This set of Latest Cognizant Placement paper is collected from on-campus recruitment

for the session (2013-14). The questions that are posted below are the exact
quantitative aptitude questions collected from Cognizant Online Test conducted by
AMCAT.
Details of Cognizant Recruitment process .
No. of Round: 3
Round 1: Online Test
Round 2; Technical Interview
Round 3: HR Interview.
Online Test is conducted by AMCAT (Third party online test application provider).
Details of Online Aptitude Test

English 25 ( Time allocated: 25 min)

Quantitative aptitude 16 ( Time allocated: 16 min)
Logical Reasoning 14 ( Time allocated: 14 min)
Negative Marking - No.
Here are some exact questions collected from Cognizant Online Test conducted by
AMCAT.
1. How many 3 digit numbers can be formed from the digits 2,3,5,6,7 and 9 which are
divisible by 5 and none of the digits is repeated?
Ans. 20

Explanation: Since each desired number is divisible by 5, so we much have 5 at the

unit place.
Now tens place can be filled by any of the remaining 5 digits

The hundreds place can now be filled by any of the remaining 4 digits .
Required number of numbers = (1 * 5 * 4) = 20
2. How many arrangements can be made out of the letters of the word 'MATHEMATICS'
be arranged so that the vowels always come together ?
Ans. 120960
Explanation: In the word 'MATHEMATICS' we treat vowel AEAI as one letter thus we
have MTHMTCS(AEAI)
now we have to arrange 8 letters out of which M occurs twice ,T occurs twice & the rest
are different
Number of ways of arranging these letters = 8! / (2!)(2!) = 10080
Now AEAI has 4 letters in which A occurs 2 times and the rest are different
Number of ways of arranging these letters = 4! / 2! = 12
Required number of words = (10080 * 12) = 120960
3. The sum of the ages of the 5 children's born at the intervals of 3 years each is 50
years what is the age of the youngest child ?
Ans. 4 years
Explanation: Let the age of the children's be
x ,x+3, x+6, x+9, x+12.
x+(x+3)+(x+6)+(x+9)+(x+12) = 50
5x+30 = 50
5x = 20
x=4.
Age of the youngest child is x = 4 years.

4. A bag contains 6 white and 4 black balls .Two balls are drawn at random .Find the
probability that they are of the same color?
Ans. 7/45
Explanation: Let S be the sample space.
Number of ways for drawing two balls out of 6 white and
4 red balls = 10C2
=10!/(8!*2!) = 45.
n(S) =45.
Let E =event of getting both balls of the same color.
Then n(E) = number of ways of drawing ( 2balls out of 6) or
(2 balls out of 4).
= 6C2 +4C2
= 6!/(4!*2!) + 4!/(2! *2!)
= 6*5/2 +4 *3/2
=15+6 =21.
P(E) =n(E)/n(S) =21/45 =7/45.

5. In how many a committee of 5 members can be selected from 6 men 5 ladies

consisting of 3 men and 2 ladies ?
Ans. 200
Explanation: 3 men out of 6 and 2 ladies out of 5 are to be chosen
Required number of ways
=(6C3 * 5C2)
= 200

6. A man sold two flats for Rs 675,958 each .On one he gains 16% while on the other he
losses 16%. How much does he gain or lose in the whole transaction?
Ans: Loss 2.56%
Explanation: Loss%=[common loss or gain%/10]2=(16/10)2=2.56%
7. The average price of 10 books is increased by 17 Rupees when one of them whose
value is Rs.400 is replaced by a new book. What is the price of new book?
Ans. Rs. 570
Explanation: 10 books Average increases by 17 Rupees.So. 10*17= 170.So the new
book cost is more and by adding its cost average increase,therefore the cost of new
book is 400+170=570.
8. Find least number which when divided by 20,25,35,40 leaves remainders
14,19,29,34?
Ans. 1394
Explanation: 2014=6
25-19=6
35-29=6
40-34=6
Therefore number = LCM of (20,25,35,40) - 6=1394
The quantitative aptitude part of the online test is quite easy. Quantitative Aptitude by
R.S Aggarwal is enough to crack the quantitative aptitude part.

CTS Question Paper Pattern

Section 1
8 questions based on Series.
1. Interchange of positions of letters in a word and the adjacent letters are
also to be changed. given letters series like [also few conditions]
Example:
AAABBB=
ABABAB=
Let the question is ABBAAB
If we apply 25 on this it means we have to interchange the letters at
positions 2 and 5, and we have to change the adjacent letters 2 and 5 from
A to B and B to A.
That is question s ABBAAB after Step 1 i.e interchange 2 and 5.
now change adjacent elements of 2 and 5.
Finally answer becomes
Ans: B A A B B A
1. To get AAABBD from BBBAAA what to apply?
a) 25 b) 34 c) 25 & 34 d) none
Section 2
1. Given the function f(n a b c ) = ac if n=1
f(n a b c) = f( n-1 a b c) + f( 1 a b c) + f( n-1 b a c ) if n != 1

f( 2) = ?
Ans: f( 2 a c b ) = ab + ac + bc
2. Similar question on functions.
3. Based on function in question number 1., the number of terms in f( 4 a b
c ) is...?
Ans: f( 4 a b c ) = f( 3 a c b ) + f( 1 a b c ) + f( 3 b a c ) etc. = 5ab + 5ac
+ 5bc.
4. f( 5 a b c ) = ?
Section 3
8 questions based on Permutations and Combinations.
1.
r = number of flags;
n = number of poles;
Any number of flags can be accommodated on any single pole.
< BR> r=5,n=5. The no. of ways the flags can be arranged?
2. to 5. Same as above.
6. r= 5 n = 3 . If first pole has 2 flags ,third pole has 1 flag. How many
ways the remaining can be arranged?

