3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 1/13

[Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams

The Art of Preparing Aptitude CSAT paper II

Rule #1: Maintain a Diary of Mistakes

Rule #2: Get your hands “DIRTY”

Rule #3: Know when to give up the fight.

The Mock-test “SERIES” for CSAT

Previous Articles on Aptitude

Rule #1: Maintain a Diary of Mistakes

Consider this equation

x-33=(17/2)=>2x -33 =17=>2x=17+33=>2x=50 hence x=25.

Wrong! The Correct answer is 41.5.What was the mistake? We multiplied 2 with x, but forgot to multiply 2 with 33.

This is a frequent calculation mistake made by many candidates, But in CSAT/CAT/IBPS, they’ll also give “25″ as one of the fouranswers, so people happily tick “25″, come out of the exam hall and boast about how excellently they performed (mera paper tohbahot acchaa gayaa!).

Then waste 3 months in doing nothing but cut-off and result date speculation. Come August, enteryour roll number in UPSC website and it says

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 2/13

your roll number in UPSC website and it says“Sorry! your name doesn’t figure in the list of successful candidates!”Dream is shattered, become Devdas for a few months, then again gather up courage to re-appearin the next prelims.And this Cycle continues because you did not take follow the first rule of aptitude preparation,called “Maintaining The Diary of Mistakes“Whatever mistakes you make or tricks that you discover, while solving the sums at home, do notethem down in your diary. Keep a track of your progress. Go through this diary before going in theexam hall.You don’t need to write a lengthy formal note, just a crude line in your own mother-tongue, e.g.for above mistake:“bracket mein multiplication jaroori”(necessary to multiply in bracket)In the same way, also check explanations given in the book and see if your method was faster andmore convenient. Also note down such discoveries.

Here are few points from my Diary of Mistakes

In Data interpretation, do see its unit: lakhs and crores before ticking answer.To type 1 to 300 on keyboard:· 100-300 got 201 numbers and to type every number, need 3x keystrokes.5/4 speed = 4/5 time. So 1-4/5= 1/5 of original minutes are saved.20% discount on stock, getting 15% on face value, yield always remains the same. 15/80=18.75, irrespective of investment.

Join midpts of rectangle= rhombus

t̂hese may not make any sense to you, because this is my “personal” diary out of my “field-adventures”. You’ve to set out on yourown adventurous journey and maintain a diary like this..

Rule #2: Get your hands “DIRTY”

To actually write a diary, you’ve to walk on a lengthy field trip. If you just “read” the solved-sums in the book, it is not going to

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 3/13

To actually write a diary, you’ve to walk on a lengthy field trip. If you just “read” the solved-sums in the book, it is not going tohelp you.“Reading” the sums will only help you memorize the formula and the procedure involved in solving the sum. It will by nomeans, save you from making silly mistakes in the actual exam.You cannot know what type of silly mistakes you’ll make in the exam, unless you make them at home.So, When you make mistake at home, don’t feel sad or guilty about it, take it in a positive sense:

Now I’m· less likely to make that mistake in the exam! So by making the mistake, I’ve increased y winning chances.

Aptitude cannot be learned by reading the books, you’ve to get your hands dirty by calculating the sums on your own.

Rule #3: Know when to give up the fight

You’re doing a sum on permutations, you do calculations, but your answer doesn’t match anyof the 4 given options.You recheck the multiplications, still no help. Then you start from scratch again, trying adifferent approach and logic to the same question.In this process 7-10 minutes are wasted and you don’t even realize it.·People get stuck in a sum, they don’t leave it, they keep fighting and calculating· again andagain with different angles.Always keep a wrist watch ready, because they don’t allow mobile phones in the exam hall,and you’ve to keep track of time!If you’re not getting the answer, Just leave it for the end, keep moving forward.The ‘arrangement’ questions are very notorious for this e.g. A is father of B and an engineer, Bis mother of C who is a teacher and..

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 4/13

is mother of C who is a teacher and..Such questions may eat up 10-12-15 minutes if you’re not very careful, because everytime youdon’t get the answer, you’ve to read the entire paragraph one more time.

And there is ‘greed’ involved, since you’re unable to solve previous 20 mathematical sums in the exam, you’re under stress.You think you can solve this sum,· so out of the greed, you don’t give up and in the process you end up wasting precious time.All this happens because you did not follow the two principles: you didnot maintain a diary and you didnot get your handsdirty.

Practice is essential.

