How to Approach Courses of Action Questions for RRB NTPC

Courses of action questions are a common type of question in​​ the Logical​​ Reasoning section of most competitive examinations.​​ These questions are used to test the candidate’s decision making skills. It tests the ability of a candidate to judge the cause of a problem and decide the correct course of action. In this post, we will discuss about Courses of action questions for RRB NTPC.

What is a course of action?

A course of action is a practicable and feasible step or administrative decision to be taken for follow-up, improvement, or further action in regard to the problem, policy, etc.

These types of questions can be broadly classified into

1. Solution based: Minimizing or solving the problem
2. Improvement based: Improving the existing situation.

Now, let us dig deeper and look at the approach required to solve Courses of action questions for RRB NTPC.

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Courses of action questions for RRB NTPC: Approach

Step 1: Finding the cause of the problem. This step itself is a valid course of action.

Step 2: Ruling out the courses of action which contains extreme/ harsh steps, reiterating the existing practices and opinions

The following are not valid courses of actions

• Opinions
• Extreme steps
• Existing practices

Step 3: Ruling out courses of action which are impractical and illegal or which give rise to a new problem or which has unpredictable outcomes

A course of action should be

• Practical and legal.
• Having predictable outcome.
• Simple and should not give rise to a new problem.

Step 4: Checking whether the remaining courses of action are logical, impartial and whether it solves/minimizes the problem.

A course of action should be

• Logical
• Able to solve or minimize the problem
• Impartial i.e, it should not be influenced by individual preferences

Note: If a problem has 2 courses of actions and is mutually exclusive, then either of the two courses of action follows. If a problem has 2 courses of actions and they are not mutually exclusive then both courses of action follows.

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Examples for practice: Courses of action questions for RRB NTPC

1. The question below consists of a statement followed by two courses of action numbered I and II. On the basis of the information given in the statement, you have to assume everything in the statement to be true, and decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing.

Statement: Despite all the efforts by the government, thirty cases of polio were reported in State X as the parents of those children remained uninformed of this drive against polio.

Courses of action:

1. Strict action should be taken against the parents of children affected from polio.
2. Strict action should be taken against the doctors administering polio drops in the state.

a) Only I follows

b) Only II follows

c) Both I and II follows

d) Neither I nor II follows

Answer key: d

Solution:

In the given statement, it is clearly given that parents of those children were uninformed about the drive against polio. Hence, neither parents nor doctors can be held responsible for this. Hence, neither I nor II follows.

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2. The question below consists of a statement followed by two courses of action numbered I and II. On the basis of the information given in the statement, you have to assume everything in the statement to be true, and decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing.

Statement: Several passengers were stranded at the airport as all the flights had to be cancelled due to severe snowfall for the third consecutive day.

Courses of action:

1. All the flights should be immediately resumed.
2. Airport authority should provide appropriate stay arrangements for the stranded passengers.

a) Only I follows

b) Only II follows

c) Either I or II follows

d) Neither I nor II follows

Answer key: b

Solution:

Resuming flights is subjected to weather conditions. Hence, resuming all the flights immediately is not a valid course of action (unpredictable outcome). Airport authority providing appropriate stay arrangements for the stranded passengers is a valid course of action. Hence, only II follows.

Solving a variety of questions will help in understanding this type of questions better. All the best for your examination!

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