General Intelligence and Reasoning
What this domain tests
General Intelligence and Reasoning tests pattern recognition and logical deduction through series, coding–decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogism, seating arrangement, and odd-one-out items. Speed comes from identifying the rule type before calculating.
Core rules
- Number series: check differences, then ratios, then alternating or square/cube patterns.
- Coding–decoding: write letter positions A=1 to Z=26; test shifts (+1, −2), reversal, or position sums.
- Blood relations: draw a family tree; never assume gender from a name or role.
- Direction sense: fix north and track turns; use Pythagoras for shortest distance.
- Syllogism: a conclusion is valid only if it follows in every possible diagram; 'some A are B' does not imply 'some B are not A.'
Worked example
If PEN is coded as QFO, how is INK coded? Reasoning: P→Q (+1), E→F (+1), N→O (+1). Apply the same shift: I→J, N→O, K→L. Answer: JOL.
Traps
Do not stop at the first plausible series rule-check it against all terms. In blood-relation puzzles, 'brother of my father' is uncle, not father. In direction questions, left/right depends on the facing direction. In syllogism, avoid conclusions that are only 'possible' unless the question asks for possibility.