100 SSC Percentage Questions with Shortcut Tricks

Introduction: Why Percentage Is Important for SSC Exams

Percentage is the base of almost the entire Quantitative Aptitude section in SSC exams. Profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, ratio, data interpretation, mixtures and even mensuration questions are all solved using percentage ideas. If your percentage concept is strong, you can solve many questions in 20–30 seconds.

Quick answer: This practice paper gives you 100 SSC percentage questions with answers, step-by-step solutions and shortcut tricks. The questions are divided into 10 topic-wise sets of 10 questions each, from easy to moderate level, in the style of SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD and CPO exams.

Practice Paper at a Glance

What Is Percentage? Basic Concept in Simple Words

Percentage means "per hundred". The symbol % means "divided by 100". So 25% means 25 out of 100, that is 25/100 or 1/4. To find x% of a number, multiply the number by x/100.

• Percentage = (Part ÷ Whole) × 100
• x% of y = (x × y) ÷ 100
• Percentage increase = (Increase ÷ Original value) × 100
• Percentage decrease = (Decrease ÷ Original value) × 100

Fraction to Percentage Table (Must Learn)

Learning this table by heart is the biggest shortcut in percentage. Most SSC questions use only these values.

10 Shortcut Tricks for SSC Percentage Questions

Trick 1: Use fractions instead of percentages

Convert the percentage to a fraction. For example, 12.5% of 640 becomes 1/8 of 640 = 80. This is faster than multiplying.

Trick 2: x% of y = y% of x

You can swap the numbers. 4% of 75 is the same as 75% of 4 = 3. Choose whichever is easier.

Trick 3: Successive percentage change formula

For two successive changes of a% and b%, the net change is a + b + (ab/100)%. Use the sign (+ for increase, − for decrease). Example: +20% and −10% gives 20 − 10 − 2 = +8%.

Trick 4: Increase and decrease by the same percentage

If a value is increased by x% and then decreased by x% (or the reverse), the net result is always a decrease of x²/100 %. Example: x = 20 gives a 4% decrease.

Trick 5: "More than" and "less than" conversion

If A is x% more than B, then B is 100x/(100+x)% less than A. If A is x% less than B, then B is 100x/(100−x)% more than A. Example: A is 25% more than B means B is 20% less than A.

Trick 6: Price and consumption

If the price rises by x%, the consumption must fall by 100x/(100+x)% to keep the expenditure the same. If the price falls by x%, consumption can rise by 100x/(100−x)%.

Trick 7: Multiplier method

Increase by 10% means multiply by 1.10; decrease by 10% means multiply by 0.90. For successive changes just multiply the multipliers. Example: +20% and +10% gives 1.2 × 1.1 = 1.32, which is +32%.

Trick 8: Area and side rule

If each side of a square increases by x%, the area increases by (2x + x²/100)%. For a rectangle, the area change equals the successive change of length and breadth.

Trick 9: Population and depreciation

Population after n years = P × (1 + r/100)ⁿ. Depreciation uses (1 − r/100)ⁿ. For two years, just multiply by the multiplier twice.

Trick 10: Election questions

In a two-candidate election, the winning margin is the difference of their percentages. If the winner has 55% votes, the margin is 10% of the total valid votes.

Set 1: Basic Percentage Questions (Q1–Q10)

Q1. What is 25% of 480?
Answer: 120
Trick: 25% = 1/4, so 480 ÷ 4 = 120.

Q2. Find 15% of 300.
Answer: 45
Trick: 10% of 300 = 30 and 5% = 15, so 30 + 15 = 45.

Q3. Find 12.5% of 640.
Answer: 80
Trick: 12.5% = 1/8, so 640 ÷ 8 = 80.

Q4. What is 35% of 2,000?
Answer: 700
Trick: 35 × 2,000 ÷ 100 = 35 × 20 = 700.

Q5. What percent of 250 is 40?
Answer: 16%
Solution: (40 ÷ 250) × 100 = 16%.

Q6. 45 is what percent of 180?
Answer: 25%
Trick: 45/180 = 1/4 = 25%.

Q7. If 20% of a number is 84, find the number.
Answer: 420
Trick: 20% = 1/5, so the number = 84 × 5 = 420.

