Reasoning and Mental Ability
Reasoning tests pattern recognition rather than computation: number and letter series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogism, seating and ranking arrangements, analogies, classification, clocks and calendars, mirror and water images, and simple non-verbal figures. The paper rewards a systematic method and penalises the candidate who starts writing full sentences for every option.
Method for each question type
- Series: find the difference, then the difference of the difference; check alternate-term series and multiplication patterns.
- Coding: write the alphabet with positions 1 to 26 above the word; test forward shift, backward shift and reversal separately.
- Syllogism: draw minimal Venn diagrams and accept a conclusion only if it is true in every diagram; "possibility" conclusions need one valid diagram.
- Blood relations: draw a family tree with symbols; never solve these mentally.
- Direction sense: draw the path with north fixed at the top and compute the final displacement as a right triangle.
Worked example
If COURT is written as DPVSU in a code, how is BENCH written in the same code? Reasoning: compare letters position by position. C→D, O→P, U→V, R→S, T→U; every letter moves one step forward. Apply the same rule to BENCH: B→C, E→F, N→O, C→D, H→I. Answer: CFODI. When a single rule explains every letter, do not test a second rule.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming information that is not given ("the lawyer must be the father"); forgetting that "some A are B" does not imply "some B are A" in all formats; reading letter positions from the wrong end of the alphabet; ignoring the word "only" in ranking questions; and mis-drawing a left-right turn in direction problems.