ASAT Reasoning Guide: Concepts, Tips & Tricks
1. Blood Relation
Concept:
Involves identifying family relationships from given statements.
Common types:
o Direct relations: Father, mother, brother, sister, etc.
o Indirect relations: Grandfather, uncle, cousin, etc.
o Coded relations: Relationships are represented using symbols.
2. Clock
Concept:
Problems include angles between hands, mirror images, and faulty clocks.
Angle Between Hands Formula: Angle=∣(30×Hour)−(5.5×Minute)∣\text{Angle} = | (30
\times \text{Hour}) - (5.5 \times \text{Minute}) |
Mirror Image of Time:
o Subtract given time from 11:60 (12-hour format).
3. Coding and Decoding
Concept:
Involves converting words into coded form and decoding them.
Common types:
o Letter shifting: A → C, B → D (shift by +2)
o Number coding: CAT = 3-1-20
4. Calendar
Concept:
Finding the day for a given date, leap year calculations, and odd days.
Leap year: Divisible by 4 (except century years, which must be divisible by 400).
Odd days: Total days % 7 gives the weekday.
5. Cubes and Dices
Concept:
Cube problems involve painted/unpainted cubes when cut.
Dice problems involve opposite faces and rotation effects.
6. Counting of Figures
Concept:
Identifying number of triangles, squares, or other shapes in a given figure.
7. Direction Sense
Concept:
Questions based on movement in different directions.
Main directions: N, S, E, W. Intermediate: NE, NW, SE, SW.
8. Embedded Figures
Concept:
Identify if a small shape is hidden inside a complex figure.
9. Mathematical Operations
Concept:
Involves replacing symbols or correcting equations.
10. Missing Character
Concept:
Find missing numbers or letters in a matrix or pattern.
11. Non-Verbal Analogy
Concept:
Identify the relation between two shapes and find the missing pair.
12. Non-Verbal Series
Concept:
Identify the missing figure in a given series.
13. Number Ranking
Concept:
Rank people based on height, weight, marks, etc.
Formula: Total=Top Rank+Bottom Rank−1\text{Total} = \text{Top Rank} +
\text{Bottom Rank} - 1
14. Puzzle Test
Concept:
Logical arrangement of people, numbers, or objects.
15. Sitting Arrangement
Concept:
Arranging people based on given conditions.
Types:
o Linear Arrangement
o Circular Arrangement
o Square-based Arrangement
16. Syllogism
Concept:
Deductive reasoning using statements and conclusions.
Uses statements like:
o All A are B
o Some A are B
o No A is B
Tricks Table
Topic Trick
Blood Relation Draw a family tree to simplify relationships.
Clock Use the angle formula: (
Coding &
Identify letter shifts or number patterns.
Decoding
Calendar Remember odd days to find the weekday.
Cubes & Dices Opposite faces in a dice sum to 7.
Counting Figures Break complex figures into smaller ones.
Direction Sense Sketch movement for accuracy.
Embedded Figures Rotate or flip the given figure to find a match.
Mathematical
Check BODMAS rules and operator replacements.
Operations
Missing Character Look for arithmetic or letter patterns.
Topic Trick
Non-Verbal
Identify transformation (size, shape, rotation).
Analogy
Non-Verbal Series Analyze element changes (addition, removal, mirroring).
Use formula: Total=Top Rank+Bottom Rank−1\text{Total} = \text{Top
Number Ranking
Rank} + \text{Bottom Rank} - 1.
Puzzle Test Start with fixed positions and deduce step by step.
Sitting
Draw diagrams and focus on left/right clues.
Arrangement
Syllogism Use Venn diagrams for clarity.
Final Preparation Tips:
1. Practice regularly to improve speed.
2. Use diagrams & visualization for complex problems.
3. Identify and memorize common patterns.
4. Attempt mock tests to analyze strengths & weaknesses.