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Cognizant Aptitude Questions 2026 (GenC Quantitative and Reasoning)

12 min read
Company Placement Papers
Updated: 8 Jun 2026
PapersAdda Hiring Pulseupdated 22 d ago
400
active Cognizant roles tracked
-1.2% vs prior 7d

Sourced from public job listings; aggregated by PapersAdda. Snapshot for editorial context, not an offer count. Parent: cognizant.

PapersAdda Salary Bands · 2026as of May 2026

Cognizant CTS GenC ladder - three tiers since 2024.

RoleCTC
GenC[1]₹4 LPA
GenC Pro[2]₹6.75 LPA
GenC Elevate[3]
Coding round 90+ percentile; usually IIT/NIT/BITS.
₹9 LPA

Sources

  1. [1]CTS GenC JL 2026
  2. [2]CTS GenC Pro JL
  3. [3]CTS Elevate JL

Bands aggregated from publicly disclosed JLs + verified Reddit/LinkedIn offer threads. PapersAdda does not republish private offer letters; ranges are editorial estimates.

PapersAdda Round-by-Round · Cognizant GenC / GenC Pro / GenC Elevateas of May 2026
  1. 1

    Aptitude (CTS Multi)

    Aptitude75 minMedium
    • Quant
    • Logical
    • Verbal
    • BFHS (basic CS)
  2. 2

    Programming Concepts

    Tech30 minEasy
    • MCQs on C/Java/Python
    • Output prediction
  3. 3

    Automata Fix / Coding

    Coding45 minMedium
    • 2-3 coding problems
    • Decides GenC vs Pro vs Elevate
  4. 4

    Communication

    Communication15 minEasy
    • Spoken English
    • Sentence reading
  5. 5

    Tech + HR Interview

    Tech30 minEasy
    • Project
    • OOP / DSA
    • Bond / location

Loop reconstructed from publicly shared candidate threads (r/developersIndia, LinkedIn). PapersAdda does not republish private question banks; rounds describe structure and difficulty, not specific problems.

Aditya Sharma
Aditya's Edit

Cognizant · 2026

By Aditya Sharma·Founder & Editor, PapersAdda

What changed in 2026 drives

Cognizant's GenC ladder solidified into three tiers in 2024 - by 2026, GenC Elevate (₹9L) is reliably available to coding-round 90+ percentile candidates from tier-1 colleges. CTS bond is now ₹50K + 12-month notice (down from ₹1L in 2022). The 'BFHS' (Basic Foundation) section in the CTS Multi was added in 2025 and trips Comp-Sci candidates because it covers OS + DB internals at undergrad-textbook level.

What I'd actually study for Cognizant

  • 01BFHS - OS scheduling, deadlock, DBMS normalisation, networking OSI layers; revisit Galvin chapters 4-7 specifically
  • 02Programming Concepts MCQs - output prediction in C and Java; pointer arithmetic + JVM behaviour edge cases
  • 03Automata Fix coding - 2-3 problems, decides GenC vs Pro vs Elevate; medium-difficulty arrays/strings
  • 04Communication round - Sentence Reading is automated; pacing and clarity score higher than accent neutralisation

Where most candidates trip up

Underestimating the BFHS section because it looks easy in samples. The actual cut-off is high (~80%), and CS fundamentals decay fast after semester 4. Spend two evenings revising OS + DB before sitting the test, and BFHS becomes free marks.

Editorial commentary by Aditya Sharma · written for PapersAdda · not generated, not aggregated. For the full source dataset behind these notes, see our methodology.

Last Updated: June 2026

This page is a focused practice set for the Cognizant GenC aptitude round, built around the topic mix candidates report from recent GenC cycles. The GenC assessment is widely described as combining aptitude with automata or coding for the relevant tracks. This page focuses on the aptitude portion. For the exact, current pattern, track differences, and cutoffs, always confirm on the official Cognizant careers portal, since these vary by cycle and are not always published in advance.