7.& 8. Same as above.

Section 4
8 questions based on Figures consisting of 4 small squares and every square
having an arrow pointing in one Direction.
GRE test of reasoning type.
Example: What is the next sequence if we tilt the figure by 90 degrees like
that (clockwise and mirror images etc.).
Section 5
8 questions based on Compound words & their meanings.
In this section first part of compound word is given. Select meaning of the
second part from the choice given:
1. Swan
2. Swans
3. Fool
4. Fools
5. Stare
6. Lady
For all above 4 choices are given.
Example:
Swan
a) category b) music c) --- d) none
Ans: Swansong is compound word. But song is not given as option. so b)
music is answer.
3 Profit & Loss Problems To Prepare For CTS Aptitude Tests

Tags: CTS, Solved Papers

Dear Reader,
Below are three problems on profit and loss using simple percentage calculations.
Question 1
Some numbers of bags were bought at Rs.4992 per dozen and sold at 18 bags for
Rs.8208. What is the approximate gain or loss percent?
a) 9.6% gain b) 10.9% loss c) 9.6% loss d) 10.9% gain
Answer : a) 9.6% gain
Solution :
Cost price of dozen of bags is Rs.4992
i.e., C.P. of 12 bags = Rs.4992
Selling price (S.P.) of 18 bags = Rs.8208.
C.P. of 1 bag = (4992/12) = Rs. 416
S.P. of 1 bag = (8208/18) = Rs. 456
Here, S.P. is greater than C.P., so we have to find the gain percent.
C.P.

Gain

416

456 - 416 = 40

100

Therefore, gain % = (40/416) x 100 = 9.62%

Hence, the answer is 9.6%
Question 2
A girl bought a bunch of flowers at the rate of 14 for Rs.180 and sold all of them at the
rate of 16 for Rs.220. In this transaction, he gained Rs.50. How many flowers did the
bunch contain?

a) 48 b) 52 c) 56 d) 50
Answer : c) 56
Solution :
C.P. of 14 flowers = Rs. 180
Therefore, C.P. of 1 flower = Rs.180/14 = Rs. 90/7
S.P. of 16 flowers = Rs.220
Therefore, S.P. of 1 flower = Rs. 220/16 = Rs. 55/4
Gain on 1 flower = Rs. 55/4 - Rs.90/7 = Rs.(385 - 360)/28 = Rs.25/28
Gain

Flowers

Rs.25/28

Rs.50

Required number of flowers = (28/25) x 50 = 28 x 2 = 56.

Question 3
A man sells his articles in such a way that even after allowing 25% discount on cash
purchase, he gains 10 5/14 %. If the cost price of the articles is Rs.280 then the labeled
price is:
a) Rs.199.25 b) Rs.285.5 c) Rs.315 d) Rs.206
Answer : d) Rs.206
Solution :
Let the required labeled price be Rs. K
After giving 25% discount, S.P. = Rs. k - 25% of k ...(1)
C.P. of the article = Rs.280.

Since, he gains 10 5/14 % on C.P., S.P = Rs. 140 + 10 5/14 % of 140

= Rs. 140 + (145/14) % of 140 ...(2)
From (1) and (2), we have
k - 25% of k = 140 + (145/14)% of 140
k - 25k/100 = 140 + 140x(145/14)/100
(75k)/100 = [14000 + 140x(145/14)]/100
75k = 14000 + 140x(145/14) = 14000 + (10x145) = 15450
75k = 15450
k = 206
Hence, the labeled price of the article is Rs.206.

Practice 3 Puzzle Problems To Prepare For CTS

Placement Tests
Tags: CTS, Solved Papers
Dear
Reader,
Below are three puzzles based on the concept of square numbers and prime
numbers.
Question 1
In the first floor of a shopping mall, there are 150 electric lights numbered from 1
to 150. Each light has its own switch and is currently switched off. Suppose a
man switch on all the lights and then switch off every second light. Then, for
every third light, he off each light which in the state of on and turn on each light
which in the state of off. He follows the same pattern for every fourth light, every
fifth light, and so on up to every 150th light. Which numbered lights will be in the
state of on when the trials are complete?

