TCS NQT Aptitude Questions (2015-2025)

Introduction
This document contains sample TCS NQT aptitude questions from 2015 to 2025, organized
by year and section: Verbal Ability, Quantitative/Logical Reasoning, and Reasoning Ability.
Each year includes 10-15 questions, reflecting recent patterns. A detailed answer key with
explanations follows at the end. Total time: 75 minutes (25 minutes per section, 65 questions
total, no negative marking, online test).

1 2015 TCS NQT Aptitude Questions

1.1 Verbal Ability
1. Synonym of "Ephemeral": a) Permanent b) Transient c) Eternal d) Enduring
2. Antonym of "Mitigate": a) Relieve b) Aggravate c) Lessen d) Alleviate
3. Fill in: The company’s profits have __ due to competition. a) Surged b) Declined c)
Stabilized d) Fluctuated
4. Passage: AI transforms industries but raises ethical concerns. Main issue? a) Cost b)
Biases c) Speed d) Data
5. Synonym of "Prolific": a) Scarce b) Abundant c) Limited d) Rare

1.2 Quantitative/Logical Reasoning

1. Radius of bigger circle is 1. Which area greater? a) 5 b) 4 c) Cannot determine d)
None
2. Old man 30 min, young 20 min walk. Old starts 10:00, young 10:05. Meet when? a)
10:15 b) 10:30 c) 10:45 d) 10:00
3. 16 teams, 4 groups, top 2 advance. Min matches? a) 43 b) 40 c) 14 d) 50
4. How many 2’s in 112-375? a) 313 b) 159 c) 156 d) 315
5. Series: 2,5,__,19,37,75 a) 9 b) 10 c) 11 d) 12
6. Largest 8-bit prime? a) 251 b) 253 c) 255 d) 257
7. Array X(9,7), 4 bytes, X(1,1)=3000, X(8,5)? a) 3212 b) 3210 c) 3208 d) 3214
8. Man/woman/child work 6 days. Man 24, woman 16. Child alone? a) 16 b) 18 c) 20
d) 22

1
 9. VXUPLVH = SURMISE, SHDVD? a) PEASE b) PEACE c) PLEASE d) PIECE
10. A twice B, together 7 days. A alone? a) 10.5 b) 11 c) 12 d) 13

1.3 Reasoning Ability

1. Passage: Tunnels no accidents 30 yrs. True: No accidents can occur? a) True b) False c)
Can’t say
2. Housewives survey: Want husbands equal work? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
3. Words devalued in totalitarian. True: Society devalues words? a) True b) False c)
Can’t say
4. Confucius days slow communication. True: People not intelligent? a) True b) False
c) Can’t say
5. Orthogonal pairs? a) 3i+2j b) i+j c) 2i-3j d) -7i+j (Select pairs)

2 2016 TCS NQT Aptitude Questions

2.1 Verbal Ability
1. Synonym of "Vehement": a) Mild b) Passionate c) Calm d) Indifferent
2. Antonym of "Latent": a) Overt b) Hidden c) Dormant d) Suppressed
3. Fill in: She was __ by news. a) Elated b) Dismayed c) Indifferent d) Amused
4. Passage: Economy sickness due to short-term focus. Main reason? a) Inflation b) Lack
foresight c) Competition d) Employment
5. Synonym of "Cajole": a) Coax b) Criticize c) Ignore d) Reject

2.2 Quantitative/Logical Reasoning

1. 90% acid mix with 75% for 30L 78%? a) 3 b) 4 c) 6 d) 10
2. Ratio square to triangle area? a) 1:2 b) 2:1 c) 2:3 d) 3:2
3. f(x)=ax4 −bx2 +x+5, f (−3) = 2, f (3) =?a)1b)−2c)3d)8Average first 10 = last 20, sum last 20?a)Ca
4. Play school chocolates 50 students 30 days. First 10 days 20 students. More stu-
dents? a) 45 b) 60 c) 55 d) 70
5. Series: 7,9,13,__,27,37 a) 19 b) 20 c) 21 d) 22
6. Fuel wastage 30%,20%. Combined? a) 44% b) 50% c) 46% d) 48%
7. Flight 18N 10E 2AM lands 10hrs 36N 70W. Local time? a) 6:00 b) 6:40 c) 7:40 d)
8:00
8. A 50 papers 10hrs, A+B 70 in 10. B 26 papers? a) 13 b) 15 c) 17 d) 19
9. Person fined 10mph over, another twice at 35mph. Limit? a) 15 b) 20 c) 25 d) 30

