Reasoning and Mental Ability
What this domain tests
Reasoning and Mental Ability tests logical thinking without heavy maths: series, analogies, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, clocks and calendars. Speed comes from recognising patterns.
Core rules
- Series: check differences, ratios, squares, cubes and alternating patterns.
- Coding: compare letters' positions; +1, -1, reversal and word-to-number codes are common.
- Blood relations: draw a family tree; mark gender only when stated.
- Directions: fix north at the top; track left and right turns from the facing direction.
- Syllogism: use Venn diagrams; a conclusion is valid only if it must follow from all premises.
- Clocks: angle = |30H - 5.5M|; calendar: an ordinary year shifts the weekday by 1, a leap year by 2.
Worked example
If TIGER is coded as UJHFS, each letter moves one step forward: T to U, I to J, G to H, E to F, R to S. Code LION the same way: L to M, I to J, O to P, N to O, giving MJPO. Check the rule on every letter before choosing.
Traps that cost marks
Do not assume a person's gender from a name; do not treat a possible conclusion as definite; do not ignore a left-right reversal after a turn. In coding, verify the rule with the whole word, not just the first letter.