Are Gen Z lacking basic math skills? Bengaluru CEO's simple test exposes the truth

Class 5 Math Stumps Fresh Graduates

Gupta recounted an incident from a recent campus recruitment drive where he interacted with over 50 students from BBA, BCA, and other streams. As part of the selection process, he posed a straightforward Class 5-level mathematics question:

«If a car travels the first 60 km at 30 km/h and the next 60 km at 60 km/h, what is its average speed?»

To his surprise, only two students answered correctly, while the majority struggled to solve it. However, when asked about digital marketing strategies, the students were quick to discuss Instagram reels, viral content, and branding techniques.

Gen Z’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Gupta noted that while Gen Z excels at social media and digital engagement, they often lack critical thinking, problem-solving, and financial literacy. «This highlights a stark reality—Gen Z is highly skilled in social media but struggles with basic numeracy and logical reasoning. If these trends continue, we may have a generation unprepared for real-world financial and analytical challenges,» he wrote.

He emphasized the importance of developing a balanced skillset, urging educators, employers, and mentors to address this gap: «Critical thinking and basic numeracy are non-negotiable life skills. How do we ensure the next generation is well-rounded?»

Internet Divided Over the Debate

Gupta’s post has garnered mixed reactions online. Some users agreed with his concerns, with one commenting, «Schools should focus on real-world problem-solving rather than just