General Studies, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
General studies, reasoning and quantitative aptitude test Bihar-specific static knowledge, current-events awareness, arithmetic and logical reasoning. The section rewards speed and accuracy rather than deep theory.
Core rules
- Bihar static facts: capital Patna on the south bank of the Ganga; Bihar Diwas 22 March; the Kosi is called the “sorrow of Bihar”; Nalanda and Vikramshila were ancient centres of learning; the state borders Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Nepal.
- Arithmetic: percentage change, ratio and proportion, average, time–work, speed–distance, simple and compound interest, mensuration.
- Reasoning: series, coding–decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogism, seating arrangement and non-verbal figures.
Worked example
Two pipes fill a tank in 12 hours and 18 hours. In one hour they fill 1/12 + 1/18 = 3/36 + 2/36 = 5/36 of the tank. Time taken together = 36/5 = 7.2 hours, i.e. 7 hours 12 minutes. Add the rates, never the times; averaging 12 and 18 to get 15 hours is wrong.
Traps
Averaging rates instead of reciprocals in time–work; using arithmetic mean for average speed instead of harmonic mean; applying successive percentage changes additively; confusing West Bengal with Bihar’s boundary; relying on unverified current-affairs claims.