The Mock-test “SERIES” for CSAT

March-April is “Diwali-season” for Delhi’s coaching classes.It is their final chance to rob the aspirants, before preliminary exam.People live in some myth that : One must join a “Mock Test Series” during this time.They join the regular or postal test-series after paying Rs.1500 to 7000 depending on the reputation of the class.Some request their Delhi-friends to get ‘fax’ the photocopies.Some of them so naïve they think they’ll actually get questions from this in the UPSC exam.So if Va*****’s test-series asked about the number of countries sharing border with Burkina Faso, these people will actuallymug up the answer, thinking that it’ll come in UPSC.You should keep in mind that UPSC also keeps a track of such test-series and makes sure that no question comes out of this.Beside the level and style of UPSC question is just unique in its own way. It is beyond the aukaat of anybody to actuallyreplicate the toughness and variety of questions of real-CSAT exam.Besides UPSC has taken only one CSAT, so we don’t have enough authentic questions to build and speculate mock aptitude-questions. What these ‘test-series’ peolpe are doing? Just lifting and rephrasing the aptitude questions from earlier Bank PO,

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 5/13

questions. What these ‘test-series’ peolpe are doing? Just lifting and rephrasing the aptitude questions from earlier Bank PO,CDS/NDA exams, set up a ‘mock-test’ and rob 2000-5000 rupees.Ofcourse such simulated mock tests have their benefits, they gear you up for the exam, they give you practice, you can knowabout your weak areas. But I don’t really see the logic in demanding 5000 rupees for such mock-tests, this is as absurd asKalmadi’s overcharged sports equipments in CAG.And I can cite a dozen+ names who cleared prelims earlier without even touching such series.Anyways in any case, what is the ‘right time’ to appear for mock test? Only after you’ve completed the topic or the syllabus.Otherwise you won’t be able to solve many questions and it’ll only add to frustration. And there are enough mock-questionsgiven at the end of your aptitude books: Arun Sharma, RS Agarwal, Pearson or any book you’re using- You’ve truckload ofquestions in them for practicing @home.

So get your hands dirty, maintain a diary and get crack the CSAT exam

Previous Articles on Aptitude

all of them can be found at mrunal.org/aptitude

Previous Posts

[Trigonometry] Introduction, Types of Questions, Shortcut for memorizing 30,45,60

for SSC CGL CDS

[Trigonometry] HnD Type #1: One Building One Angle finding height, distance or

hypotenuse

[Trigonometry] HnD Type #2: Broken Trees and Telegraph Poles: Finding original

height

[Trigonometry] HnD Type #3: One Building Two Angles made easy for SSC

[Trigonometry] HnD Type #4: Two Buildings-Two Angles made easy for SSC

[Trigonometry] HnD Type #5: Finding speed, time or distance made easy for SSC

[Aptitude Q] STD table : Application in train man bridge, time and work problems

[Aptitude] Averages: More than two elements added / removed : shortcut technique explained

[Aptitude] Averages: Entry / Removal of 1 element => Increase / Decrease in Average Shortcut method explained

[Strategy] Comprehension for CSAT Paper 2: Rules, tips, assumption, inference, free practice material (500+ passages!)

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 6/13

Subscribe (free!)

Print || PDF (Need Chrome)!

43 comments to [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams

Blessed12Reply to this comment

Thanks for the tips! Especially Rule#2 :p

kiranReply to this comment

Thanks great job

ZEUSReply to this comment

getting your hands dirty and noting the dark spots is an important step :-)

DeepikaReply to this comment

thanks for your tips sir…

jackReply to this comment

thankkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk u so much sir :)

NeeruReply to this comment

Thank u sir. Thank you a lot for this site. I am powerd with the phrase get “dirty ur hand.

ankitaReply to this comment

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 7/13

Reply to this comment

thank you

sohrab khanReply to this comment

thanx for ur tips sir..really u r guru…

SahanaReply to this comment

Thank you so much sir

Vinay singhReply to this comment

REALLY! YOU ARE ROCK…THANK YOU SO MUCH

Ankit JainReply to this comment

Comon yar…dont call him rock…we still have to learn lots from his blog… :)Jst kidding..

ArunReply to this comment

Sir,Which book to refer for aptitude?? Now, referring Apti book by Agrawal. Please guide me sir

noushad wahabReply to this comment

So super,Its a good advice…my diary is ready sir…

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 8/13

pratishthaReply to this comment

Amazing sir…u r doin a fabulous job ,D way u xplain i nvr c such typ f teachin.,,,even tnx z jst a thousandth part f gratitude…my wishes rvd u :) Hv a gr8 future..

saral bhargavaReply to this comment

gud job sir.u r a god for aspirants.reallyyyyy

amitReply to this comment

thank u sir….:)

rahulReply to this comment

thank u mrunal for your very best guidance for UPSC,tumhe bhagvan har woh kushi de jo tum chate ho,dil se hai dua!

started preparing for UPSC…after almost 5 years of graduation,brain is alredy into junk status,but after going through your website amconfident enough that attitude & practice makes one perfect…!!