Q8. If 8% of a number is 36, what is the number?
Answer: 450
Solution: Number = 36 × 100 ÷ 8 = 450.

Q9. Find 150% of 60.
Answer: 90
Trick: 150% = 1.5, so 60 × 1.5 = 90.

Q10. Find 0.5% of 2,400.
Answer: 12
Solution: 0.5% = 1/200, so 2,400 ÷ 200 = 12.

Set 2: Fraction and Percentage Conversion (Q11–Q20)

Q11. Convert 3/8 into a percentage.
Answer: 37.5%
Trick: 1/8 = 12.5%, so 3/8 = 3 × 12.5 = 37.5%.

Q12. Convert 5/6 into a percentage.
Answer: 83 1/3%
Trick: 1/6 = 16 2/3%, so 5/6 = 5 × 16 2/3 = 83 1/3%.

Q13. Convert 7/20 into a percentage.
Answer: 35%
Trick: Multiply the numerator and denominator by 5 to get 35/100.

Q14. Convert 2/7 into a percentage.
Answer: 28 4/7%
Trick: 1/7 = 14 2/7%, so 2/7 = 28 4/7%.

Q15. Convert 9/16 into a percentage.
Answer: 56.25%
Trick: 1/16 = 6.25%, so 9 × 6.25 = 56.25%.

Q16. Express 1/12 as a percentage.
Answer: 8 1/3%
Solution: (1/12) × 100 = 8.33%.

Q17. Express 62.5% as a fraction in the simplest form.
Answer: 5/8
Trick: 12.5% = 1/8, so 62.5% = 5 × 1/8 = 5/8.

Q18. Find 16 2/3% of 210.
Answer: 35
Trick: 16 2/3% = 1/6, so 210 ÷ 6 = 35.

Q19. Find 33 1/3% of 480.
Answer: 160
Trick: 33 1/3% = 1/3, so 480 ÷ 3 = 160.

Q20. Find 87.5% of 320.
Answer: 280
Trick: 87.5% = 7/8, so 320 ÷ 8 × 7 = 280.

Set 3: Percentage Increase and Decrease (Q21–Q30)

Q21. A number increases from 200 to 250. Find the percentage increase.
Answer: 25%
Solution: (50 ÷ 200) × 100 = 25%.

Q22. The price of an article falls from Rs. 80 to Rs. 60. Find the percentage decrease.
Answer: 25%
Solution: (20 ÷ 80) × 100 = 25%.

Q23. Increase 40 by 15%.
Answer: 46
Trick: 40 × 1.15 = 46.

Q24. Decrease 500 by 12%.
Answer: 440
Trick: 500 × 0.88 = 440.

Q25. A salary of Rs. 24,000 is increased by 8%. Find the new salary.
Answer: Rs. 25,920
Solution: 24,000 × 1.08 = 25,920.

Q26. A number after a 20% increase becomes 660. Find the original number.
Answer: 550
Solution: 660 ÷ 1.2 = 550.

Q27. A number after a 25% decrease becomes 480. Find the original number.
Answer: 640
Solution: 480 ÷ 0.75 = 640.

Q28. A's income is 25% more than B's. B's income is what percent less than A's?
Answer: 20%
Trick: 100x/(100 + x) = 2500/125 = 20%.

Q29. A's income is 20% less than B's. B's income is what percent more than A's?
Answer: 25%
Trick: 100x/(100 − x) = 2000/80 = 25%.

Q30. If the price of sugar increases by 25%, by what percent should a family reduce consumption to keep the expenditure the same?
Answer: 20%
Trick: 100 × 25/125 = 20%.

Set 4: Successive Percentage Change (Q31–Q40)

Q31. Two successive discounts of 20% and 10% are equal to a single discount of?
Answer: 28%
Trick: 20 + 10 − (20 × 10)/100 = 28%.

Q32. Two successive increases of 10% and 20% equal a single increase of?
Answer: 32%
Trick: 1.1 × 1.2 = 1.32.

Q33. A price is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change?
Answer: 4% decrease
Trick: x²/100 = 400/100 = 4% decrease.

