IPMAT Percentage Questions: Sample Questions for QA Section

Overview: Did you know mastering IPMAT percentage questions can boost your quantitative score significantly? This guide covers key concepts, expert strategies, common question types, and practice tips to ace percentage-based problems with confidence."

Percentage questions are a critical component of the quantitative section in IPMAT and other competitive exams.

These questions evaluate your ability to analyze data, calculate proportions, and make decisions based on numerical reasoning.

This guide will provide a detailed understanding of IPMAT percentage questions, expert strategies, and practice problems to help you enhance your preparation.

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Why Are IPMAT Percentage Questions Important?

Percentage problems simulate real-world scenarios such as financial calculations, elections, and statistical data interpretation.

These IPMAT percentage questions challenge your ability to understand proportions and apply logical reasoning, making them essential for success in the IPMAT exam.

Proficiency in percentage questions contributes to overall speed, accuracy, and confidence in tackling quantitative sections.

Core Concepts of Percentages

Understanding the basic principles of percentages is crucial for solving related problems. This section introduces the key concepts with examples to help you build a strong foundation.

Concept	Explanation	Example
Definition	Percent means "per hundred." It is a way to express a number as a fraction of 100.	25% = 25/100 =0.25
Percentage Increase/Decrease	The change is expressed as a percentage relative to the original value.	Increase: 100→ 200 = 20%
Base Value Identification	Always identify the "whole" or base value in a problem.	If 20% of 500 is spent, the base value is 500.
Conversions	Memorize standard conversions for quick calculations.	50% = 1/2, 33.33% = 1/3

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Types of IPMAT Percentage Questions

Percentage-based questions for IPMAT are versatile and appear in a variety of forms. Here's a breakdown of common question types and their real-world applications:

1. Election-based Problems

The types of questions you find in percentage can be on the votes share, invalid votes or total votes cast.

Such questions ask how the percentages are divided between candidates and how invalid votes affect the result.

Concepts Used:

• Percentage of total votes that are valid
• % of vote split between candidates
• To find the number of votes by Reverse calculation

Example: Determine the number of votes received by the losing candidate.

2. Error Calculation

Error-based percentage problems can include calculating the percentage of error that results from using incorrect dimensional or scalar values as inputs in a multiplication operation.

These questions help you evaluate the difference between what you expect vs what you get.

Concepts Used:

• Distinguishing between true and false results
• Using the percentage error formula,
• Fraction-based errors handling

Example: Find the percentage error when a number is multiplied by 3/5 instead of 5/3.

3. Profit, Loss, and Discount

Profit loss questions are asked based on selling price, cost price, discounts, markup, etc.

So, figuring out the relationship between these values is the key to solving these problems.

Concepts Used:

• Marked Price = Cost Price + Markup %
• Selling Price = MP – Discount
• Calculating the Profit/Loss Percentage

Example: Calculate the selling price for a given percentage profit or loss.

4. Marks and Passing Criteria

These questions involve pass marks, cutoff percentages, and total marks.

They require working backwards to determine the total or minimum marks required to pass.

Concepts Used:

• Finding the required passing marks
• Pass Marks=Pass Marks = (Passing Percentage/100) x (Total Marks)
• Reverse calculation to find the student’s score.

Example: Determine the maximum marks if a student needs 33% to pass.

5. Population and Language Distribution

Population-based percentage problems involve data interpretation, overlapping categories, and proportional calculations.

These problems often require knowledge of the principle of set operations.

Concepts Used:

• Set Formula for Overlapping Groups:
• Total Population Speaking at Least One Language = (Hindi Speakers + English Speakers − Both )
• Total Population Speaking at Least One Language=(Hindi Speakers+English Speakers−Both)
• Finding subsets using percentage distribution

Example: Analyze the distribution of language speakers in a population.

6. Water Content and Mixtures

These issues concentrate on percentage composition prior to and following processes such as drying, mixing, or evaporating liquids. 

Concepts Used:

• Identifying the solid mass in fresh fruits
• Applying percentage reduction to find the final dry mass
• Using the equation: Dry Mass = Total Mass − Water Content Lost

Example: Calculate the dry fruit weight obtained from fresh fruits.

