Intelligence and Reasoning
Core toolkit
Reasoning items reward pattern-spotting under time pressure. The recurring types are number series, letter series, analogies, odd-one-out, coding–decoding, direction sense, blood relations, ranking and ordering, syllogisms, and mirror or water images. Learn the alphabet positions 1–26 and the aid "EJOTY" (E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25) so you never count from A. For number series, test differences first, then ratios, then alternating or two-interleaved patterns. For coding questions, write the alphabet in a row and mark the shift above each letter.
Traps
- Single-pattern assumption: many series alternate, for example +4, ×2, +4, ×2.
- Off-by-one counting: "the 7th letter after D" is K, not J. Count steps, not letters.
- Direction sense: turn left or right relative to the direction you currently face, not to the page. Sketch a small cross and mark north every time.
- Blood relations: do not assume gender from a role word unless stated. "The brother of my father" is an uncle.
- Syllogisms: "some A are B" tells you nothing about all A. Reject any option that goes beyond the premises.
Rule of thumb
State your rule in one short sentence before choosing - for example, "each term is the previous term plus the next even number". If the rule fails on even one term, discard it and look again.
Worked example: Find the next term in A, C, F, J, ?. The positions are 1, 3, 6, 10, with gaps of 2, 3, 4, so the next gap is 5, giving position 15 = O.