Aptitude Test Preparation Guide for Indian IT Companies 2026

Know the exact format before you sit any assessment. TCS NQT (National Qualifier Test): Numerical ability (26 questions, 40 min), Verbal ability (24 questions, 30 min), Reasoning ability (30 questions, 50 min), Coding (2 problems, 60 min). Total: ~3 hours. Higher scores unlock TCS Digital track. Infosys InfyTQ: Quantitative aptitude (10 questions, 25 min), Reasoning (10 questions, 25 min), Verbal (15 questions, 25 min), then a Coding assessment (2 problems, 3 hours) as a separate stage for qualified candidates. Wipro NTSE: Verbal ability (22 questions, 18 min), Analytical and logical reasoning (18 questions, 50 min), Written communication (2 essays, 28 min), Coding (2 problems, 60 min). Accenture SEET (Cognitive and Technical Assessments): Reasoning (50 min), Communication Assessment (30 min), Coding (3 problems, 45 min). Cognizant STET: English (25 questions, 25 min), Reasoning (25 questions, 35 min), Math (16 questions, 16 min), Coding (2 problems, 60 min). Critical insight: each company's aptitude cut-off is a separate gate from the coding section. Many candidates who code well still fail because of poor aptitude performance.

The quantitative sections across all major Indian IT company tests draw from the same topic pool. High frequency (appear in 90%+ of tests): Percentage: base + change → result; reverse percentage; percentage of percentage chains. Profit and loss: cost price, selling price, marked price, discount chains. Time and work: combined rate = sum of individual rates (if A does 1/n work per day and B does 1/m work per day, together they do 1/n + 1/m per day). Time, speed, distance: relative speed for trains/boats; average speed for same distance at two speeds = 2uv/(u+v) not (u+v)/2. Simple and compound interest: SI = PRT/100; CI uses compound formula: know the standard 2-year and 3-year expressions. Ratios and proportions: mixture problems, alligation. Number systems: HCF, LCM, divisibility rules, remainder theorem. Medium frequency: Permutations and combinations: fundamental counting principle, nCr formula, arrangements vs selections. Probability: basic events, conditional probability. Geometry: area, perimeter, volume formulas. Strategy: skip questions that require more than 90 seconds; flag and return. Never leave a blank if there is no negative marking (check each company's specific policy).

Logical reasoning tests pattern recognition and deductive ability. High-frequency question types: Number series: identify the pattern (arithmetic, geometric, difference of differences, prime sequences) and find the next/missing term. Letter series: same concept with alphabetic patterns. Blood relations: draw a family tree diagram immediately: do not try to hold the relationships in working memory. Directions: use a compass rose sketch. After N, S, E, W turns + distances, calculate final displacement. Seating arrangements: circular or linear: draw the arrangement as you process each clue; never try to solve in your head. Syllogisms: Venn diagram method is fastest: draw circles for each category and check which conclusion must be true, may be true, or cannot be true. Critical reasoning: read the passage to identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions. Questions ask you to strengthen/weaken the argument or identify the assumption. Coding-decoding: find the pattern between word/letter and its code, then apply to the target. Strategy: these questions have definite correct answers: take time to set up the diagram/sketch correctly rather than rushing and making an error early that cascades.

The verbal section is often underestimated but is a significant differentiator for the Elite/Digital tracks at Wipro and TCS. Reading comprehension: read the passage actively: underline main idea, note each paragraph's purpose. Answer questions in order of the passage (questions usually follow the passage's sequence). Sentence correction: identify the error type (subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, pronoun reference, dangling modifier, parallel structure). Para-jumbles: find the opening sentence (usually a general statement or a named introduction), find sentence pairs that logically follow each other (pronoun references, 'this', 'however', 'therefore' signal connectors). Vocabulary: synonyms and antonyms: the level is Class 10 to Class 12 standard, not GRE level. Focus on commonly confused words (affect/effect, principal/principle, eminent/imminent). Written communication (Wipro): two essays in 28 minutes. Essay 1 (abstract topic): write a clear introduction, 2 body paragraphs (one pro, one con or two different aspects), conclusion. Essay 2 (factual/current affairs topic): bring in one or two facts if you know them, otherwise write analytically. Typing speed matters: 30+ WPM is comfortable. Structure matters more than vocabulary.

The coding section of Indian IT company assessments is different from product company OAs. TCS/Infosys/Wipro coding: usually 2 problems in 60 minutes, expected to solve at least 1 completely for a passing score. Difficulty: Easy (guaranteed) + Easy-Medium (second problem). Language: Python is fastest to write; most platforms accept Java, C++, Python, and sometimes C. Strategy: spend the first 5 minutes reading both problems. Identify which is easier: solve it first and completely. For the harder problem: if you cannot solve optimally, write a brute force that passes basic test cases: partial credit or at least a working solution for simple inputs is better than an optimal incomplete solution. Common patterns in service IT coding rounds: string manipulation (reverse, palindrome, anagram check), array operations (second largest, rotate, sum subarray), basic math (factorial, fibonacci, prime check, number properties). These are genuinely easier than LeetCode Easy for most candidates: the main risk is time mismanagement or syntax errors.