Read: IPMAT Sample Paper with Solutions

Sample IPMAT Percentage Questions with Solutions

The best way to master these problems is by practicing important percentage questions for the IPMAT exam. This section provides detailed solutions to common percentage problems to reinforce your understanding.

Q1. In an election between two candidates, one got 55% of the total valid votes, 20% of the votes were invalid. If the total number of votes was 7500, the number of valid votes that the other candidate got was:

• A) 2500
• B) 2700
• C) 2900
• D) 3100

Answer: B

Q2. A student multiplied a number by 3/5 instead of 5/3; what is the percentage error in the calculation?

• A) 54 %
• B) 64 %
• C) 74 %
• D) 84 %

Answer: B

Q3. A student has to obtain 33% of the total marks to pass. He got 125 marks and failed by 40 marks. The maximum marks are:

• A) 500
• B) 600
• C) 800
• D) 1000

Answer: A

Q4. A man spends 35% of his income on food, 25% on children's education and 80% on house rent. What per cent of his income is he left with?

• A) 6%
• B) 8%
• C) 10%
• D) 12%

Answer: B

Q5. Fresh fruit contains 68% water, and dry fruit contains 20% water. How much dry fruit can be obtained from 100 kg of fresh fruits?

• A) 20
• B) 30
• C) 40
• D) 50

Answer: C

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Q6. A goldsmith bought a large solid golden hall at INR 1 000000 and melted it to make a certain number of solid spherical beads such that the radius of each bead was one-fifth of the radius of the original hall. Assume that the cost of making golden beads is negligible. If the goldsmith sold all the heads at a 20% discount on the listed price and made a total profit of 20%, then the listed price of each golden bead. in INR was

• A) 12000
• B) 48000
• C) 9600
• D) 24000

Answer: A

Q7. The cost of a piece of jewellery is proportional to the square of its weight. A piece of jewellery weighing 10 grams is INR 3600. The cost of a piece of jewellery of the same kind weighing 4 grams is

• A) INR 1220
• B) INR 600
• C) INR 576
• D) INR 1440

Answer: C

Q8. In a city, 50% of the population can speak in exactly one language Hindi, English and Tamil, while 40% of the population can speak in at least two of these three languages. Moreover, the number of people who cannot speak in any of these three languages is twice that of those who can speak in all three languages. If 52% of the population can speak in Hindi and 25% of the population can speak exactly in one language between English and Tamil, then the percentage of the population who can speak in Hindi and in exactly one more language between English and Tamil is

• A) 22%
• B) 25%
• C) 30%
• D) 38%

Answer: A

Q9. Aruna purchases a certain number of apples for INR 20 each and a certain number of mangoes for INR 25 each. If she sells all the apples at a 10% profit and all the mangoes at a 20% loss, overall, she makes neither profit nor loss. Instead, if she sells all the apples at a 20% loss and all the mangoes at a 10% profit, overall, she makes a loss of INR 150 . Then the number of apples purchased by Aruna is _________.

Answer: 50

Q10. In an election with only two contesting candidates, 15% of the voters did not turn up to vote, and 50 voters cast invalid votes. It is known that 44% of all the voters in the voting list voted for the winner. If the winner got 200 votes more than the other candidate, then the number of voters in the voting list is _________.

Answer: 5000

Try Some More Sample Questions for the QA Section

Q11. A shopkeeper marked an item at 40% above the cost price and then offered a 25% discount on the marked price. What was his overall percentage profit?

A) 5%

B) 10%

C) 15%

D) 20%

Answer: A

Q12. A student scores 75% in Mathematics, 80% in Science, and 85% in English. If the maximum marks for each subject are the same and the student scored 255, what are the maximum marks for each subject?

A) 100

B) 120

C) 150

D) 200

Answer: C

Q13. A trader sells an item at a 20% profit. If the cost price was ₹500, at what price should he sell to earn a 35% profit?

A) ₹575

B) ₹650

C) ₹675

D) ₹700

Answer: C

Q14. A person spends 40% of his salary on rent, 20% on food, and 15% on transport. If he saves ₹10,500, what is his total salary?

