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An analogy shows a relationship between two pairs. Find the same relationship for the second pair.
Types of Analogies
| Type | Example | Relationship |
|---|
| Word analogy | Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ? | Person & workplace → School |
| Number analogy | 4:16 :: 5:? | n:n² → 25 |
| Letter analogy | ACE:BDF :: ? | +1 to each letter |
| Tool-function | Pen:Write :: Scissors:Cut | Object & its use |
| Part-whole | Leaf:Tree :: Petal:Flower | Part to whole |
| Cause-effect | Fire:Smoke :: Rain:Flood | Cause → Effect |
💡 Strategy
- State the relationship in words first: "A is made from B" / "A lives in B"
- Apply the SAME relationship to the second pair
- For number analogies: check +, −, ×, ÷, power, square, cube
- Letter analogy: find position difference using alphabet positions (A=1, B=2...Z=26)
2
Classification (Odd One Out)
Find the term that does NOT belong to the same group.
💡 Approach
- First check the obvious category (meaning-based)
- If all seem similar, check numbers/positions/patterns
- Eliminate options that clearly belong to the group
- The odd one is the unique exception
Number Series Patterns
| Pattern Type | Example | Rule |
|---|
| Arithmetic | 3, 7, 11, 15, ? | +4 each time → 19 |
| Geometric | 2, 6, 18, 54, ? | ×3 each time → 162 |
| Square series | 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ? | n² → 36 |
| Cube series | 1, 8, 27, 64, ? | n³ → 125 |
| Prime series | 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ? | Primes → 13 |
| Mixed ± | 1, 3, 7, 13, 21, ? | Diff: 2,4,6,8,10 → 31 |
| Two-step | 3, 4, 8, 17, 33, ? | ×2−2, ×2+1... find pattern |
| Fibonacci-type | 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ? | Sum of prev 2 → 13 |
💡 Series Approach
- Find differences (1st order)
- If not constant, find 2nd order differences
- Check for multiplication/division pattern
- Check for squares, cubes, primes
- Try alternating series (even/odd positioned terms separate)
Letter Series
💡 Common Patterns
- Skipping: A_C_E (skip 1) | A__D__G (skip 2)
- +n pattern: find position differences between letters
- Reverse alphabets: ZYX or backward positions
- Mixed: 1st letter +2, 2nd letter +3, 3rd letter −1
Types of Coding
| Type | Example | How to Decode |
|---|
| Letter shift | CAT → DBU (each +1) | Find the shift value |
| Reverse alphabet | CAT → XZG (A↔Z, B↔Y...) | Use 27−position |
| Number code | CAT → 3120 | Position values concatenated |
| Symbol code | Words coded as symbols | Find common element |
| Condition code | Vowels +2, consonants −1 | Apply rules separately |
💡 Step-by-Step Approach
- Write the original word and its code side by side
- Check each letter individually: what is it coded as?
- Find the pattern (shift value, operation)
- Apply the SAME rule to decode/encode the question word
- For number codes: write positions and see if they match directly or with operation
Message Coding (Decoded Sentences)
⚠ Key Technique
Given: "sky is blue" = "ko mi la" and "sky is red" = "ko mi ta"
→ Common: "sky is" = "ko mi" | Unique: "blue"="la" and "red"="ta"
Always find the common words/codes across statements to decode each word individually.
💡 Draw Family Tree
Always draw a tree diagram. Use boxes for males (□) and circles for females (○). Connect by lines (| for parent-child, = for spouse). Navigate step by step from the starting person.
Shortcut for Pointing Questions
"He pointed to a photograph and said 'She is the daughter of my mother's only son'"
My mother's only son = Me → My daughter → She is my daughter
💡 Draw on Paper
Always draw on paper for direction problems. Mark each turn and distance. Final displacement = straight-line distance from start to end using Pythagoras theorem.
⚠ Common Trap
"Facing" vs "walking" — a person can FACE North but WALK South (if they turn around). Always track direction the person is FACING, then move in that direction.
💡 Arrangement Tips
- Use rank formula: Position from top + from bottom = n + 1
- For "at least" questions: use minimum scenario
- For circular arrangement: n persons → (n−1)! arrangements
- When seats are numbered/fixed, left-right relative to the circle
Venn Diagram Method
Draw Venn diagrams for all possible cases and check if each conclusion is true in ALL cases.
💡 Quick Rules
- All+All → All (All A=B, All B=C → All A=C)
- All+No → No (All A=B, No B=C → No A=C)
- Some+All → Some (Some A=B, All B=C → Some A=C)
- Some+No → Some not (Some A=B, No B=C → Some A are not C)
- All/Some + Some → Uncertain (conclusion NOT definite)
- If conclusion has "ALL", check if every diagram supports it
9
Seating Arrangement & Puzzle
Linear Arrangement
💡 Steps
- Identify total number of persons/seats
- Mark definite positions first (absolute clues)
- Use relative clues to fill remaining positions
- Start with the most constrained person/seat
- Verify all clues after placing everyone
Circular Arrangement
⚠ Key Rules
- Fix one person's position (any seat = 0°) to avoid rotating duplicates
- "Immediate left" in circle = counterclockwise for standard view
- "Facing the centre" — left of person = right in diagram if facing inward
- Square/Hexagon arrangements: corner vs non-corner matters
Matrix/Scheduling Puzzle
💡 Use Grid Method
Draw a grid with rows = persons and columns = attributes. Mark Yes/No in each cell based on clues. Use process of elimination.
10
Statement & Conclusions / Arguments
Statement & Assumptions
💡 What is Assumed?
An assumption is something taken for granted in a statement. It's unstated but necessary for the statement to make sense. Ask: "What must be true for this statement/action to make sense?"
Mirror Image
💡 Trick
Think of a clock face: mirror image reverses the positions left to right. 12 stays at top, but 3 goes to left and 9 goes to right.
Paper Folding & Punching
💡 Paper Fold Technique
Unfold mentally in reverse order. Each fold creates a mirror reflection of punch holes. Holes appear symmetrically across the fold line. Count total holes = single hole × 2ⁿ (where n = number of folds through which hole is punched).
Embedded Figures
💡 Approach
Find the simple figure hidden within the complex one. Keep the shape's proportions and orientation in mind. Look for all sides of the simple figure in the complex one simultaneously.
Clock Problems
Example
Angle at 3:20 = |30×3 − 5.5×20| = |90 − 110| = 20°
Calendar Problems
💡 "What day was..." Formula (Zeller's simplified)
Day = (Date + Month code + Year code) mod 7
Or simply: if Jan 1 is Monday, Jan 8 is also Monday (same day, +7 days)
Add odd days and take modulo 7 to find the weekday.