Logical reasoning is a major part of almost every competitive exam, and most of the students find it tricky and difficult to properly manage this section. It is all about how you prepared for the exam and the mindset you carry to the exam hall. If, while learning, you have concentrated more on tricks and shortcuts, it might save plenty of your time in the exam. But, it does not matter whether you remember the shortcuts in the exam or not; it is more important to follow a process, use your mind and get the correct answer. Let’s discuss some points to remember while preparing for reasoning.
Don’t Complicate the DataÂ
Remember that a good reasoning question will not serve you any useful information on a plate. You’ll have to search for it and find it out. It is a maze; if you’re stuck, you’ll be stuck forever, so concentrate on finding the way out by simplifying the information given, and it will ultimately lead you to the next step. Read the complete question carefully and try to filter the important data for the solution. But try not to read the passage multiple times because it will consume a lot of your time, and you might end up leaving important questions. So, try to gather as much information as needed when you start reading the passage and noting it down. Use that information to solve your question efficiently. When you have all the data at your hand that you need, you can ignore the rest of it and proceed.
Look for the Start PointÂ
While solving logical reasoning questions, you should always keep in mind that it is not necessary that the first point is your hint to start the question. In logical reasoning questions, the points may not be in order, and you might end up wasting a lot of time by proceeding with the given order. First, read the whole question with patience and try to find the initial point to start with. That hint will most likely be the key to solve the whole question.
Use Graphical Approach
Sometimes, you may come across a question that is swamped with information that contains a lot of unrequired information.
To handle such questions, you need to use the graphical approach. Try to put all that information in a tabular format, pie charts, bar graphs, Venn diagrams, or any other form of representation, depending on the type of question. This will help you to get a clear perspective of the data and how you want to proceed with the question.
Focus More on Accuracy
It is nearly impossible to attempt all the questions in a competitive exam; in fact, it is advised not to attempt all the questions. Nowadays, all the exams have negative markings and a limited time period to finish the paper. So, keep in mind that it is not important to attempt every question, but it is important to get a question right. Instead of aiming to attempt more questions, focus on your accuracy.
When you start a question, you have a clear idea whether you know it or you don’t, so attempt only when you’re sure of it. Because, in the end, your marks will matter.
Take a lot of mock tests for logical reasoning, so you’re aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare as if it is your exam day so you’ll be more serious about it, and you’ll be able to analyze your true speed and work to improve it.
Manage the Time
Not all reasoning questions can be solved in a short period of time; some of them are time-consuming and confusing.
While practicing, you need to solve every type of question, so you’re very well aware of the variety of questions, and nothing is skipped. While taking the mock tests, know what your strength is and which questions take most of your time so you can focus more on them and maximize your score.
All the questions do not require a similar amount of time and cannot be solved easily. So, Before jumping to the question, read it thoroughly and think whether it can be solved in the decided time period or not. While going through the questions, if you find that the question will consume a lot of your time and you’re not sure about the answer, skip it at that time, and come back to it later. Try to attempt the easier and less time-consuming questions first to secure some amount of marks for yourself, and it will also help to boost your confidence. Prioritize the questions which can be answered quickly. And, when you have finished all the easy ones, then utilize your precious time to answer the difficult ones.
For example, if there is one set of 4 questions with a complex paragraph and contains one mark each. So, you’ll need to simplify and decode the information to answer all 4 of them. This question might take you 6-7 minutes, but a wrong interpretation of the information can cost you 4 marks and your 6 minutes. Instead, you can choose to attempt some other 4 questions with different information. They would take 1-2 minutes each and are easier to solve. These questions are not dependent on each other. So, even if you mess up one question, you can still get the other correct. The other marked questions can be attempted at the end when you have plenty of time left after attempting the easier ones. It will also be easier to handle them as they require more time and a stress-free mind.
Go by the Options
Logical reasoning questions generally have either 4 or 5 options, out of which you have to choose the correct answer. In most of the questions, you can opt for the right answer by analyzing the given options and eliminating the irrelevant ones. In case of any confusion between the two answers, further, analyze the options critically. It will save a lot of time, which you can utilize in other questions that require more time.
Preparing for any competitive exam is tough, and it requires your hard work, time, and effort. If you invest yourself wholeheartedly, you can surely crack any exam easily. But you need to be true to yourself and work with undivided attention. You can take the Reasoning quiz and GK quiz to prepare for any exam, and these will help you prepare better and make you ready to face the exam day.