If you are preparing for the SSC Selection Post exam, you simply cannot ignore the Quantitative Aptitude section. In this math section, Percentage carries a heavy weightage of 2 to 3 direct questions. The best part is that Percentage is the base for other big topics like Profit & Loss and Data Interpretation, making it highly scoring. You don’t need to learn tough formulas to get these free marks. To make things simple, we have provided exam-level Percentage questions with detailed solutions below. Solving these, along with attempting our free topic tests, will definitely help you prepare for this topic much more easily and quickly.
What is Percentage? (Explained in Simple Words)
You do not need to open thick math books to understand this. Let us learn it using daily life examples. The word “Percent” is made of two small words: “Per” (which means for every) and “Cent” (which means 100). So, Percentage simply means “out of 100.”
Think of your mobile phone battery. When it says 100%, it means the battery is totally full. When it drops to 50%, it means exactly half of the battery is left.
In your school exams, if you scored 45 marks out of 100, your score is simply 45%.
Two Magic Rules to Remember: 1. To make a percentage: If you have a fraction and want to convert it into a percentage, just multiply it by 100. (Example: 1/4 x 100 = 25%) 2. To remove a percentage: If you want to remove the % sign to solve a sum, just divide the number by 100. (Example: 30% becomes 30/100)
If you just keep the number 100 in your mind, you can solve any percentage question in the SSC Selection Post exam.
Important Percentage Questions for SSC Selection Post
Now you have understood the basics. But just reading theory is not enough. If you really want to score good marks, you should practice these top 10 exam-level Percentage questions to check your preparation level.
Q1. What is 25% of 600?
(A) 120
(B) 150
(C) 180
(D) 200
Answer: (B) 150
Explanation: 25% is the same as 1/4th of a number. So, divide 600 by 4. 600 / 4 = 150.
Q2. Amit’s salary was ₹30,000. It was increased to ₹36,000. What is the percentage increase in his salary?
(A) 15%
(B) 20%
(C) 25%
(D) 30%
Answer: (B) 20%
Explanation: The salary increased by ₹6,000 (36,000 – 30,000). To find the percentage, divide the increase by the old salary and multiply by 100. (6000 / 30000) x 100 = 20%.
Q3. If 15% of a number is 45, what is the number?
(A) 200
(B) 250
(C) 300
(D) 350
Answer: (C) 300
Explanation: If 15 parts equal 45, then 1 part equals 3 (because 45 / 15 = 3). The total number is always 100 parts. So, 100 x 3 = 300.
Q4. A student needs 40% marks to pass an exam. He gets 40 marks and fails by 40 marks. What are the total maximum marks of the exam?
(A) 100
(B) 150
(C) 200
(D) 250
Answer: (C) 200
Explanation: He got 40 marks and still needed 40 more to pass. So, passing marks = 40 + 40 = 80. The question says 40% is the passing mark. If 40% = 80 marks, then 1% = 2. So, 100% = 200 marks.
Q5. In an election between two candidates, the winner got 60% of the total votes and won by 600 votes. Find the total number of votes cast.
(A) 2000
(B) 2500
(C) 3000
(D) 3500
Answer: (C) 3000
Explanation: If the winner got 60%, the loser must have got 40%. The difference between them is 20% (60% – 40%). This 20% gap equals 600 votes. If 20% = 600, then 10% = 300. So, 100% = 3000 votes.
Q6. If A’s salary is 20% more than B’s salary, then B’s salary is how much percent less than A’s salary?
(A) 16.66%
(B) 20%
(C) 25%
(D) 15%
Answer: (A) 16.66%
Explanation: Let B’s salary be 100. Then A’s salary is 120. The gap is 20. To find how much B is less than A, divide the gap by A’s salary. (20 / 120) x 100 = 100 / 6 = 16.66%.
Q7. The population of a town increases by 10% every year. If the current population is 5,000, what will be the population after 2 years?
(A) 6,000
(B) 6,050
(C) 6,100
(D) 5,500
Answer: (B) 6,050
Explanation: After 1st year: 10% of 5,000 is 500. New population = 5,500. After 2nd year: 10% of 5,500 is 550. Final population = 5,500 + 550 = 6,050.
Q8. The price of sugar increased by 25%. By how much percent should a family reduce its consumption so that their monthly budget remains the same?
(A) 20%
(B) 25%
(C) 16.66%
(D) 30%
Answer: (A) 20%
Explanation: This is a classic SSC question. Use the simple trick: (Increase / 100 + Increase) x 100. So, (25 / 125) x 100 = 1/5 x 100 = 20%.
Q9. Convert 4/5 into a percentage.
(A) 40%
(B) 60%
(C) 80%
(D) 90%
Answer: (C) 80%
Explanation: To convert any fraction to a percentage, multiply by 100. 4/5 x 100 = 4 x 20 = 80%.
Q10. A shopkeeper gives a discount of 20% on a bag marked at ₹800. What is the selling price of the bag?
(A) ₹600
(B) ₹640
(C) ₹680
(D) ₹700
Answer: (B) ₹640
Explanation: 10% of 800 is 80. So, 20% is 160. Since it is a discount, subtract it from the total price. 800 – 160 = ₹640.
5 Simple Tips to Prepare for Percentage for SSC Selection Post
You do not need to be a math topper to score full marks in this section. You just need to be smart. Here are 5 very easy tips to master Percentage questions without using long formulas:
- Memorize the Fraction Table: This is your biggest weapon. Learn the percentage values of basic fractions. For example, 1/2 is 50%, 1/3 is 33.33%, 1/4 is 25%, and 1/5 is 20%. This will save you huge time in the exam hall.
- Always Assume 100: Whenever a question does not give you an original number, simply assume it is 100. If a price increases by 20%, make it 120. If it decreases by 10%, make it 90. It makes calculation extremely easy.
- Find the 10% Trick: If you want to find 10% of any number, just remove the last zero (or put a decimal before the last digit). 10% of 450 is 45. Once you know 10%, you can easily double it to find 20%, or halve it to find 5%.
- Read the Question Twice: Many students make silly mistakes because they read too fast. Always check if the question is asking for the “increased value” or the “original value.” Reading slowly prevents negative marking.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: SSC mostly repeats question patterns. Solve the previous year’s percentage questions of SSC Selection Post, MTS, and CHSL. You will see the same questions coming up again and again!
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FAQs: Percentage Questions for SSC Selection Post Exam
No, not at all! The mathematics asked in the Selection Post exam (especially Matriculation and Higher Secondary levels) checks your basic logic, not complex high-level math.
You can comfortably expect 2 to 3 direct questions from Percentage in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
No. Percentage is a logic-based topic. If you understand the basic concept of “out of 100” and the fraction table, you will not need any tough formulas.
Yes, absolutely! Percentage is the foundation of Arithmetic. If you master this, topics like Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, and Data Interpretation will become very easy for you.
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer in the SSC Selection Post exam. It is better to leave a question if you are completely unsure, rather than doing a blind guess.
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