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Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS SO

IBPS SO sets 50 Quantitative Aptitude questions for 50 marks in the Preliminary Examination (IT, Agriculture, Marketing and HR posts), so it is worth planning your preparation around the topics below.

50 questions50 marks11 topics

How to approach Quantitative Aptitude in IBPS SO

Speed decides this section. The arithmetic and data-interpretation sets are where the marks are, so the priority is a reliable method and quick calculation rather than exotic shortcuts. Lock down tables, squares and reciprocals, then drill data interpretation until reading the set is faster than solving it.

Weightage in the paper

How much Quantitative Aptitude is worth in each IBPS SO stage, from the official pattern.

StageQuestionsMarksTimeShare
Preliminary Examination (IT, Agriculture, Marketing and HR posts)505040 min33%

Quantitative Aptitude syllabus for IBPS SO

Every topic in the official syllabus. The linked ones open a set of solved questions you can practise straight away.

  • Data interpretation: tables, bar, line, pie and caselets
  • Number series
  • Quadratic equations and inequalities
  • Simplification and approximation
  • Percentage, ratio and proportion
  • Profit, loss and discount
  • Simple and compound interest
  • Time, speed, distance and work
  • Mixture and alligation
  • Permutation, combination and probability
  • Data sufficiency

Sample Quantitative Aptitude questions with solutions

Written to the IBPS SO pattern, with the answer key and the method behind it — a look at how the section is actually set before you drill the full topic sets.

Compound interest · solved example

Find the difference between the compound interest and the simple interest on Rupees 20,000 at 10% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually.

  • Rupees 180
  • Rupees 200Correct
  • Rupees 210
  • Rupees 220
  • Rupees 240

Solution

Simple interest = 20000 x 10 x 2 / 100 = 2000 x 2 = 4000. For compound interest, the amount is 20000 x 1.1 x 1.1 = 24200, so the interest is 4200. The difference is 200. There is a shortcut worth memorising: for 2 years the difference is P x r squared over 100 squared, which here is 20000 x 100 / 10000 = 200.

Data interpretation · solved example

A college has 1200 students across three streams: Arts, Science and Commerce. 30% are in Arts, 45% are in Science and the rest are in Commerce. Of the Arts students 40% are girls; of the Science students 60% are girls; and of the Commerce students 50% are girls.

How many students are enrolled in the Science stream?

  • 480
  • 510
  • 540Correct
  • 560
  • 600

Solution

Science is 45% of 1200. Ten percent of 1200 is 120, so 45% is 120 x 4.5 = 540.

Mixture and alligation · solved example

A vessel holds 60 litres of a mixture of milk and water in the ratio 7 : 3. How much water must be added so that the ratio becomes 7 : 5?

  • 8 litres
  • 10 litres
  • 12 litresCorrect
  • 14 litres
  • 16 litres

Solution

The ten parts of the original mixture are 6 litres each, so there are 42 litres of milk and 18 of water. Adding water leaves the milk unchanged at 42. For the new ratio 7 : 5, if seven parts are 42 litres then one part is 6 litres and five parts are 30 litres of water. So 30 - 18 = 12 litres must be added. Anchor on the quantity that does not change, which here is the milk, and the rest follows in one step.

Number series · solved example

What will come in place of the question mark in the series: 5, 6, 14, 45, 184, ?

  • 915
  • 920
  • 925Correct
  • 930
  • 935

Solution

Each term is the previous one multiplied by its position and then increased by that same position: x1+1, x2+2, x3+3 and so on. Check: 5x1+1 = 6, 6x2+2 = 14, 14x3+3 = 45, 45x4+4 = 184. So the next term is 184x5+5 = 925.

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Practise Quantitative Aptitude

Untimed drills with the method shown after every question — the step between learning a topic and sitting it under a clock.

Sit Quantitative Aptitude under a real clock

Quantitative Aptitude shows up in every IBPS SO mock test, in the same interface, with sectional locking and negative marking.

  • IBPS SO: 27-question practice mock

    27 questions | 27 min

    Start

  • IBPS SO: full-length mock (150 questions)

    150 questions | 2 hr

    Start

Frequently asked questions

How many Quantitative Aptitude questions are asked in IBPS SO?

IBPS SO 2026-27 cycle (CRP SPL-XVI) sets 50 Quantitative Aptitude questions for 50 marks in the Preliminary Examination (IT, Agriculture, Marketing and HR posts).

Is there negative marking for Quantitative Aptitude in IBPS SO?

Yes. IBPS SO deducts one fourth of a mark for each wrong answer, Quantitative Aptitude included, so unsure guesses cost you. One fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer.

Which Quantitative Aptitude topics matter most for IBPS SO?

The IBPS SO syllabus lists Data interpretation: tables, bar, line, pie and caselets, Number series, Quadratic equations and inequalities, Simplification and approximation, Percentage, ratio and proportion, Profit, loss and discount and more. Weight your revision towards the ones you are weakest on and confirm the emphasis against the paper analysis for recent cycles.

How can I practise Quantitative Aptitude for IBPS SO free?

Every Quantitative Aptitude question on this site is free and written to the exam pattern. Use the topic drills for instant-feedback practice, the daily quiz to keep the section warm, and the IBPS SO mock tests to sit it under a real clock with negative marking.