The Aptitude and Reasoning sections are common across almost all competitive exams, including SSC, IBPS, RRB, UPSC, LIC, and state-level government exams. These sections test your logical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability under time pressure.
Many aspirants find them difficult, especially if they’re from non-maths backgrounds. However, with a smart approach and consistent practice, anyone can master aptitude and reasoning. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through step-by-step strategies to prepare for these two crucial sections effectively.
🧠 Why Aptitude and Reasoning Are Important
These sections carry a significant portion of marks and often determine whether you qualify for the next stage. Here’s why they matter:
- High scoring if prepared well
- No need to memorize facts like in GK
- Helps improve mental sharpness
- Useful for both prelims and mains exams
Whether you’re preparing for banking exams or SSC, a strong grip over these sections will boost your overall score.
🧮 1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Before you dive into preparation, know what topics are commonly asked.
Quantitative Aptitude Topics:
- Number Series
- Simplification & Approximation
- Percentage, Profit & Loss
- Time & Work, Time & Distance
- Data Interpretation (Pie chart, Bar graph, Table)
- Ratio & Proportion, Averages
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Mensuration
- Probability (in some exams)
Reasoning Ability Topics:
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangements
- Syllogisms
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
- Inequality
- Input-Output
- Statement & Assumptions
- Alphanumeric Series
🔍 Check your specific exam notification (SSC, IBPS, etc.) for the exact syllabus.
📅 2. Create a Weekly Study Plan
Don’t try to study everything at once. Divide your study plan like this:
Week Plan Example:
- Mon–Wed: Focus on Quant topics (2 per day)
- Thu–Sat: Focus on Reasoning topics
- Sunday: Attempt a full-length mock test + analyze mistakes
Break topics into easy → moderate → difficult and begin with basics. Set daily goals like:
- Learn a new concept
- Practice 20–30 questions
- Revise yesterday’s topics
🛠️ 3. Master the Basics Before Going to Tricks
It’s tempting to learn shortcuts immediately, but if your basics are weak, you’ll struggle. So:
- Understand formulas (especially in Percentage, SI-CI, and Averages)
- Learn standard number formats (squares, cubes, tables up to 20)
- Know common patterns in reasoning (blood relation flowcharts, direction tricks)
Once the basics are strong, learn Vedic Maths tricks and shortcut formulas to increase speed.
✍️ 4. Practice Daily with Topic-Wise Quizzes
You can’t master aptitude or reasoning without consistent practice.
- Start with 20–30 questions per topic every day
- Use timers to track how much time you’re taking
- Focus on both accuracy and speed
🎯 Use FreeOnlineExams.com for free daily quizzes and topic-wise tests to stay on track.
📊 5. Attempt Mock Tests & Analyze Mistakes
Taking mock tests regularly helps you in:
- Time management
- Question selection strategy
- Real exam practice
- Reducing silly mistakes
Always review your mistakes after the test:
- Was it a conceptual error or silly mistake?
- Did you take too much time?
- Which type of questions slowed you down?
Create a mistake notebook and review it weekly.
🧩 6. Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Previous year questions give a clear idea of the exam level and frequently asked patterns.
- Start with last 3–5 years’ PYQs
- Solve them topic-wise
- Mark questions that were difficult and revisit them later
This not only improves confidence but also ensures you’re studying what matters most.
📚 7. Use the Right Study Material
Don’t waste time on too many books or PDFs. Stick to trusted sources.
Recommended Books:
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Previous Year Papers by Kiran Prakashan
Pair them with online quizzes and video lectures for better understanding.
🔁 8. Focus on Revision and Repetition
Learning a topic once is not enough—you need repeated practice to improve speed.
- Revise formulas weekly
- Re-solve tough questions
- Take the same mock test again after a few days
The more you revise, the better your brain will retain the concept.
📌 9. Use Elimination and Smart Techniques
In MCQ exams, you don’t always have to solve the full question. Use tricks like:
- Option elimination
- Approximations in calculation-based questions
- Skipping difficult puzzles on the first go and returning later
Smart solving saves time and improves accuracy.
🧘♂️ 10. Stay Positive and Be Patient
Improving in aptitude and reasoning takes time. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see results immediately.
- Track your weekly improvement
- Celebrate small wins (e.g., higher accuracy, better speed)
- Stay consistent, even if it’s just 1 hour a day
✅ Final Words
Aptitude and Reasoning are not about cramming—they are skill-based sections. The more you practice, the better you get. With daily effort, the right resources, mock tests, and revision, you can easily score 80%+ in these sections.
Ready to practice?
👉 Visit FreeOnlineExams.com to access free quizzes, topic-wise tests, and mock exams to boost your preparation.
