CUET UG 2024: How to master Reasoning questions of General Aptitude section

The Reasoning part under the General Aptitude section is a tricky part of the CUET UG 2024 exam. From types of questions to importance of patience, here are some tips and tricks to ace this portion of the exam.
Reasoning is the most open-ended as well as confusing topic asked in any competitive exam because there is no defined syllabus for this part. The mastery of this section is a constant challenge for the CUET aspirants because of its 100 per cent based on common sense.
Out of 60 questions in the General Aptitude section of CUET, on average, the percentage of questions in Reasoning varies from 30 to 35 per cent. In CUET, the standard is not expected to be as difficult as in CAT or other similar exams, but since this is a test of rejection, hence we can expect occasional bouncers.
Reasoning topics
The different topics of Reasoning, which are commonly asked in CUET are:
Verbal
— Number and Alphabet Series
— Test of Direction Sense
— Coding-Decoding
— Logical Reasoning and arrangements
— Blood Relations
— Syllogism and Venn Diagram
— Statements and Argument
— Critical Reasoning
— Cube and Dice, Clocks and Calendars
Non-verbal
— Non-Verbal series and odd-one-out
— Grouping Identical Figures
— Matrix Pattern
— Mirror and Water images
— Cube and Dice
Questions can come from a combination of topics as well.
Sectional description of verbal and non-verbal reasoning:
Verbal reasoning
The sub-sectional description of topics is as given below:
— Number and Letter Series (you are expected to find the right sequence of some given numbers or letters),
— Blood Relation test (you got to figure out how is X a relative of Y, depending on a really crazy statement ),
— Direction Sense Test (You have to visualise yourself travelling and then deciding which direction you are headed to)
— Coding-decoding (where you have to decipher the code of words and decode them or vice-versa).
— Seating and Miscellaneous Arrangement (questions where you are expected to figure out the positions of a given set of persons on the basis of given data or arriving at the correct sequence).
— Clocks and calendars (where you are expected to find dates and time)
Besides there are questions from logical Venn diagrams and critical reasoning which tests your judgmental ability.
Non-verbal reasoning
The questions in a non-verbal reasoning test are mostly based around mathematical concepts such as symmetry, rotation, mirroring, shape, size and direction, and involve diagrams rather than words. Typical questions include:
— Spotting the odd shape out (e.g. a four-sided shape in a group of three-sided shapes)
— Working out what a shape would look like when folded
— Identifying the mirror image of a given shape
— Working out the next diagram in a sequence
— Finding two identical shapes in a series of four shapes
— Identifying what a shape would look like when rotated by a certain angle
Tips to improve in Reasoning
Some tips to improve this section are given below:
Invest more time and draw schematic diagrams
Don’t jump to solve it instantly. Try to create a mental picture of the situation and use symbols to arrive at the solution. Organise the information schematically by using tables, symbols, and diagrams, which will minimize the work involved.
Prioritise question types
The group questions like seating arrangement are high return questions, since by solving one puzzle, you will get 2-3 questions correct. The test-takers normally will want to invest time in these questions, but it has its own risks as well, depending on whether you start your paper with these questions or do it in the middle after having attempted some of the questions with confidence. As a general strategy attempt the standalone questions first to get that confidence.
Don’t be judgemental
Remove your preconceived perceptions when you start this section. Limit yourself to finding the answers needed and nothing more. Don’t be judgmental or make unwarranted assumptions; remember, you are required to work within the given parameters.
Eliminate options
Eliminate answer choices after having drawn the schematic diagram. Parallel processing of information assimilation and question scanning has to take place. Again, this will come by practice.
Remember to check and recheck the answers so that you are sure you are marking the correct choice.
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No ego please
Nobody can get all the questions correct, so don’t make it an ego issue when you can’t crack a set. Move on, instead of lingering over a problem; you can always come back to it later if you have the time. Also, it is a deliberate attempt on the part of the question-setters to give some questions which should not be attempted at first glance.
Variety is the way
Don’t spend too much time practising the same kind of questions. Instead, practise a variety of questions. Concentrate on familiarising yourself with a range of problems. Through the mock tests, analyse the mistakes which you are frequently making. The time investment towards analysis should be more than the time invested in attempting the paper. The negative marking will be a deterrence in the number of attempts. Hence, aim to focus on areas which need more attention.
Since the tests are happening in multiple shifts on multiple days, brace yourself to attempt challenging questions, because these will shift the percentile to a higher level. Remember that it’s the percentile and not the marks which will decide your admission to your desired college.