Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO help you practise the calculation and problem-solving skills needed for the Quantitative Aptitude section. These questions cover important topics such as percentages, profit and loss, time and work, partnership, ages, and speed and distance. You may need to solve word problems using simple formulas, ratios, or calculations. In this blog, you will find a free practice quiz with 10 multiple-choice questions, answers, step-by-step solutions, useful shortcuts, and preparation tips to help you prepare for the NICL AO exam.
Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO: Practice Quiz with Answers and Solutions
Arithmetic questions test how well you understand numbers and use them to solve everyday mathematical problems. You may need to calculate profit, find a person’s age, compare investments, or work out the time needed to complete a task.
The practice set below contains 10 Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO, with answers and simple explanations. Try to solve each question before checking the solution. These are practice questions created for NICL AO preparation, not official previous-year questions.
Q1. A, B, and C start a business by investing money in the ratio 2:3:4. After 6 months, C withdraws half of his investment. At the end of the year, the total profit is ₹21,000. One-third of the profit is given to a manager as a bonus. The remaining profit is divided among A, B, and C according to their capital and investment time. What is B’s share?
Step 1: Calculate the investment-time ratio.
• A: 2 × 12 = 24
• B: 3 × 12 = 36
• C: (4 × 6) + (2 × 6) = 24 + 12 = 36
The ratio is 24 : 36 : 36, which simplifies to 2 : 3 : 3.
Step 2: Calculate profit left after manager’s bonus.
Manager’s bonus = ₹21,000 × (1/3) = ₹7,000.
Remaining profit = ₹21,000 − ₹7,000 = ₹14,000.
Step 3: Find B’s share.
Total ratio = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8.
B’s share = ₹14,000 × (3/8) = ₹5,250.
Therefore, B receives ₹5,250.
Q2. A can complete a piece of work in 12 days, while B can complete the same work in 18 days. If they work together at the same rate, how many days will they take to finish the work?
A’s 1-day work = 1/12.
B’s 1-day work = 1/18.
Combined 1-day work = (1/12) + (1/18) = (3 + 2) / 36 = 5/36.
Time taken = 36 / 5 = 7.2 days.
Therefore, they will complete the work in 7.2 days.
Q3. A boat travels at 18 km/h downstream and 10 km/h upstream. How much time will it take to cover 48 km downstream?
Downstream speed = 18 km/h.
Distance = 48 km.
Time = Distance ÷ Speed = 48 / 18 = 8/3 hours.
8/3 hours = 2 hours and 2/3 of an hour = 2 hours 40 minutes.
Therefore, the correct answer is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Q4. A shopkeeper marks an item 25% above its cost price and then gives a discount of 10% on the marked price. If the cost price is ₹800, what is the profit percentage?
Cost price = ₹800.
Step 1: Find marked price.
Marked price = ₹800 + (25% of ₹800) = ₹800 + ₹200 = ₹1,000.
Step 2: Calculate selling price.
Discount = 10% of ₹1,000 = ₹100.
Selling price = ₹1,000 − ₹100 = ₹900.
Step 3: Find profit percentage.
Profit = ₹900 − ₹800 = ₹100.
Profit % = (100 / 800) × 100 = 12.5%.
Therefore, the profit percentage is 12.5%.
Q5. An employee’s salary increases by 20% and then decreases by 10%. What is the overall percentage change in the salary?
Assume original salary is ₹100.
After 20% increase = ₹100 + ₹20 = ₹120.
Now decrease by 10% of ₹120 = ₹12.
Final salary = ₹120 − ₹12 = ₹108.
Net Increase = ₹108 − ₹100 = ₹8.
Therefore, the overall change is an 8% increase.
Q6. A father is three times as old as his son. After 10 years, the father will be twice as old as his son. What is the son’s present age?
Let son’s present age = x years.
Father’s present age = 3x years.
After 10 years:
• Son’s age = x + 10
• Father’s age = 3x + 10
According to the question:
3x + 10 = 2(x + 10)
3x + 10 = 2x + 20
x = 10
Therefore, the son’s present age is 10 years.
Q7. A mixture contains milk and water in the ratio 5:2. If the mixture contains 28 litres, how much water must be added to make the ratio of milk to water 5:3?
Total ratio = 5 + 2 = 7.
Milk = 28 × (5/7) = 20 litres.
Water = 28 × (2/7) = 8 litres.
