Many of you have this question in mind that what are the important topics in math which you should prepare before you attend any math aptitude test. As per the feedback given by the students who have attended different aptitude test and HRs, this article illustrates what are the important topics in Math which you must solve before you attend any aptitude test for Analytics & Data Science Company’s openings.

1. Percentages:

Percentages are one of the important concepts used in almost all kind of aptitude questions such as question related to Profit and Loss, Averages, Ages, Ratio and Proportions, Time and Work, Probability, Data Interpretation etc.

Approach to Solve:

You must be able to convert fractions into percentages such as 
1/2 = 50%, 
1/3 = 33.33%, 
1/4 = 25%, 
1/5 = 20% etc, 
calculate Percentage changes.

2. Averages:

Averages are also one of the important concept used in aptitude questions related to Speed, Distance and Time, Profit and Loss, Ages, Ratio and Proportion

Approach to Solve:

You must know how to calculate average, weighted average, arithmetic mean.

3. Permutations and Combinations:

This topic in math contains questions on Arrangements, Selection, and how people can be seated in a round table.

Approach to Solve:

My advice in this topic would be to solve the questions/challenges based on Fundamental Counting Principle. This would allow you to solve the questions even verbally rather than remembering lot of formulas.

4. Probability:

Welcome to the world of Cards, Coins, Balls and Dices. The questions of probabilities many times are blended with permutations and combinations.

Approach to Solve:

Hence it is important for you is to first understood the concepts of permutations and combinations before you attempt the problems on probabilities.

5. Train, Distance Speed & Time:

Rajdhani Express passes a station platform in 15 seconds and a man standing on the platform in 4 seconds. If the speed of the train is 120 km/hr, what is the length of the platform?

Approach to Solve:

These kind of questions can be solved easily if you remember the formula of 
Speed = Distance/time

6. Work & Time:

A work 3 days to complete the task, B work 5 days to complete the task, hence how many days A and B can work together to finish the task.

Approach to Solve:

You need to know unitary method to solve such questions of work and time.

7. Pipes and Cisterns:

Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 5 and 6 hours respectively. Pipe C can empty it in 12 hours. If all the three pipes are opened together, then the tank will be filled in how many hours

Approach to Solve:

Pipes and cisterns problems are similar to work and time problems hence again You need to know unitary method well to solve such questions.

8. Ratio & Proportion:

In a mixture of 40 litres, the ratio of milk and water is 4 : 1. How much water must be added to this mixture so that the ratio of milk and water becomes 2 : 3. Ratios are mainly used for comparison of 2 or more entities.

Approach to Solve:

You must know how to calculate percentages.

9. Age:

A father said to his son, “I was as old as you are at the present at the time of your birth”. If the father’s age is 38 years now, the son’s age five years back was…19 years..how?

(38 — x) = x

2x = 38.

x = 19.

Son’s age 5 years back (19–5) = 14 years.

Approach to Solve: 

Age problems can be solved mostly by framing linear equation. Few of the instances you need to know the concept of quadratic equation.

10. Blood Relations:

Introducing Rashmi to guests, Ram said, “Her father is the only son of my father”. How is Rashmi related to Ram?

Approach to Solve: 

Blood Relation Problems can be solved by using flow diagram or family tree. Also you must be able to figure out every generation relationship.

11. Seating Arrangements:

Seating Arrangement challenges involves questions related to who seats besides whom? Who faces whom? Who seats at what position? One of the question asked is A, B, C, D and E are sitting on a bench. A is sitting next to B, C is sitting next to D, D is not sitting with E who is on the left end of the bench. C is on the second position from the right. A is to the right of B and E. A and C are sitting together. In which position A is sitting?

Approach to solve: 

You must understand how seating arrangement can be done in Linear arrangement, Circular arrangement, square / rectangular arrangement, or combination of all these.

12. Series Questions:

Series question involves set of numbers with specific pattern. The numbers can be in arithmetic, geometric or harmonic progression or numbers can have common interval. Challenge can be to complete the series or to fill the number in between the series or to find the nth term of the series.

Approach to solve: 

You should be able to identify the pattern among the given series of numbers. You should understand the concept of AP, GP, HP and understand how to find out common difference, common ratio, nth term etc.

13. Data Interpretation (DI):

DI questions are asked from tables, graphs and charts such as pie charts, bar charts, and line charts etc. questions may involve concept of percentages, ratios, average, total, data comparisons etc. Such as which branch has generated highest sales, average sales of all branches in the year 2019 or what the percent of amount of food is spent as amount on education etc.

Approach to solve: 

You should have clear understanding of percentage calculations and comparison, ratios, averages etc. you should clearly understand how the charts work such as Table, bar, pie, line etc.

I hope this article helps and would save your time while doing the preparation for math aptitude test for Analytics and Data Science companies.

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Thank you,

Best Regards

Dyuti Lal