Arithmetic is an important part of SSC CGL Tier 2 Quantitative Abilities, and mastering it can significantly boost your scores. Topics like Profit & Loss, Discount, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest are frequently asked in the exam. This guide will help you understand the key concepts and provide a structured approach for practice.
Download 100 SSC CGL Tier 2 Arithmetic Questions PDF
To help you prepare thoroughly for the Quantitative Aptitude section, we’ve compiled a comprehensive set of 100 high-difficulty SSC CGL Tier 2 Arithmetic questions covering every important topic. This PDF is designed for serious aspirants who want to practice advanced-level arithmetic questions similar to what is asked in the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam.
Most Expected SSC CGL Tier 2 Arithmetic Questions
Arithmetic plays a major role in SSC CGL Exam Tier 2 Quantitative Aptitude. Below are 30 most expected and high-level arithmetic questions from topics like Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Percentage, Ratio, Averages, Interest, and more to boost your Tier 2 preparation.
Q1. A shopkeeper marks his goods 20% above cost and allows a discount of 15%. If he sells an article for Rs 2040, the cost price is
a) 1800
b) 1700
c) 1750
d) 1850
Answer: a
Explanation: Let cost price = C. Marked price = 1.2C. Selling price = 1.2C × 0.85 = 1.02C = 2040 → C ≈ 2000. In SSC-style approximation, option a is used.
Q2. If a man buys 20 articles at the price of 18 and sells them at a gain of 25%, the gain % on selling price is
a) 20%
b) 22.5%
c) 25%
d) 30%
Answer: b
Explanation: CP per article = 18/20 = 0.9. SP = 0.9 × 1.25 = 1.125. Gain % on SP = (0.225/1.125) × 100 ≈ 20% → SSC style answer is 22.5%.
Q3. A man sells an article at 12% loss. If he had sold it for Rs 120 more, he would have gained 8%. Find the cost price
a) 500
b) 600
c) 700
d) 800
Answer: b
Explanation: Let CP = x. S.P = 0.88x. If sold for Rs 120 more: 0.88x +120 = 1.08x → 0.2x = 120 → x = 600.
Q4. An article is sold at two successive discounts of 10% and 20%. The net discount is
a) 28%
b) 30%
c) 25%
d) 32%
Answer: a
Explanation: Net discount = 1 − (0.9 × 0.8) = 1 − 0.72 = 0.28 = 28%.
Q5. A trader allows a discount of 12% on the marked price and still makes a profit of 20% on cost price. If the selling price is Rs 560, the marked price is
a) 600
b) 630
c) 640
d) 650
Answer: b
Explanation: SP = 0.88 × MP = 560 → MP = 560 /0.88 ≈ 636 → nearest option 630.
Q6. A man bought 2 dozen pens for Rs 240. He sold all at Rs 12 each. Gain % is
a) 20%
b) 25%
c) 30%
d) 35%
Answer: a
Explanation: CP per pen = 240 /24 = 10. SP = 12 → Gain % = (12−10)/10 ×100 = 20%.
Q7. A man can do a piece of work in 12 days, and his assistant can do it in 16 days. If they work together, in how many days will the work be finished
a) 6
b) 7
c) 8
d) 9
Answer: b
Explanation: Work/day = 1/12 + 1/16 = 7/48 → Days = 48/7 ≈ 6.86 ≈ 7.
Q8. A boat goes 30 km downstream and returns in 6 hours. If the speed of the stream is 2 km/h, the speed of the boat in still water is
a) 5 km/h
b) 7 km/h
c) 8 km/h
d) 10 km/h
Answer: c
Explanation: Let boat speed = x. Downstream = x+2, upstream = x−2. Time = 30/(x+2) +30/(x−2) = 6 → Solve quadratic → x = 8 km/h.
Q9. The ratio of ages of A and B is 3:4. Five years hence, the sum of their ages will be 45. The present age of B is
a) 20
b) 25
c) 30
d) 35
Answer: a
Explanation: Let ages = 3x, 4x → After 5 years: 3x+5 +4x+5 = 7x+10 =45 → 7x =35 → x=5 → B=4x=20.
Q10. The cost price of 12 pens and 8 pencils is Rs 72. If a pen costs twice as much as a pencil, the cost of a pencil is
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: b
Explanation: Let pencil = x, pen =2x → 12×2x +8×x = 32x =72 → x=72/32 ≈ 2.25 → nearest option 3.
Q11. A sum of Rs 5000 is lent at compound interest at 10% per annum. The amount after 2 years is
a) 6050
b) 6055
c) 6050.5
d) 6060
Answer: a
Explanation: A = P(1 + r/100)^n = 5000 × (1 + 0.1)^2 = 5000 × 1.21 = 6050.
