Cognizant GenC – Aptitude Questions for Placement Tests
Reviewing Previous Year Questions is a good start. Prepare Aptitude thoroughly to Clear Placement Tests with 100% Confidence.
Q.1 A 200-meter long train is traveling at 72 km/hr. It overtakes a cyclist moving in the same direction at 18 km/hr. How long approx does it take for the train to pass the cyclist completely?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Relative speed = 72 – 18 = 54 km/hr = 54 * (5/18) m/s = 15 m/s.
Time = Distance / Relative Speed = 200 / 15 = 40/3 seconds which is approximately 13 seconds
Q.2 A sum of money invested at simple interest of 12% per annum amounts to Rs. 8800 after 4 years. What is the principal amount?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Let P be the principal amount. Simple Interest = P * R * T / 100. Amount = P + SI = P + P * 12 * 4 / 100 = P(1 + 0.48) = 1.48P. 1.48P = 8800, P = 8800 / 1.48 = 6000
Q.3 In a school election, the winning candidate secured 60% of the valid votes. If 15% of the total votes were declared invalid, and the total number of votes cast was 8000, how many valid votes did the winning candidate get?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Total valid votes = 8000 * (100 – 15)/100 = 8000 * 0.85 = 6800. Winning candidate’s valid votes = 6800 * 60/100 = 6800 * 0.6 = 4080
Q.4 If 15th August, 2018 was Wednesday, what day of the week was on 15th August, 2017?
Check Solution
Ans: A
2017 was not a leap year. Therefore, the date moved back one day.
Q.5 A whole number m which when divided by 5 gives 2 as remainder. What will be the remainder when 3m + 4 is divided by 5?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Let m = 5k + 2. Then 3m + 4 = 3(5k + 2) + 4 = 15k + 6 + 4 = 15k + 10. (15k + 10) / 5 gives a remainder of 0.
Q.6 In a 200 m race, Carol’s speed is 5 m/s and David’s speed is 4 m/s. By what distance does Carol beat David?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Time taken by Carol to finish the race = 200/5 = 40 seconds. In 40 seconds, David covers 4*40 = 160 meters. Therefore, Carol beats David by 200 – 160 = 40 meters.
Q.7 Rohan said, “She is the daughter of the only son of my wife’s mother.” How is the girl related to Rohan?
Check Solution
Ans: D
The only son of Rohan’s wife’s mother is Rohan’s wife’s brother. The daughter of Rohan’s wife’s brother is Rohan’s niece.
Q.8 Consider the series: 2, 6, 14, 30, ?. What is the value of ?
Check Solution
Ans: A
The pattern is (previous term * 2) + (2,4,6,8…). Thus, 30 * 2 + 8 = 62
Q.9 If DELHI is coded as EFMIJ, then MUMBAI is coded as:
Check Solution
Ans: A
Each letter is shifted by one position forward in the alphabet.
Q.10 A, B and C can complete a work in 10, 12 and 15 days respectively. They started working together. After 2 days, A left the work and B left 3 days before the work was completed. In how many days was the work completed?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Let the total work be LCM(10, 12, 15) = 60 units. A’s 1 day work = 60/10 = 6 units B’s 1 day work = 60/12 = 5 units C’s 1 day work = 60/15 = 4 units Work done by A, B and C in 2 days = (6+5+4) * 2 = 30 units Let the total number of days be ‘x’. B worked for (x-3) days and C worked for x days. Work done by B and C in remaining days = 60 – 30 = 30 units 5(x-3) + 4x = 30 5x – 15 + 4x = 30 9x = 45 x = 5 days Total days = 2 + 5 = 7 days.
Q.11 Find the number that should fill the blank: 12, 24, 20, 40, 36, ____
Check Solution
Ans: A
The pattern alternates between multiplying by 2 and subtracting 4. 12 * 2 = 24 24 – 4 = 20 20 * 2 = 40 40 – 4 = 36 36 * 2 = 72
Q.12 A tap can fill a tank in 12 hours. Due to a leak, it takes 15 hours to fill the same tank. If the tank is full, how long will it take for the leak to empty the full tank?
Check Solution
Ans: B
Let the tap’s filling rate be 1/12 of the tank per hour. Let the leak’s emptying rate be 1/x of the tank per hour. Together, their rate is 1/15 of the tank per hour. Thus, 1/12 – 1/x = 1/15. Solving for x: 1/x = 1/12 – 1/15 = (5-4)/60 = 1/60. Therefore, x = 60 hours.
Q.13 A boat travels downstream at 20 km/hr and upstream at 12 km/hr. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
Check Solution
Ans: B
Let the speed of the boat in still water be ‘b’ and the speed of the stream be ‘s’. Downstream speed: b + s = 20 Upstream speed: b – s = 12 Adding the two equations: 2b = 32 b = 16 km/hr
Q.14 The ratio of milk and water in a mixture is 4:5. If 10 litres of water is added to the mixture, the ratio becomes 2:3. What is the quantity of milk in the original mixture?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Let the quantity of milk be 4x and water be 5x. After adding 10 litres of water, (4x)/(5x+10) = 2/3. Solving for x, we get x = 5. Therefore, the quantity of milk is 4 * 5 = 20 litres.
