Reasoning Shortcuts & Common Traps for SSC CGL
Master Time-Saving Strategies and Avoid Common Mistakes
Verbal Reasoning
1. Analogies
Common Traps:
- Confusing relationships (e.g., part-whole vs. synonym)
- Ignoring word type or context
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Identify the relationship first (synonym, antonym, category, degree)
- Eliminate options that don't match the relationship
2. Odd One Out
Common Traps:
- Picking the word that seems "different" but actually belongs to a pattern
- Ignoring multiple characteristics of the words
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Look for one clear logical criterion (function, category, meaning)
- Compare all options before final selection
3. Series Completion
Common Traps:
- Missing alternating or skip patterns
- Overlooking sequences involving alphabets, numbers, or combined logic
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Check differences, gaps, or arithmetic/position patterns
- Predict the next element logically before looking at options
4. Coding-Decoding
Common Traps:
- Assuming random codes without detecting patterns
- Ignoring case-sensitivity or position rules
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Identify letter/number shifts, position patterns, or substitution rules
- Apply the same pattern to all options systematically
5. Blood Relations / Direction Sense / Ranking
Common Traps:
- Misinterpreting relationships or directions
- Ignoring relative positions (e.g., "to the left of" vs. "right of")
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Draw a quick diagram/tree for relations
- Break problems step by step instead of solving mentally
6. Syllogisms / Statement & Conclusions / Cause & Effect / Course of Action / Decision Making
Common Traps:
- Jumping to conclusions without logical verification
- Confusing cause-effect direction or course of action priorities
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Use Venn diagrams for syllogisms
- Analyze cause-effect direction carefully
- Choose most logical and practical option in decision making
Non-Verbal Reasoning
1. Mirror & Water Images
Common Traps:
- Confusing left-right and top-bottom flips
- Forgetting letters that remain unchanged in mirror
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Memorize mirror-resistant letters: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y
- Sketch or mentally flip for complex figures
2. Paper Folding & Cutting
Common Traps:
- Ignoring folds or symmetry in multi-folded papers
- Miscounting cuts
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Visualize folds step by step
- Remember folds multiply cuts symmetrically
3. Figure Series Completion
Common Traps:
- Missing rotations, reflections, or shading patterns
- Assuming random sequences without logic
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Look for rotation, repetition, size, or shading patterns first
- Eliminate options that don't follow the main pattern
4. Embedded Figures
Common Traps:
- Distracted by extra lines or patterns
- Overlooking rotated or partially hidden figures
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Focus on edges, vertices, and unique features
- Scan systematically (top-to-bottom, left-to-right)
5. Counting Figures
Common Traps:
- Double-counting overlapping/nested shapes
- Missing small or hidden elements
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Divide complex figures into layers or sections
- Count systematically: small → medium → large → combined
6. Cube & Dice
Common Traps:
- Confusing adjacent and opposite faces
- Forgetting rotation rules or painted faces in cut cubes
Time-Saving Tricks:
- Use elimination method for opposite faces
- For painted cubes, classify as corner, edge, or inner cubes
- Memorize opposite faces sum rule for standard dice (1–6)
General Time-Saving Tips
- Practice mental visualization instead of drawing every figure
- Eliminate impossible options first to reduce choices
- Focus on symmetry, rotation, and repetition — these repeat in most questions
- Allocate fixed time per question (around 1–1.5 minutes)
- Skip only if stuck; revisit later with fresh observation
Developed By Jan Mohammad
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