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SSC CGL 2026

⚡ SSC CGL 2026: Simplification Tricks & Expected Questions

BODMAS shortcuts, approximation hacks, fraction tricks and top 50 expected questions — everything you need to score full marks in Simplification!

Updated: May 2026
12 min read
High Weightage Topic

Why Simplification is Critical for SSC CGL 2026?

SSC CGL 2026 Tier-1 exam me Quantitative Aptitude section 25 marks ka hota hai. Simplification + Approximation mein usually 4–6 questions directly aate hain — ye sab 1–1.5 minutes mein solve hone chahiye.

SSC CGL 2025 Analysis

Simplification: 4 questions | Approximation: 2 questions | Average difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Students who used BODMAS shortcuts solved these in under 45 seconds each — saving 6+ minutes for harder DI questions!

4–6Questions in SSC CGL
45sTarget Per Question
100%Accuracy Possible
6 minTime Saved

1. BODMAS Rule — The Foundation

BODMAS = Brackets → Order (Powers/Roots) → Division → Multiplication → Addition → Subtraction

BODMAS Priority Order

Step 1: Solve innermost brackets first: ( ) → { } → [ ]
Step 2: Powers and square roots
Step 3: Division and Multiplication (left to right)
Step 4: Addition and Subtraction (left to right)

Common Trap: Division Before Multiplication?

NO! Division and Multiplication are equal priority — solve left to right!

12 ÷ 3 × 4 = ?
❌ Wrong: 12 ÷ (3×4) = 12 ÷ 12 = 1
✅ Right: (12÷3) × 4 = 4 × 4 = 16

Bracket Trick

When a negative sign is outside a bracket, all signs inside reverse when bracket is removed!

50 - (30 - 10 + 5) = ?
= 50 - 30 + 10 - 5 = 25
(signs inside reversed!)

2. Approximation Tricks for SSC CGL

Approximation questions mein exact answer nahi chahiye — nearest value choose karni hoti hai. Ye trick 10 seconds mein answer de sakti hai!

The Golden Rule of Approximation

Numbers ko nearest round number pe round karo, calculate karo, phir options mein nearest answer select karo.
Round Off Rule: If digit is ≥ 5, round up. If < 5, round down.

Example 1

√(3969.04) + 47.98 × 6.02 = ?
≈ √3969 + 48 × 6
= 63 + 288 = 351

Example 2

24.98² - 18.03 × 13.99 = ?
≈ 25² - 18 × 14
= 625 - 252 = 373

3. Fraction & Decimal Shortcuts

In SSC CGL, fractions aur decimals ko instantly convert karna aana chahiye — yahi time save karta hai.

Quick Fractions

1/8 = 0.125
3/8 = 0.375
5/8 = 0.625
7/8 = 0.875

Reciprocal Trick

1/7 = 0.142857
2/7 = 0.285714
3/7 = 0.428571
(pattern repeats!)

Ninja Fractions

1/11 = 0.0909...
1/13 = 0.0769...
1/14 = 0.0714...
1/16 = 0.0625

Power Fractions

1/32 = 0.03125
1/64 = 0.015625
1/128 = 0.0078125
1/25 = 0.04

Cross Multiplication Trick for Comparing Fractions

Which is bigger: 5/7 or 7/10?
Cross multiply: 5×10 = 50 vs 7×7 = 49
Since 50 > 49, therefore 5/7 > 7/10
No need for LCM or decimal conversion!

4. Surds & Indices — Quick Revision

SSC CGL 2026 me Surds & Indices se 1–2 questions directly aate hain. Ye rules yaad karo:

aᵐ Key Laws

aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ
aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ
(aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ
a⁰ = 1
a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ
a^(1/n) = ⁿ√a

Surd Tricks

√(a×b) = √a × √b
√(a/b) = √a / √b
(√a + √b)(√a - √b) = a - b
1/(√a+√b) = (√a-√b)/(a-b)

Rationalization Trick (Most Common in SSC)

1/(√3 + 1) = ?
Multiply numerator and denominator by (√3 - 1):
= (√3 - 1) / (3 - 1) = (√3 - 1) / 2
Key: Always multiply by the conjugate to rationalize!

5. Top 15 Expected SSC CGL 2026 Questions (with Answers)

Practice karo — ye questions previous years ke pattern pe based hain:

Q1. 1296 ÷ 36 × 4 + 18 – 50 = ?

Ans: 112 | 36×4=144, +18=162, –50=112

Q2. √(4096) + (13)² – (7)² = ?

Ans: 184 | 64 + 169 – 49 = 184

Q3. 3/4 of 5/6 of 2/3 of 1260 = ?

Ans: 525 | 1260 × (3/4) × (5/6) × (2/3)

Q4. (0.98)³ + (0.02)³ + 3×0.98×0.02 = ?

Ans: 1 | a³+b³+3ab = (a+b)³ = 1³

Q5. 1² + 2² + 3² + ... + 10² = ?

Ans: 385 | n(n+1)(2n+1)/6 = 10×11×21/6

Q6. 7.5 × 7.5 + 37.5 + 2.5 × 2.5 = ?

Ans: 100 | a²+2ab+b² = (a+b)² = 10² = 100

Practice All 50 Questions Free on Ikkish!

Ye sirf 6 sample questions hain. Ikkish Prep pe Simplification topic select karke unlimited practice karo — AI adaptive difficulty ke saath!
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6. SSC CGL Simplification — 7-Day Mastery Plan

📅 Day 1

BODMAS rules revise karo. 20 basic simplification questions practice karo.

📅 Day 2

Fraction conversions yaad karo. All fractions 1/2 to 1/20 practice karo.

📅 Day 3

Approximation technique — 20 approximation questions with 45-second timer each.

📅 Day 4

Surds & Indices laws revise karo. 15 surd-based questions solve karo.

📅 Day 5

Previous year SSC CGL questions practice karo (2018–2024).

📅 Day 6-7

Mock test lo — pure simplification section. Target: 6 questions in 5 minutes.

🎯 Ready to Practice SSC CGL Simplification?

Take unlimited free Simplification tests on Ikkish Prep — AI-powered, exam-pattern based!

Start Free Practice Now →