IBPS RRB Clerk Quantitative Aptitude Strategy, How to Score 35+?

IBPS RRB Clerk Quantitative Aptitude Strategy: The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims exam can be aced with a focused and strategic approach, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Aiming for a score of 35+ out of 40 in this section is achievable with the right techniques and consistent effort. Read this article to know about the effective strategies, high-scoring topics, and essential tips and tricks to help you maximize your score.

Most Scoring Topics for IBPS RRB Clerk Quant

Understanding the weightage of different topics is crucial for effective preparation. Based on previous year trends, certain areas consistently contribute a significant number of questions. Prioritizing these most scoring topics for IBPS RRB Clerk 2025 can significantly boost your overall score:

• Simplification & Approximation: This section often carries a substantial weightage (around 10-12 questions). Mastering BODMAS rules, squares, cubes, roots, and fraction manipulations is key to scoring quickly here.
• Data Interpretation (DI): Expect 1-2 sets of DI (5-10 questions) based on tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, or mixed formats. Developing speed in analyzing and interpreting data is essential.
• Arithmetic Problems: This broad category (around 10 questions) covers topics like Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Speed, Time & Distance, Averages, and Age-related problems. A strong foundation in these concepts is vital.
• Number Series: Questions on finding the missing or wrong number in a sequence (4-5 questions) test your pattern recognition and logical thinking.
• Quadratic Equations: Usually involving finding the relationship between roots of two quadratic equations (4-5 questions), these are generally scoring if you know the solving techniques.

While these are the most scoring topics for IBPS RRB Clerk, it’s important to have a basic understanding of other arithmetic topics as well.

IBPS RRB Clerk Quantitative Aptitude Strategy: Tips and Tricks

To excel in the Quant section, go beyond just knowing the concepts. Incorporate these IBPS RRB Clerk Quantitative Aptitude tips and tricks into your preparation:

• Master the Fundamentals
• Learn and Apply Shortcuts
• Practice Regularly
• Time Management is Crucial
• Focus on Accuracy:
• Utilize Mock Tests
• Analyze Previous Year Papers
• Develop Mental Calculation Skills
• Learn Approximation Techniques
• Don’t Get Stuck
• Understand Question Types
• Create a Study Plan

Quantitative Aptitude Tricks for Simplification/Approximation

Simplification and approximation questions generally contain a weightage of 5 – 10 marks in the exam. Simplification means replacing a complex mathematical expression with a simpler one to get the final answer. In the case of approximation you, need not find the exact answer. All you have to do is to convert a complex mathematical expression into a similar (not exactly equal) to get to the final answer.

Trick 1: Do memorize multiplication tables of integers up to 30, squares of integers up to 50, and cubes of integers up to 30.

It will help you to calculate a complex mathematical sum in a short time and, save time you can use in the remaining questions.

Trick 2: Conversion of percentages into fractions. Have a look at the conversion table below:

Example: What is 87.5% of 64?

Solution:

= 87.5% of 64
= 7/8 * 64
= 56

Quantitative Aptitude Tricks for Number Series

Number Series questions generally contain a weightage of 5 – 6 marks in the exam. There is some special format of number series that is frequently asked in the bank prelims exam. Different type of number series is given below:

Type 1: Addition/Subtraction series:

A series in which the next term is obtained by adding/subtracting a constant to its previous term or the difference between two consecutive terms forms a pattern.

Example 1: 5, 18, 31, 44, 57, ___a___

Solution:

The next term is obtained by adding 13 to the previous term.

5 + 13 = 18
18 + 13 = 31
31 + 13 = 44
44 + 13 = 57
57 + 13 = 70 = a

Example 2: 13, 22, 33, 46, 61, __b__

Solution:

The difference between two consecutive terms forms an increasing arithmetic series.

22 – 13 = 9
33 – 22 = 11
46 – 33 = 13
61 – 46 = 15
78 – 61 = 17
b = 78

Difference forms an increasing arithmetic sequence.

Type 2: Multiplication/Division Series:

A series in which the next term is obtained by multiplying/dividing a constant to its previous term or ratio of two consecutive terms forms a pattern.

Example 1: 3, 12, 48, 192, 768, __c__

Solution:

The difference between two consecutive terms forms a geometric series.

