The terror of Quants? Pressure of Calculation? Many aspirants feel this when they think about the Quantitative Aptitude section in the IBPS PO exam. Numbers, formulas, and lengthy calculations can be a nightmare for even the most hardworking aspirants. But the fact is that scoring maximum marks in Quants is not about being a maths genius. It’s about smart preparation, regular practice, and using time-saving strategies. In this blog, we’ll give you 5 simple and effective tips to prepare for the Quant section of IBPS PO 2025. These tips will help you understand the core concepts, manage time in the exam, and gradually improve your speed and accuracy.
Importance of Quantitative Aptitude in IBPS PO
Quantitative Aptitude is a scoring yet tricky section. It tests your ability to solve numerical problems quickly and accurately. In the Prelims, Quant has 35 questions for 35 marks. In the Mains, the Data Interpretation & Analysis section has 35 questions for 60 marks.
This section needs speed, accuracy, and smart calculation skills to solve questions on basic arithmetic to complicated interpretation of the data. That’s why understanding the topic-wise weightage is very important.
Let’s take a look at the weightage of all the topics that are part of the Quants section:
Topic-wise Weightage for IBPS PO Prelims (Based on Previous Years)
Here’s a breakdown of the most common topics asked in the IBPS PO Prelims Quant section, based on past year trends:
| Topic | Expected No. of Questions |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 10–15 questions |
| Simplification/Approximation | 5–10 questions |
| Quadratic Equations | 5 questions |
| Number Series | 5 questions |
| Arithmetic Word Problems | 10–15 questions |
Topic-wise Weightage for IBPS PO Mains (Based on Previous Years)
In Mains, questions are more data-driven and conceptual. Here’s the topic distribution:
| Topic | Expected No. of Questions |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 15–20 questions |
| Caselet/ Missing DI | 5–10 questions |
| Arithmetic (Word Problems) | 10–15 questions |
| Data Sufficiency/ Quantity I-II | 5–7 questions |
| Miscellaneous | 3–5 questions |
Best Strategy to Master Quantitative Aptitude Section
This section tests your numerical ability, calculation speed, and logical thinking. Questions come from topics like Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, Simplification, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations. Scoring well in Quant can give your overall score a big boost, so you must prepare this section with the right plan and regular revision.
Here are the tips that will help you master the Quant sections:
Tip 1: Build Strong Basics First
Before you start solving DI or word problems, you must get your basics right.
Here’s what you should do:
- Master percentage, ratio, average, and simplification
- Revise squares (1–30), cubes (1–20), tables (1–20)
- Learn how to calculate quickly using short tricks
- Spend 30 minutes daily revising number properties
Strong basics help you in almost every topic, especially in DI and arithmetic.
Tip 2: Start Practicing Simplification & Number Series
These are some of the easiest and highest-scoring topics in the Prelims.
Take the following actions:
- Practice 10 simplification/approximation questions every day
- Learn shortcut methods for BODMAS, percentages, and square roots
- Solve number series questions by identifying common patterns
- Focus on both the missing and wrong number series
This practice boosts your speed and gives a quick confidence push during the exam.
Tip 3: Cover One Arithmetic Topic Each Week
Arithmetic is important for both stages of the exam. Questions are based on real-life maths and require conceptual clarity.
Here’s what to do:
- Pick one topic each week (like Time & Work, Profit & Loss, or Simple Interest)
- Understand basic formulas and concepts
- Practice 10 to 15 word problems from each topic every day
- Keep a notebook to write important formulas and shortcuts
Arithmetic takes time. But regular practice will make it easier for you to score in this part of the exam.
Tip 4: Master Simplification and Approximation First
These are the quickest and easiest questions to solve and often help boost your score early in the section.
Here’s what you should do:
- Learn basic calculations, square roots, cube roots, and percentages
- Use BODMAS rule correctly
- Practice 10 simplification questions daily
- Pay attention to your speed of solving questions by using tricks for fast addition and multiplication
You can attempt all simplification questions in just 5 to 6 minutes if you’ve mastered the basics.
Tip 5: Practice Number Series and Quadratic Equations
These two topics are fixed in the Prelims and carry easy-to-score marks.
Try this strategy:
- Identify patterns in number series (addition, multiplication, squares, etc.)
- Practice missing and wrong number series separately
- For quadratic equations, learn the factorization method
- Check for positive and negative roots and apply sign rules
Practicing just 5 questions a day from each topic. This will inject confidence in you, and you’ll gain accuracy in solving all types of questions related to Number Series and Quadratic Equations over time.
Tip 6: Focus More on Data Interpretation (DI)
DI is the most important topic in both Prelims and Mains. In Mains, it becomes more complicated and more concept-based.
Here’s your action plan:
- Start with bar graphs, pie charts, and tables
- Then move to caselets and missing DI
- In Mains, focus on DI based on percentages, ratios, and time-work concepts
- Practice at least 2 DI sets daily and solve them with a timer
Accuracy in DI depends on your calculation speed and no confusion in topics.
Tip 7: Prepare Arithmetic Word Problems Topic by Topic
Arithmetic forms a big chunk of the Quant section. It includes topics like Time & Work, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Time-Speed-Distance, Mixture, and Averages.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Pick one arithmetic topic at a time (e.g., Percentage, then Profit & Loss)
- Understand formulas and practice basic to moderate-level problems
- Solve 10–15 word problems daily from a mix of topics
- Revise important formulas regularly
Tip 8: Make DI Your Strength
In both Prelims and Mains, Data Interpretation (DI) carries a lot of weight. In Mains especially, it becomes more conceptual and tricky.
Here’s your next move:
- Practice all types: bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and table
- Learn to calculate percentages, ratios, and averages quickly
- In Mains, practice caselets and DI based on arithmetic concepts
- Practice 2 DI sets every day using a timer
Regular DI practice will help you manage time and avoid silly mistakes in the exam.
Tip 9: Take Sectional & Full Mock Tests
No preparation is complete without mock tests. They help you identify weak areas and improve time management.
Your action plan:
- Take one Quant sectional test every week
- Attempt at least one full-length mock test every 3 to 4 days
- After each test, analyze your mistakes and revise those topics
- Focus on improving accuracy first, then speed
Mock tests give you real exam practice and help build exam-day confidence.
Final Words
To sum it up, the Quant section of IBPS PO 2025 may look tough, but with a smart plan and steady practice, you can master it. Don’t be afraid of formulas or calculations. Just break them into smaller steps, and stay consistent with your effort.
Here’s your winning mantra:
- Build strong basics
- Practice speed maths daily
- Solve topic-wise and DI questions regularly
- Attempt mocks and revise weak areas
- Stay calm, stay focused, and stay regular
If you follow this strategy, your speed and accuracy will improve over time—and so will your score!

Also read:
FAQs
There are 35 questions for 35 marks in the Prelims exam.
Quant is manageable if you focus on basics, practice regularly, and follow a topic-wise strategy.
Data Interpretation, Simplification, Arithmetic, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations are key topics.
Learn shortcut methods, revise daily, take mocks, and work on calculation tricks for faster solving.
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