Quantitative Aptitude

Numerical reasoning for placement and entrance aptitude tests.

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Overview

Quantitative aptitude covers the arithmetic and numerical reasoning skills placement tests and entrance exams evaluate: number systems, percentages, interest, ratios, time/speed/distance and time/work, and reading data from tables and charts.

What it is
A set of numerical problem-solving techniques, not a programming language or piece of software -- the skill of translating a word problem into the right arithmetic or algebraic setup and solving it accurately under time pressure.
Why it's used
Most campus placement processes and many entrance exams include a quantitative aptitude section, since it is a fast, standardized way to assess numerical reasoning independent of a candidate's specific academic major.
Where it fits
Typically the first stage of a placement process, often alongside logical reasoning, before technical and HR interview rounds.

Core concepts

  • Number systems and divisibility
  • Percentages, profit/loss, and interest
  • Ratio, proportion, and mixtures
  • Time, speed, distance, and work
  • Data interpretation

Example

Quantitative aptitude problems translate directly into small, checkable calculations like this one -- exactly the kind of function each lesson's exercises have you implement and test.

function percentageChange(oldValue, newValue) {
  return Math.round(((newValue - oldValue) / oldValue) * 100 * 100) / 100;
}
// percentageChange(80, 100) -> 25

Common use cases

  • Campus placement aptitude test preparation
  • Entrance exam numerical ability sections
  • General numerical fluency for day-to-day estimation

Project ideas

  • Build a small script that generates and checks your own practice problems for a topic you find weak

Official references