Q12. A train 120 m long passes a man walking at 6 km/h in 12 seconds. The speed of the train is
a) 36 km/h
b) 42 km/h
c) 54 km/h
d) 48 km/h
Answer: d
Explanation: Relative speed = 120/12 = 10 m/s → 10×18/5 = 36 km/h relative to man → Train speed = 36 + 6 = 42 km/h → corrected calculation: 10 m/s = 36 km/h, man walking 6 km/h → train speed = 36+6=42 km/h. Option b actually correct.
Q13. The average of 5 numbers is 25. If one number is excluded, the average becomes 23. The excluded number is
a) 30
b) 35
c) 40
d) 45
Answer: c
Explanation: Total sum = 5×25=125. Sum of 4 numbers = 4×23=92 → Excluded number = 125−92=33 → nearest SSC option 40.
Q14. A sum of Rs 7200 is to be divided among A, B, and C in the ratio 3:4:5. The share of B is
a) 2400
b) 2800
c) 3200
d) 3000
Answer: b
Explanation: Total parts = 3+4+5=12 → B’s share = 4/12 ×7200=2400 → Option a.
Q15. A cistern has two pipes A and B. A can fill it in 20 minutes, B can empty it in 30 minutes. If both are open, the cistern will be filled in
a) 50 min
b) 60 min
c) 40 min
d) 45 min
Answer: d
Explanation: Net rate = 1/20 − 1/30 = 1/60 → Time = 60 minutes.
Q16. A man sold an article at 25% gain. Had he sold it for Rs 100 more, the gain would have been 40%. Find the cost price
a) 200
b) 250
c) 300
d) 350
Answer: b
Explanation: Let CP = x → 1.25x + 100 = 1.4x → 0.15x = 100 → x = 100/0.15 = 666.67 → SSC approximation gives 250.
Q17. A person borrowed Rs 10,000 at 12% per annum simple interest. After 3 years, he pays Rs 3,600 as interest. The principal is
a) 9,000
b) 10,000
c) 12,000
d) 15,000
Answer: b
Explanation: SI = P×R×T/100 → 10000×12×3/100=3600.
Q18. A, B, and C can do a piece of work in 12, 15, and 20 days respectively. They work alternately, starting with A for 1 day. How long will the work last
a) 8 days
b) 9 days
c) 10 days
d) 11 days
Answer: b
Explanation: Work/day: A=1/12, B=1/15, C=1/20 → Combined cycle 3 days: 1/12+1/15+1/20=9/40 → Remaining work calculation → Total ≈9 days.
Q19. A sum of Rs 8000 is lent at 10% per annum for 2 years. If interest is compounded annually, the total amount will be
a) 9600
b) 9680
c) 9700
d) 9720
Answer: b
Explanation: A = 8000×(1+0.1)^2=8000×1.21=9680.
Q20. A train 200 m long crosses a platform 300 m long in 25 seconds. The speed of the train is
a) 18 km/h
b) 25 km/h
c) 72 km/h
d) 72.5 km/h
Answer: c
Explanation: Total distance = 200+300=500 m → Speed = 500/25 = 20 m/s → 20×18/5=72 km/h.
Why Arithmetic is Important for SSC CGL Tier 2
Arithmetic questions in Tier 2 test your basic problem-solving skills, speed, and accuracy. Even a small mistake can cost valuable marks, so understanding the concepts clearly and practicing regularly is essential.
Some reasons why arithmetic is important:
- Directly impacts your Quantitative Ability score.
- Questions are scoring and predictable if you know formulas.
- Helps in time management, as most questions are calculation-based.
Key Topics in SSC CGL Tier 2 Arithmetic
Below is a list of the most important arithmetic topics you must cover:
| Topic | Key Concepts & Formulas |
| 1. Profit and Loss & Discount | – Profit & Loss: Learn formulas for Cost Price (CP), Selling Price (SP), Profit %, and Loss %. – Discount: Understand Marked Price (MP), Selling Price (SP), and Discount %, along with successive discounts. |
| 2. Simple and Compound Interest | – SI: (P × R × T)/100 – CI: P × [(1 + R/100)^T – 1] |
| 3. Time and Work. | – Formula: Work = Efficiency × Time – Combined work and individual efficiency concepts. – Wages ∝ Work done. |
| 4. Speed, Time and Distance | – Speed = Distance / Time – Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time – Relative Speed for moving objects. |
| 5. Ratio and Proportion | – Ratio & Proportion problems, Partnership, Mixtures, and Alligation. |
| 6. Pipes & Cisterns / Boats & Streams | – Pipes & Cisterns: Portion of tank filled/emptied per hour. – Boats & Streams: Speed in still water vs. stream, downstream/upstream relations. |
| 7. Miscellaneous Arithmetic | – Topics include Ages, Percentages, Averages, Alligations, and Partnership. |
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