A) ₹30,000

B) ₹32,000

C) ₹35,000

D) ₹40,000

Answer: A

Q15. The price of an article is increased by 25% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net percentage change in the price?

A) 0%

B) 2% increase

C) 5% increase

D) 10% increase

Answer: B

Q16. A salary increases by 10% in the first year and 20% in the second year. What is the total percentage increase after two years?

A) 30%

B) 32%

C) 35%

D) 40%

Answer: B

Q17. A fruit seller bought mangoes at ₹40 per kg and apples at ₹60 per kg. He mixed them in a ratio of 3:2 and sold the mixture at ₹52 per kg. What was his profit percentage?

A) 5%

B) 6%

C) 8%

D) 10%

Answer: B

Q18. If the population of a town increases by 15% annually, what will be the population after two years if the current population is 20,000?

A) 24,150

B) 25,300

C) 26,450

D) 26,600

Answer: A

Q19. A shopkeeper reduces the price of an item by 10%. If the reduced price is ₹450, what was the original price?

A) ₹480

B) ₹500

C) ₹520

D) ₹550

Answer: B

Q20. A shopkeeper increased the price of an item by 30% and then offered a discount of 20%. What is the overall percentage change in the price?

A) 4% increase

B) 5% increase

C) 6% increase

D) 7% increase

Answer: A

Strategies to Solve IPMAT Percentage Questions

Each type of percentage problem demands specific approaches. This section outlines strategies tailored to common scenarios to enhance your efficiency and accuracy.

1. Break Down the Problem

Many percentage problems involve multiple steps. Break the problem into smaller parts to make calculations easier.

2. Use Fractional and Decimal Equivalents

Fractions and decimals simplify calculations and reduce errors. Convert percentages into these forms whenever possible.

• Example: 33.33% = 1/3.

3. Apply Formulae for Speed

Memorize and use percentage formulae for faster problem-solving. For instance:

• New Value = Old Value × (1 ± Percentage Change​/100)

4. Approximation for Quick Solutions

In IPMAT, time is critical. Approximate intermediate values to save time and refine them in the final step.

5. Analyze Past Questions

Familiarize yourself with previously asked questions to identify patterns and trends in percentage problems.

Read: List of Best Books for IPMAT Preparation

Preparation Strategy for IPMAT Percentage Questions

To master percentage questions in IPMAT, follow these concise, effective strategies:

• Understand the Basics: Memorize percentage-fraction-decimal conversions (e.g., 25% = ¼ = 0.25) and learn essential formulas like percentage increase/decrease and error calculation.
• Categorize and Practice: Break problems into types (e.g., elections, profit and loss, passing marks) and solve 5-10 questions from each category daily.
• Leverage Shortcuts: Use mental math and approximation techniques to save time. For example, calculate 25% by dividing by 4.
• Mock Tests and Analysis: Take topic-specific and full-length mocks weekly. Review errors to identify and address weak areas.
• Maintain a Formula Sheet: Keep a handy reference of formulas and an error log to revisit challenging problems during revision.
• Regular Revision: Dedicate weekly time to review formulas, solve past mistakes, and reinforce concepts with real-world applications.

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With consistent practice and innovative strategies, you can improve accuracy and speed in IPMAT percentage questions, boosting your overall IPMAT performance.

Percentage questions are a key component of the IPMAT quantitative section.

You can boost your accuracy and confidence by mastering core concepts, practicing regularly, and applying effective shortcuts and mock test analysis strategies.

Consistent effort and thoughtful preparation will ensure success in this topic and improve your overall exam performance.

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Key Takeaways:

• Core Concept Mastery: Understanding percentage basics, including conversions and key formulas, is essential for solving problems efficiently.
• Question Categorization: Practice diverse types of percentage problems, such as election-based, profit and loss, and marks-related scenarios, to build versatility.
• Use Shortcuts: Leverage mental math and approximation techniques to save time and improve calculation accuracy.
• Mock Tests and Analysis: Regularly attempt topic-specific and full-length mocks and analyze errors to strengthen weak areas.
• Consistent Revision: Maintain a formula sheet and error log to ensure regular review and reinforcement of key concepts and mistakes.