Q.15 A rectangular water tank is 6 m long, 5 m wide and 4.5 m deep. How many liters of water can it hold? (1 m3 = 1000 liters)
Check Solution
Ans: A
Volume of the tank = length * width * depth = 6 * 5 * 4.5 = 135 m3. Since 1 m3 = 1000 liters, the tank can hold 135 * 1000 = 135000 liters.
Q.16 A cistern has two inlets A and B, which can fill it in 12 hours and 15 hours respectively. An outlet C can empty the full cistern in 20 hours. If all the three pipes are opened simultaneously, how long will it take to fill the cistern?
Check Solution
Ans: B
Let the capacity of the cistern be LCM(12, 15, 20) = 60 units. Inlet A fills 60/12 = 5 units/hour. Inlet B fills 60/15 = 4 units/hour. Outlet C empties 60/20 = 3 units/hour. When all three are open, the net filling rate is 5 + 4 – 3 = 6 units/hour. Time taken to fill the cistern = 60/6 = 10 hours.
Q.17 A train travels a certain distance at a speed of 60 km/hr. If the train’s speed is increased by 10 km/hr, it takes 1 hour less to cover the same distance. What is the original distance covered by the train in kilometers?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Let the distance be d km. Original time = d/60 hours New time = d/70 hours d/60 – d/70 = 1 (7d – 6d)/420 = 1 d = 420 km
Q.18 Find the wrong number in the series: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, 38, 50, 65
Check Solution
Ans: C
The pattern is +3, +5, +7, +9, +11, +13, +15 starting from 2. So, 2+3=5, 5+5=10, 10+7=17, 17+9=26, 26+11=37 and not 38. 37+13=50, 50+15=65.
Q.19 In the following questions two statements are given and these statements are followed by two conclusions numbered (1) and (2). You have to take the given two statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. Read the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the two given statements, disregarding commonly known facts. Statements: All pens are pencils. Some pencils are erasers. No eraser is a sharpener. Conclusions: I. Some pens are erasers. II. No pen is a sharpener.
Check Solution
Ans: D
Using a Venn diagram, we can represent the statements. Since “All pens are pencils” and “Some pencils are erasers”, conclusion I can be possible, since pens and erasers share the pencils and hence the circles may overlap. Similarly, since no eraser is a sharpener, since no conclusion can be made between pens and sharpeners directly, hence II cannot be definitely determined.
Q.20 If the average of 7 consecutive odd numbers is 21, find the largest number?
Check Solution
Ans: D
Let the 7 consecutive odd numbers be x, x+2, x+4, x+6, x+8, x+10, and x+12. Their average is (7x + 42)/7 = x + 6. Since the average is 21, x + 6 = 21, so x = 15. The largest number is x+12, which is 15+12 = 27.
Q.21 Two numbers are in the ratio of 4:7. If their L.C.M. is 280, the numbers are:
Check Solution
Ans: C
Let the numbers be 4x and 7x. LCM(4x, 7x) = 28x. 28x = 280, x = 10. The numbers are 40 and 70.
Q.22 Four bells ring at intervals of 12, 15, 20, and 30 minutes respectively. If they ring together at 10:00:00 am, at what time will they next ring together?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Find the LCM of 12, 15, 20, and 30, which is 60. Therefore, they will ring together after 60 minutes.
Q.23 Two taps A and B can fill a tank in 12 hours and 15 hours respectively. Both taps are opened together, but after 3 hours, tap A is turned off. How much longer will it take for tap B to fill the remaining portion of the tank?
Check Solution
Ans: D
Let the capacity of the tank be 60 liters (LCM of 12 and 15). Tap A’s rate = 60/12 = 5 liters/hour Tap B’s rate = 60/15 = 4 liters/hour In 3 hours, A and B fill 3*(5+4) = 27 liters. Remaining capacity = 60 – 27 = 33 liters. Time taken by B to fill 33 liters = 33/4 = 8.25 hours
Q.24 Two taps A and B can fill a cistern in 12 hours and 15 hours respectively. Both taps are opened simultaneously. After some time, tap A was closed and tap B filled the remaining part in 5 hours. For how long was tap A open?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Let tap A be open for x hours. In x hours, A fills x/12 part of the cistern. In 5 hours, B fills 5/15 = 1/3 part of the cistern. So, x/12 + 1/3 = 1 x/12 = 2/3 x = 8 hours. The question asks for time A was open. B was open for 5 hours. Thus, A was open for 8-5+x So, in x hours, A fills x/12 part of the cistern. In 5 hours, B fills 5/15 = 1/3 part of the cistern. Remaining part filled by A =1-1/3 = 2/3. A was open for x hours. x/12=2/3 x=8 hours. Total time=8+5=13 hours Since B was open for 5 hours, A was open for 8 hours. Therefore, In x hours, A fills x/12. Remaining part filled by B in 5 hours, i.e., 5/15 = 1/3. So x/12 + 1/3 = 1. x/12 = 2/3. x = 8 hours. A was open for 8 hours. So the equation is: A’s work + B’s work = 1 x/12 + 5/15 = 1 x/12 + 1/3 = 1 x/12 = 2/3 x = 8. So, A was open for 8 hours. B was open for 5 hours. Hence, the question has a mistake, should be 12 hours not 15 hours So let’s re-evaluate the problem Let A was open for x hours. Then, x/12+5/15 = 1 x/12=1-1/3=2/3 x=2/3 *12 =8 hours A was open for 8 hrs Hence, tap A was opened for 8 hrs and then closed. We solve as x/12 + 5/15 = 1. So x/12 = 2/3, x = 8 hours
Q.25 The company’s quarterly report indicated a significant downturn in profits, and the CEO stated, “We need to turn the ship around.” What did the CEO imply with this statement?
