Reasoning and Basic Computer Knowledge
Reasoning tests pattern recognition, while the computer part tests everyday office software and internet terms.
Reasoning types
- Number series: check differences first, then ratios, then squares and cubes. Alphabet series: remember A = 1 to Z = 26.
- Coding-decoding: look for fixed letter shifts or reversals of the word.
- Blood relations: draw a family tree with symbols for male, female and generation.
- Direction sense: sketch the path; net displacement follows Pythagoras when turns are at right angles.
- Syllogism: use Venn diagrams and assume nothing outside the statements.
- Also revise seating arrangement, ranking, clock and calendar problems.
Computer basics
- Hardware: input devices such as keyboard, mouse and scanner; output devices such as monitor and printer; the CPU contains the arithmetic logic unit, control unit and registers.
- Memory: 1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, 1 TB = 1024 GB. RAM is volatile, ROM is not.
- Software: system software such as the operating system, and application software such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Shortcuts: Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+X cut, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+S save, Ctrl+P print, Ctrl+F find, F5 starts a PowerPoint show.
- Internet: browser, URL, HTTP and HTTPS, search engine, email with To, Cc and Bcc; know password hygiene and phishing.
Worked example
Series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30. Differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, rising by 2 each time, so the next difference is 12 and the next term is 30 + 12 = 42. Check by products: 1x2, 2x3, 3x4, 4x5, 5x6, so the next is 6x7 = 42. Two methods giving one answer is a good habit.
Traps
- Confusing maternal uncle with paternal uncle; track the parent first.
- Assuming printed information is true in syllogism questions.
- Writing 1 KB = 1000 bytes; in computer science questions it is 1024.