Aptitude Practice

Aptitude Preparation for Campus Placements

Aptitude is the gatekeeper before coding. It is the first round at TCS NQT, Infosys, Wipro Elite and Accenture. Here you get weightage, shortcuts and solved examples for 31 topics.

Speed is the score
Spend at most 60 seconds per question. If it isn't working, mark it and move on.
Watch sectional cut-offs
TCS NQT especially needs you to clear every section, so touch all three daily.
Previous patterns first
Start with your target company's past patterns. Topics repeat; only numbers change.

Quantitative Aptitude

In quant, shortcuts and speed matter more than formulas. Master the high-weightage topics first: they repeat in every test, only the numbers change.

Topic weightage and shortcuts (13 topics)

Weightage is approximate, based on common campus test patterns. It can vary by company and season.

Topic	Weightage	Shortcut / Method
Percentages	High	Successive change: a + b + (ab/100). Memorise fractions: 12.5% = 1/8, 16.66% = 1/6.
Profit and Loss	High	SP = CP x (100 + P%)/100. Mark-up m% with discount d% gives net = m - d - (md/100).
Time and Work	High	LCM method: total work = LCM of the days, then find units per day.
Time, Speed and Distance (Trains, Boats)	High	km/h to m/s: multiply by 5/18. A train crossing a platform covers train + platform length.
Number System	High	Divisibility rules, unit-digit cycles (2, 3, 7, 8 repeat every 4), remainder theorem.
Ratio and Proportion	Medium	Join ratios through the common term. a:b = 2:3 and b:c = 4:5 gives a:b:c = 8:12:15.
Simple and Compound Interest	Medium	2-year CI - SI = P(r/100)². For 3 years: P(r/100)² x (300 + r)/100.
Averages	Medium	Deviation method: assume an average and add the plus/minus deviations.
Permutation and Combination	Medium	Order matters: nPr. Order doesn't matter: nCr. Circular arrangement = (n - 1)!.
Probability	Medium	P = favourable / total. 'At least one' = 1 - P(none).
Mixtures and Alligation	Low	Alligation cross: (dearer - mean) : (mean - cheaper).
LCM and HCF	Low	For two numbers: LCM x HCF = a x b.
Problems on Ages	Low	Let the present age be x and form an equation. Back-solving from options is often faster.

Method notes

Spend at most 60 seconds per question. If it isn't working, mark it and move on.
Back-solve from the options. It is often faster than forming an equation.
Memorise squares up to 20, cubes up to 15 and percentage values of 1/2 to 1/20.
Do 20 timed questions daily: 10 from high-weightage topics and 10 mixed.

Solved sample questions (5)

Try it yourself first (60 seconds), then open the solution.

Q1 · Percentages
A price is first increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change?
- A. 0%
- B. 4% increase
- C. 4% decrease
- D. 2% decrease
Show solutionHide solution
1. Successive change formula: a + b + (ab/100).
2. Here a = +20 and b = -20.
3. Net = 20 - 20 + (20 x -20)/100 = 0 - 4 = -4%.
4. The minus sign means a decrease.
Answer: 4% decrease
Q2 · Time and Work
A can finish a job in 12 days and B can finish it in 18 days. How long will they take working together?
- A. 6 days
- B. 7.2 days
- C. 8 days
- D. 15 days
Show solutionHide solution
1. Total work = LCM(12, 18) = 36 units.
2. A does 36/12 = 3 units per day. B does 36/18 = 2 units per day.
3. Together they do 3 + 2 = 5 units per day.
4. Time = 36 / 5 = 7.2 days.
Answer: 7.2 days
Q3 · Time, Speed and Distance
A 150 m long train runs at 54 km/h. How many seconds will it take to cross a 300 m platform?
- A. 20 s
- B. 25 s
- C. 30 s
- D. 36 s
Show solutionHide solution
1. Convert speed to m/s: 54 x 5/18 = 15 m/s.
2. Distance to cross the platform = train + platform = 150 + 300 = 450 m.
3. Time = distance / speed = 450 / 15 = 30 seconds.
Answer: 30 seconds
Q4 · Profit and Loss
A shopkeeper marks goods 25% above cost price and gives a 10% discount. What is the profit percentage?
- A. 10%
- B. 12.5%
- C. 15%
- D. 35%
Show solutionHide solution
1. Let CP = 100. Marked price = 125.
2. After a 10% discount, SP = 125 x 0.9 = 112.5.
3. Profit = 112.5 - 100 = 12.5, i.e. 12.5%.
4. Shortcut: 25 - 10 - (25 x 10)/100 = 12.5%.
Answer: 12.5%
Q5 · Simple and Compound Interest
What is the difference between compound interest and simple interest on Rs 10,000 at 10% per year for 2 years?
- A. Rs 50
- B. Rs 100
- C. Rs 200
- D. Rs 210
Show solutionHide solution
1. Shortcut for 2 years: CI - SI = P x (r/100)².
2. = 10,000 x (10/100)² = 10,000 x 0.01.
3. = Rs 100.
Answer: Rs 100

