7 Steps to Solve Logical Reasoning Puzzles for CAT Level Exam

Which Steps to Solve Logical Reasoning Puzzles for the CAT Level Exam? Logical reasoning puzzles are a common question in the LRDI section of the CAT exam. However, there is no universally applicable method to solve such puzzles as they do not have a standard structure. But through practice and experience, aspirants can develop their skills to solve these puzzles more effectively. This article will discuss 7 Steps to Solve Logical Reasoning Puzzles for CAT Level Exam and some techniques that provide a structure to solve these puzzle-based reasoning questions. These tips will help you develop your skills in a shorter amount of time. Before that, let us understand the specific characteristics of logical reasoning puzzles.

Characteristics of Logical Reasoning Puzzles:

After analyzing previous year CAT exams, it has been observed that these puzzles revolve around certain objects and their parameters. Multiple parameters are often associated with each object. These puzzles are followed by clues about the objects and parameters. Our task is to use these clues to associate the parameters with the objects they belong to. The clues can be of two types: 1) Direct data or information that relates an object to its parameter, and 2) Information or clues that relate two or more parameters of an object.

To Solve logical Reasoning Puzzles, follow these steps:

1. Read the entire puzzle to identify the objects and parameters.
2. Decide how to organize the data or information. In most cases, a tabular structure is useful.
3. Read each condition and create a symbolic or pictorial representation between the object and parameter, or between parameters.
4. Fill in the data directly in the table/structure for conditions with direct information.
5. Start with clues related to objects that already have identified parameters.
6. Combine relevant clues to deduce the corresponding parameter for an object.
7. Repeat step #6 until you have exhausted all deductions from the clues.
8. Eventually, you will have a partially complete or complete table with objects aligned with their parameters. Sometimes a partially complete table is sufficient to answer certain questions related to the puzzle.
9. Some questions may contain additional information. Use this information and existing clues to fill the table. However, note that the complete table is only applicable to that specific question and should not be used to solve other questions unless stated otherwise.

To practice logical reasoning and data interpretation, try our Online LRDI CAT Course.

Let’s take an example to see how these steps can be applied to solve a logical reasoning puzzle.

Example of Logical Reasoning Puzzle:

There are three friends: Arun, Barun, and Kiranmala, who are from Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune (not necessarily in that order). Arun is an MBA, while the other two friends have professions as a doctor and an engineer. The engineer is from Pune, and Barun is from Mumbai.

Analysis:

In this case, the three objects are the three friends – Arun, Barun, and Kiranmala. The parameters are city and profession. To solve this puzzle, organize the data in a table with three columns: one for the friends and the other two for city and profession.

Now let’s analyze the clues:

1. Arun is an MBA – This is a direct clue, and we can write ‘MBA’ in the corresponding cell for Arun’s profession.
2. The engineer is from Pune – This clue tells us that the engineer is from Pune, so Arun cannot be the engineer as he is an MBA. We can represent this clue as Engg -> Pune.
3. Barun is from Mumbai – This clue tells us that Barun is not the engineer (as the engineer is from Pune) and not an MBA (as Arun is an MBA). Therefore, Barun must be the doctor. Since Barun is from Mumbai, Arun cannot be from Mumbai either. Based on this, we can deduce that Arun is from Delhi. Lastly, Kiranmala is the engineer from Pune.

Final Note:

The provided example is a simple puzzle, but CAT exams will have puzzles of higher difficulty levels. However, the approach to solving them remains the same. You need to manage the complexity of information and combine clues to deduce the relation between objects and their parameters. Practice and experience will help you effectively improve your skills in solving logical reasoning puzzles.

CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus and Preparation Tips:

3 steps to solve Linear Arrangement Reasoning Problems
– Logical Reasoning Questions Sets with Video Explanations
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set1 [Video Solution]
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set2 [Video Solution]
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set3 [Video Solution]
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set4 [Video Solution]
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set5 [Video Solution]
– CAT Logical Reasoning Set6 [Video Solution]