Preparing for design entrance exams requires a clear understanding of basic mathematics. Percentages are an important part of quantitative aptitude because they help you express numbers as parts of 100, compare values, and calculate changes. If you understand the basic rules, you can solve percentage problems without making the calculations unnecessarily complicated.
For NIFT, NID, UCEED and other design entrance exams that include quantitative aptitude, start by learning how to convert fractions into percentages and percentages into fractions. You should also practise finding a percentage of a number and calculating percentage increases. These concepts form the foundation for solving different types of percentage questions.
The word percentage comes from the Latin phrase per centum, which means "by the hundred." The percentage symbol (%) represents one-hundredth part of a whole, written mathematically as:
%= 1/100
You encounter percentages every day without even realizing it. You see them on discount banners during festive sales, in your Class 10 marksheets, and on your phone's battery indicator. In design entrance exams, percentages evaluate your basic numerical literacy and problem-solving speed.
To solve Percentage Questions for NIFT 2027 efficiently, you must be comfortable switching between fractions and percentages.
To convert any fraction into a percentage, multiply the fraction by 100.
Example 1: Convert 12 to a percentage.
1/2 ร 100 = 50%
Example 2: Convert 13 to a percentage.
1/3 ร 100 = 100/3% = 33 1/3% โ 33.33%.
Example 3: Convert 17 to a percentage.
1/7 x 100 = 100/7% = 14. 2/7 % = 14.28 %
To convert a percentage into a simplified fraction, replace the percentage sign with 1100 (or divide by 100) and simplify the resulting fraction.
Example 1: Convert 20% to a fraction.
20% = 20/100 = 1/5
Example 2: Convert 35% to a fraction.
35% = 35/100 = 7/20
Example 3: Convert mixed percentage 16.2/3% into a fraction.
First, convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction:
1623=(163)+23=503
Now divide by 100:
5031100=50300=16
Memorizing standard values is one of the best Percentage Tricks and Shortcuts you can use. Instead of calculating from scratch during the exam, memorizing these values speeds up your work significantly.
|
Fraction |
Percentage (Mixed Fraction) |
Percentage (Decimal) |
|
1 |
100% |
100% |
|
12 |
50% |
50% |
|
13 |
33.1/3% |
33.33% |
|
14 |
25% |
25% |
|
15 |
20% |
20% |
|
16 |
16. 2/3% |
16.67% |
Many students confuse the total numerical change with the percentage change.
Numerical Increase: The simple subtraction difference between the new value and the initial value.
Percentage Increase: The relative change expressed as a percentage of the initial value.
Percentage Increase = Numerical Increase / Initial Value x 100
Important Note: Always keep the initial (original) value in the denominator when calculating percentage changes.
A value increases from 200 units to 250 units.
Numerical Increase: 250-200=50
Percentage Increase:
50/200 x 100 = 25%
An energy level rises from 200 units to 350 units under sunlight.
Numerical Increase: 350-200=150
Percentage Increase:
150/200 x 100 = 75%
Percentage change can vary even when the numerical increase remains the same. Consider the sequence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Each number increases by one from the preceding number, but the percentage increase differs because the initial value changes.
|
Change |
Numerical Increase |
Percentage Increase |
|
2 to 3 |
1 |
50% |
|
3 to 4 |
1 |
Approximately 33.33% |
|
4 to 5 |
1 |
25% |
|
5 to 6 |
1 |
20% |
|
6 to 7 |
1 |
Approximately 16.67% |
For the change from 2 to 3, divide the increase of 1 by the initial value of 2 and multiply by 100. This gives 50%.
For the change from 4 to 5, divide the increase of 1 by 4 and multiply by 100. The result is 25%.
The same method applies to the remaining values. This example highlights why you must identify the initial value before calculating percentage change.
While preparing for design entrance examinations, focus on understanding calculation methods rather than memorising answers. Start with simple fraction conversions, practise finding percentages of numbers, and then move to percentage increase questions.
For Quantitative Aptitude for Design Exams, focus on the following concepts:
Meaning of percentages: Understand the percentage symbol (%) and its meaning as a fraction of 100.
Fraction to percentage conversion: Practise converting fractions into percentages by multiplying them by 100.
Percentage to fraction conversion: Learn to express percentages as fractions and simplify them.
Common percentage values: Revise familiar fraction-to-percentage conversions to simplify calculations.
Percentage of a number: Practise finding a given percentage of different numbers.
Percentage change: Understand how to calculate percentage increases using the initial value as the base.
NIFT: Solve Percentage Questions for NIFT 2027 alongside other quantitative aptitude topics.
NID: Practise NID Percentage Questions involving fraction conversions and percentage calculations.
UCEED: Revise basic percentage concepts as part of UCEED Quantitative Aptitude preparation.
NATA: Include percentage calculations in NATA Quantitative Aptitude practice wherever relevant to the examination syllabus.
Solve questions with different numerical values to understand each calculation method.
Check whether you have selected the correct fraction and simplified it properly.
Use the initial value as the base when calculating a percentage increase.
Review incorrect answers to identify calculation errors.
Practise regularly to become familiar with different types of percentage questions.
Use the following resources to support your preparation:
NIFT Syllabus to review the examination syllabus.
NID GAT Syllabus to understand the relevant syllabus areas.
NIFT Study Material for preparation resources.
Quantitative Aptitude Vedic Maths Tricks to learn additional calculation techniques.
Revise basic percentage formulas regularly.
Practise common fraction-to-percentage conversions.
Learn Percentage Tricks and Shortcuts to simplify calculations.
Understand the method behind each shortcut before applying it to a question.
Regular practice with these concepts can help you approach percentage questions with greater clarity while preparing for NIFT, NID and UCEED 2027.