Q34. Three successive increases of 10% each equal a single increase of?
Answer: 33.1%
Solution: 1.1 × 1.1 × 1.1 = 1.331.

Q35. A value is increased by 25% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change?
Answer: No change (0%)
Solution: 1.25 × 0.8 = 1.

Q36. A number is increased by 30% and then decreased by 10%. Find the net change.
Answer: 17% increase
Trick: 30 − 10 − (30 × 10)/100 = 17%.

Q37. The length of a rectangle increases by 10% and the breadth increases by 20%. Find the change in area.
Answer: 32% increase
Trick: 10 + 20 + 2 = 32%.

Q38. The length of a rectangle increases by 20% and the breadth decreases by 10%. Find the change in area.
Answer: 8% increase
Trick: 20 − 10 − 2 = +8%.

Q39. The side of a square is increased by 10%. Find the increase in area.
Answer: 21%
Trick: 10 + 10 + 1 = 21%.

Q40. The radius of a circle is decreased by 10%. Find the decrease in area.
Answer: 19%
Trick: −10 − 10 + 1 = −19%.

Set 5: Population and Depreciation (Q41–Q50)

Q41. The population of a town is 50,000 and it increases by 10% every year. Find the population after 2 years.
Answer: 60,500
Solution: 50,000 × 1.1 × 1.1 = 60,500.

Q42. The population of a village is 1,20,000 and it decreases by 5% every year. Find the population after 2 years.
Answer: 1,08,300
Solution: 1,20,000 × 0.95 × 0.95 = 1,08,300.

Q43. A machine costs Rs. 80,000 and depreciates by 10% every year. Find its value after 2 years.
Answer: Rs. 64,800
Solution: 80,000 × 0.9 × 0.9 = 64,800.

Q44. The population of a town grows from 40,000 to 48,400 in 2 years at the same yearly rate. Find the rate.
Answer: 10%
Solution: 48,400 ÷ 40,000 = 1.21 = (1.1)², so the rate is 10%.

Q45. The population of a city is 20,000. It grows 5% in the first year and 10% in the second year. Find the population after 2 years.
Answer: 23,100
Solution: 20,000 × 1.05 × 1.1 = 23,100.

Q46. A car is bought for Rs. 5,00,000. It depreciates 20% in the first year and 10% in the second year. Find its value after 2 years.
Answer: Rs. 3,60,000
Solution: 5,00,000 × 0.8 × 0.9 = 3,60,000.

Q47. The population of a town is 1,00,000. It increases by 10% in the first year and decreases by 10% in the second year. Find the final population.
Answer: 99,000
Trick: Net change is a 1% decrease (x²/100 = 1%).

Q48. A town has a population of 2,56,000. It decreases by 12.5% every year. Find the population after 2 years.
Answer: 1,96,000
Trick: 12.5% = 1/8, so multiply by 7/8 twice: 2,56,000 × 49/64 = 1,96,000.

Q49. The value of a house rises 20% every year and is now Rs. 3,60,000. What was its value 2 years ago?
Answer: Rs. 2,50,000
Solution: 3,60,000 ÷ 1.44 = 2,50,000.

Q50. The population of a village is 8,000. It rises 25% in the first year and 12% in the second year. Find the final population.
Answer: 11,200
Solution: 8,000 × 1.25 = 10,000; 10,000 × 1.12 = 11,200.

Set 6: Income, Expenditure and Savings (Q51–Q60)

Q51. Ravi spends 75% of his income and saves Rs. 6,000. Find his income.
Answer: Rs. 24,000
Trick: Savings = 25% = 1/4 of income, so income = 6,000 × 4 = 24,000.

Q52. A person with an income of Rs. 40,000 spends 65% of it. How much does he save?
Answer: Rs. 14,000
Solution: Savings = 35% of 40,000 = 14,000.

Q53. The ratio of income to expenditure is 5 : 4. What percent of income is saved?
Answer: 20%
Trick: Savings = 1 part out of 5 = 1/5 = 20%.

Q54. Ram earns Rs. 100 and spends 80%. His income rises by 10% but his expenditure stays the same. By what percent do his savings increase?
Answer: 50%
Solution: Old savings = 20; new income = 110, so new savings = 30. Increase = 10/20 × 100 = 50%.