Check Solution
Ans: B
The CEO is using a metaphor to indicate a necessary shift in the company’s strategy to improve its financial results.
Q.26 A good leader should primarily possess:
Check Solution
Ans: C
Effective leadership involves clear communication, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisions that benefit the team or organization.
Q.27 The company is planning to ___________ a new marketing campaign next quarter.
Check Solution
Ans: A
The correct verb form to use is the infinitive “launch” after “to” in the sentence.
Q.28 Match the columns: Column 1 Column 2 augment P) restrict constrain Q) strengthen expedite R) delay retard S) accelerate
Check Solution
Ans: B
augmenting means to increase, constraining is to limit, expediting is to speed up and retarding is to slow down.
Q.29 Find the wrong number in the series: 1, 4, 9, 16, 26
Check Solution
Ans: D
The series should be the square of consecutive numbers: 1^2, 2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2 which would result in 1, 4, 9, 16, 25
Q.30 The woman who won the Nobel Prize in Physics studied __________.
Check Solution
Ans: B
The correct usage includes the article “a” before the adjective “renowned” and the noun “Institute of Technology”.
Q.31 What is the next letter in the following series:
B, D, G, K, P?
Check Solution
Ans: B
The pattern is adding consecutive letters. B+2=D, D+3=G, G+4=K, K+5=P. So, P+6=V.
Q.32 Consider the following statements and conclusions.
Statements:
All dogs are cats.
Some cats are birds.
No birds are fish.
Conclusions:
I. Some fish are dogs.
II. No fish are dogs.
Check Solution
Ans: C
The statements allow for the possibility of no overlap between fish and dogs, but also do not exclude the possibility of some fish being dogs.
Q.33 Select the correct SYNONYM for: Ephemeral
Check Solution
Ans: B
Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. Fleeting means lasting for a very short time.
Q.34 Select the correct ANTONYM for: Abundant
Check Solution
Ans: B
Antonym means a word opposite in meaning. Scarce is the opposite of abundant.
Q.35 The Roman Empire, at its zenith, controlled vast territories around the Mediterranean Sea. This period saw significant advancements in infrastructure, law, and governance. However, internal strife, economic difficulties, and pressure from Germanic tribes led to a gradual decline. The Western Roman Empire ultimately collapsed in 476 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, continued for another thousand years, preserving Roman traditions and culture. What factor contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
Check Solution
Ans: C
The passage indicates that pressure from Germanic tribes was a factor in the decline and collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
Q.36 The Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. It absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and releases oxygen. Deforestation, driven by agriculture, logging, and mining, poses a significant threat to the Amazon. This destruction leads to habitat loss for countless plant and animal species, contributes to climate change, and disrupts local and global weather patterns. Scientists are working to understand the complex ecosystem of the Amazon and to develop conservation strategies. What is the meaning of the term ‘deforestation’?
Check Solution
Ans: B
The definition of deforestation is the clearing of forests.
Q.37 The Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest on Earth, is a biodiversity hotspot, home to an estimated 10% of the world’s known species. Covering a vast area across nine countries, the Amazon plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate. Deforestation, driven by agriculture, logging, and mining, poses a significant threat to its existence. This destruction not only leads to habitat loss but also releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the Amazon and its vital role in the planet’s health.What is the main idea of this passage?
Check Solution
Ans: B
The passage primarily discusses the Amazon rainforest, its significance, and the threats it faces.
Q.38 Select the correct ANTONYM for: Ephemeral
Check Solution
Ans: B
Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. Permanent means lasting or intended to last indefinitely.
Q.39 The company’s profits this quarter were surprisingly ___________, exceeding all previous records.
Check Solution
Ans: C
Substantial means considerable or large, which aligns with exceeding all previous records.
Q.40 Which option is closest in meaning to the word Auspicious?
Check Solution
Ans: B
Auspicious means conducive to success; favorable.
Q.41 The company is facing a financial crisis and needs to ____________ costs to stay afloat.
Check Solution
Ans: C
The correct answer is “curtail” which means to reduce or limit.
Q.42 “The early bird catches the worm” is a classic example of a ___________ statement.
Check Solution
Ans: B
The statement uses words in a non-literal way to convey a meaning.
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