Problem Solving for SSC and Railways Exams

By : Neha Uppal

Updated : Oct 29, 2020, 17:18

Problem-solving questions in SSC exams are included in the pattern to make sure that a student is able to analyse the data given in the question and use his understanding of the concept to solve it. Compared to the direct questions, Problem-solving questions are somewhat complex because, in the given amount of time, you will not only have to identify all the required formulae to be used in it, but also solve it carefully and accurately to get the final answer.

The problem-solving questions are generally lengthy as they involve the use of concepts from more than one or two chapters. This makes it very important to understand problems properly. Such questions can be found in different exams like RBI Grade A, B, NABARD Grade A and B, LIC AAO, IBPS Clerk, PO, SBI Clerk, PO, IBPS RRB Clerk, PO, and others.

Find all the details regarding the preparation of Problem-solving questions below. Also, find important topics to be covered, booklist for the preparation and more.

Important Problem-Solving Topics

The problem-solving syllabus for SSC exams is vast, and hence, it is required to devote enough time every day to complete all the chapters.

Listed below are the Problem-solving topics for SSC exams:

Topic

Sub-topic

ARITHMETIC

Number System

Fractions and Decimals

Square roots

Percentage

Profit, Loss and Discount

Ratio & Proportion

Average

Partnership Business

Time and Distance

Time and Work

Pipes and Cisterns

Mixture and Alligation

Simple Interest & Compound Interest

Probability

Permutation and Combination

Algebra

Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds

Graphs of Linear Equations

 

GEOMETRY

Quadrilaterals

Triangle and its various kinds of centres

Congruence and similarity of triangles

Regular Polygon

Right Prism & Hemispheres

Circle and its chords, tangents

Angles subtended by chords of a circle

Common tangents to two or more circles

Right Circular Cone

Sphere

Cylinder

Right Circular Cylinder

Regular Right Pyramid with Triangular base or Square base

Rectangular Parallelepiped

MENSURATION

TRIGONOMETRY

Two-dimensional (2D) and Three-dimensional (3D) Mensuration

Degree and Radian Measures

Trigonometric Ratios

Complementary Angles

Standard Identities

Height and Distance

DATA INTERPRETATION

Bar Diagram

Frequency Polygon

Histogram

Pie-Chart

Tips to Solve Problem-Solving Questions

Here are some tips which must be followed to solve the Problem-solving quiz for SSC exams quickly:

1- Understanding the question:

Problem-solving questions don't generally involve a single formula for getting the final answer. They usually have 2-3 concepts that are intermingled to formulate the question. So, unless you comprehend it clearly, you won't be able to decide the technique that needs to be applied for solving it.

2- Time management:

All competitive exams have time constraints. So it is essential to maintain problem-solving notes for SSC exams, enumerating all the vital points for quickly referring to them in your free time or while revising before the exam. Here, you need to mention all Problem-solving tricks for SSC exams that will help you in managing the time efficiently for solving any problem.

3- Practise well:

Practice is the key to enhance the accuracy as well as solve quickly. Therefore, you need to collect problem-solving questions and answers pdf for SSC exams from different books as well as online sources. Opt for SSC exam practice sets to be well versed with the complicacy level of questions as per the latest pattern.

4- Opt for easier questions first:

While solving the Problem-solving practice sets for SSC at home, make it a habit to complete all easier questions first. Then you will have enough time to solve the difficult ones. Practise applying all the shortcut tricks instead of the lengthy problem-solving formula for SSC exams, so that during the main exam, you won't have trouble in doing the same. Set a timer while solving every Problem to see which are the topics that take you longer to get the final answer. This will help you work on your weak points for solving questions faster during the exam.

Importance of Problem-solving Section in Competitive Exams:

  • A student can easily boost his overall score by using the right tricks and Problem-solving formula for SSC exams. So, solve the questions tactfully to get accurate answers.
  • Problem-solving skills need a combination of logical skills and creative thinking, which are of utmost importance in the workspace for achieving positive outcomes.
  • Efficient Problem-solving by using proper problem-solving rules helps a person in clearing the toughest competitive exams. Such successful candidates become reliable resources for managers as they do not depend on others for resolving some issues.
  • Students who can correctly solve the complex problems after thorough practice are the ones who have the potential to apply thought and insight into a challenging situation to come up with an optimum solution.

Most Recommended Books for Practicing Problem-Solving Section:

Some of the best books for Problem-solving are listed below:

Books

Author

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R.S. Aggarwal, Quantitative

Aptitude for CAT

Arun Sharma,

Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

Arihant Publication

Mathematics for Class 11th and 12th

R.D. Sharma

Why prepare to problem-solve from BYJU'S Exam Prep?

BYJU'S Exam Prep offers a comprehensive coverage of Problem-solving questions and answers pdf for SSC exams along with tricks and tips for every chapter. Thus, it forms an efficient online source for mastering Problem-solving in quantitative aptitude.

Problem-solving is complex, but with the use of the right online resources and books, you can attain perfection in this section. Try to practise as many questions as possible so that you can have a clear idea about even the most complicated questions. BYJU'S Exam Prep provides access to numerous expert grade Problem-solving questions and mock test to ensure that you are full prepared for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions about problem-solving questions

1- Do all competitive exams have questions mandatorily from all chapters in quantitative Problem-solving?

The pattern in every competitive exam varies to some extent, though the chapters remain the same. So overall, you can expect a few questions from some section. But this doesn't mean other sections are not necessary, as they may be implemented in complex questions.

2- Are books the best source for practising quantitative Problem-solving?

Yes, books should be your first point of reference, but for a complete idea about the latest patterns and types of questions asked, credible online sources should be used.

3- Can we often expect direct questions from various chapters in the exam?

No, not necessarily but there may be very few direct questions which you must solve first as they help you score well. Generally, in government exams like SSC, we can expect complex questions where more than just one concept is used to get the final answer.