Q55. A person spends 20% of his income on rent and 30% of the remaining on food. What percent of his income is left?
Answer: 56%
Solution: After rent 80% is left; food = 30% of 80 = 24; left = 80 − 24 = 56%.

Q56. Income is Rs. 60,000. Food takes 45%, rent takes 20% and the rest is saved. Find the savings.
Answer: Rs. 21,000
Solution: Savings = 100 − 45 − 20 = 35%; 35% of 60,000 = 21,000.

Q57. If the price of rice rises by 20%, by what percent should a family cut its consumption to keep the same expenditure?
Answer: 16 2/3%
Trick: 100 × 20/120 = 16 2/3%.

Q58. A salary is reduced by 10%. By what percent must it be increased to get back the original salary?
Answer: 11 1/9%
Trick: 100 × 10/90 = 11 1/9%.

Q59. X's salary is 50% more than Y's. Y's salary is what percent less than X's?
Answer: 33 1/3%
Trick: 100 × 50/150 = 33 1/3%.

Q60. Petrol price falls by 20%. By what percent can a car owner increase consumption to spend the same amount?
Answer: 25%
Trick: 100 × 20/80 = 25%.

Set 7: Election and Votes Questions (Q61–Q70)

Q61. In a two-candidate election the winner gets 55% of the votes and wins by 3,000 votes. Find the total votes.
Answer: 30,000
Trick: Margin = 55 − 45 = 10% of total = 3,000, so total = 30,000.

Q62. In an election 20,000 people voted and 10% of the votes were invalid. The winner got 55% of the valid votes. How many votes did the winner get?
Answer: 9,900
Solution: Valid votes = 18,000; 55% of 18,000 = 9,900.

Q63. The losing candidate gets 40% of the votes and loses by 2,400 votes. Find the total votes.
Answer: 12,000
Trick: Margin = 60 − 40 = 20% = 2,400, so total = 12,000.

Q64. There are 5,000 voters. 80% of them vote and 5% of the votes cast are invalid. How many valid votes are there?
Answer: 3,800
Solution: Votes cast = 4,000; valid = 95% of 4,000 = 3,800.

Q65. A candidate gets 35% of the votes and loses by 900 votes. Find the total votes.
Answer: 3,000
Trick: Margin = 65 − 35 = 30% = 900, so total = 3,000.

Q66. In a school election there are 4,000 students. 60% vote and the winner gets 70% of the votes cast. How many votes does the winner get?
Answer: 1,680
Solution: Votes cast = 2,400; 70% of 2,400 = 1,680.

Q67. In an election of three candidates, A gets 40%, B gets 35% and C gets 6,000 votes. How many votes does A get?
Answer: 9,600
Solution: C = 100 − 75 = 25% = 6,000, so total = 24,000; A = 40% of 24,000 = 9,600.

Q68. In an election, 75% of registered voters cast their vote. The winner gets 60% of the votes cast and wins by 900 votes. Find the number of registered voters.
Answer: 6,000
Solution: Margin = 20% of votes cast = 900, so votes cast = 4,500; registered = 4,500 ÷ 0.75 = 6,000.

Q69. 10% of the votes are invalid. The winner gets 60% of the valid votes and the loser gets 4,320 votes. Find the total votes polled.
Answer: 12,000
Solution: Loser = 40% of valid = 4,320, so valid = 10,800; total = 10,800 ÷ 0.9 = 12,000.

Q70. A candidate gets 45% of the votes and loses by 1,200 votes. How many votes did the winner get?
Answer: 6,600
Solution: Margin = 55 − 45 = 10% = 1,200, so total = 12,000; winner = 55% of 12,000 = 6,600.

Set 8: Marks and Result Questions (Q71–Q80)

Q71. The pass mark is 40%. A student gets 210 marks and fails by 30 marks. Find the maximum marks.
Answer: 600
Solution: Pass marks = 240 = 40% of total, so total = 600.

Q72. A student scores 180 marks and fails by 20 marks. The pass percentage is 40%. Find the maximum marks.
Answer: 500
Solution: Pass marks = 200 = 40%, so total = 500.

