General Intelligence and Reasoning
What this domain tests
The General Intelligence and Reasoning section checks pattern detection and rule application rather than memorised facts. Typical items include number and letter series, analogies, coding-decoding, syllogisms, blood relations, direction sense, seating arrangement and figure-based classification. In a JSA paper, speed matters, but each item has a single defensible rule.
Core rules to keep ready
- In letter series, convert letters to positions A=1 ... Z=26; check +n, -n, alternating and prime-step patterns.
- In coding-decoding, write the given word and code in parallel columns; test letter shifts first, then reversal, then position-sum.
- In syllogism, draw minimal Venn diagrams; a conclusion is valid only if true in every diagram satisfying the premises.
- In direction sense, fix north upward and track net displacement; opposite turns reverse sign.
- In arrangements, start with fixed positions and use negative clues to eliminate.
Worked example
If 'ROAD' is coded as 'URDG', what is 'LANE' coded as? Compare positions: R(18) to U(21) is +3; O(15) to R(18) is +3; A(1) to D(4) is +3; D(4) to G(7) is +3. Apply the same shift to LANE: L(12) to O(15), A(1) to D(4), N(14) to Q(17), E(5) to H(8). The code is ODQH. The reasoning is checked letter by letter, not by guessing a word.
Traps that cost marks
Do not assume a series is arithmetic before checking differences and alternating sub-series. In syllogism, avoid reversing 'all A are B' into 'all B are A'. In blood relations, do not count in-laws unless stated. In seating, a clue such as 'immediate left' depends on facing direction; mark facing arrows before placing people.