Cognizant GenC Aptitude: Reported Topic Map

Candidates consistently report the following spread. Treat weights as indicative and verify on the official Cognizant careers page.

SectionReported TopicsNote
QuantitativeArithmetic, ratios, time-work, TSD, number systemsStandard placement level
Logical ReasoningSeries, coding, seating, blood relations, syllogismsModerate weight
Verbal AbilityGrammar, sentence completion, comprehensionModerate weight

The aptitude difficulty is reported as moderate, with the coding or automata component being the more demanding filter for the relevant tracks.


Practice Set: 30 MCQs

Sit this set in 35 minutes.

Q1. A number increased by 15% becomes 230. Find the original.

A) 190 B) 195 C) 200 D) 205

Q2. A shopkeeper sells at 30% profit. If cost is ₹500, find selling price.

A) ₹630 B) ₹640 C) ₹650 D) ₹660

Q3. The ratio of two numbers is 6:11 and their sum is 102. Find the larger.

A) 60 B) 66 C) 72 D) 78

Q4. A and B can do a work in 20 and 30 days. Together, how many days?

A) 10 B) 12 C) 14 D) 15

Q5. A train 250 m long crosses a 150 m platform in 16 seconds. Find its speed in km/hr.

A) 80 B) 85 C) 90 D) 95

Q6. The average of 7 numbers is 18. If one number is removed, the average becomes 16. Find the removed number.

A) 28 B) 30 C) 32 D) 34

Q7. A 75-litre mixture has milk and water in ratio 8:7. How much milk to add for ratio 9:7?

A) 8 litres B) 9 litres C) 10 litres D) 12 litres

Q8. The simple interest on ₹5000 at 7% for 4 years is:

A) ₹1300 B) ₹1400 C) ₹1500 D) ₹1600

Q9. After a 40% discount, an item costs ₹360. Find the marked price.

A) ₹560 B) ₹580 C) ₹600 D) ₹620

Q10. If 60% of A = 40% of B, find A:B.

A) 2:3 B) 3:2 C) 4:5 D) 5:4

Q11. Find the next term: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ?

A) 24 B) 28 C) 32 D) 36

Q12. Find the odd one out: 121, 144, 169, 180, 196

A) 144 B) 169 C) 180 D) 196

Q13. If WORD is coded as XPSE (shift +1), how is GAME coded?

A) HBNF B) HBNE C) HCNF D) HBMF

A) Mother B) Grandmother C) Aunt D) Sister

Q15. In a row of 45, A is 20th from the left. What is A's position from the right?

A) 25th B) 26th C) 27th D) 28th

Q16. A man walks 7 km north, 24 km east. Shortest distance back?

A) 23 km B) 25 km C) 27 km D) 31 km

Q17. Statement: All fruits are sweet. All sweet things are tasty.

Conclusion: All fruits are tasty.

A) Follows B) Does not follow C) Cannot be determined D) Contradictory

Q18. Find the missing number: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?

A) 36 B) 38 C) 40 D) 42

Q19. A clock shows 4:00. What is the angle between the hands?

A) 100° B) 110° C) 120° D) 130°

Q20. The compound interest on ₹4000 for 2 years at 15% is:

A) ₹1240 B) ₹1290 C) ₹1320 D) ₹1380

Q21. A boat covers 36 km downstream in 3 hours and 20 km upstream in 4 hours. Find boat speed in still water.

A) 7.5 km/hr B) 8 km/hr C) 8.5 km/hr D) 9 km/hr

Q22. Divide ₹1800 among A, B, C in ratio 1:2:3. Find C's share.

A) ₹600 B) ₹700 C) ₹800 D) ₹900

Q23. A bag has 6 red and 4 white balls. Probability of drawing a white?

A) 2/5 B) 3/5 C) 1/2 D) 1/5

Q24. The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 90. Find the largest.

A) 30 B) 32 C) 34 D) 36

Q25. A man's income rises 20% then falls 25%. Net change?

