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IBM Aptitude Questions
Overview
This page contains IBM aptitude questions with detailed solutions. Take the free mock quiz below for timed practice with scoring, then work through the solved set.
IBM Aptitude Mock Quiz
Timed placement-style MCQs with score and explanations after you submit. Use it to check speed and accuracy before the real test.
Questions15
Time10 min
Quantitative
If cost price is ₹250 and profit is 20%, selling price is:
SP = 250 × 1.2 = ₹300.
Quantitative
A and B can complete a work in 12 days; B and C in 15 days; A and C in 20 days. How long will A, B, and C together take to complete the work?
(A+B)'s 1 day work = 1/12 (B+C)'s 1 day work = 1/15 (A+C)'s 1 day work = 1/20 Adding: 2(A+B+C)'s 1 day work = 1/12 + 1/15 + 1/20 = (5+4+3)/60 = 12/60 = 1/5 (A+B+C)'s 1 day work = 1/10 Time taken = 10 days
Reasoning
Odd one out: Rose, Lily, Lotus, Leaf
Others are flowers.
Reasoning
If letter positions are summed (A=1…Z=26), BAT equals:
Sum of positions = 23.
Quantitative
A is the father of B. C is the son of B. D is the brother of A. How is D related to C?
A is father of B, so B is child of A C is son of B, so C is grandson of A D is brother of A, so D is uncle of B Therefore, D is great-uncle of C
Reasoning
If every letter is shifted +2 in the alphabet, CANDLE becomes:
C→E, A→C, N→P, D→F, L→N, E→G → ECPFNG.
Quantitative
Successive discounts 20% and 15%. Effective discount:
100 → 80 → 68 → 32% off.
Quantitative
A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. The net percentage change is:
100 → 120 → 96. Net change = 4% decrease.
Verbal
Choose correctly spelled word:
Correct spelling is Necessary.
Reasoning
What is the value of x? Statement I: x² - 7x + 12 = 0 Statement II: x > 2
Statement I: x² - 7x + 12 = 0 (x - 3)(x - 4) = 0 x = 3 or x = 4 Statement II: x > 2 (both 3 and 4 satisfy this) Combining both: x = 3 or x = 4 (both positive and > 2)
Verbal
"The committee have decided": correct form is:
Collective noun "committee" as one unit takes singular "has".
Quantitative
A person sells a pen at a 25% profit. If the cost price is ₹40, what is the selling price?
Profit = 25% of ₹40 = ₹10 Selling Price = Cost Price + Profit = ₹40 + ₹10 = ₹50
Verbal
Choose the correct sentence:
Neither takes singular verb; "options" is plural noun with of.
Verbal
Identify the error type: "He don't know the answer."
He doesn't / does not - subject-verb agreement.
Reasoning
If RED is 27 and BLUE is 40 (sum of positions), GREEN is:
G+R+E+E+N = 7+18+5+5+14 = 49.
Your score
0/15(0%)
Review
IBM aptitude questions overview
Typical aptitude mix (from student reports):
- Numerical / Quantitative: percentages, profit & loss, ratios, time-work, averages, SI/CI, DI
- Logical Reasoning: series, coding-decoding, blood relations, seating, syllogisms, puzzles
- Verbal Ability: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence correction
Numerical ability questions
Percentages
Q1: A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. Find the net percentage change.
Let original = 100 → 120 → 96. Net = 4% decrease.
Answer: 4% decrease
Q2: Price rises by 25%. By what % should consumption fall to keep expenditure constant?
Reduction = 25/(100+25)×100 = 20%.
Answer: 20%
Profit and loss
Q3: Marked 40% above cost with 10% discount. Profit %?
SP = 1.4 × 0.9 × CP = 1.26 CP → 26% profit.
Answer: 26%
Q4: Sold at 10% loss. If sold for ₹60 more, profit 5%. Find CP.
0.9P + 60 = 1.05P → P = ₹400.
Answer: ₹400
Time and work
Q5: A finishes in 12 days, B in 18 days. Together?
1/12 + 1/18 = 5/36 → 7.2 days.
Answer: 7.2 days
Q6: 8 workers finish in 10 days. Days for 10 workers?
Man-days = 80 → 8 days.
Answer: 8 days
Speed, ratio, interest
Q7: Speed 60 km/h for 2.5 hours. Distance?
60×2.5 = 150 km.
Answer: 150 km
Q8: Ratio 3:5 and 5:7. Compound ratio?
3:7 after canceling middle 5s carefully → actually 3/5 × 5/7 = 3:7.
Answer: 3:7
Q9: SI on ₹5000 at 8% for 3 years?
₹1200.
Answer: ₹1200
Q10: Average of 5 numbers is 20. One number 25 replaced by 15. New average?
18.
Answer: 18
Verbal ability questions
Q11: Synonym of “Abundant”
Answer: Plentiful
Q12: She _____ to the office every day by metro.
Answer: goes
Q13: Antonym of “Benevolent”
Answer: Malevolent
Q14: Choose correct spelling
Answer: Accommodate
Q15: Spot error style - practice subject-verb agreement daily for IBM mocks.
Answer: Drill 10 S-V questions/day in your error log.
Reasoning ability questions
Q16: Next number: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
42.
Answer: 42
Extra drill set
Q17: A finishes work in 16 days, B in 17 days. Days together?
Rate = 1/16 + 1/17. Days = reciprocal of that sum.
Answer: compute exactly before the exam; practice the fraction form daily.
Q18: Price increases by 27%. Consumption reduction to keep spend constant?
Reduction % = r/(100+r)×100 with r=27.
Answer: 27/(100+27)×100 (simplify).
Q19: Average of 7 numbers is 18. One number 24 replaced by 10. New average?
Sum 126 → 112 → average 16.
Answer: 16
Q20: SI on ₹8000 at 7.5% for 2 years?
SI = 8000×7.5×2/100 = ₹1200.
Answer: ₹1200
Q21: Synonym of “Mitigate”
Answer: Alleviate / reduce
Q22: Series: 3, 9, 27, 81, ?
Multiply by 3 → 243.
Answer: 243
Q23: If NORTH is coded as 13 (letter count? or positions), prefer position-sum drills for your mock bank.
Practice coding-decoding patterns: +1/−1, reverse, position sums.
Answer: pattern-dependent; master 4 common patterns.
Q24: All engineers are graduates. Some graduates are managers. Conclusion: some engineers are managers?
Does not follow necessarily.
Answer: Does not follow
Data interpretation mini-set
Q25: A chart shows sales 40, 50, 60, 70. What is the average?
(40+50+60+70)/4 = 55.
Answer: 55
Q26: If Q1 is 20% of annual sales and annual is 500, Q1 sales?
100.
Answer: 100
Puzzle / arrangement warmups
Q27: Five people A-E in a row. A left of B, C opposite… (practice drawing first).
Always draw. Do not solve arrangement fully in your head under time.
Q28: Blood relation: A is sister of B. B is son of C. How is A related to C?
A is child of C (daughter if genders standard as stated).
Answer: Daughter (given A is sister)
Sectional timing template
| Section | Practice block | Target accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical | 15 Q / 15 min | 80%+ |
| Reasoning | 15 Q / 15 min | 75%+ |
| Verbal | 12 Q / 10 min | 85%+ |
Timed practice tips for IBM
- First pass: only high-confidence questions
- Mark and skip time sinks early
- Keep verbal accuracy high (easy marks)
- Replicate mock quiz timing thrice a week
- Sleep properly the night before; fatigue kills DI accuracy