Home » How To Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS PO 2020

The quantitative aptitude section is an integral part of the IBPS Probationary Officer exam syllabus. Various topics are included in this section and candidates willing to crack the upcoming PO exam need to excel the numerical ability section as well.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts the IBPS PO exam to recruit probationary officers in public sector banks.

This IBPS exam is conducted in three stages which are as follows:

IBPS PO Preliminary Exam
IBPS PO Main Exam
IBPS PO Interview

The PO prelims and mains are written examinations consisting of objective type questions. One of the subjects covered in the IBPS PO syllabus is Quantitative Aptitude. It is considered one of the toughest sections of the exam.

While this is largely correct, it is also the section with the highest scoring potential given good preparation and practice. In this article, we will discuss a few strategies to prepare Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS PO.

Tips to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS PO 2020

Before we go into the ways to prepare for this subject, we should know the topics that are covered by the syllabus and their share of marks.

Quantitative Aptitude Topics for IBPS PO

The quantitative aptitude syllabus for the IBPS PO prelims and mains exam is almost the same and is vast and too many topics are included in this section.

Candidates must know that since there is a sectional cut off for both IBPS PO prelims and mains, candidates need to score the minimum qualifying marks in order to crack the Online computer-based tests.

However, there are a few common topics which are important with respect to the examination and candidates must pay special attention to these topics.

The table given below shows a general distribution of questions as may be asked in the upcoming IBPS PO quantitative aptitude section. The following table provides that information:

Topic	Average Marks
Data Interpretation	5-10 marks
Simplification	3-5 marks
Number Series	3-5 marks
Inequalities	3-5 marks
Percentages	1-2 marks
Profit and Loss	1-2 marks
Averages	1-2 marks
Time, Work, Speed and Distances	2-4 marks
Ratio, Proportion and Probability	2-4 marks

Candidates should make strategic choices while preparing for this subject. The first four and the last two topics are very important as they carry between 25-30 marks every year.

As the section itself is very time consuming, more importance should be given to these topics to be able to clear this section in the IBPS PO Exam.

IBPS PO Preparation Tips For Quantitative Aptitude

Here are a few tips to excel in quantitative aptitude and clear the section well within the allotted time:

Start With Number Systems and Number Series: Though questions related to number systems are not asked directly in the exam, this forms the basis of most of the questions. Candidates should develop skills in analysing square and cube roots, raising numbers to a given power and basic arithmetic.

Number series should be tackled after this with a focus on finding out patterns of repetition and the operations used to arrive at a number series.

Focus on Data Interpretation: Data interpretation takes up the lions’ share of marks in quantitative aptitude. Candidates should focus on this section as the type of questions varies every year. The basic types of DI such as tabular and graph-based DI require intensive practice.

Previous years’ questions should be studied to gain insight on the types of DI that get repeated and also to find out variations of basic data interpretation that the institute uses.

Combine Preparation for Interrelated Topics: This would help aspirants understand the nuances of the trickier questions that the institute favours for the IBPS PO mains exam. It also builds on the basic concepts for topics such as ratios and percentages, or speed and work to enable more accurate calculations in prelims and mains.

The other advantage of studying related topics together is that it saves time while preparing for the exam.

Make a Study Schedule: A largely overlooked aspect of bank PO preparation is the study schedule. Most aspirants schedule a time for the subject but do not focus adequately on the topics within it.

Candidates should schedule time separately for every topic as well as for revision while preparing for quantitative aptitude. This enables aspirants to get enough practice for each topic.

Practice and Revise: While preparing for the first time can seem like a daunting task, practice and revision should never be relegated to secondary tasks. The primary goal should be to become an expert in the topics, for which practice and revision is essential.
Focus on Speed and Accuracy: Quantitative Aptitude is one of the lengthy sections of IBPS PO. The focus should be on speed and accuracy so that candidates can finish all the questions within the stipulated time and do not have to second guess their answers.

Since this is a computer-based exam, the institute has left no scope for candidates to revisit a section once the allotted time is over.

This means that speed and accuracy are the most important traits to develop while preparing for this section.

Solve Question Papers and Mock Tests: Once preparation is well underway, candidates should start solving previous years’ papers and mock tests. These should be done for all the sections simultaneously to familiarise with the pattern of the IBPS PO exam and also to find out the areas in which more intensive preparation is required.

Weak areas can be identified and worked upon well before the examination to save time for revision later in the preparation process.

The above tips when combined with good IBPS PO books will guarantee success on exam day.

The following books should be referred extensively for the quantitative aptitude section:

Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Agarwal
Basic Numeracy, Numerical Aptitude and Data Interpretation by Nishit K Sinha
Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma

The key takeaways from these strategies for the subject are to develop speed and accuracy while solving the questions. Without them, any amount of expertise will not be helpful on exam day as the limited time allotted for the section precludes deliberation while solving the questions. Practice, revision and focus on important topics should be the main features of your preparation plan.

How to Improve Your calculation/speed for IBPS PO Exam 2020?

The first and foremost thing is to quit the use of the calculator. It will make you habitual of using it and your speed to tackle the questions will be restricted.
Play with numbers. Try to find the square, division, sum, and multiplication of the numbers written on the car plate. This will help you increase your speed.
Practice quiz on simplification and approximation to ace your speed. You will find a number of quizzes on Guidely app.
Make mind calculations. Try not to use paper and pen. This will save you time during the exam.
You can also check the quant hacks for IBPS PO to increase your speed and calculation for the upcoming banking exams.

General Tips to Prepare Quant Section for IBPS PO – A beginners Guide

Those who are willing to prepare for IBPS PO for the first time must be feeling puzzled how and from where they can start their preparations. Quant could be the most difficult task for them to begin with. Here are some simple tips to prepare quant for IBPS PO 2020.

Prepare a time table for IBPS PO So that you will have an idea on how to start your preparation for IBPS PO.
Prioritize your topics for IBPS PO prelims, to avoid a hassle in starting off the chapters.
Arrange all the study material for IBPS PO quant.
Start with the basics. Do not go for the short tricks in the starting. This will only puzzle you. Once you get familiar with the basics of all the chapters to be prepared try short tricks.
Learning all the formulas and important tricks and how to compute them in a question is a major task.
Prepare notes of the important topics or chapters that you will need at the end while revising the whole syllabus.
After revising the chapters, Practice miscellaneous exercise. This will help you analyze your capability to tackle a question in a mixed form.
Take the mock test for IBPS PO. Section-wise mock tests are the best way to analyze your performance and this will highlight your weak points and you can work on them to improve.
Always learn from your mistakes. Do not repeat the same in the exam. Work on them and make a new start.

General Tips to Prepare Quant for IBPS PO- For Experienced Aspirants

If you are already an aspirant and preparing for the past few months/years, you must be well versed with the pattern, types of question and the difficulty level of IBPS PO exam.
You should analyze where you are lacking. If your speed is not good. work on it. The practice is the only key. Practice as much as you can until you achieve the satisfaction that now you are ready to appear for the IBPS PO exam.
Learn from past mistakes. Work on them and do not repeat them again in the future.
Work on your weak points. Improve on them and work with fuller efficiency.
Take the mock test for IBPS PO. This will help you analyze where you stand and if you need more practice than you have done.
Work on your time management, speed, and accuracy. These are the most important things for the banking exams.

So students start preparing for quant for IBPS PO and ace your marks in the IBPS PO exam. Do not leave any topic untouched. Everything is important from an exam point of view. Keep practicing. Work Hard. All The Best!