📐 Numerical Ability
🧠 Logical Reasoning
📊 Data Interpretation
📖 Reading Comp.
⚡ Quick Tricks
Percentage
Basic Formula
% = (Part / Whole) × 100
% Increase
= [(New − Old) / Old] × 100
% Decrease
= [(Old − New) / Old] × 100
Successive % Change
Net % = a + b + (ab/100)
a and b are % changes (use − for decrease)
% of X is Y
Y = (X × P) / 100
X is what % of Y?
= (X / Y) × 100
HCS Tip: If a price is increased by r% and then decreased by r%, net change = −r²/100 (always a loss).
Profit & Loss
Profit
= Selling Price − Cost Price
Profit %
= (Profit / CP) × 100
Selling Price
SP = CP × (100 + P%) / 100
Cost Price
CP = SP × 100 / (100 + P%)
Marked Price & Discount
SP = MP × (100 − d%) / 100
Two Successive Discounts
Net = 100 − [d₁ + d₂ − (d₁×d₂/100)]
Simple & Compound Interest
Simple Interest
SI = P × R × T / 100
P = Principal, R = Rate %, T = Time (years)
Amount (SI)
A = P + SI = P(1 + RT/100)
Compound Interest
A = P(1 + R/100)ⁿ
CI = A − P
CI − SI Difference (2 years)
= P(R/100)²
Half-Yearly Compounding
A = P(1 + R/200)²ⁿ
Speed, Distance & Time
Basic Formula
Distance = Speed × Time
Average Speed
= 2S₁S₂ / (S₁ + S₂)
When equal distances at S₁ and S₂
Relative Speed (same dir.)
= |S₁ − S₂|
Relative Speed (opposite)
= S₁ + S₂
Train crossing a pole
Time = Length of Train / Speed
Train crossing platform
Time = (Train + Platform) / Speed
Upstream Speed
= Boat − Current
Downstream Speed
= Boat + Current
Ratio, Proportion & Averages
Average
= Sum of items / Number of items
Weighted Average
= (w₁x₁ + w₂x₂ ...) / (w₁ + w₂ ...)
Proportion
a:b :: c:d → ad = bc
If avg increases by k
New sum = Old sum + k × n
n = number of elements
Time & Work
Work done in 1 day
= 1 / Total days
Combined work rate
= 1/A + 1/B (together)
Together time (A & B)
= AB / (A + B)
Pipes: Filling + Leaking
Net Rate = Fill rate − Leak rate
Geometry & Mensuration
ShapeAreaPerimeter / Volume
Square (side a)P = 4a
Rectangle (l×b)l × bP = 2(l+b)
Triangle (b, h)½ × b × hSum of sides
Circle (r)πr²C = 2πr
Cylinder (r, h)2πr(r+h)V = πr²h
Cone (r, h, l)πr(r+l)V = ⅓πr²h
Sphere (r)4πr²V = 4/3 πr³
Cuboid (l,b,h)2(lb+bh+hl)V = l×b×h
Number System Essentials
Sum of n natural numbers
= n(n+1) / 2
Sum of squares (1 to n)
= n(n+1)(2n+1) / 6
Sum of cubes (1 to n)
= [n(n+1)/2]²
Divisibility by 4
Last 2 digits divisible by 4
HCF × LCM
= Product of two numbers
Remainder Theorem
If a ≡ r (mod m), then aⁿ ≡ rⁿ (mod m)
Series & Patterns
TypePatternHCS Example
Arithmetic SeriesCommon difference (d) between terms2, 5, 8, 11, … (d=3)
Geometric SeriesCommon ratio (r) between terms3, 9, 27, 81, … (r=3)
Square SeriesTerms are perfect squares1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …
FibonacciEach term = sum of previous two1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, …
Prime Number2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, …Next prime after 17?
Difference SeriesDifferences form another patternCheck 1st, 2nd order diff.
Mixed/AlternatingTwo separate interleaved seriesOdd/even positions separately
Coding–Decoding Rules
Alphabetical Position
A=1, B=2 … Z=26
Reverse: A=26, Z=1
Opposite Letters
A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X … (sum = 27)
Shift Code
Shift each letter by +k or −k
Number Code
Sum/product/position of letters
Quick Recall: EJOTY → E(5) J(10) O(15) T(20) Y(25). Memorize for instant position lookup.
Blood Relations
RelationSymbol / Key
Brother of FatherUncle (Paternal)
Sister of FatherAunt (Paternal)
Son of UncleCousin
Father's FatherGrandfather (Paternal)
Mother's BrotherMaternal Uncle
A is the only son of BA and B are parent–child (no siblings)
Strategy: Draw a family tree immediately. Use M/F to denote gender. Follow each relation step by step.
