Aptitude Test Preparation: The Complete 2025 Guide
Master aptitude tests with proven strategies, shortcuts, and formulas. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic concepts to advanced problem-solving techniques used by top scorers.
Aptitude tests are the first and most crucial filter in campus placements and competitive exams. Companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and hundreds of others use aptitude tests to screen candidates before interviews. A strong aptitude score doesn't just get you through—it often determines your interview slot priority and even salary negotiations.
The good news? Aptitude tests are highly learnable. Unlike IQ tests, aptitude tests follow patterns that can be mastered with systematic practice. This guide will give you everything you need: concepts, shortcuts, formulas, practice strategies, and test-taking tips.
Aptitude Test Statistics
Key Takeaways
- Practice daily—30 minutes of consistent practice beats 3 hours of cramming
- Learn shortcuts—they can cut solving time by 50-70%
- Memorize key formulas and tables (multiplication up to 20, squares up to 30)
- Time management is critical—practice with a timer from day one
- Focus on weak areas but maintain strengths
- Take mock tests weekly in exam-like conditions
1. Understanding Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests measure your ability to perform tasks, react to situations, and solve problems. They assess learned skills through standardized questions. Most aptitude tests for placements have three main sections:
Three Pillars of Aptitude
Quantitative
Math skills, number problems, data interpretation
~40% of questions
Logical
Patterns, puzzles, analytical reasoning
~35% of questions
Verbal
Reading, grammar, vocabulary
~25% of questions
Common Aptitude Test Formats
| Company | Test Name | Duration | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCS | TCS NQT | 90 min | Quant, Verbal, Reasoning, Coding |
| Infosys | InfyTQ | 60 min | Quant, Verbal, Logical |
| Wipro | NLTH | 60 min | Quant, Verbal, Logical, Essay |
| Cognizant | GenC | 60 min | Quant, Verbal, Logical |
| Capgemini | Game-Based | 60 min | Behavioral, Logical, Quant |
Scoring Pattern
- Positive marks: +1 to +4 per correct answer (varies by company)
- Negative marks: -0.25 to -1 per wrong answer (some have no negatives)
- Cutoff: Usually 50-70% is the passing score
- Sectional cutoffs: Some companies require minimum scores in each section
2. Quantitative Aptitude Topics
Quantitative aptitude tests your numerical ability and problem-solving skills. Here's a complete breakdown of topics by priority:
High Priority (60% of Questions)
Percentages, Profit & Loss
Base calculations, successive percentages, discounts, cost price/selling price
Ratio & Proportion
Simple ratios, compound ratios, partnerships, mixtures
Time & Work
Work efficiency, pipes & cisterns, work equivalence
Time, Speed & Distance
Average speed, relative speed, trains, boats & streams
Number System
Divisibility, remainders, LCM & HCF, factors
Medium Priority (30% of Questions)
- Simple & Compound Interest: SI/CI formulas, difference between SI/CI
- Averages: Weighted averages, age problems
- Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations
- Geometry: Triangles, circles, coordinate geometry basics
- Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, pie charts, tables
Lower Priority (10% of Questions)
- Permutations & Combinations
- Probability
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
3. Essential Formulas to Memorize
Percentages
% = (Part / Whole) × 100
% Change = ((New - Old) / Old) × 100
Successive % change: a + b + (ab/100)
Profit & Loss
Profit = SP - CP
Profit % = (Profit / CP) × 100
SP = CP × (100 + Profit%) / 100
If discount = d% and markup = m%, then Profit = (m - d + md/100)%
Time & Work
If A can do work in n days, A's 1 day work = 1/n
If A & B together: 1/A + 1/B = 1/Total days
Work = Efficiency × Time
M₁D₁H₁ / W₁ = M₂D₂H₂ / W₂
Time, Speed & Distance
Speed = Distance / Time
Average Speed = 2ab / (a + b) for equal distances
Relative speed (same direction) = |S₁ - S₂|
Relative speed (opposite direction) = S₁ + S₂
Boats: Downstream = b + s, Upstream = b - s
Simple & Compound Interest
SI = (P × R × T) / 100
CI = P(1 + R/100)ⁿ - P
Difference for 2 years: CI - SI = P(R/100)²
Difference for 3 years: CI - SI = PR²(300 + R) / 100³
Number Properties
Sum of n natural numbers = n(n+1)/2
Sum of squares = n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
Sum of cubes = [n(n+1)/2]²
Sum of first n odd = n²
Sum of first n even = n(n+1)
4. Calculation Shortcuts
These shortcuts can save 30-50% of your solving time:
Percentage Shortcuts
| Percentage | Fraction | Quick Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 1/10 | Move decimal left 1 place |
| 12.5% | 1/8 | Divide by 8 |
| 20% | 1/5 | Divide by 5 |
| 25% | 1/4 | Divide by 4 |
| 33.33% | 1/3 | Divide by 3 |
| 50% | 1/2 | Divide by 2 |
| 66.67% | 2/3 | Multiply by 2, divide by 3 |
| 75% | 3/4 | Multiply by 3, divide by 4 |
Multiplication Shortcuts
- Multiply by 5: Divide by 2, then multiply by 10
- Multiply by 25: Divide by 4, then multiply by 100
- Multiply by 11: Sum adjacent digits, place in middle
- Square a number ending in 5: n5² = n(n+1) followed by 25
Division Shortcuts
- Divisibility by 3: Sum of digits divisible by 3
- Divisibility by 4: Last 2 digits divisible by 4
- Divisibility by 8: Last 3 digits divisible by 8
- Divisibility by 9: Sum of digits divisible by 9
- Divisibility by 11: Difference of sum of alternate digits divisible by 11
Tables to Memorize
- Multiplication tables: 1 to 20
- Squares: 1² to 30²
- Cubes: 1³ to 15³
- Powers of 2 and 3: Up to 2¹⁰ and 3⁷
5. Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning tests your ability to analyze patterns, make deductions, and solve abstract problems. Unlike quant, logic has no formulas—it requires structured thinking and practice.