Required ratio is 5 : 3.
Since milk remains 20 litres, required amount of water = 20 × (3/5) = 12 litres.
Water to be added = 12 − 8 = 4 litres.
Therefore, 4 litres of water must be added.
Q8. What simple interest will ₹5,000 earn in 3 years at an annual interest rate of 8%?
Simple Interest formula: SI = (P × R × T) / 100
P = ₹5,000, R = 8%, T = 3 years.
SI = (5000 × 8 × 3) / 100 = ₹1,200.
Therefore, the simple interest is ₹1,200.
Q9. The average of five numbers is 24. If the sum of four of these numbers is 88, what is the fifth number?
Total sum of 5 numbers = Average × Total count = 24 × 5 = 120.
Sum of four numbers = 88.
Fifth number = 120 − 88 = 32.
Therefore, the fifth number is 32.
Q10. Pipe A can fill a tank in 12 hours, and Pipe B can fill it in 18 hours. A leak can empty the full tank in 36 hours. If both pipes and the leak are open together, how long will it take to fill the tank?
Pipe A rate = 1/12 per hour.
Pipe B rate = 1/18 per hour.
Leak rate = −1/36 per hour.
Net work per hour = (1/12) + (1/18) − (1/36) = (3 + 2 − 1) / 36 = 4/36 = 1/9.
Therefore, the tank will be completely filled in 9 hours.
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Solve More QuestionsArithmetic Questions for NICL AO: Understanding the Exam Trend
Arithmetic is an important part of Quantitative Aptitude preparation. The Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO test how well you apply mathematical rules to practical problems. The number and difficulty of arithmetic questions can vary across exam shifts and years, so it is better to prepare a range of topics rather than focus on just one type.
The main arithmetic topics you should practise include:
- Percentage: Calculate increases, decreases, and percentage changes.
- Profit and Loss: Find cost price, selling price, profit, loss, and discount.
- Ratio and Proportion: Compare quantities and divide amounts in a given ratio.
- Partnership: Calculate each partner’s profit share based on investment and time.
- Time and Work: Find how long people take to complete a task together.
- Time, Speed and Distance: Solve questions involving speed, travel time, and distance.
- Boats and Streams: Calculate upstream and downstream speeds and travel times.
- Problems on Ages: Find present or future ages using simple equations.
- Simple and Compound Interest: Calculate interest on money over a given period.
- Average: Find the average or a missing value in a group of numbers.
- Mixture and Alligation: Solve questions involving different quantities mixed together.
- Pipes and Cisterns: Calculate how quickly a tank fills or empties.
Tip: Learn the basic formula for each topic and practise applying it to different questions. Do not memorise a solution without understanding the steps.
For the complete subject-wise topics and exam structure, read the NICL AO Syllabus 2026.
Core Conceptual Guide: Important Arithmetic Topics for NICL AO
Before attempting more difficult Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO, understand the basic concepts behind each arithmetic topic. The following examples show how to use simple formulas to solve common problems.
1. Percentage
Percentage means a value out of 100. It is useful for questions on salary changes, discounts, profit, and loss.
Shortcut: Remember common fraction equivalents:
- 10% = 1/10
- 20% = 1/5
- 25% = 1/4
- 50% = 1/2
- 75% = 3/4
2. Profit and Loss
Profit occurs when the selling price is higher than the cost price. Loss occurs when the selling price is lower than the cost price.
3. Ratio and Proportion
A ratio compares two or more quantities. It helps you divide money, compare amounts, or calculate mixture quantities.
Example: Divide ₹800 in the ratio 3:5.
Total parts = 3 + 5 = 8.
First share = ₹800 × 3/8 = ₹300.
Second share = ₹800 × 5/8 = ₹500.
Answer: ₹300 and ₹500
4. Time and Work
Time and work questions measure how quickly a person or group can finish a task. When two people work together, add their one-day work rates to find the combined rate.
Example: A can complete a task in 10 days. What part of the task can A complete in one day?
One-day work = 1/10.
Answer: 1/10 of the work
5. Time, Speed and Distance
These questions involve how far a person travels, how fast they move, or how long a journey takes.
Example: A car travels at 40 km/h for 3 hours.
Distance = 40 × 3 = 120 km.
Answer: 120 km
6. Partnership
In partnership questions, profit is generally divided according to each partner’s investment multiplied by the time for which the money was invested.
