Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL | Check Detailed Strategy Here

Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL: Reasoning is an unconventional topic. It tests your logical thinking abilities, problem-solving & decision-making skills. What makes reasoning unconventional is that it cannot be learnt from books alone. Reasoning is something that needs to be mastered through constant & consistent practice. So, when it comes to reasoning, the more you solve, the more you learn. The following article is a comprehensive guide to start your reasoning preparation for the upcoming SSC CGL Tier-1 Examination.

Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL – What to Study?

Like math (quantitative aptitude), the level of reasoning in the SSC CGL Examination is higher than that of bank exams. In the reasoning section of the SSC CGL exam, more emphasis is laid on the verbal reasoning part. Therefore, we suggest you do selective preparation of the non-verbal reasoning, taking a cue from the syllabus.

The following are topics that have a high chance of appearing in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Examination. However, the list is indicative and not exhaustive. We suggest you refer to the SSC CGL 2022 Official Notification for an exhaustive list of the topics.

• Classification
• Analogy
• Coding Decoding
• Puzzle
• Arithmetic Reasoning
• Alphabet test
• Paper cutting & folding
• Matrix
• Word Formation
• Figure formation & Analysis
• Counting of figures
• Arranging words in logical order
• Pattern completion
• Cube & Dice
• Classification
• Venn diagram
• Water image
• Directions & distances
• Mirror image
• Blood relations
• Missing number
• Series
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Verbal reasoning

While it is important to learn and practice each and every topic mentioned in the syllabus, it is equally important to know how much time you need to allot to each topic under reasoning. This can be done by analyzing the previous year’s reasoning question papers of the SSC CGL Tier-1 Examination.

Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL – Important Topics

 After a thorough analysis of previous year’s papers, we have listed down the following topics in order of importance:

Priority set 1 (around 6 to 10 marks each topic)

• Non-verbal reasoning
• Number/Alphanumeric series
• Logical/syllogism reasoning
• Direction/ranking
• Seating Arrangement

Priority set 2 (around 4-5 marks each topic)

• Analogy
• Word Arrangement
• Odds man out
• Coding-coding

Priority set 3 (around 2-3 marks each topic)

• Venn diagram
• Matrix
• Blood relation

Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL – Books to Refer

We suggest you keep your preparation material minimum. Buying and referring to too many books will only end up confusing you. Therefore, we recommend the following study material:

• Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning by R.S. Agarwal: To learn the concepts and solve sample questions.
• Previous year solve question papers (chapter-wise or year-wise) by Kiran Publication

Why you should solve previous year’s question papers?

1. It will help you understand the difficult level of questions asked
2. Familiarize you with the exam pattern
3. Sometimes the questions asked in previous year exams are repeated

SSC CGL Mock Tests

SSC CGL 2022 Mock Tests in the latest pattern will help you to:

1. Understand your level of preparation & analyze your performance
2. Determine your speed & accuracy
3. Identify your strong & weak areas

Reasoning Preparation for SSC CGL – Best Approach

Keep your preparation approach straightforward and simple:

Concept + Examples -> Revise -> Previous year question papers -> Mock tests

Concept + Examples

Refer to your preparation material (books/video lectures) and learn the concepts. After completing each chapter, solve 15-20 examples given in books like R.S. Agarwal (contains many examples of each concept). It’s a good idea to make a timetable, allotting time for each section and sticking to it.

Dedicate at least 3-4 hours for Reasoning every day. Focus more on verbal reasoning. Not down the solutions shown in the books/video lectures and see which is the shortest way you can solve the question.

Note on shortcuts:

Although there are plenty of books available in the market that contain all the shortcut techniques for each topic, it’s better to come up with your own and personalize the shortcuts. After sufficient practice of each chapter, you can do this on your own, based on your understanding of the concept.

Revise

Once you’re done completing all the chapters using your preparation material, revise it. Go through the concepts again. It’s important to revise multiple times to retain the concepts.

Previous year question papers

Solving previous year’s question papers is an important step in your preparation process yet one of the most neglected. Why you should solve previous year’s question papers:

• It will help you know the difficulty level of the topics you learnt
• Familiarize you with the exam pattern
• There are chances of questions from previous year papers appearing this year

Mock Tests

We cannot lay enough emphasis on the importance of mock tests. It goes without saying that mock tests are a must. After you have understood and practised every concept sufficiently, it’s time to focus on speed and accuracy. The best way to do this is to take mock tests.

Benefits of Mock Tests

• Help you determine your speed and accuracy
• Analyze your performance & know your standing
• Give you a feel of the actual exam
• Provide questions in the latest pattern. They’re created by experts after thorough research and analysis.
• Help you identify your strong and weak areas
• Help you sharped your skills

Conclusion

That was all about the SSC CGL Reasoning preparation Strategy for Tier 1. We hope that it will prove to be highly beneficial to aspirants in their SSC CGL preparation. For more updates, stay connected to Oliveboard.

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