Quantitative Aptitude
Divisibility by 11 — Alternating sum trick: subtract sum of odd-position digits from even-position digits. If result is 0 or divisible by 11, the number is divisible by 11. Example: 1331 → (1+3)-(3+1)=0 ✓
Percentage-Fraction Equivalents — Memorize: 12.5%=1/8, 16.67%=1/6, 14.28%=1/7, 11.11%=1/9, 33.33%=1/3, 66.67%=2/3, 37.5%=3/8, 62.5%=5/8. Saves calculation time instantly.
Simple Interest shortcut — For finding time when SI equals Principal: T = 100/R. When SI becomes half of Principal: T = 50/R. Quick reference for SI problems.
Squares ending in 5 — For n5²: Take n×(n+1) and append 25. Example: 75² = 7×8=56, so 5625. Works for 15²,25²,35² up to 125².
Train-Platform formula — Length of train = (Speed × Time) – Platform length when passing platform. When two trains cross: Relative speed = Sum of speeds if opposite directions, difference if same direction.
Data Interpretation
Percentage change confusion — Remember: percentage increase followed by same percentage decrease never returns to original. 20% up then 20% down = 4% net loss (multiply: 1.2×0.8=0.96).
Pie chart 1% value — Always calculate what 1% represents first (Total/100), then multiply. Saves repeated division. Mark this value prominently for quick reference across questions.
Bar graph comparison trick — When comparing ratios between categories, use the "cross-multiplication" check rather than calculating each ratio separately. Faster for elimination in MCQs.
English Language
Subject-Verb Agreement — SANAMVEINS rule: Some, Any, None, All, More/Most, Verb depends on, Either, It, Neither, Such → verb agrees with the noun following these words, not the words themselves.
Commonly Confused Words — AFFECT (verb-to influence) vs EFFECT (noun-result); PRINCIPLE (rule) vs PRINCIPAL (main/head); COMPLEMENT (complete) vs COMPLIMENT (praise); STATIONARY (still) vs STATIONERY (paper).
One-word Substitution Groups — Phobia words: Acro=heights, Claustro=confined, Hydro=water, Xeno=strangers. -Cide words: Homi=human, Sui=self, Infanti=infant, Patri=father, Matri=mother, Fratri=brother.
General Awareness (Economy & Banking)
Monetary Policy Tools — CROC: Cash Reserve Ratio, Repo rate, Open Market Operations, Corridor (MSF/Bank rate). These are RBI's main instruments for liquidity management.
Financial Inclusion Trio — JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar authentication, Mobile connectivity. Foundation of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) architecture in India.
Basel Norms progression — Basel I (1988)=Credit risk, Basel II (2004)=+Operational risk, Basel III (2010)=+Liquidity coverage. Each builds on previous, adding layers.
Budget document types — Remember AEFER: Annual Financial Statement, Estimates of Expenditure, Finance Bill, Economic Survey, Revenue Budget. These comprise the Union Budget documentation.
Logical Reasoning
Coded Inequality chains — Standard: A>B as A@B, A<B as A#B, A=B as A$B, A≥B as A%B, A≤B as A&B. Make your decoding sheet immediately; convert all statements before solving.
Seating Arrangement directions — Clockwise positions in circular: if A is 3rd to right of B, then B is (Total−3)th to right of A. For 8 people: 3rd right = 5th left.
Syllogism Venn diagrams — For "All A are B" + "Some B are C": no definite conclusion about A-C relationship possible. Only overlapping sets give definite conclusions.