General Intelligence and Reasoning
General Intelligence and Reasoning tests pattern detection, logical deduction and spatial arrangement. The highest-scoring approach is to classify the question type first, then apply its fixed method.
Common types
- Series: check differences, ratios, squares or cubes, and alternating series.
- Coding-decoding: compare letters position by position; note shifts, reversals or number-letter mapping.
- Syllogism: draw minimal Venn diagrams; do not assume a relationship that is not stated.
- Blood relations: convert each sentence into a family tree; mark gender to avoid reversing a relationship.
- Direction sense: draw the path; track left and right from the current facing direction.
- Seating: fix one confirmed position, then place the negative clues.
Worked example
If PEN is coded as QFO, how is INK coded? Compare P to Q, E to F, N to O: each letter moves one step forward. Apply the same rule to I, N, K: I becomes J, N becomes O, K becomes L. Answer: JOL.
Traps
- In syllogism, 'All A are B' does not mean 'All B are A'.
- A left turn after facing south differs from a left turn after facing north.
- A single difference in a series may not repeat; check second differences.
- Do not use a negative clue as if it were positive.
- In coding, check whether the shift changes direction midway.