Strategy for Arithmetic
Here is a quick strategy for studying Arithmetic, which is a part of the syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude for MBA entrance exams.
1) Percentages: This topic is one of the foundations with which you should build your preparation for Quant. It is a basic topic where you will learn how to remove percentages of numbers and values. You will also learn how to convert percentage values to fractions and vice-versa.
Having a good base of calculating percentages and percentage changes of numbers, will help you immensely in Data Interpretation (DI) as some DI sets (especially Pie Charts) often include percentage values in its charts and diagrams. With proper knowledge of percentage values, you can increase your speed of solving such questions on the day of the test.
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Memorize all the conversion values of fractions to percentages from 1 to 15. (given below)
E.g:-
1/1 is 100% 1/2 is 50% 1/3 is 33.33%……and so on
2) Vedic maths: Along with percentages, another thing that would help you in doing quick calculations is Vedic maths. Vedic maths contains a number of techniques, which when applied appropriately, simplifies complex calculations by reducing the number of steps. Any such reduction in solving speeds would be great for topics like Arithmetic, where calculations play a major role.
3) Profit & Loss: Profit and Loss is an important topic. This is because it will help you in two different scenarios. The first one, which is obvious, is when you are taking any MBA Entrance test. The second one is when you are studying for certain topics like Financial Statements and Accounts, during the course of your MBA.
While preparing for this topic, do not just mug up all the formulas and dive into the questions. Remember, Quantitative Aptitude is more about concepts and less about formulae. Therefore, use the solved examples to understand the concepts. Once you have understood the concepts and applications, you can then note down the formulas and keep them handy.
4) Simple Interest-Compound Interest: This is one topic which may get a bit confusing for you as you move on to the complex questions. Some questions might use a language that would be too confusing for you. As a result of the high language, you might use the wrong formula or you may apply the right formula to the wrong piece of given data.
At such times, don’t leave the question/topic mid-way. Read the solution. Rectify and remember the error. If the solutions don’t make sense, go back to the solved examples and get thorough with the basics.
Keep solving high-level questions periodically.
5) Averages, Mixtures & Allegations: Like Percentages, this is one topic which will be useful in Data Interpretation. Usually, tables and line graphs make use of these concepts. Therefore, you should be thorough with them.
This is one topic which you can never go wrong in if you know the concepts. Unfortunately, this is also a topic that many students opt to leave out. This is because the concepts in these topics seem to be difficult at first, but are actually pretty easy to apply, once you are well-versed with it. Therefore, you should refrain from skipping this topic for the exam. Remember, the more familiar you are with all the topics, the greater your chances of getting a high score.
6) Time & Work | Time, Speed & Distance: This is one topic which is completely concept-based. You need not sit and memorize each and every formula. If you know all the concepts, you will be able to understand most of the problems.
This topic is heavily application-based with problems pertaining to People and working hours, Pipes and Cisterns, Trains, Races & Circular Tracks, Upstream & Downstream, Clocks, etc.
You should be familiar and well-versed with ALL of the applications.
Also, there are different methods and techniques involved while solving the problems here. Therefore, be adaptive and try solving different problems with different solutions. This will make you an expert at tackling these problems.
Be well-versed with each and every concept/application.
All the Best!!