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is more about method than formulas. Learn one fixed approach per topic: draw a diagram, make a table or write the pattern. Puzzles and seating take the most time, so practise them daily.

Topic weightage and shortcuts (10 topics)

Weightage is approximate, based on common campus test patterns. It can vary by company and season.

Topic	Weightage	Shortcut / Method
Number and Letter Series	High	Check differences first, then differences of differences, then multiplication/square patterns.
Coding-Decoding	High	Write letter positions (A=1 ... Z=26). Remember EJOTY: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25.
Seating Arrangement	High	Fill in fixed information first (ends, middle), then relative clues.
Puzzles	High	Make a table: people in rows, attributes in columns. Cross out using negative clues.
Blood Relations	Medium	Draw a family tree: male = square, female = circle, generations up and down.
Direction Sense	Medium	Sketch every move. A right turn is a 90° clockwise turn.
Syllogism	Medium	Draw Venn diagrams and check all possible cases for 'Some' and 'All'.
Abstract / Visual Reasoning	Medium	Check one property at a time: shape, count, rotation and shading.
Data Sufficiency	Low	You don't need the answer. Only check whether the statements are enough.
Statement and Assumptions	Low	An assumption is what the statement takes for granted without saying it.

Method notes

Draw a diagram or table for every reasoning question. Solving in your head causes mistakes.
If a puzzle set looks long, skip it and come back. Clear the short questions first.
Do at least 1 puzzle set and 10 series/coding questions every day.

Solved sample questions (5)

Try it yourself first (60 seconds), then open the solution.

Q1 · Number Series
Find the next number: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
- A. 40
- B. 42
- C. 44
- D. 46
Show solutionHide solution
1. Differences: 4, 6, 8, 10. They increase by 2 each time.
2. The next difference is 12, so 30 + 12 = 42.
3. Another way: the pattern is n x (n + 1): 1x2, 2x3, 3x4, 4x5, 5x6, 6x7 = 42.
Answer: 42
Q2 · Blood Relations
Pointing to a photo, Rahul says: 'She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son.' How is the girl related to Rahul?
- A. Cousin
- B. Sister
- C. Aunt
- D. Daughter
Show solutionHide solution
1. Grandfather's only son = Rahul's father.
2. Father's daughter = Rahul's sister.
Answer: Sister
Q3 · Coding-Decoding
If CAT is written as DBU, how is DOG written?
- A. EPH
- B. EPG
- C. CNF
- D. FQI
Show solutionHide solution
1. C -> D, A -> B, T -> U: each letter shifts by +1.
2. D + 1 = E, O + 1 = P, G + 1 = H.
Answer: EPH
Q4 · Direction Sense
Riya walks 5 km north, turns right and walks 3 km, then turns right and walks 5 km. How far is she from the start, and in which direction?
- A. 3 km East
- B. 3 km West
- C. 5 km North
- D. 8 km East
Show solutionHide solution
1. She walks 5 km north.
2. A right turn means she now faces east and walks 3 km.
3. Another right turn means she faces south and walks 5 km, cancelling the 5 km north.
4. Only 3 km east remains.
Answer: 3 km East
Q5 · Seating Arrangement
A, B, C, D and E sit in a row (left to right). C is exactly in the middle. A is immediately left of C. B is at the right end. E is left of A. Who sits between C and B?
- A. A
- B. D
- C. E
- D. Nobody
Show solutionHide solution
1. 5 seats: 1 2 3 4 5. C in the middle = seat 3.
2. A immediately left of C = seat 2. B at the right end = seat 5.
3. E left of A = seat 1. The remaining seat 4 = D.
4. Between C (3) and B (5) sits D.
Answer: D

Verbal Ability

In verbal ability, daily reading beats memorising. A few fixed grammar rules and good reading speed are enough for most questions.

