Table of Contents
Why Calculation Speed is the #1 Factor in Banking Exams
In banking exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, and IBPS Clerk, you get less than 40 seconds per question in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Out of this, 15-20 seconds are spent on calculation alone. If you can reduce calculation time to 5-8 seconds, you gain a massive competitive advantage.
At Shortcut Maths Bank Coaching, students who complete our 30-day calculation speed programme solve quant questions 3x faster than when they started.
- Standard student: 20 seconds per calculation = 15 questions in 20 minutes
- After 30 days: 8 seconds per calculation = 25+ questions in 20 minutes
- Difference: 10 extra questions = 10 extra marks = Higher rank
Foundation: What You MUST Memorise
Before starting the 30-day plan, memorise these completely:
1. Multiplication Tables (1-30)
You should be able to recall any multiplication instantly. No thinking, no counting.
2. Squares (1-50)
| Number | Square | Number | Square | Number | Square |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 121 | 21 | 441 | 31 | 961 |
| 12 | 144 | 22 | 484 | 32 | 1024 |
| 13 | 169 | 23 | 529 | 33 | 1089 |
| 14 | 196 | 24 | 576 | 34 | 1156 |
| 15 | 225 | 25 | 625 | 35 | 1225 |
3. Cubes (1-20)
Essential for number series and simplification.
4. Fraction to Percentage (1/2 to 1/25)
See our simplification guide for the complete table.
Week 1: Basic Operations Speed
Goal: Solve basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division mentally.
Day 1-2: Addition & Subtraction
- Practice adding 3-digit numbers mentally: 456 + 378 = ?
- Break into hundreds, tens, units: 400+300=700, 50+70=120, 6+8=14, Total=834
- Target: 50 additions in 5 minutes
Day 3-4: Multiplication Shortcuts
- Multiply by 5: Divide by 2, multiply by 10. 68 x 5 = 34 x 10 = 340
- Multiply by 25: Divide by 4, multiply by 100. 48 x 25 = 12 x 100 = 1200
- Multiply by 125: Divide by 8, multiply by 1000. 64 x 125 = 8 x 1000 = 8000
- Multiply by 11: Add adjacent digits. 45 x 11 = 4(4+5)5 = 495
Day 5-7: Division Tricks
- Divide by 5: Multiply by 2, divide by 10. 230/5 = 460/10 = 46
- Divide by 25: Multiply by 4, divide by 100. 300/25 = 1200/100 = 12
- Divide by 125: Multiply by 8, divide by 1000. 4000/125 = 32000/1000 = 32
Week 2: Fractions, Percentages & Decimals
Day 8-10: Percentage Calculations
- 10% of any number: Move decimal one place left. 10% of 450 = 45
- 5%: Half of 10%. 5% of 240 = 12
- 1%: Move decimal two places left. 1% of 375 = 3.75
- 50%: Half the number. 50% of 688 = 344
- 25%: Quarter the number. 25% of 480 = 120
- 75%: Three-quarters. 75% of 320 = 240
Day 11-14: Complex Percentages
- 15%: 10% + 5%. 15% of 200 = 20 + 10 = 30
- 20%: Double 10%. 20% of 350 = 70
- 30%: Triple 10%. 30% of 120 = 36
- 12.5%: Half of 25%. 12.5% of 400 = 50
- 33.33%: One-third. 33.33% of 300 = 100
Week 3: Advanced Multiplication & Squares
Day 15-17: Two-Digit Multiplication
- Base Method: 98 x 95 = (100-2)(100-5) = 10000 - 700 + 10 = 9310
- Cross Method: 23 x 45 = (20+3)(40+5) = 800 + 100 + 120 + 15 = 1035
- Numbers near 50: 53 x 48 = 2500 + (3-2)50 + (-3)(2) = 2544
Day 18-21: Squares & Square Roots
- Square of numbers ending in 5: 65^2 = 6x7 followed by 25 = 4225
- Square of numbers near 100: 103^2 = 10609 (103+3 = 106, 3^2 = 09)
- Square roots: Memorise perfect squares up to 50
Week 4: DI & Exam-Level Calculations
Day 22-25: Data Interpretation Calculations
- Ratio comparison: Compare fractions by cross-multiplication
- Percentage change: (New-Old)/Old x 100. Use approximation
- Average calculation: Assume a base number, calculate deviations
- Unit digit verification: Verify answers without full calculation
Day 26-30: Mock Test Simulation
- Solve 50 simplification questions daily with timer
- Attempt 2 DI sets daily (20 questions)
- Track time per question. Target under 10 seconds for basic calculations
- Review mistakes and practice weak areas
Daily Practice Schedule (60 Minutes)
| Time | Activity | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 0-10 min | Tables/Squares revision | Drill mode |
| 10-25 min | Simplification practice | 25 questions |
| 25-40 min | DI calculation practice | 15 questions |
| 40-50 min | Number series | 15 questions |
| 50-60 min | Review mistakes | Error notebook |
Tools & Resources
- exam.theshortcutmaths.com - Online calculation speed tests
- Abacus/Mental Maths Apps: Use apps for daily practice
- Stopwatch: Time every calculation
- Error Notebook: Note mistakes and revisit weekly
Join Our Bank Coaching for Advanced Shortcuts
Learn 100+ calculation shortcuts in our Bank PO batch. Only 4 students per batch.
View Course Call 9804490328FAQs
Q1. Can I really improve calculation speed in 30 days?
Yes! Our students improve by 50-70% in 30 days with consistent 60-minute daily practice. The key is daily practice without breaks.
Q2. Is Vedic Maths helpful for banking exams?
Yes, selective Vedic Maths techniques are very helpful. Focus on multiplication, squaring, and division shortcuts. Avoid complex Vedic methods that take longer than standard methods.
Q3. How do I practice mental maths?
Start with simple calculations. Do not use pen and paper for additions under 500 or multiplications under 20x20. Gradually increase difficulty.
Recommended External Resources
Last updated: June 02, 2026. Call +91-9804490328 for banking exam coaching.