Directions & Distance
Cardinal Directions
N → S → E → W (clockwise: N,E,S,W)
Turn Left from N
→ face West
Turn Right from N
→ face East
Shortest Distance (Pythagoras)
d = √(x² + y²)
x = E-W displacement, y = N-S displacement
Seating Arrangement Rules
Linear (facing north)
Left of X = towards West side
Circular (facing centre)
Left of X = anticlockwise neighbour
Circular (facing outside)
Left of X = clockwise neighbour
Position from End
Pos from Right = (n+1) − Pos from Left
Syllogisms
Statement TypeConclusion Rule
All A are B + All B are CAll A are C ✓
All A are B + Some B are CSome A are C ✗ (not definite)
No A is B + All C are ANo C is B ✓
Some A are B + No B is CSome A are not C ✓
All A are BSome B are A ✓ (reverse: some)
Reading Tables & Charts — Key Formulas
% Share
= (Part / Total) × 100
% Change (year-on-year)
= [(This Year − Last Year) / Last Year] × 100
Ratio Comparison
a/b vs c/d: cross-multiply (ad vs bc)
Average from Chart
Sum of all values ÷ Number of values
Pie Chart (sector value)
Value = (Angle / 360) × Total
Pie Chart (% to angle)
Angle = (% / 100) × 360°
Speed Estimation Techniques
Approximate Large Divisions
Round to nearest 5 or 10 for quick calc
% ≈ Approximation
33.33% ≈ 1/3 | 25% = 1/4 | 20% = 1/5
Ratio Shortcuts
3:5 → 37.5% | 2:3 → 40% | 3:4 → 75%
HCS CSAT Strategy: Always scan chart title and legend before calculating. Check axis scales carefully — examiners often use unusual scales to mislead.
Fraction to Percentage Quick Table
FractionDecimalPercentage
1/20.50050%
1/30.33333.33%
2/30.66766.67%
1/40.25025%
3/40.75075%
1/50.20020%
2/50.40040%
3/50.60060%
4/50.80080%
1/60.16716.67%
1/70.14314.29%
1/80.12512.5%
Approach Strategy
Step 1: Skim the Questions First
Know what to look for before reading the passage
Step 2: Read the Passage Actively
Mark topic sentences and key transitions
Step 3: Answer Directly
Don't use external knowledge — only the passage
Step 4: Eliminate Traps
Too broad, too narrow, extreme language
Common Question Types & Traps
Question TypeWhat to Look ForCommon Trap
Main IdeaCentral theme of entire passageSpecific detail that's only part of passage
Author's ToneAdjectives, adverbs, word choiceMistaking neutral for critical
InferenceWhat's implied but not statedGoing too far beyond the passage
Vocabulary in ContextSurrounding sentences, not dictionary meaningUsing the literal/common meaning
"According to passage"Direct statement in passageCorrect fact but not stated in passage
Purpose/FunctionWhy the author includes somethingWhat it says vs. why it's there
Key Tone Words to Recognize
Positive Tones
Laudatory, Appreciative, Enthusiastic, Optimistic, Supportive, Celebratory
Negative Tones
Critical, Cynical, Pessimistic, Condescending, Scornful, Disapproving
Neutral Tones
Analytical, Objective, Informative, Descriptive, Factual
Mixed/Complex Tones
Ironic, Satirical, Paradoxical, Ambivalent, Nostalgic
⚡ Speed Calculation Tricks
TrickRuleExample
Multiply by 5Divide by 2, multiply by 1048 × 5 = 480/2 = 240
Multiply by 11Sum adjacent digits in middle72 × 11: 7_(7+2)_2 = 792
Multiply by 25Divide by 4, multiply by 10048 × 25 = 1200
Square ending in 5(a5)² = a(a+1) followed by 2575² = 7×8 = 56, so 5625
% shortcutx% of y = y% of x35% of 60 = 60% of 35 = 21
Average of consecutiveMiddle term = averageAvg of 3,4,5,6,7 = 5
Fractions: which is larger?Cross-multiply to compare3/7 vs 4/9: 27 vs 28 → 4/9 larger
Sum 1 to n (quick)n(n+1)/21 to 50 = 50×51/2 = 1275
Divisibility Quick Rules
÷ 2
Last digit even
÷ 3
Sum of digits divisible by 3
÷ 4
Last 2 digits ÷ 4
÷ 6
Divisible by both 2 and 3
÷ 7
Double last digit, subtract from rest; repeat
÷ 8
Last 3 digits ÷ 8
÷ 9
Sum of digits divisible by 9
÷ 11
|Sum of odd positions − Sum of even positions| = 0 or 11
HCS CSAT Time Management
SectionQuestionsIdeal TimeStrategy
Reading Comprehension~15-2025 minRead questions first, answer directly from passage
Numerical Ability~15-2025 minUse approximation, skip difficult, come back
Logical Reasoning~15-2020 minDraw diagrams, don't do in head
Data Interpretation~8-1220 minScan chart first, answer easy questions first
Decision Making~5-810 minUse given guidelines only, not personal judgment
Buffer / Review20 minMark difficult, attempt last
Must-Know Constants & Values
π (Pi)
≈ 22/7 ≈ 3.14159
√2
≈ 1.414
√3
≈ 1.732
√5
≈ 2.236
Pythag Triples
3-4-5 | 5-12-13 | 8-15-17 | 7-24-25
1 km/h
= 5/18 m/s
1 m/s
= 18/5 = 3.6 km/h
1 hectare
= 10,000 m²