How to Solve Numerical Questions [6 Simple Steps] ll GATE & ESE

Improve Numerical Solving Skill for Competition Exams

The current situation of competition exams is very different from the past. Nowadays mostly competition exams are focusing more on Numerical type Questions instead of Theory-Based Questions.

And with time, the toughness level of Numerical Questions also increases. To compete with other aspirants you need to improve your Numerical Solving Skill for competition exams.

Solving Numericals Questions is very important to get a good rank in exams like GATE, ESE, DRDO, ISRO, BARC, etc.

If you have Right Numerical Solving Strategy then you can easily get high marks in any exam. Follow the given 6 Simple Steps with Pro Tips while solving the Numericals or any Theoretical Questions also.

Importance of Numerical Solving Skill in Exams

Before you read the “Strategy to Solve Numerical Questions” you must understand what is the importance of Numericals in exams? And Why Exams are giving more preference to Numerical than Theory Questions? Let’s first find out the answer to them.

Theoretical Questions are mostly conceptual to check your knowledge of the subject. They can’t evaluate your skill of using the formulas in different situations. In objective exams, aspirants who don’t learn the concepts can guess the answers by simple logic or by eliminating options.

But Numerical Questions can analyze everything in you. They check your calculation skill, Speed with Accuracy, overall knowledge of the topic, etc.

And to solve numerical your concept should be crystal clear which can be done by solving theoretical questions first. Thus, Numerical Problems are more precise to check your concepts.

Strategy to Solve Numerical Questions

1 Learn the concepts from Genuine Source

The very first step is to learn the basics from Teacher or Reference Books or other Handwritten Notes. Basic is very important to understand every small key point from which in-depth questions are created.

If you have enough time to use multiple books then surely use them to practice different types of questions that are available in those books. But for aspirants who have less time, I’ll suggest they stick with one genuine study material only and revise it on time.

Reference Books vs. Handwritten Notes vs. Coaching Study Material

2 Go Through Solve Examples

As soon you learn the Basic Concepts from the right resource. Now it’s time to understand the application of those Concepts or Formulas or Key Results.

How to develop Problem Solving Skills for GATE & ESE Exam? Solve examples helps you to learn the basic use of Theory in Numerical Problems in the Right Direction. And this is the best way to develop Problem-Solving skills.

Practice some SOLVED EXAMPLES without seeing the solution, try to get the answer. If you are not able to solve it then Yes, you can see the solution. And understand how to use the formulas or concepts in numerical questions.

PRO TIP 1: Use Star (*) Mark Technique. Whenever you find any question which use deep concepts or multiple concepts or new type of question. Make a star * mark on it, for future revision purpose

3 Follow Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

After you learn the application of concepts via solved examples then move to practice PYQs of that subject or a particular topic. PYQs are the best practice source for any competition exam. They give you a real idea about the weightage of the topic or subject and you can also find the toughness level of the exam.

PRO TIP 2: Never Tick (✔) the answers on objective questions. When you are revising a subject you have to practice the questions again to maintain your numerical solving skill. And if you tick the answer, you will see the answer and you will not able to use your brain to solve it in that way which is required for a competition exam

4 Practice New type of Numerical Questions

How to improve GATE Numerical Solving Speed with Accuracy?

Speed and Accuracy are two different things but can be improved together. Just go through new types of Questions and try to find the right answer on the first attempt. If you fail to get the right answer then see what mistake you have done and resolve it as soon as possible.

To practice more quality questions you need a Practice Set Book of any reputed coaching institute or you can Practice Unsolved Questions at the back of relevant Reference Books also.

Choose any one source to practice as there are lots of questions in each type of study material. Let me tell you the advantages and disadvantages of Coaching Practice Books and Reference Books.

Questions from Reference Books are not updated from long time and are not exam oriented. But you can find variety of questions (Good Quality) that are still not used in any exams. Whereas Questions of Coaching Practice Set are exam oriented and they are updated each year. They create new types of question by modifying the PYQs & Reference Books questions

Sometimes Free Mobile Apps for GATE & ESE also helps you to practice new quality question

5 Step by Step Revisions

How to Revise Numerical Subjects?

When you study a subject you start forgetting it as time passes. You have to revise each subject smartly. Revise more things in less time. I mean there is a simple Pattern to Revise a Subject.

1. The First 2 revisions should be done from Full-Notes only just go through all key points and formulas. After it practices those Star (*) Marked Questions & some Unattempt (unanswered) Numerical Questions.
2. Then make Short-Notes. Read those Shorts-Notes on 2-3 days gap. And also practice those Star (*) Marked Questions only.

   PRO TIP 3: Make Short-Notes after 2-3 revisions of each subject. As when we learn first time from full-notes we always miss few points which are important for upcoming exams. Revise from Full-Notes and mark all key important point

3. Revise from Full-Notes (Read-only) once each month till the final exam. After you finish your full syllabus, dedicate one complete day each week to practice questions only.

6 Bookmarked Questions

You have to give a Test (Subjects wise and Full Length) to check your performance when limited time is there to solve questions. Every institute provides Test Series in which you can Bookmark the questions to solve them again.

In Test Series, some questions are unique in nature, they help you to solve the new question that comes in GATE each year.

Conclusion

Numerical Questions are important to achieve a good rank in competition exams. To solve numerical problems, first, you need to understand the theory and solve theory-based questions. Then apply the laws or concepts in numerical. As I say, Numerical Problems are more precise to evaluate your concepts.

Follow the above 6 steps while practicing numerical questions and you will improve your ability to solve questions easily within time and with Accuracy. Just practice again & again until you get your dream.

I hope this article helps you to know How to Practice Numerical Questions for Competition Exams like GATE & ESE.