Q73. The pass percentage is 30%. A student gets 125 marks and fails by 10 marks. Find the maximum marks.
Answer: 450
Solution: Pass marks = 135 = 30%, so total = 450.

Q74. A student scores 72% in an exam of 750 marks. How many marks did he score?
Answer: 540
Solution: 72% of 750 = 540.

Q75. A student gets 60% in Maths (out of 100) and 70% in English (out of 50). What is his overall percentage?
Answer: 63 1/3%
Solution: Marks = 60 + 35 = 95 out of 150; 95/150 × 100 = 63 1/3%.

Q76. A student scores 60, 70, 80 and 90 in four subjects of 100 marks each. Find the average percentage.
Answer: 75%
Solution: Total = 300 out of 400 = 75%.

Q77. In an exam 80% students passed English, 70% passed Maths and 60% passed both. What percent failed in both?
Answer: 10%
Solution: Passed at least one = 80 + 70 − 60 = 90%; failed both = 10%.

Q78. In a group, 65% like tea, 55% like coffee and 30% like both. What percent like neither?
Answer: 10%
Solution: Like at least one = 65 + 55 − 30 = 90%; neither = 10%.

Q79. Aman's marks increase from 350 to 420. Find the percentage increase.
Answer: 20%
Solution: (70 ÷ 350) × 100 = 20%.

Q80. A school has 1,200 students and 45% are girls. How many boys are there?
Answer: 660
Solution: Boys = 55% of 1,200 = 660.

Set 9: Profit, Loss and Discount in Percentage (Q81–Q90)

Q81. An article bought for Rs. 400 is sold for Rs. 460. Find the profit percentage.
Answer: 15%
Solution: (60 ÷ 400) × 100 = 15%.

Q82. An article costing Rs. 500 is sold at a loss of 12%. Find the selling price.
Answer: Rs. 440
Solution: 500 × 0.88 = 440.

Q83. A shopkeeper sells an article for Rs. 1,260 at a profit of 5%. Find the cost price.
Answer: Rs. 1,200
Solution: 1,260 ÷ 1.05 = 1,200.

Q84. An article is sold for Rs. 540 at a loss of 10%. Find the cost price.
Answer: Rs. 600
Solution: 540 ÷ 0.9 = 600.

Q85. The marked price of a shirt is Rs. 800 and a discount of 15% is given. Find the selling price.
Answer: Rs. 680
Solution: 800 × 0.85 = 680.

Q86. Two successive discounts of 10% and 10% are given on Rs. 2,000. Find the final price.
Answer: Rs. 1,620
Solution: 2,000 × 0.9 × 0.9 = 1,620.

Q87. A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above its cost of Rs. 250 and gives a discount of 10%. Find the profit percentage.
Answer: 26%
Solution: Marked price = 350; selling price = 315; profit = 65; 65/250 × 100 = 26%.

Q88. An article is sold at a profit of 20% for Rs. 1,440. Find its cost price.
Answer: Rs. 1,200
Solution: 1,440 ÷ 1.2 = 1,200.

Q89. By selling an article for Rs. 900, a man loses 25%. At what price should he sell it to gain 10%?
Answer: Rs. 1,320
Solution: Cost price = 900 ÷ 0.75 = 1,200; new selling price = 1,200 × 1.1 = 1,320.

Q90. A shopkeeper marks goods 25% above cost and allows a 20% discount. What is his profit or loss percent?
Answer: No profit, no loss
Solution: 1.25 × 0.8 = 1.

Set 10: Mixed and Advanced Questions (Q91–Q100)

Q91. If 30% of A equals 40% of B, find A : B.
Answer: 4 : 3
Solution: 30A = 40B, so A/B = 40/30 = 4/3.

Q92. Find 20% of 30% of 500.
Answer: 30
Solution: 30% of 500 = 150; 20% of 150 = 30.

Q93. If x% of 250 is 45, find x.
Answer: 18
Solution: x = (45 ÷ 250) × 100 = 18.

Q94. A number increased by 40% gives 2,100. Find the number.
Answer: 1,500
Solution: 2,100 ÷ 1.4 = 1,500.