High Priority Topics
Seating Arrangements
Linear, circular, rectangular seating with conditions
Tip: Always draw diagrams. Start with the most constrained elements.
Blood Relations
Family tree problems, relationship mapping
Tip: Use + for male, - for female. Draw family trees.
Coding-Decoding
Letter shifts, number codes, symbol-based codes
Tip: Look for patterns in position changes.
Syllogisms
All/Some/No statements and conclusions
Tip: Use Venn diagrams. Check all possible cases.
Series & Patterns
Number series, letter series, figure patterns
Tip: Check for +/-, ×/÷, prime numbers, squares.
Medium Priority Topics
- Direction Sense: North-South-East-West problems
- Puzzles: Multi-variable constraint problems
- Data Sufficiency: Are statements sufficient to answer?
- Statement-Conclusion: Valid deductions from given statements
- Ranking & Ordering: Position-based problems
Logical Reasoning Strategies
- Always draw: Visual representations save time and reduce errors
- Start with definite info: Place fixed elements first, then relative ones
- Eliminate options: Often easier than solving directly
- Check edge cases: The answer often lies in boundary conditions
- Don't assume: Only use given information
6. Verbal Ability
Verbal ability tests your English language skills—reading, comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. It's often the easiest section to score in if you have basic English proficiency.
Key Topics
Reading Comprehension
Passage-based questions testing understanding and inference
Tip: Read questions first, then skim passage for answers.
Sentence Correction
Identify and correct grammatical errors
Tip: Look for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, modifiers.
Para Jumbles
Arrange sentences in logical order
Tip: Find the opening sentence first, then look for connectors.
Fill in the Blanks
Choose correct word for context
Tip: Understand the sentence meaning before looking at options.
Vocabulary
Synonyms, antonyms, word meanings
Tip: Learn word roots—helps guess unknown words.
Grammar Rules to Master
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular subjects take singular verbs
- Tense Consistency: Don't switch tenses unnecessarily
- Pronoun Reference: Pronouns must have clear antecedents
- Modifiers: Modifiers should be close to what they modify
- Parallelism: Similar ideas should have similar structure
- Articles: A/an/the usage rules
Vocabulary Building Strategy
- Learn 10 new words daily
- Use flashcard apps like Magoosh Vocabulary Builder
- Read newspapers—The Hindu, Indian Express
- Note down unfamiliar words and look them up
- Learn word roots, prefixes, and suffixes
7. Company-Specific Patterns
Different companies have different test patterns. Here's what to expect:
TCS NQT
- • Numerical Ability: 26 questions, 40 minutes
- • Verbal Ability: 24 questions, 30 minutes
- • Reasoning: 30 questions, 50 minutes
- • Focus: Average difficulty, time management crucial
Infosys
- • Quantitative: 15 questions, 25 minutes
- • Logical: 15 questions, 25 minutes
- • Verbal: 20 questions, 20 minutes
- • Focus: More difficult quant, time pressure high
Wipro NLTH
- • Written Communication: Essay writing
- • Aptitude: Quant, Logical, Verbal combined
- • Focus: Essay is crucial, unique format
Cognizant GenC
- • English: 25 questions, 25 minutes
- • Quant: 20 questions, 25 minutes
- • Logical: 15 questions, 15 minutes
- • Focus: Balanced difficulty, good for freshers
8. Test-Taking Strategy
Before the Test
- Sleep well the night before—fatigue reduces performance
- Eat a light meal—avoid heavy food that makes you drowsy
- Reach early—settle your nerves before starting
- Keep ID and materials ready
During the Test
- Quick scan: Briefly review all questions first
- Easy first: Answer questions you're confident about
- Mark and move: Don't get stuck—mark difficult ones and return
- Time allocation: Spend ~1 minute per question average
- Review time: Keep 10-15% time for review
Handling Negative Marking
- If -0.25: Guess if you can eliminate 1 option
- If -0.33: Guess if you can eliminate 2 options
- If -1: Only answer if you're confident
- If no negative: Attempt all questions
Time Management Framework
| Phase | Time % | Action |
|---|---|---|
| First Pass | 60% | Answer easy/medium questions |