2
2.3 Reasoning Ability
1. Passage: Fire in tunnel extinguished 30 min. True: Fire allowed 30 min? a) True b)
False c) Can’t say
2. Survey housewives: Half leisure as husbands? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
3. Totalitarian words devalued. True: Come much about words? a) True b) False c)
Can’t say
4. Confucius slow comm. True: Transport improved now? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
5. Units (Momentum*Velocity)/(Acc*distance)? a) Mass b) Force c) Energy d) Time

3 2025 TCS NQT Aptitude Questions

3.1 Verbal Ability
1. Synonym of "Ephemeral": a) Permanent b) Transient c) Eternal d) Enduring
2. Antonym of "Dwindle": a) Increase b) Decrease c) Shrink d) Diminish
3. Fill in: Project completed __ deadline. a) Before b) After c) On d) During
4. Passage: Growth lead to? a) Restrictions b) Employment c) Surplus d) None
5. Synonym of "Cajole": a) Coax b) Criticize c) Ignore d) Reject

3.2 Quantitative/Logical Reasoning

1. Sum 3000 A B C, A=2/3(B+C), C=1/3(A+B). C? a) 1200 b) 2250 c) 750 d) 1050
2. 5’s 121-356? a) 51 b) 54 c) 50 d) 49
3. Examiners 4 8 days 5hrs, 2 twice books 20 days? a) 6 b) 7 c) 7.5 d) 8
4. HCF 2472 1284 N=12, LCM given, N? a) 36 b) 48 c) 60 d) None
5. A 18 B 15, B 10, A remaining? a) 7 b) 6 c) 5 d) 10
6. Child directions distance? a) 80 b) 90 c) 100 d) 110
7. Probability A 2B, B 3C, P(B)? a) 1/2 b) 2/5 c) 3/10 d) 1/10
8. Series 2,5,9,19,37,75? a) 75 b) 76 c) 77 d) 78
9. Prime? a) 251 b) 253 c) 255 d) 257
10. Array? a) 3212 b) 3210 c) 3208 d) 3214

3.3 Reasoning Ability

1. Passage: No accident? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
2. Equal work? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
3. Devalued? a) True b) False c) Can’t say
4. Intelligent? a) True b) False c) Can’t say

3
 5. 138 matches? a) 138 b) 140 c) 137 d) 139

4 2017-2024 TCS NQT Aptitude Questions

4.1 2017 Summary
Verbal: Synonyms (Diligence, Illustrious), Antonyms (Admonish), Fill-in (comprises), Passage
(industrial sickness). Quantitative/Logical: Series (2,7,24,77,238), Prime (251), Array (3212),
Work (16), Coding (QCCKJ). Reasoning: Passage-based (tunnels, housewives), Units (Mass),
Matches (138).

4.2 2018 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Relinquish, Abode), Antonyms (Covet), Fill-in (short of), Passage (growth).
Quantitative/Logical: Speed (36kmph=10mps), Series (75), Prime (251), Array (3212), Work
(6). Reasoning: Passage-based, Orthogonal (a,c), Mass units.

4.3 2019 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Mortify, Lethargy), Antonyms (Solicit), Fill-in (aside), Passage (Ford).
Quantitative/Logical: Ratio (3), Proportional (0.06), Series (51 5’s), Work (8), Directions (100).
Reasoning: Passage-based, Matches (138).

4.4 2020 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Incentive, Caprice), Antonyms (Manifestation), Fill-in (for), Passage (hori-
zon). Quantitative/Logical: Sum (750), 5’s (51), Examiners (8), HCF (None), Directions (100).
Reasoning: Passage-based, Mass units.

4.5 2021 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Behest, Mortify), Antonyms (Vehement), Fill-in (lain), Passage (diversifica-
tion). Quantitative/Logical: Tsunami (2.5hrs), Interest (1000), Series (36), Work (6), Directions
(100). Reasoning: Passage-based, Matches (138).

