Quantitative Aptitude section, particularly the arithmetic segment, is often considered
difficult by a lot of students. This may be due to a number of reasons, the most common
of them being ‘fear of calculations’. Mathematical calculations in the quantitative
aptitude section are often considered a hard row to hoe by a lot of students, which in
turn makes this section difficult to attempt. The misconceptions related to calculations,
engrained in our thoughts, in a way, hold us back from enjoying the art of mathematical
calculations. However, with enough efforts, one can easily turn calculations into a fun
activity.



Right from our school days, many of us have been trained to think of Mathematics as the
toughest subject. The taste of Arithmetic section, is, therefore, more bitter for a majority
of us. Only through regular practice and smart work, one can possess the techniques of
mathematics in his grip. Again, to improve the calculation speed, one should train
himself/ herself to withdraw from all distractions and concentrate on the given
calculations. This is not an easy task, unless and until a person can devote his time and
energy completely into it.


Of course, a lot of SSC CGL aspirants invest in their time primarily to prepare for
Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sections. Still, a large number of students achieve
quite low scores in these sections. Always understand that a serious aspirant can find
out the right answer for all the questions ranging from easy level to difficulty level if the
duration of the exam is long. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible as time management
is the crucial factor in determining the success of the candidates in this prestigious
examination. Like every candidate –be it Arts stream or Science stream, you too have
just one hour to crack the test. And do you think, in an hour you can do long calculations
for all the given questions? Not at all. In such a scenario, increasing your calculation
speed is the most viable solution.

Best Recommended Books for Learning Short Cuts:

1. Arihant Fast Track Arithmetic:

Are you not confident of your mathematical skills? Then, this book is for you. It is of
course, a beginner’s guide. As the title of the book suggests, there are many fast track
tricks for candidates preparing for SSC CGL recruitment exam. Plus, the practice sets
given at the end of the book are very useful.

2. How to Become a Human Calculator? With the Magic of Vedic Math:

Don’t you want to try your hands at mental calculations to ace SSC CGL? This book
of Vedic Maths not only helps sharpen your mind but also enhances one’s interest in
numbers. All easy techniques to beat any competitive examination set the book apart
from other arithmetic books.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (R.S. Aggarwal):

If you are an ardent lover of competitive examinations, this book should certainly be
there in your shelf. The chapters are all designed and structured in a simpler way and
many quick exercises with easy tips can be found in this book.

4. Magical Book on Quicker Maths (M Tyra):

It is mainly meant for candidates from non-mathematical background. Some
questions are with illustrations so that even an average learner of mathematics gets a
clear understanding of the questions. The most difficult questions can be easily
solved through the shortcuts given in this incredible book.

5. Chapter Wise Quantitative Aptitude (Kiran Publications):

The solution for every question is well explained and well formulated. It is a
complete guide for competitive examination and there are a lot of solved papers of
SSC CGL as well. The candidate is advised to go through the papers and work out the
questions given. As it is totally from a competitive examination point of view, the
solutions given are mostly shortcuts for an effective learning.

A Few Tips to Increase the Calculation Speed

1. Math is essentially all about additions, subtractions, multiplications and
divisions. These are the basic operations anyone ought to know. If you are good at
them, half your job is done. Whatever the question be, you have to carry out any
of these four operations. Only then you could land in the appropriate answer.

2. Attempt to mug up the multiplication tables up to 30, square roots and cube roots
up to 20. Please do not consider this a plain magic that you would get the tables
right without maximum effort. Nothing other than hard work and perseverance
has helped anyone to learn the tables in a fair way. Write the tables (even the
fraction tables) on a paper and paste it near your study table for a reason that you
can have your eyes on them now and then.

3. Avoid using calculators not only while you are preparing for the test but also in
your day to day mathematical calculations. For eg, if you are in a grocery store, on
your own, do the calculation of the things you buy. And later, tally it with the
grocery bill the shop owner gives you. While travelling on roads, you may observe
the registration numbers of the vehicle. Do some random calculations based on
the numbers. You can try working out all those four basic operations then. In
short, you should apply math to your daily affairs.

4. Try to engage yourself in doing mental math whenever possible in order to avoid
doing calculations on paper and save your time for another question.

5. Keep strategically learning and revising mathematical formulae so that you don’t
forget it whenever they have to be put to use.

6. Go through Youtube and check for videos pertaining to shortcuts and short
tricks of mathematical calculations and it would help you to do calculations very
quickly and at a good speed.

7. Practice as much mock tests as possible and attempt the questi0ns of quantitative
aptitude section of the previous years on a regular basis. With regular practice,
you’ll be able to figure out your weak areas, which need more work and attention.
Once you realize the errors, try your level best to reduce the mistakes and
practice a few more questions.

8. Always begin with easy questions. The more you feel, you have become proficient
in handling easy ones, you can opt for questions of moderate level and then go for
difficult questions.

9. While sitting for SSC CGL exams, keep in mind that the questions related to
Number System, LCM/ HCF, Set Theory, Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometric
Progression, Simplifications, Averages, Percentages, Ration, Linear and
Quadratic Equations should be given top priority. Calculations for these
questions would not be much time-consuming.

10. Don’t go for shortcuts that you are not sure of. It is better to skip the question
rather than ending up with a wrong strategy.

11. Some candidates don’t get the desired results even after mugging up the tables
and learning those smart shortcuts. You know why? It is simply because they
never concentrate. If your concentration level is not high, the speed is going to be
very low. So, boost up your power of concentration.
Just having a note of the above tips is not going to help you. You have to practice
more and more so that you would get to see the difference in your quantitative
aptitude score.

Kindly follow the tips and go through the books stated above. Also, practice as much as
you can. Remember, there is no substitute for practice and hard work.
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