7. Problems on Ages
Age questions usually involve present ages, past ages, or future ages. You can solve them by using variables and forming a simple equation.
Example: A mother is 30 years old, and her daughter is 10 years old. What will be the difference between their ages after 5 years?
Mother’s age after 5 years = 35.
Daughter’s age after 5 years = 15.
Difference = 35 − 15 = 20 years.
Answer: 20 years
Remember: The difference between two people’s ages stays the same over time.
Strategy Checklist to Master NICL AO Arithmetic Questions
Regular practice can help you calculate faster and avoid mistakes. Use the following checklist while preparing for the Quantitative Aptitude section. Solve Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO every day to strengthen your basics and learn quick calculation methods. Track your performance in mock tests, identify weak topics, and revise important formulas regularly to improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence before the exam.
- Learn basic formulas: Revise formulas for percentages, profit and loss, simple interest, speed, and time and work.
- Memorise fraction equivalents: Learn common percentage-to-fraction conversions, such as 12.5% = 1/8, 16.67% ≈ 1/6, and 37.5% = 3/8.
- Practise calculations daily: Work on multiplication, division, fractions, and mental maths.
- Solve easy questions first: Begin with questions you understand well. Return to lengthy calculations later.
- Read each question carefully: Identify what is given and what you need to find before using a formula.
- Avoid unnecessary calculations: Use ratios and simple equations wherever possible.
- Check units: Make sure hours, minutes, kilometres, and metres are used correctly.
- Focus on accuracy: Avoid random guessing, especially when negative marking applies.
- Take timed mock tests: Practise under exam-like conditions to improve your speed and question selection.
- Review your mistakes: Write down difficult questions and revise the concepts behind them.
You can also practise other quantitative aptitude topics through the 100 Arithmetic Questions for NIACL AO resource.
Final Thoughts
Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO help you build the calculation and problem-solving skills needed for the Quantitative Aptitude section. Start with basic topics such as percentages, ratios, and profit and loss before moving to longer word problems. Learn the formulas, practise different question types, and review your mistakes regularly. A free quiz and PDF practice set can help you revise important concepts and check your progress. For more practice, explore PracticeMock and build a consistent preparation routine.
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Arithmetic Questions for NICL AO FAQs
Q1. What are arithmetic questions in the NICL AO exam?
Ans: Arithmetic questions test your ability to solve mathematical problems involving percentages, profit and loss, ratios, ages, time and work, and other basic calculations.
Q2. Which arithmetic topics should I prepare for NICL AO?
Ans: Focus on percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, partnership, time and work, time-speed-distance, boats and streams, ages, averages, interest, mixtures, and pipes and cisterns.
Q3. How can I solve arithmetic questions faster?
Ans: Learn basic formulas, practise mental calculations, remember common fraction equivalents, and use shortcuts only when you understand why they work. Regular timed practice can help improve your speed.
Q4. Are arithmetic questions important for NICL AO Quantitative Aptitude?
Ans: Arithmetic is an important area of Quantitative Aptitude preparation. Practising different arithmetic topics can help you become more comfortable with numerical and word-based problems.
Q5. How many arithmetic questions are asked in NICL AO?
Ans: The number of arithmetic questions can vary across exam shifts and papers. Prepare all major arithmetic topics instead of relying on a fixed number of questions.
Q6. Can beginners prepare arithmetic questions without coaching?
Ans: Yes. Beginners can start with basic formulas and simple examples, then gradually practise more difficult questions. Reviewing mistakes and taking mock tests can help improve understanding.
Q7. Where can I practise arithmetic questions for NICL AO?
Ans: You can attempt the practice quiz in this blog and explore the PracticeMock NICL AO Test Series for additional exam preparation practice.
Q8. Which formulas should I memorise for arithmetic questions?
Ans: Start with the formulas for percentages, profit and loss, simple interest, averages, time and work, and speed-distance-time. Also revise common fraction and percentage conversions.
Q9. Is there negative marking in the NICL AO exam?
Ans: Negative marking rules depend on the applicable official exam notification. Check the latest NICL AO notification for the confirmed marking scheme before the exam.
Q10. How can I improve my accuracy in arithmetic questions?
Ans: Read each question carefully, write down the given values, choose the correct formula, and check your calculations before selecting an answer. Practise timed quizzes and review every mistake to improve accuracy.
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