Study Material — 17 PYQs (2019–2019) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SSC GD Constable Divisibility Rules is a frequently tested subtopic — 17 previous year questions from 2019–2019 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SSC GD Constable Divisibility Rules — Past Exam Questions
17 questions from actual SSC GD Constable papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern
Which digit should replace * in 5*3 to make it divisible by 3?
Exam Q 22019Previous Year Pattern
A number is divisible by 6 if it is divisible by both 2 and 3. Which of the following is divisible by 6?
Exam Q 32019Previous Year Pattern
Which of the following numbers is NOT divisible by 8?
Exam Q 42019Previous Year Pattern
A number is divisible by 11 if the difference between the sum of digits at odd positions and the sum of digits at even positions is divisible by 11. Using this rule, which number is divisible by 11?
Exam Q 52019Previous Year Pattern
A number when divided by 9 leaves remainder 0. Which of the following is definitely true about this number?
Exam Q 62019Previous Year Pattern
Which of the following numbers is divisible by both 4 and 6?
Exam Q 72019Previous Year Pattern
A number is divisible by 6. Which statement must be true?
Exam Q 82019Previous Year Pattern
A number is divisible by both 4 and 9. Which of the following must also divide this number?
Exam Q 92019Previous Year Pattern
How many numbers between 100 and 300 are divisible by 7 but NOT divisible by 3?
Exam Q 102019Previous Year Pattern
A number when divided by 11 leaves remainder 7. What is the remainder when the square of this number is divided by 11?
Exam Q 112019Previous Year Pattern
Which of the following numbers is divisible by 11?
Exam Q 122019Previous Year Pattern
A six-digit number 5a7b8c is divisible by both 8 and 11. If a, b, c are single digits and a > b > c, find the maximum value of a + b + c.
Exam Q 132019Previous Year Pattern
A number when divided by 11 leaves remainder 7. When the same number is divided by 13, it leaves remainder 9. If the number is also divisible by 7, find the smallest such number greater than 500.
Exam Q 142019Previous Year Pattern
A three-digit number 5ab is divisible by 6. When divided by 7, it leaves remainder 4. When divided by 13, it leaves remainder 8. If a and b are distinct single digits, find the number of valid pairs (a, b).
Exam Q 152019Previous Year Pattern
A five-digit number 4a5b2 is divisible by 9. When this number is divided by 11, the remainder is 3. If a and b are single digits with a ≠ b, find the maximum value of a × b.
Exam Q 162019Previous Year Pattern
A four-digit number 7a3b is divisible by 12. If the number is also divisible by 7, and a and b are distinct single digits, find the sum of all possible values of a + b.
Exam Q 172019Previous Year Pattern
A number N is formed by concatenating the digits 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 in some order. If N is divisible by 11, and the sum of digits in odd positions (from left) minus the sum of digits in even positions equals 11, find how many such arrangements exist.
Concept Notes
Divisibility Rules— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Key Divisibility Rules
Rule for 2: A number is divisible by 2 if its last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)
Rule for 3
A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3
Example
234 → 2+3+4 = 9, which is divisible by 3
Rule for 4
A number is divisible by 4 if its last two digits form a number divisible by 4
Example
1316 → 16 is divisible by 4
Rule for 5
A number is divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5
Rule for 6
A number is divisible by 6 if it's divisible by both 2 and 3
Rule for 8
A number is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number divisible by 8
Rule for 9
A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9
Rule for 11
A number is divisible by 11 if the alternating sum of its digits is divisible by 11.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL frequently asks direct divisibility questions, number of factors problems, and divisibility in data sufficiency questions. Questions often combine multiple rules or ask for remainders.
Shortcut for 11: Instead of alternating sum, use this trick - for any 4-digit number abcd, calculate (a+c)-(b+d). If result is 0 or divisible by 11, the number is divisible by 11.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Apply alternating sum rule
Start from right: 3 - 7 + 8 - 4 = 0
2
Step 2
Since the result is 0, which is divisible by 11, the number 4873 is divisible by 11.
Verification: 4873 ÷ 11 = 443 (exact division)
Alternate method using shortcut:
(4+7) - (8+3) = 11 - 11 = 0
Since result is 0, number is divisible by 11.
Advanced Trick: For checking divisibility by 7, 11, 13 simultaneously, divide the number into groups of 3 digits from right. Apply alternating sum. If divisible by 7, 11, or 13, the original number follows the same divisibility.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often confuse the divisibility rule for 4 with checking only the last digit. Remember, you need to check the last TWO digits, not just one. Also, for rule of 11, maintain the correct alternating pattern - start from the rightmost digit.
Practice Tip: Create a mental checklist of these rules.
In exams, quickly eliminate options using these rules rather than performing lengthy divisions.
Key Points to Remember
Divisibility by 2: last digit must be even (0,2,4,6,8)
Divisibility by 3: sum of all digits must be divisible by 3
Divisibility by 4: last two digits must form a number divisible by 4
Divisibility by 5: number must end in 0 or 5
Divisibility by 6: number must be divisible by both 2 and 3
Divisibility by 9: sum of all digits must be divisible by 9
Divisibility by 11: alternating sum of digits must be divisible by 11
Divisibility by 8: last three digits must form a number divisible by 8
Exam-Specific Tips
A number divisible by both 4 and 9 is always divisible by 36
For divisibility by 12, the number must be divisible by both 3 and 4
The divisibility rule for 7 involves grouping digits in threes from right and applying alternating sum
Any number divisible by 8 is automatically divisible by 2 and 4
The sum of digits rule works for 3 and 9 because 10 ≡ 1 (mod 3) and 10 ≡ 1 (mod 9)
For divisibility by 25, the last two digits must be 00, 25, 50, or 75
A number is divisible by 15 if it's divisible by both 3 and 5
The alternating sum for 11 works because 10 ≡ -1 (mod 11)
60-Second Revision — Divisibility Rules
Remember: Check last digit for 2 and 5, last two digits for 4, last three digits for 8
Formula: Sum of digits rule applies to 3 and 9 only
Trick: For 11, use alternating sum starting from rightmost digit
Pattern: Composite divisibility requires checking all prime factors
Trap: Don't confuse divisibility by 4 (last two digits) with divisibility by 2 (last digit)
Speed tip: Use elimination method in MCQs by applying easiest rules first
Quick check: For 6, 12, 15 - always verify both component divisibilities