Numerical ability is part of many competitive exam syllabus, so if you want to give these exams, numerical ability books will help you prepare for the topics. In this article, you will read what is numerical ability, the topics in it and the best books to help you prepare for competitive exams.

What is Numerical Ability?

The candidate’s ability to comprehend simple numerical ideas and work on basic numerical operations is numerical ability. Knowing basic math operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is a basic numeracy skill. 

Numerical ability is the ability to figure out how to add and subtract numbers, solve simple math problems or use a specific formula. If you know how to use basic math formulas, you could do well in numerical ability tests. 

The main point of a numerical ability test is to see how fast you can find the right answer. This is because a numerical ability test is meant to evaluate your ability to understand, analyze and use simple mathematical ideas within a time frame. 

In competitive exams, you get limited time to answer questions. So your speed in solving questions makes a lot of difference to your success. Overall, you need to master all the subjects of the competitive exams to prove your mental abilities.

Topics in Numerical Ability Books

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Division
• Multiplication
• LCM, HCM
• Square Roots
• Cube Root
• Fractions
• Probability
• Time and Work 
• Pipes and Cisterns
• Discount
• Partnership
• Simple Interest
• Compound Interest
• Percentage
• Ratio and Proportions
• Profit and Loss
• Speed, Time and Distance
• Average
• Mensuration
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Statistics

And others.

Numerical Ability Books

The five books listed below will be relevant for your competitive exams preparation such as railways entrance exams, SSC, banking exams, MBA entrance exams, and state and central government job exams. 

1. Kiran Text Book of Quickest Mathematics

• Author – Experts from the Publication house Kiran Institute of Career Excellence
• Stars – 4.5 out of 5

This book contains numerical ability and quantitative aptitude based on the latest trends in exam patterns. Using this book will prepare you for all the competitive exams. 

Important highlights

All the important topics of numerical aptitude are covered in this book. Includes simple interest, binary number systems, decimals and fractions, basic mathematics, geometry and trigonometry. Even problems based on time and distance, work and wages, volume and surface areas, height and distance, probability and data analysis, data sufficiency and data interpretation are there in this book.

2. Arithmetic Subjective And Objective For Competitive Examinations 

• Author – R. S. Aggarwal
• Stars – 4.5 out of 5

Reputed author and subject expert R. S. Aggarwal has written this book that applies to several competitive exams. Some of these exams are IBPS exams, SSC and railway exams, NABARD and IDBI bank executive officer exams, LIC, Income Tax, railways, state and central government exams, and hotel management admission tests.

Important highlights 

This revised edition of the arithmetic subjective and objective book published by reputed educational publisher S. Chand has the latest question papers and their solutions.

3. Fast Track Arithmetic

• Author – Rajesh Verma
• Stars – 4.5 out of 5

This edition of Fast Track Objective Arithmetic is a bestseller because it goes over everything you need to know to master math concepts.

Important highlights 

This thoroughly checked error-free edition will make sure you have a complete command of the subject and help you do well on the exams. It will cover all of the latest exam questions, new types of questions, and tricks. The exercises are of different levels, such as basic level and advanced skill level.

The book has a perfect mix of basic concepts and short tricks for solving different kinds of math problems. It covers the syllabus of almost all competitive exams, such as RBI, SBI, IBPS PO, SSC, LIC, CDS, UPSC, Management, and all other Entrance Recruitment and Aptitude Tests. 

Since its publication, Fast Track Objective Arithmetic has helped a lot of people across the country build and improve their aptitude skills. This is the first book of its kind, and it has everything you need to learn how to do math through basic and higher-level graded exercises. 

4. Numerical Ability: 18 Days Wonder

• Author – K.J. S. Khurana and Rajeev Markanday
• Stars – 4.5 out of 5

Meant for candidates who are short of time in their exam preparation, this book covers all the important topics of numerical ability. The book is published by reputed publishers S.Chand. Also, this product bundle comes with an analytical reasoning book by M.K. Panday.

Important highlights 

Publishers have called it 18 days wonder because it has day to day result-oriented course that will ensure the best preparation for success. Additionally, this book has vedic maths and data interpretation. 

A helpful book for candidates preparing for the MBA entrance exam, CDA, railways, various SSC exams, and banking exams. The book is good for you if you want to clear your numerical ability concepts and practice tests in a few days. 

5. FCI Numerical Aptitude

• Author – Experts from the publication house ADDA 247

Using this book will help students learn and understand the new pattern of SSC FCI recruitment exams, which will help them get the best possible score on the competitive exam. With the new pattern and challenges of competitive exams in mind, the book was put together by experienced faculty, and subject-matter experts. 

Important highlights 

• There are answers to all 800+ multiple-choice questions
• Concepts with clear explanations and examples
• Questions from the most basic to the most advanced, with detailed answers
• Explanations and Examples
• Questions from the most basic to the most advanced, with detailed answers

Importance of Numerical Ability Books

Numerical ability books are an essential resource for anyone who wants to improve their mathematical skills. These books cover a wide range of topics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and more, with easy-to-understand explanations and examples.

One of the most significant benefits of numerical ability books is that they can help you prepare for exams and tests in various fields, such as banking, finance, and engineering. Additionally, these books can help you develop problem-solving skills and boost your confidence in dealing with numerical problems.

Also read: Creative Courses after Grade 12th

Numerical ability books are also great for people who want to improve their everyday math skills. With practical examples and exercises, readers can learn to calculate percentages, discounts, and more, making them more comfortable with day-to-day calculations.

FAQ’s

1. Is numerical ability the same as quantitative aptitude?

Numerical ability is different from quantitative aptitude. In competitive examinations, the numerical ability is part of quantitative aptitude tests. 

Quantitative aptitude has more logic-based questions using numbers and data. While numerical ability is more of solving questions involving numbers. 

Also read: What is the SSC Exam?

2. Which are the competitive exams for which I will need  numerical ability?

• IBPS Bank PO, Clerk, RRB’s
• SBI PO and Clerk
• RBI Exam
• SSC CGL, CHSL
• Railway entrance exam
• XLRI
• CAT
• MBA entrance exam

And many other competitive exams.

To Sum It Up

These numerical ability books will play an important role in your self-study. The math questions in competitive exams are extremely challenging to solve if you haven’t practised enough. 

Addressing these kind of questions can take a lot of time and concentration. Often, you have to try a variety of techniques before you find the right answer.

You should be familiar with the kind of questions that are often asked in these tests, learn some ways to answer them quickly, and tackle as many similar difficulties as you can.

It’s also essential that you have a solid grasp of the most basic math concepts that these questions use. Breaking the question up into smaller parts can help you figure out how to answer numerical questions. 

Tackling math problems takes a lot of practice and comprehension of how numbers work. To do well in competitive math tests, you need to know the basic methodologies and kind of queries asked in the exams.