Assam TET – Quantitative Aptitude
Topic: Caselets
Caselets are short, self‑contained problem statements that often appear in entrance exams like Assam TET. They usually involve a small set of data, a question, and a choice of answers. The key to success is quick comprehension and efficient calculation.
1. Simple Explanation
A Caselet is essentially a mini‑problem that tests your ability to:
- Read the statement accurately.
- Identify the relevant data.
- Apply the correct formula or logical trick.
- Compute the answer quickly (often by mental math or simple arithmetic).
Unlike long word problems, caselets are designed to be solved in a few seconds. They usually involve:
- Basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Percentages, ratios, proportions
- Simple algebraic manipulations
- Small combinatorial or probability questions
2. Key Points to Master
| # | Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skim first, then read | The first glance gives you the context; the second read lets you spot the question. |
| 2 | Highlight numbers | Write them down (in your head or on paper) to avoid losing track. |
| 3 | Look for hidden patterns | Many caselets hide a trick: e.g., “X is 20 % of Y” → “X = 0.2 Y.” |
| 4 | Use mental math shortcuts | 10 % of a number, doubling/tripling, quick fractions (½, ⅓, ⅔). |
| 5 | Check units | Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples (e.g., students vs. teachers). |
| 6 | Eliminate wrong options early | If you can rule out 2–3 choices, you’ll be left with the correct one. |
| 7 | Keep an answer sheet ready | Write the final answer as soon as you compute it; this keeps you from second‑guessing. |
| 8 | Practice “time‑pressure” | Set a timer for 30‑second solves; you’ll learn how fast you can think. |
3. Worked Example
Caselet
The school has three classes: Class‑A has 30 students, Class‑B has 25, and Class‑C has 35.
In Class‑A, 10 % of students were absent.
In Class‑B, 20 % were absent.
In Class‑C, 15 % were absent.
Question: How many students were present across all three classes?
Step‑by‑Step
| Step | What to Do | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Compute absentees per class | – Class‑A: 10 % of 30 = 0.10 × 30 = 3 – Class‑B: 20 % of 25 = 0.20 × 25 = 5 – Class‑C: 15 % of 35 = 0.15 × 35 = 5.25 → 5 (round to nearest whole number) |
| 2 | Total students | 30 + 25 + 35 = 90 |
| 3 | Total absentees | 3 + 5 + 5 = 13 |
| 4 | Present students | 90 – 13 = 77 |
Answer: 77 students were present.
Quick mental hack:
10 % of 30 = 3 → 30‑3 = 27 present in Class‑A.
20 % of 25 = 5 → 25‑5 = 20 present in Class‑B.
15 % of 35 ≈ 5 (exact 5.25, round down) → 35‑5 = 30 present in Class‑C.
Sum: 27 + 20 + 30 = 77.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Read the statement twice – first for context, second for numbers.
- Highlight or jot down all figures immediately.
- Spot the operation: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage, ratio.
- Use mental math tricks:
- 10 % = divide by 10
- 20 % = divide by 5
- 25 % = quarter
- 50 % = half
- 75 % = three‑quarters
- Round only when necessary; many caselets expect whole numbers.
- Cross‑check: add/subtract all parts to verify total.
- Eliminate wrong options by quick checks (e.g., if answer > total possible, discard).
- Practice under timed conditions to build speed.
By following these steps, you’ll handle most Assam TET caselets confidently and efficiently. Happy studying!