& best of luck to all other candidates also..

sai bhargavReply to this comment

can u please give the analysis of 2012 csat paper 2

STALINReply to this comment

Sir can you Suggest some good books for Prelims paper II

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 9/13

imayabharathiReply to this comment

wonderful :) u r a great source of motivation in my preparations :)

vikasReply to this comment

Kindly Recommend the material to practise and checks and balances for Comprehension for CSAT

monishaReply to this comment

thank u so much for ur guidance,ur approach is a real boost up for aspirants..

DhamsReply to this comment

Nice Ideas …Thank you very much…

DhamsReply to this comment

Nice Ideas… to get proper direction towards exams…………….

ShivkumarReply to this comment

Dear Sir,

Is there any free IAS coaching classes in India??

Ankit JainReply to this comment

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 10/13

Reply to this comment

search on google..u will find there…i dont remember names…but one is in Mumbai(only for mumbai natives…i guess..)…jamiahamdars also provide free classes…and not sure..but in punjab univ. also…

divyanshuReply to this comment

upsc is coming with the notification in a day or two. The website is already down .

AzharReply to this comment

Thank’s for u r kind advice.

AvinashReply to this comment

thank you very much mrunal ….

RekhaReply to this comment

Thank you very much sir….i’ll try to do like this.

Aiman ReyazReply to this comment

Please suggest one book on Mathematics, which is easy to understand and which has got detalied solutions.

Amit VermaReply to this comment

hey mrunal.it took me more than 20 minute to order tmh csat book from your forum. instead of directly purchaging from flipkart.. hoping that it willhave some contribution that i proudly want to contribute to this site. you please also highlight other books along with india 2013 on yourhome page..

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 11/13

home page..

sandeppReply to this comment

thanx a lor sir for ur fabulous guidance.

Vikas AttriReply to this comment

Hello Sir,

My age is about 26. I have through with CDS exam two times.When i just passed out my college. Both the time i couldn’t pass the GD.Then i came in Delhi i Kick off my Designing course.In the present i have a good Job in private sector, but still i wanna be join Govt job. Iapplied for 2013 bank PO exam. I am preparing for this. But, could you please let me know, can i prepare for this exam in two months, orthere is still any chance to apply for UPSC exam. If it is let me know which exam is this. Thanks

SHANKAR SANEReply to this comment

Sir,

Thank you so much for maintaining a good website!

This is Very useful for All Students !

navReply to this comment

mrunal bhai,please give the logic of these 2 question it’s very confusing always making mistake

Q1 A gentleman has 7 friends to invite.in how many ways can he send invitation cards to them,if he has three servants to carry thecard??? ans::3^7

Q2 in how many ways 3 prizes can be given away to 7 boys when each boy is eligible for any number of the prizes?? ans:: 7^3

thanx how to get this bro???reply soon waitng

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 12/13

manuReply to this comment

nav

i used to solve this problem like thisq1)7cards so 7 possible permutations with repetition ,number of elements 3formula is n r̂q2)3 prizes =3 possible permutations, n=7

just look at the solutions, there is a trick to solve … find it out

Ankit JainReply to this comment

see the difference…”when each boy is eligible for any number of the prizes” i.e. even a single person can get all three prizes…whilein Q1, 1 person will get only one invitation card…by any of three servent…i.e. Person A can get invitaion by servent1/2/3 total 3ways….same with person B…and so on…so total ways…3*3*3*3…so on=3^7but in Q2. : A prize can be given in 7 differen ways..so the answer is 7*7*7=7^3hope its clear… :)

navReply to this comment

mrunal bhai,please give the logic of these 2 question it’s very confusing always making mistake

Q1 A gentleman has 7 friends to invite.in how many ways can he send invitation cards to them,if he has three servants to carry thecard??? ans::3^7

Q2 in how many ways 3 prizes can be given away to 7 boys when each boy is eligible for any number of the prizes?? ans:: 7^3

thanx how to get this bro???reply soon waitng

sukhdeepReply to this comment

hats off to u sir…great job…

3/14/13 [Strategy] The Art of Preparing for Aptitude Exams « Mrunal

mrunal.org/2012/03/strategy-art-of-preparing-for-aptitude.html 13/13

hats off to u sir…great job…

manuReply to this comment

nav

i used to solve this problem like thisq1)7cards so 7 possible permutations with repetition ,number of elements 3formula is n r̂q2)3 prizes =3 possible permutations, n=7

just look at the solutions, there is a trick to solve … find it out

HANSRAJReply to this comment

i . if we have a little mistakes so that i got the incorrect answer of the question. please suggest GOOD Book and Online Preparation.as i want to like this score of the exam. PLEASE SELF PRACTICES FOR ALL BANKING COMPETITION.

kamlesh mishraReply to this comment

its very useful.thank u sir