English Language
Context Clue Priority — In Cloze Test, read full sentence first; if blank needs contrast look for "but/however," if continuation look for "and/moreover," if cause-effect look for "because/therefore." Elimination faster than guessing.
FANBOYS for Error Spotting — Coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. Common error: joining independent clauses without comma before FANBOYS or using comma splice without conjunction.
Subject-Verb Agreement Trap — Ignore phrases between subject and verb (e.g., "along with," "as well as," "together with"). Find core subject, match verb to that. "One of the boys" = singular verb.
Para Jumble: 1-6 Rule — Statement 1 (introductory, no pronouns/demonstratives) comes first; Statement 6 (conclusive words: thus/hence/finally) comes last. Fix these anchors, arrange middle logically by pronouns/connectives.
Common Idiom Pairs — "At stake" (not in/on stake), "On behalf of" (not on/in part of), "In spite of" (not inspite), "By dint of" (not by/with). Remember preposition-idiom combos rigidly.
Numerical Ability
Divisibility by 11 — Alternating sum of digits must equal 0 or multiple of 11. For 2728: (2+2)−(7+8)=−11, divisible. Quick check for eliminating answer choices.
Alligation: Cross-Method — Draw X, place cheaper price top-left, costlier top-right, mean price center. Ratio = (Costlier−Mean):(Mean−Cheaper). No formula memorization needed, pure visual.
SI-CI 2-Year Shortcut — Difference between CI and SI for 2 years = PR²/10000. If P=10000, R=10%, difference = ₹100. Instant answer without full calculation.
Time-Work: Efficiency Ratio — If A does work in 'a' days, B in 'b' days, efficiency ratio = 1/a:1/b = b:a (reciprocal flip). Total work = LCM(a,b) for integer calculations.
Percentage ↔ Fraction Flash — 12.5%=1/8, 16.66%=1/6, 33.33%=1/3, 37.5%=3/8, 62.5%=5/8, 87.5%=7/8. Convert percentages to fractions instantly for faster multiplication.
Profit-Loss: Successive Change — For two changes of a% and b%, net% = a+b+(ab/100). If +20% then −10%: 20−10+(20×−10/100) = +8%. Single formula covers all successive scenarios.
Speed-Distance: Relative Speed — Same direction: subtract speeds; opposite direction: add speeds. Meeting/crossing problems become one-step: Distance/(Sum or Difference). Trains, boats, escalators—all same logic.
Average: Weighted Method — New average after replacement = Old avg ± (Difference/Total count). If 50kg person leaves, 60kg joins among 10: New = Old + 10/10 = Old+1kg.
Pie Chart Quick % — Total angle = 360°. Each 36° = 10%, each 3.6° = 1%. For 72° sector: 72÷36=20%. Mental division faster than calculator.