4.6 2022 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Dwindle, Covet), Antonyms (Impetus), Fill-in (aside), Passage (horizon).
Quantitative/Logical: Divide (100), Profit (37.5%), Stream (11), Sum (14), Fractions (9 11/12).
Reasoning: Passage-based, Mass units.

4.7 2023 Summary

Verbal: Synonyms (Manifestation, Lethargy), Antonyms (Caprice), Fill-in (for), Passage (diver-
sification). Quantitative/Logical: Divide (100), Profit (37.5%), Stream (11), Sum (14), Series
(75). Reasoning: Passage-based, Matches (138).

4
 4.8 2024 Summary
Verbal: Synonyms (Admonish, Vehement), Antonyms (Circumspect), Fill-in (declined), Pas-
sage (AI biases). Quantitative/Logical: Sum (750), 5’s (54), Examiners (8), HCF (None), Di-
rections (100). Reasoning: Passage-based, Mass units.

5 Answer Key with Detailed Explanations

5.1 2015
Verbal:
• 1. b (Transient: short-lived, common in 2015 papers).
• 2. b (Aggravate: worsen, opposite of mitigate).
• 3. b (Declined: decreased due to competition).
• 4. b (Biases: ethical concerns in AI).
• 5. b (Abundant: productive, frequent synonym).
Quantitative/Logical:
• 1. b (Areas: ( - 2)/4 vs (2 - /2)/4, 4 greater).
• 2. a (Distance 12km, speeds 24/36 kmph, meet after 10 min: 10:00+10=10:15).
• 3. a (16 teams, 4 groups, 6 matches/group=24, knockout 12+6+1=43).
• 4. c (Units 26, tens 30, hundreds 100=156 2’s).
• 5. a (Pattern: 2+3=5, 5+4=9, 9+10=19, 19+18=37, 37+38=75).
• 6. a (28 = 256, largestprime251).7.a(Base3000 + (8 − 1) ∗ 7 ∗ 4 + (5 − 1) ∗ 4 =
3000 + 196 + 16 = 3212).
• 8. a (Combined 1/6, man 1/24, woman 1/16, child 1/6 - 1/24 - 1/16 = 1/16, 16 days).
• 9. a (Letter shift -3: V-3=S, X-3=U, ..., SHDVD: S-3=P, H-3=E, D-3=A, V-3=S, D-3=E =
PEASE).
• 10. a (A=2B, A+B=1/7, 3B=1/7, B=1/21, A=2/21, A alone 21/2=10.5).
Reasoning:
• 1. a (No accidents recorded, true).
• 2. b (None felt equal work, false).
• 3. b (Devalued, false per passage).
• 4. b (Not stated, false).
• 5. a (Dot product 3i+2j and 2i-3j = 0, orthogonal).

5
 5.2 2016
Verbal:
• 1. b (Passionate: intense emotion).
• 2. a (Overt: open, opposite of latent).
• 3. b (Dismayed: upset by news).
• 4. b (Lack foresight: main reason for sickness).
• 5. a (Coax: persuade gently).
Quantitative/Logical:
• 1. c (90%x + 75%(30-x)=78%*30, x=6L).
• 2. b (Square area 4, triangle 2, ratio 2:1).
• 3. d (f(-3)=2, even powers cancel, f(3)=8).
• 4. c (First 10 avg = last 20 avg, sum = 2*10x).
• 5. a (Total 1500 chocolates, 20*10=200, 1300/20=65 students, add 45).
• 6. a (+6,+4,+6,+10=19).
• 7. a (1 - 0.7*0.8 = 0.44, 44% economy).
• 8. d (80ř longitude, 4min/ř, west subtract 5:20, 2AM+10-5:20=6:40, but snippet 8:00).
• 9. a (A=5/hr, A+B=7/hr, B=2/hr, 26/2=13).
• 10. a (Limit+20=35, limit=15).
Reasoning:
• 1. b (Extinguished in 30 min, false).
• 2. b (Half leisure, but false per survey logic).
• 3. a (Devalued, true).
• 4. a (Transport improved, true).
• 5. a (MV/AD = (kg m/s * m/s)/(m/s2 ∗ m) = kg).

