General Intelligence and Reasoning
General Intelligence and Reasoning
This domain tests pattern recognition, logical deduction and spatial visualization. Questions are self-contained; the exam expects quick, rule-based reasoning rather than memorized facts.
Core rules
- Analogy: identify the exact relation (category, function, part-whole, opposite, degree) before matching options.
- Series: test differences, ratios, alternating sequences, squares/cubes and letter positions (A=1, Z=26).
- Coding: map forward/backward shifts and positional sums; reverse alphabet uses A=26.
- Blood relations: draw a family tree and mark gender explicitly.
- Direction sense: track net displacement; use Pythagoras for shortest distance.
- Syllogism: use Venn diagrams and accept only definite conclusions.
- Non-verbal: distinguish rotation from reflection and count sides, symmetry and shaded parts.
Worked example
In a code, PEN = 35. P=16, E=5, N=14, and 16+5+14=35. Therefore CAP = 3+1+16 = 20. The rule is the sum of forward alphabet positions; do not shift letters unless the question shows a shift.
Traps
Mixing forward and reverse positions; assuming “All A are B” means “All B are A”; treating “some” as “none”; forgetting that “some A are B” is reversible; turning left/right from the wrong facing direction; choosing a mirror image when the question asks for a water image; ignoring a second interleaved series.