A) 10% gain B) 5% gain C) 10% loss D) 5% loss

Q26. Find the next term: 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ?

A) 91 B) 93 C) 95 D) 99

Q27. If KING is coded as LJOH (shift +1), how is LORD coded?

A) MPSE B) MPSD C) MQSE D) MPTE

Q28. Two pipes fill a tank in 24 and 8 minutes. Together, time to fill?

A) 5 min B) 6 min C) 7 min D) 8 min

Q29. The present ages of A and B are 2:3. After 4 years, 5:7. Find A's present age.

A) 12 B) 14 C) 16 D) 18

Q30. Analogy: River : Bank :: Road : ?

A) Path B) Pavement C) Vehicle D) Traffic


Answer Key

QAnsQAnsQAnsQAnsQAns
1C7A13A19C25C
2C8B14B20B26C
3B9C15B21C27A
4B10A16B22D28B
5C11C17A23A29C
6B12C18B24C30B

Worked Solutions

Q1. 1.15 × original = 230, original = 230/1.15 = 200. Answer: C.

Q2. SP = 500 × 1.3 = 650. Answer: C.

Q3. Ratio 6:11, sum 17 parts = 102, 1 part = 6, larger = 11 × 6 = 66. Answer: B.

Q4. Combined rate = 1/20 + 1/30 = 3/60 + 2/60 = 5/60 = 1/12. Time = 12 days. Answer: B.

Q5. Distance = 250 + 150 = 400 m in 16 s = 25 m/s = 90 km/hr. Answer: C.

Q6. Total of 7 = 7 × 18 = 126. Total of 6 = 6 × 16 = 96. Removed number = 126 - 96 = 30. Answer: B.

Q7. 75 litres in 8:7 means milk 40, water 35. For ratio 9:7 with water fixed at 35, milk must reach 45. Add 45 - 40 = 5 litres. Answer: A.

Q8. SI = 5000 × 7 × 4/100 = 1400. Answer: B.

Q9. 60% of MP = 360, MP = 360/0.6 = 600. Answer: C.

Q10. 0.6A = 0.4B, A/B = 0.4/0.6 = 2/3. A:B = 2:3. Answer: A.

Q11. Each term doubles: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. Answer: C.

Q12. 121, 144, 169, 196 are perfect squares; 180 is not. Answer: C.

Q13. Shift +1: G to H, A to B, M to N, E to F = HBNF. Answer: A.

Q14. P is mother of Q, Q is father of R, so P is R's grandmother. Answer: B.

Q15. Position from right = 45 - 20 + 1 = 26th. Answer: B.

Q16. Right triangle legs 7 and 24, hypotenuse = 25 km. Answer: B.

Q17. All fruits are sweet and all sweet things are tasty, so all fruits are tasty. The conclusion follows. Answer: A.

Q18. Differences 3, 5, 7, 9, next 11: 27 + 11 = 38. Answer: B.

Q19. At 4:00 the hands are 4 hours apart = 4 × 30 = 120°. Answer: C.

Q20. A = 4000 × 1.15² = 4000 × 1.3225 = 5290. CI = 1290. Answer: B.

Q21. Downstream speed = 36/3 = 12 km/hr. Upstream speed = 20/4 = 5 km/hr. Still-water speed = (12 + 5)/2 = 8.5 km/hr. Answer: C.

Q22. Total parts 6. C = 3/6 × 1800 = 900. Answer: D.

Q23. P(white) = 4/10 = 2/5. Answer: A.

Q24. Middle = 90/3 = 30, so numbers are 28, 30, 32. Largest = 32. Answer: C.

Q25. Net factor = 1.2 × 0.75 = 0.9, a 10% loss. Answer: C.

Q26. Each term = previous × 2 + 1: 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, 95. Answer: C.

Q27. Shift +1: L to M, O to P, R to S, D to E = MPSE. Answer: A.

Q28. Combined rate = 1/24 + 1/8 = 1/24 + 3/24 = 4/24 = 1/6. Time = 6 min. Answer: B.

