Intelligence and Verbal Reasoning
What is tested
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning under strict time. Typical items: number and letter series, analogies, odd-one-out, coding–decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogisms, figure matrices, mirror and water images, and complete-the-series diagrams. No prior knowledge is needed; the paper tests pattern detection and speed.
Method that works
- Series: test simple differences first, then differences of differences, then ratios, then two alternating series interleaved.
- Analogies: state the relationship in a sentence before looking at options, e.g. 'a knife cuts, a pen writes'.
- Coding: write A=1 to Z=26 and note the shift; check whether it alternates, reverses or follows positions in the word.
- Blood relations: draw a small family tree and never assume gender from a relationship word alone.
- Direction sense: draw north upwards and treat each turn as a 90° rotation.
- Syllogisms: sketch Venn diagrams for 'all', 'some' and 'no'; a conclusion must hold in every possible diagram.
Worked example
Find the next term: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?
Reasoning: the differences are 3, 5, 7 and 9 - odd numbers increasing by 2. The next difference is 11, so the term is 27 + 11 = 38. Cross-check with a formula: the terms equal n² + 2, and for n = 6 that gives 36 + 2 = 38. Two independent methods agreeing is a strong signal; if they disagree, re-read the series.
Traps
- Forcing an arithmetic rule onto an alternating series made of two interleaved sequences.
- Assuming 'some A are B' implies 'some A are not B'.
- Misreading 'all except' and 'none but' in odd-one-out and syllogism items.
- Spending three minutes on one puzzle when every question carries the same mark.
- Filling the answer sheet carelessly; a correct answer marked in the wrong place scores zero.