Best Books On Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Exams

Quantitative aptitude, in layman's language, can be described as a person's ability to handle numerical data and solve numerical problems. However, this diverse scale of reference is also a deep reflection of a person's logical ability, mental alertness and problem-solving skills, all of which make for important criteria of judgement in several competitive exams, including management, college recruitment, and research. Find some of the most popular books on the subject below, which will help you fare smoothly through your entrance examinations.

Best Quantitative Aptitude Books

1. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal

Designed for a gamut of competitive exams, this book has been the first choice of aspirants for many years now. This comprehensive read presents all the concepts in a lucid manner, backed by relevant formulas and many solved examples and practice questions. The book in totality offers more than 550 questions. It is divided into mainly two sections namely arithmetic ability and data interpretation. The book has been revised as per the latest exam guidelines while sticking to its prime core writing style.

2. How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma

If you are preparing for management exams, chances are that you have already stumbled upon this name. The book comprehensively covers all topics, including numbers, average and mixtures, arithmetic and word-based problems, geometry, algebra, counting, and many more in an accessible and easy manner. Every group of related chapters are followed by assessment tests with problems of varying difficulty levels for rigorous practice. Popular management exams that this book helps sailing through include CAT, XAT, SNAP and IIFT, along with all other quantitative aptitude based exams such as banking, SSC, and college recruitment tests.

3. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma

Standing true to its title, the book is a ticket to learning the quantitative aptitude problems quickly with impressive accuracy. The book helps in mastering the arithmetic concepts through level graded exercises, divided into the basic level and higher skill level. A plethora of tips and tricks have also been included for quick solving in time-constrained entrance examinations. The book comes in handy for entrance examinations including RBI, SBI, IBPS PO, SSC, LIC, CDS, UPSC, management, etc.

4. Ace Quantitative Aptitude For Banking And Insurance

A perfect reference and practice book for those planning to appear for banking or insurance-related entrance examinations, this book is an extensive guide for quantitative aptitude upskilling. The book has been designed on the latest examination pattern and updated with the revised syllabus. Besides a large number of practice exercises, the book also provides previous year papers for clarity and reference. The exercises have been divided into three broad categories depending upon their difficulty levels and include more than 2,300 questions, along with solutions, in totality.

Tips For Scoring Better In Quantitative Aptitude Questions

1. Attempt and master easy and scoring questions first. 

2. Learn your concepts from a trusted source such as reference book; internet searches may be misleading in some cases. 

3. Don’t leave any topic unprepared; each question matters and contributes to determining your score and ranking. 

4. Avoid depending on complex mental calculations and use a pen and paper instead, to avoid chaos and wrong calculations. 

5. Give each topic ample time for learning and avoid using the calculator for calculations. 

6. Maintain a notebook of important formulas and pointers for quick reference and revision. 

7. Scan your preparation level and find out the topics that you least and most comfortable with. Plan your studying accordingly. 

8. Practice is the key to expertise. Take up as many problems, exercises and mock tests as possible. 

9. Make sure to have conceptual clarity to avoid getting confused in case a question pops in the exam in a twisted avatar.