Q29. (2x + 4)/(3x + 4) = 5/7. 7(2x + 4) = 5(3x + 4), 14x + 28 = 15x + 20, x = 8. A's age = 2x = 16. Answer: C.

Q30. A river is bordered by a bank as a road is bordered by a pavement. Answer: B.


Cognizant GenC Prep Plan

PhaseDaysFocus
Aptitude base1-12Quantitative and reasoning topic drills
Coding or automata13-21Track-specific coding practice
Verbal and mocks22-27Grammar drills plus full timed sections
Taper28-30Revision and error-log review

Candidates report that the aptitude bar is moderate while the coding or automata component is the harder filter, especially for GenC Pro. Confirm the current track structure, section timing, and cutoffs on the official Cognizant careers portal, since these are set per cycle and are not always published in advance.

Common Mistakes In Cognizant GenC Aptitude

Candidates report a recurring set of avoidable errors in the GenC assessment. Avoiding them protects your score.

  • Underpreparing the coding or automata component. The aptitude bar is moderate, but candidates report the coding section is the harder filter, especially for GenC Pro. Do not over-invest in aptitude at the cost of coding practice.
  • Careless arithmetic slips. Because the aptitude is standard, scores are decided by accuracy on easy questions. A five-second sanity check after each answer prevents avoidable losses.
  • Skipping verbal. Verbal marks are quick to bank for strong readers, yet candidates often neglect grammar and comprehension practice.
  • Poor time management between aptitude and coding. Set a clear time budget so the coding section gets the minutes it needs.

Topic Deep-Dive: Number Systems

Number systems is a high-frequency Cognizant aptitude topic that rewards a few reliable techniques. Divisibility rules, remainder patterns, and LCM-HCF relationships cover most questions.

For remainders of large powers, look for a cycle. The units digit of powers of a number repeats in a short cycle, and the remainder on division by small numbers also cycles, so you reduce the exponent modulo the cycle length rather than computing the full power. For LCM and HCF questions, remember the core identity that the product of two numbers equals the product of their LCM and HCF, which lets you find a missing value in one step. For divisibility, memorize the standard rules for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11, since these turn multi-step checks into instant judgments. Candidates report that fluency in these number-system shortcuts is what frees up time for the harder questions in the section.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Cognizant GenC aptitude section cover?

Candidates report the Cognizant GenC assessment includes quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, followed by automata or coding for the relevant tracks. Exact section counts and cutoffs vary by cycle and by GenC versus GenC Pro track, so confirm the current pattern on the official Cognizant careers portal before your test.

What is the difference between GenC and GenC Pro?

Candidates report GenC Pro as the higher track with a more demanding coding and aptitude bar than the standard GenC track. The aptitude topics are similar but the cutoff and the coding difficulty are reported as higher for GenC Pro. Verify the current track structure on the official Cognizant careers page.

How should I prepare for Cognizant aptitude?

Cover the standard quantitative and reasoning topics with timed practice, then add automata or coding practice for your track. Candidates report that the aptitude difficulty is moderate, so consistent topic drilling plus speed work under a clock is the reliable path to clearing the section.

Methodology applied to this articlelast verified 8 Jun 2026
Sources used
AmbitionBox public hiring snapshot for Cognizant, official Cognizant careers page, cross-referenced with verified candidate threads on r/developersIndia and LinkedIn experience posts.
Verification window
Page last edited 8 Jun 2026 by Aditya Sharma. Numbers and patterns sanity-checked against the most recent 2026 cycle drives we tracked.
What we did NOT do
  • No fabricated salary numbers or success rates. If we quote a range, it's sourced.
  • No noun-substituted templates. This article was not generated by swapping company names in a stock prompt.
  • No paid placements, sponsored coaching links, or affiliate-shilled course pushes.
Verification policy: /editorial-standards/. Found something incorrect? Submit a correction - we respond within 48 hours.

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