a) square numbers b) prime numbers c) odd numbers d) even numbers

Answer : a) square numbers
Solution :
At first the man switch on every light. (that is from 1 to 150); i.e., he changes all
the
switches
whose
numbers
are
the
multiples
of
one.
Let it be his first trial.
Then, he switch off every second light. i.e, 2, 4, 6, 8,...,148,150 numbered lights
are getting off; i.e, he changes all the switches whose numbers are the multiples
of
two.
Let it be his 2nd trial.
And, then he changes the status of every 3rd light.(i.e, 3, 6, 9, 12,...,147, 150);
i.e, he changes all the switches whose numbers are the multiples of three.
Let it be his 3rd trial.
Proceeding like this,
Finally, he changes the status of 150th light. i.e, he changes all the switches
whose
numbers
are
the
multiples
of
150.
This is his 150th trial.
In this situation it is easy to see that every light whose number is a perfect square
will be on at the end of the procedure, and all other lights will be off.
For example the switch of the 24th light will be touched by the man in his 1st,
2nd,
3rd,
4th,
6th,
8th,
12th
and
24th
trails.
(Note that, these are the factors of 24.)
Therefore, he changes the status of the 24th light in his trails whose numbers are
the
factors
of
24.
i.e,
by
the
trail
numbers
1,
2,
3,
4,
6,
8,
12,
24.

i.e, 8 trails (an even number) and this means the lights will be in
on/off/on/off/on/off/on/off.
Now, all the light numbers with an even number of factors will end up in off.
(Here, 24th light - even number of trials - end up with off).
Remember the fact that, "all the perfect squares have an odd number of factors
and all numbers except perfect squares have an even number of factors when
we include 1 and the number itself".
For a perfect square say 36, we have the factors 1,2,3,4,6,9,12, an odd
number(7) and the light will be on/off/on/off/on/off/on. (Here, 36th light - odd
number of trials - end up with on).
Hence, we conclude that all the lights whose numbers are perfect squares will be
on at the completion of the trials.
Question 2
An exhibition hall has exactly 500 windows and 500 members. In the first day of
the exhibition, the first member will enter the hall and will open all of the windows.
In the second day, the second member will enter and close every window of an
even number. In the third day, third member will then "reverse" every third
window; that is, if the window is closed, he will open it; if it is open, he will close
it. In the fourth day, the fourth member will "reverse" every fourth window, and so
on until all 500 members in turn have entered the hall and "reversed" the proper
windows. How many windows will finally remain open?
a) 31 b) 22 c) 14 d) cannot be determined.
Answer : b) 22.
Solution :

If a number is a perfect square it will have an odd number of factors;

e.g 9 has factors 1, 3, 9, whereas all other numbers have an even number of
factors.
If a particular window is visited an odd number of times it will be opened at the
end
of
the
procedure;
otherwise
it
will
be
closed.
For example, 26th window will be visited by 1st, 2nd, 13th and 26th members.
i.e, 4 members (an even number) and this means the windows will be in
open/close/open/close.
Now, all the window numbers with an even number of factors will end up close.
(Here, 26th window - even number of members - end up with close).
For a perfect square say 36, we have the factors 1,2,3,4,6,9,12, an odd
number(7) and the window will be open/close/open/close/open/close/open.
We conclude that all the windows whose numbers are perfect squares will be
open
at
the
completion
of
the
procedure.
So the open windows are numbered: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ....., 441, 484. (1 2, 22, 32,
42, 52, ...., 212, 222) (since 232, 242 > 500)
The
last
number
Hence, 22 is the number of windows remain open.

is

222.

Question 3
There are 50 doors in a tower and there are 50 tourists; the first one opens all 50
doors of the tower; next the second one closes the doors 2,4,6,8,10 and so on to
door 50; the third one changes the state (opens the door closed, closes the door
opened) on doors 3,6,9,12,15 and so on; the fourth one changes the state of
doors 4,8,12,16 and so on. This goes on until every tourist had their turn. How
many doors were touched exactly twice?
a) 49 b) 1 c) 15 d) 35

Answer : c) 15.
Solution :
Given that, there are 50 doors, numbered from 1 to 50.
The first person goes and opens all the 50 doors; i.e., he touches all the 50
doors.
Then, the second person goes and closes all the 2, 4, 6, 8,..., 48, 50 numbered
doors; i.e., , he touches all the doors whose numbers are the multiples of two.
And the third person goes and changes the status of every 3rd door. (i.e., 3, 6, 9,
12,...,48); i.e., he touches all the doors whose numbers are the multiples of three.
Proceeding
like
this,
Finally, the 50th person changes the status of 50th door. i.e., he touches the
doors whose numbers are the multiples of 50.
As we discussed in above two problems, we have each door touched once for
each
factor
the
number
has.
For instance, door number 20 is touched six times: by person numbers 1, 2, 4, 5,
10, and 20.
So, what we need to figure out is what number from 1 to 50 has exactly two
factors.
Remember that, the prime numbers only has two factors; namely 1 and the
number itself.
The prime numbers between 1 and 50 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31,
37, 41, 43, and 47.
Required number of prime numbers 15.
Hence, 15 doors of the tower are exactly touched twice.