5.3 2017-2024
2017: Verbal: 1. b (Meticulousness), 2. b (Approve), 3. d (Of), 4. b (Immediate gains), 5. b
(Glorious). Quantitative: 1. c (Chart avg), 2. d (Highest std dev), 3. a (238), 4. a (251), 5. a
(3212), 6. a (16), 7. a (QCCKJ), 8. a (7.5 more), 9. a (30ms), 10. a (a,c). Reasoning: 1. b,
2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a (138). 2018: Verbal: 1. b (Repudiate), 2. b (Abjure), 3. a (Of), 4. b
(Employment), 5. b (Dwelling). Quantitative: 1. a (10mps), 2. a (90kmph), 3. a (10sec), 4. a
(48kmph), 5. a (75), 6. a (251), 7. a (3212), 8. a (6), 9. a (PEASE), 10. a (10.5). Reasoning:
1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a. 2019: Verbal: 1. a (Humiliate), 2. a (Grant), 3. d (Aside), 4. b
(Afford goods), 5. a (Stupor). Quantitative: 1. b (3), 2. b (0.06), 3. b (32), 4. a (720), 5. a (51),
6. d (8), 7. d (None), 8. b (6), 9. c (100), 10. c (3/10). Reasoning: 1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a.
2020: Verbal: 1. a (Provocation), 2. a (Obscurity), 3. b (For), 4. c (Not future), 5. a (Whim).

6
Quantitative: 1. c (750), 2. a (51), 3. d (8), 4. d (None), 5. a (6), 6. c (100), 7. c (3/10), 8. a
(238), 9. a (251), 10. a (3212). Reasoning: 1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a, 5. a. 2021: Verbal: 1. b (Hold
down), 2. b (Apathetic), 3. b (Lain), 4. a (Diversification), 5. a (Humiliate). Quantitative: 1. a
(2.5hrs), 2. a (1000), 3. a (750), 4. a (36), 5. a (12), 6. a (6), 7. c (100), 8. c (3/10), 9. a (251),
10. a (3212). Reasoning: 1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a. 2022: Verbal: 1. d (Increase), 2. b (Inertia),
3. d (Aside), 4. c (Not future), 5. a (Whim). Quantitative: 1. b (100), 2. a (37.5%), 3. c (11),
4. d (14), 5. d (9 11/12), 6. a (13), 7. a (238), 8. a (251), 9. a (3212), 10. a (16). Reasoning:
1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a. 2023: Verbal: 1. a (Demonstration), 2. d (None), 3. b (For), 4. a
(Diversification), 5. a (Stupor). Quantitative: 1. b (100), 2. a (37.5%), 3. c (11), 4. d (14), 5.
d (9 11/12), 6. a (13), 7. a (75), 8. a (44%), 9. d (8:00), 10. a (13). Reasoning: 1. b, 2. b, 3.
b, 4. b, 5. a. 2024: Verbal: 1. c (Scold), 2. b (Reckless), 3. b (Declined), 4. b (Biases), 5. b
(Passionate). Quantitative: 1. a (750), 2. b (54), 3. d (8), 4. d (None), 5. b (7), 6. c (100), 7. c
(3/10), 8. a (238), 9. a (251), 10. a (3212). Reasoning: 1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a.

5.4 2025
Verbal:
• 1. b (Transient: short-lived).
• 2. a (Increase: opposite of dwindle).
• 3. a (Before: prior to deadline).
• 4. b (Employment: growth leads to jobs).
• 5. a (Coax: persuade gently).
Quantitative/Logical:
• 1. c (A=2/3(B+C), C=1/3(A+B), 4C=3000, C=750).
• 2. a (121-356: units 18, tens 20, hundreds 13=51).
• 3. d (4 examiners 8*5=40hrs, 2 examiners twice books 80hrs/20=8hrs).
• 4. d (HCF 2472,1284=12, LCM implies N=180, none).
• 5. b (A 1/18, B 1/15, B 10 days=2/3, A 1/3=6 days).
• 6. c (90E,20S,30W,100N: x=90-30=60, y=100-20=80, (60š+80š)=100).
• 7. c (A=2B, B=3C, P(B)=3/10 via probability).
• 8. a (Pattern double+1=75).
• 9. a (251 prime).
• 10. a (3212 address).
Reasoning:
• 1. b (False: accidents possible).
• 2. b (False: none want equal).
• 3. b (False: devalued).
• 4. b (False: not stated).

7
• 5. a (139-1=138 matches).