Arithmetic forms the essence of Quantitative Aptitude for almost all examinations conducted by banks. Fundamental concepts of mathematics form the base of subjects such as percentages, profit and loss, simple/compound interest, ratios and proportions, averages, time and work, speed, time and distance, and mixtures. The main reason why many candidates fail to solve complicated problems is due to a poor grasp of the fundamentals of mathematics, and not the difficulty level of the problems. The development of fundamental knowledge in mathematics helps build self-confidence and speeds up calculations during the examination.

In this article, we will discuss how to strengthen your arithmetic fundamentals for bank exams.

Taking a structured bank coaching program will help you build a strong foundation in mathematics with the help of practice and coaching.

How to strengthen your arithmetic fundamentals for bank exams

Here are some of the effective strategies to strengthen your arithmetic fundamentals for bank exams:

Understand the basic concepts thoroughly

It is important to understand concepts well before moving on to develop the basics of mathematics. It is always better to understand the reasoning of that particular concept rather than simply memorizing all the formulae. It becomes easier to solve any problem if one has strong conceptual knowledge.

Master the core arithmetic topics

It is recommended that you begin your preparation by studying one basic arithmetic concept at a time. It must be emphasized that special attention must be given to percentages, fractions, decimals, ratio & proportion, average, profit & loss, simple & compound interest, partnership, time & work, pipes & cistern, speed, time & distance, mixture & allegations, and age problems. Being well-versed in these topics makes a good quantitative base because these topics are usually covered in banking examinations.

Improve your basic calculation skills

For solving arithmetic problems, it is necessary to perform calculations very fast and accurately. Practice problems based on fraction-to-percentage conversion, multiplication tables, square/cube, square root/cube root, and percentage. Fast computational skills increase the overall speed of solving the problems.

Practice mental mathematics

By using mental mathematics, one can perform simple calculations using a minimum of pen and paper. Make it a rule for yourself to do mental addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentage calculation wherever possible. Mental practice helps boost your confidence on the day of the test.

Solve questions topic by topic 

From the very start, avoid acquiring knowledge about many mathematical topics at once. Instead, try to grasp one topic well before moving to the other. Solve problems of different levels of difficulty. Topic-oriented practice will help you understand different types of problems.

Focus on accuracy before speed

However, many applicants try to solve the problems quickly, making hasty mistakes. First, accuracy should take priority over speed. Speed will come gradually through timed training after being able to solve the problems correctly and consistently. A concentration on accuracy will increase confidence and reduce testing errors.

Learn practical shortcuts and tricks

Shortcuts, when appropriately applied, can help one save a lot of time while appearing for the banks' exams. Get to know about some tricks that will help you calculate averages, ratios, percentages, and approximations. It should, however, be noted that shortcuts can be used only after having a clear concept of the fundamentals.

Practice with real exam questions

Old year question papers provide significant information about the type of mathematical problems that appear in the bank examination. One gets familiarized with the pattern, level of difficulty, and frequently asked topics through these problems. This is helpful in knowing which topics require special attention.

Take regular mock tests

Practicing with mock tests is useful for measuring your mathematical skills in terms of time constraints since it will give you an idea of how to do it in the actual test environment. It will be important to evaluate yourself after each practice test in order to identify your weaknesses and computation errors.

Maintain an error notebook

The first thing that one should do in order to enhance one’s mathematical abilities is to maintain a log of all the mistakes. This means writing down what mistake has been made on a specific concept, as well as the correct answer. Consistent reviewing of this log will help consolidate what has been learnt.

Revise concepts frequently

Only through constant revisions will math ideas remain relevant. Set aside time each week to review important formulae, computing techniques, and answer questions. Revision ensures that concepts will remain clear up until the exam period.

Build consistency in practice

Study sessions that occur on a regular basis are more productive than irregular sessions, which tend to be long. One can improve one’s numerical abilities and build confidence in mathematics by spending 30 to 45 minutes on mathematics exercises on a daily basis.

Attending a good SSC coaching institution will help you develop your basics in mathematics with the help of coaching and practice.

Conclusion 

One requires good mathematical skills to crack bank exams. They aid in solving both easy and difficult Quantitative Aptitude problems and help in improving the speed and accuracy of computations. The following are some of the ways through which one may build a strong mathematical base: focus on conceptual understanding, regular practice, computational skills, revision, and making mistakes. It is important to note that persistence and regular practice are what make one good at mathematics. One will find it easier to deal with the Quantitative Aptitude section if one understands the basics well.