| Second Pass | 25% | Attempt difficult questions |
| Review | 15% | Check answers, fix errors |
9. 30-Day Preparation Plan
Week 1: Foundation
- Day 1-2: Percentages, Profit & Loss concepts
- Day 3-4: Ratio, Proportion, Averages
- Day 5-6: Time & Work basics
- Day 7: Review + Mini mock test
Week 2: Core Topics
- Day 8-9: Speed, Time & Distance
- Day 10-11: Number System, Algebra
- Day 12-13: Logical Reasoning - Seating, Blood Relations
- Day 14: Full mock test + analysis
Week 3: Advanced + Verbal
- Day 15-16: Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding
- Day 17-18: Reading Comprehension
- Day 19-20: Grammar, Para Jumbles
- Day 21: Full mock test + analysis
Week 4: Practice & Polish
- Day 22-24: Focus on weak areas
- Day 25-27: Mock tests daily
- Day 28-29: Light revision, shortcuts review
- Day 30: Rest and mental preparation
10. Practice Problems
Try these sample problems to test your understanding:
Quantitative
Q1: Percentage
If A is 20% more than B, then B is what percent less than A?
Show Answer
B is 16.67% less than A. (Using formula: 20/120 × 100 = 16.67%)
Q2: Time & Work
A can complete work in 10 days, B in 15 days. How many days together?
Show Answer
6 days. (1/10 + 1/15 = 1/6, so 6 days together)
Logical Reasoning
Q3: Series
What comes next? 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
Show Answer
42. (Pattern: n(n+1), so 6×7 = 42)
Q4: Blood Relation
A is B's brother. C is A's mother. D is C's father. How is B related to D?
Show Answer
B is D's grandchild. (D → C → A & B)
Verbal
Q5: Sentence Correction
Find the error: "Each of the students have submitted their assignment."
Show Answer
"have" should be "has". "Each" is singular, requires singular verb.
11. Best Resources
Books
Quantitative Aptitude
- • RS Aggarwal - Quantitative Aptitude
- • Arun Sharma - CAT Quant
- • Abhijit Guha - Quantitative Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
- • RS Aggarwal - Logical Reasoning
- • Arun Sharma - Logical Reasoning
- • MK Pandey - Reasoning
Verbal Ability
- • Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis
- • Wren & Martin - Grammar
- • RS Aggarwal - Verbal Ability
All-in-One
- • RS Aggarwal - Complete Package
- • Arihant Placement Aptitude
Online Platforms
- IndiaBix: Free practice with explanations
- PrepInsta: Company-specific preparation
- GeeksforGeeks: Technical + Aptitude
- Testbook/Gradeup: Mock tests
- Unacademy: Video courses
Apps
- Magoosh Vocabulary Builder
- Pocket Aptitude
- RS Aggarwal Aptitude App
12. Frequently Asked Questions
How much practice is enough?
Aim for 30-60 minutes daily for 30 days minimum. Quality over quantity—understand concepts, don't just solve mechanically.
I'm weak in math. Can I still crack aptitude tests?
Absolutely. Aptitude math is different from academic math—it's about patterns and shortcuts. With practice, anyone can improve significantly.
Are calculators allowed?
Usually no. That's why mental math shortcuts are crucial. Some online tests have built-in calculators for complex calculations.
Should I focus on speed or accuracy?
Accuracy first, then speed. A wrong answer with negative marking hurts more than skipping. Build speed gradually through practice.
How do I improve my weak areas?
Identify weak topics through mock tests. Study the concepts, practice 20-30 problems of that type, then take another mock. Repeat until confident.
Is it possible to prepare in 1 week?
Possible but not ideal. Focus on high-frequency topics, learn shortcuts, and take 2-3 mock tests. You can still pass, but longer prep gives better scores.
Start Practicing Today
Aptitude tests reward consistent practice. The formulas and tricks in this guide will help, but real improvement comes from daily practice. Start with 30 minutes today—every question you solve brings you closer to your dream job.
Remember: aptitude tests are learnable skills, not measures of intelligence. With the right approach, anyone can score high. Your placement success starts with the preparation you do today.
Every problem you practice today is a step toward your dream career. Start now! 📊
📚 Related Resources
Written by Sproutern Career Team
Based on analysis of aptitude tests from 100+ companies and feedback from successful candidates.
Last updated: January 6, 2026