Why Simplification & Approximation Matter So Much in SSC CGL
Let’s be honest—when time is ticking in the SSC CGL exam, you want questions that take the least time and give the highest accuracy. And that’s exactly where SSC CGL Simplification and Approximation questions come in. Most aspirants treat them as “easy marks,” and that’s true—only if you’re prepared.
These questions test how well you handle numbers under pressure. If you’ve practiced well, they take less than 30 seconds each. If not, you’ll waste precious time recalculating what could’ve been done in your head.
What These Questions Typically Look Like
- Simple numerical expressions
- Fraction calculations
- Square roots and cube roots
- Approximating multiplications/divisions
- BODMAS-based puzzles
They usually appear in both Tier 1 and Tier 2, and knowing how to simplify smartly can earn you 4–5 bonus marks.
Shortcuts That Work
1. The BODMAS Rule
That’s your golden rule—Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction. Always process in that order.
Example:
(36 ÷ 6) × (3 + 1) = ?
→ 6 × 4 = 24
2. Squares, Cubes & Tricks
Squares till 30 and cubes till 15 should be instant recall. No excuses here.
| Square | Cube |
|---|---|
| 25² = 625 | 5³ = 125 |
| 13² = 169 | 9³ = 729 |
Pro tip: Know these like you know your phone number.
3. Use the Smart Round-Off Method
When precision isn’t necessary (like in approximation questions), round up or down to make life easier.
Example:
98 × 52 ≈ ?
Round: 100 × 50 = 5000
Choose the closest option to 5000. Done!
4. Split Large Fractions First
Don’t try to calculate everything at once. Break it down.
Example:
(1/2 + 1/3 + 1/6) = ?
Find LCM: 6
→ (3 + 2 + 1)/6 = 6/6 = 1
Easily marks could be gained.
5. Eliminate Options Intelligently
You don’t need to solve every question completely. SSC CGL often gives you 4 options far apart. Use common sense and basic rounding to eliminate the wrong ones.
What Not To Do –
- Don’t ignore signs like “approx.” in questions
- Don’t skip basics like LCM, HCF, or divisibility
- Don’t recalculate the same step multiple times
- Don’t round off when options are too close
How to Get Good at This –
- Practice 15 questions daily from previous year papers
- Keep a list of common calculation hacks
- Use a timer while solving
- Review your wrong answers immediately
Final Thoughts!
If you’ve been ignoring Simplification and Approximation thinking they’re “too basic,” it’s time to change your game plan. These are the low-hanging fruits of the SSC CGL exam.
So instead of chasing overly complex topics, make SSC CGL Simplification and Approximation your stronghold.
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