3 * 4 = 12
12 * 4 = 48
48 * 4 = 192
192 * 4 = 768
768 * 4 = 3072 = c

Example 2: 5, 10, 40, 240, 1920, __d__

Solution:

The difference between two consecutive terms forms a geometric series.

d = 19200

Ratios form an increasing arithmetic sequence.

Type 3: Perfect square/cube series:

This is the most common pattern followed. In this either different between terms are perfect square/cube or terms itself are perfect square/cube.

Example 1: 27, 125, 343, 729, 1331, __a__

Solution:

Individual terms are perfect cubes.

27 = 3³
125 = 5³
343 = 7³
729 = 9³
1331 = 11³
a = 2197 = 13³

Example 2: 19, 23, 32, 48, 73, __b__

Solution:

The difference between terms forms a perfect square series:

19 + 2² = 23
23 + 3² = 32
32 + 4² = 48
48 + 5² = 73
73 + 6² = 109 = b

Type 4: (n² + 1), (n² – 1), (n² + n) and (n² – n) series.

Example 1: 26, 37, 50, 65, 82, __a__

Solution:

5² + 1 = 26
6² + 1 = 37
7² + 1 = 50
8² + 1 = 65
9² + 1 = 82
10² + 1 = 101 = a

Type 5: (n³ + 1), (n³ – 1), (n³ + n) and (n³ – n) series.

Example 1: 24, 60, 120, 210, 336, __b__

Solution:

3³ – 3 = 24
4³ – 4 = 60
5³ – 5 = 120
6³ – 6 = 210
7³ – 7 = 336
8³ – 8 = 504 = b

Quantitative Aptitude Tricks for Quadratic Equations

The quadratic quantity comparison questions generally contain a weightage of 5 – 6 marks in the exam. It is one of the trickiest topics of the section and plays a vital role in the bank prelims exams.

The equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 is a general form of a quadratic equation. Where, ‘a’, ‘b’, and ‘c’ are constants and ‘x’ is a variable.

To compare two quadratic equations, we need to find their roots first and after that compare roots of the both equations.

Steps to find the roots of a quadratic equation:

1. Multiply ‘a’ and ‘c’.
2. Split ‘b’ such that their sum is equal to ‘b’ and their product is equal to the product of ‘a’ and ‘c’.
3. Change sign.
4. Divide by ‘a’.

Example 1: 6x² + 2x – 20 = 0

Solution:
6x² + 2x – 20 = 0
Compare with: ax² + bx + c = 0
a = 6, b = 2, c = -20

Multiply ‘a’ and ‘c’ => 6 * -20 = -120
Split ‘b’ => 12 and -10
Change sign => -12 and 10
Divide by ‘a’ => -12/6 and 10/6

Roots are -2 and 5/3

But to find roots of a quadratic equation is not an easy task so, we can compare the roots of two quadratic by looking at their signs only.

Now let us learn quantitative aptitude tricks to find the sign of roots of any quadratic equation:

a) When ‘c’ is positive, then a sign of both roots will be the same which is the opposite of the sign of ‘b’.
b) When ‘c’ is negative, then the sign of both roots will be different irrespective of the sign of ‘b’.

Sign of ‘c’	Sign of ‘b’	Sign of the first root	Sign of the second root
+	+	–	–
+	–	+	+
–	+	+	–
+	–	+	–

Example 1: Compare quadratic equations-

I: 2x² – 13x + 15 = 0
II: 2y² + 7y + 3 = 0

Solution:
The signs of the roots of the first equation are both positive.
The signs of the roots of the second equation are both negative.
Hence, x > y.

Example 2: Compare quadratic equations-

I: 6x² + 23x + 7 = 0
II: 4y² – 21y + 5 = 0

Solution:

The signs of the roots of the first equation are both negative.
The signs of the roots of the second equation are both positive.
Hence, x < y.

Example 3: Compare quadratic equations-

I: 2x² + 7x – 15 = 0
II: 3y² – 32y – 11 = 0

Solution:

The sign of one root of the first equation is positive and the other is negative.
The sign of one root of the second equation is positive and the other is negative.
Hence, the relation between x and y cannot be determined.

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