TNPSC Aptitude & Reasoning: The Official 16 Topics Only
The official aptitude list is short, and that is the strategy: refuse to prepare anything not on it. No trains, no boats, no clocks, they are other exams' topics.
Worth knowing
- The official topic list is short, refuse to prepare anything not on it (no trains, boats or clocks)
- Fraction-to-percentage fluency (1/8 = 12.5%) is the single highest-value skill, it speeds up every arithmetic question
- There are no calculators in the hall, do all practice on paper from day one
Step by step
01Drill the arithmetic core
Simplification, percentage, HCF/LCM, ratio, simple and compound interest, area, volume, time and work, the complete official list. Fifteen problems a day rotates through all of it weekly.
02Learn fraction-percentage fluency
1/8 = 12.5% style conversions cut solving time in half across percentage, interest and ratio questions, the single highest-value aptitude skill.
03Pattern-train the reasoning six
Logical reasoning, puzzles, dice, visual reasoning, alphanumeric series, number series. Each has 3-4 recurring formats; recognition beats derivation under time.
04Practice at exam arithmetic, by hand
No calculators in the hall. All practice on paper, mental math first, matches the condition you will score under.
Official links
Frequently asked questions
Why skip trains and boats problems?
How many aptitude questions are there?
How much daily practice does aptitude need?
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Steps and specifications follow official TNPSC instructions and notification annexures. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.
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