Verbal Intelligence and Reasoning
What is tested
Verbal reasoning measures pattern recognition in words and symbols rather than depth of vocabulary. Recurring types:
- Analogies (A : B :: C : ?) - identify the exact relation (worker : tool, cause : effect, whole : part, synonym, antonym) and apply it in the same order.
- Odd one out - classify by a shared property such as capitals, units or synonyms.
- Series - letter series using alphabet positions, alternating patterns, or number series built on differences, squares or primes.
- Coding–decoding - letter shifts, reversal, or position-number substitution.
- Blood relations, direction sense, ranking - sketch a small family tree or path diagram.
- Syllogisms - judge only what the statements force.
Traps
- Reversing the analogy order (C : B instead of B : C).
- Counting alphabet positions from the wrong end (E is 5th from the start, 22nd from the end).
- In direction problems, turning left or right relative to the current facing, not to the page.
- In syllogisms, treating "some A are B" as fully reversible, or importing real-world knowledge the statements do not contain.
- In ranking questions, double-counting the person in the middle.
Rule of thumb
Write the relation in one short sentence - "a doctor works in a hospital" - then test each option against it. For any series, write the differences or letter gaps underneath; the pattern almost always lies in the gaps, not the terms.
Worked example: 3, 6, 11, 18, ? - gaps are 3, 5, 7, so the next gap is 9 and the answer is 27.