even easy DI sets become time-consuming and error-prone.

Q3. When should I prioritise DI over arithmetic?

Focus on DI if:
Your arithmetic basics are already strong.
The exam is close (4–6 weeks) and you need quick score gains.
You’re consistent in arithmetic practice but lose marks in DI caselets or graph-based sets.

Q4. What’s the best way to balance DI and arithmetic in preparation?

Adopt a blended plan. For example, dedicate alternate days to arithmetic foundations and DI sets. Combine timed topic drills, mixed practice, and sectional mocks. This ensures steady progress in both areas without over-investing in one.

Q5. What speed tricks help in both DI and arithmetic?

Use approximations where possible, simplify fractions before multiplying, and memorize key conversions (e.g., 1/3 = 33.33%, 2/7 ≈ 28.57%). Spot recurring DI patterns like growth % or share of total before starting calculations to save time.