Topic weightage and shortcuts (8 topics)

Weightage is approximate, based on common campus test patterns. It can vary by company and season.

Topic	Weightage	Shortcut / Method
Reading Comprehension	High	Read the questions first, then the passage. Identify the main idea and the author's tone.
Sentence Correction / Error Spotting	High	Check subject-verb agreement, tense consistency and articles first.
Fill in the Blanks	High	Use the words around the blank to find the tone (positive/negative), then pick the option.
Para Jumbles	Medium	The opening sentence introduces the name/topic. Pronouns (he, it, this) appear in later lines.
Synonyms and Antonyms	Medium	Learn 10 words a day with an example sentence. Root words (bene = good, mal = bad) help.
Prepositions and Articles	Medium	a/an depends on sound (an hour, a university). Memorise common preposition pairs.
Sentence Completion	Medium	Connector words (however, therefore, although) show which way the logic goes.
Essay / Written Communication	Medium	Introduction, 2 points with examples, conclusion. Simple sentences, zero spelling mistakes.

Method notes

Read one English article (an editorial or blog) every day. That is how RC speed improves.
Note the rule behind every grammar question you get wrong, and revise the notebook weekly.
For tests like Wipro and Accenture, speak or write in English for 5 minutes daily.

Solved sample questions (4)

Try it yourself first (60 seconds), then open the solution.

Q1 · Synonyms
Choose the best synonym for 'Abundant'.
- A. Scarce
- B. Plentiful
- C. Rare
- D. Empty
Show solutionHide solution
1. Abundant = existing in large quantities.
2. Scarce and Rare mean the opposite (antonyms). Empty is also opposite.
3. Plentiful = a lot of something, the same meaning.
Answer: Plentiful
Q2 · Sentence Correction
Find the error: 'Each of the students have submitted the assignment.'
- A. Each of
- B. the students
- C. have submitted
- D. No error
Show solutionHide solution
1. The real subject of the sentence is 'Each', not 'students'.
2. 'Each' is singular, so the verb must also be singular.
3. Replace 'have' with 'has': 'Each of the students has submitted the assignment.'
Answer: have submitted (correct: has submitted)
Q3 · Para Jumbles
Choose the correct order. P: He started a small tea stall near the station. Q: Ramesh lost his job in 2020. R: Today, that stall is a busy cafe. S: With his savings, he decided to start something of his own.
- A. QSPR
- B. QPSR
- C. SQPR
- D. PQSR
Show solutionHide solution
1. The opening line introduces the name. Q has 'Ramesh', so Q comes first.
2. S has 'his savings' and 'decided': the step after losing the job.
3. P, 'He started a small tea stall', is the action after the decision.
4. R, 'Today, that stall', refers back to the stall, so it comes last.
Answer: QSPR
Q4 · Antonyms
Choose the antonym of 'Transparent'.
- A. Clear
- B. Opaque
- C. Visible
- D. Bright
Show solutionHide solution
1. Transparent = you can see through it.
2. Clear and Visible are similar in meaning.
3. Opaque = you cannot see through it, the opposite meaning.
Answer: Opaque

How much should you practise daily?

Around 1 hour of aptitude a day is enough alongside college, if you stay consistent.

Quant
20 timed questions daily (25-30 min). High-weightage topics first.
Logical
1 puzzle or seating set + 10 series / coding-decoding questions daily (20 min).
Verbal
1 RC passage + 10 grammar questions daily (15-20 min).
Weekly
2 full-length timed mock tests (from Phase 2). List your mistakes after every mock.

See which aptitude topics matter most for each company in Company-wise Preparation. Two days before a test, revise only your target company's pattern.

Your next step

After aptitude, get your resume ready

Once you clear the test, shortlisting depends on your resume. Check your score with the 10-point ATS checklist.

Open Resume Checklist Practise DSA