Q95. The price of an article is increased by 10% and then decreased by 10%. The final price is Rs. 990. Find the original price.
Answer: Rs. 1,000
Solution: Net multiplier = 1.1 × 0.9 = 0.99, so original = 990 ÷ 0.99 = 1,000.

Q96. The length of a rectangle is increased by 25%. By what percent should the breadth be decreased to keep the area the same?
Answer: 20%
Trick: 100 × 25/125 = 20%.

Q97. A mixture of 60 litres contains 75% milk. How much water must be added to make the milk 60%?
Answer: 15 litres
Solution: Milk = 45 litres; new total = 45 ÷ 0.6 = 75 litres; water added = 75 − 60 = 15 litres.

Q98. 25% of the students in a class are absent and 30 are present. Find the total number of students.
Answer: 40
Solution: Present = 75% = 30, so total = 40.

Q99. A tank is 40% full. When 30 litres are added, it becomes 70% full. Find the capacity of the tank.
Answer: 100 litres
Solution: 30% of capacity = 30, so capacity = 100 litres.

Q100. What percent of 2 hours is 20 minutes?
Answer: 16 2/3%
Solution: 2 hours = 120 minutes; 20/120 × 100 = 16 2/3%.

Common Mistakes in Percentage Questions

• Using the wrong base: Percentage change is always calculated on the original (old) value, not the new value.
• Adding successive percentages directly: A 20% increase followed by a 20% decrease is not zero; it is a 4% decrease.
• Confusing "more than" and "less than": If A is 25% more than B, then B is only 20% less than A.
• Ignoring the invalid votes or absent students: Read the question carefully and first find the valid or present number.
• Not converting to fractions: Many calculations become one-step problems when you use 1/8, 1/6 or 1/3.

How to Practice These 100 Questions

1. Learn the fraction–percentage table and the 10 shortcut tricks first.
2. Attempt one set of 10 questions at a time with a timer of 6 minutes.
3. Check the answers and read the trick for each question you got wrong.
4. Note the tricks you forgot in a small notebook and revise them every morning.
5. After 10 days, attempt all 100 questions again in 60 minutes and compare your score.

Target score: Below 60 means revise the basics; 60–80 is a good level; above 80 with speed means you are ready for SSC CGL and CHSL percentage questions.

Related Topics to Study Next

After percentage, move to profit and loss, discount, ratio and proportion, simple and compound interest and data interpretation, since these topics use the same concepts. Regular practice with previous year papers and full-length practice papers will improve both your speed and accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many percentage questions come in SSC CGL?

Direct percentage questions are usually 1 to 3 in each SSC CGL paper, but percentage concepts are used in many other topics like profit and loss, data interpretation, interest and mixtures, so the real impact is much higher.

What is the fastest way to solve percentage questions?

The fastest way is to learn the fraction-to-percentage table and use the multiplier and successive change tricks. Converting percentages to fractions like 1/8 or 1/6 saves a lot of time.

What is the formula for successive percentage change?

For two changes of a% and b%, the net change is a + b + (ab/100) percent. Use a positive sign for an increase and a negative sign for a decrease.

How do I find a percentage increase or decrease?

Percentage change = (Change ÷ Original value) × 100. Always divide by the original value, not the new one.

If A is 20% more than B, by how much percent is B less than A?

B is 16 2/3% less than A. Use the formula 100x/(100 + x), which gives 2000/120 = 16 2/3%.

What is the difference between percentage and percentage points?

Percentage is a relative change of the original value, while percentage points show the simple difference between two percentages. For example, a rise from 40% to 50% is 10 percentage points but a 25% relative increase.

How many questions should I practice daily for percentage?

Solving 15 to 20 percentage questions daily with a timer for two weeks is enough to become fast and confident in this topic.

Are these 100 percentage questions enough for SSC exams?

These questions cover all major question types asked in SSC exams. For the best result, also practice previous year papers and full-length mock tests along with these questions.

Which topics are based on percentage in SSC exams?

Profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, ratio, average, data interpretation, population, mixtures and mensuration-related change problems all use percentage concepts.

Can I use these questions for other government exams?

Yes. The concepts and tricks are useful for banking, railway, state PSC and other government exams that have a Quantitative Aptitude section.