If you ask any SSC CGL aspirant about their favorite subject, 90% will say “General Intelligence & Reasoning.”

Why? Because it is easy. Anyone with common sense can solve the paper.

But here is the trap: Solving Reasoning is not the challenge. Solving it FAST is the challenge.

If you are scoring 45/50 in Reasoning but taking 25 minutes to do it, you have effectively failed the paper. Why? Because you just ate up the time you needed for Maths.

Reasoning is your “Time Bank.” You need to deposit time here so you can withdraw it for Calculation.

Today, I am sharing the strategy I used to consistently score 50/50 in Reasoning while finishing the section in just 12 to 14 minutes.

The “Ego Trap” Questions (Identify & Skip)

The examiner knows you find Reasoning easy. So, they put “Speed Breakers” in the paper.

These are usually:

1. Number Series: (e.g., 4, 18, 48, 100, ?)

2. Missing Number in Matrix: (The 3×3 Box)

3. Counting Figures: (Triangles inside Triangles)

My Golden Rule:

If you do not see the pattern/logic within 10 seconds, SKIP IT.

Do not let your ego say, “I am an engineer, how can I not solve this simple series?” That ego will cost you 3 minutes. Mark it for review and come back at the end.

The “Rough Sheet” Hack (Do This Before Exam Starts)

This is a “Real Experience” trick that coaching centers won’t tell you.

When you enter the exam hall, you get a rough sheet and a pen 10 minutes before the test starts. Use this time.

Write down the Alphabet Value Chart immediately.

• Forward Order: A=1, B=2 … Z=26

• Reverse Order: Z=1, Y=2 … A=26

• Opposite Pairs: A-Z (Azad), B-Y (Boy), C-X (Crx), D-W (Dew).

Why do this?

When a “Coding-Decoding” question appears (e.g., If CHAIR = XSZRI), you don’t have to count on your fingers. You just look at your sheet. This saves 5 seconds per question. Over 5 questions, that’s 25 seconds saved.

Topic-Wise “Speed Hacks”

1. Syllogism (The 150-50 Method)

Most students draw “Venn Diagrams” (Circles) to solve “All Cats are Dogs.”

Stop doing this. It is slow and prone to errors in “Possibility” cases.

Learn the “150-50 Method” (Income-Expense Method).

• It requires zero pen-paper usage.

• You can solve 2 questions in 10 seconds just by looking at the screen.

• Search on YouTube: “Syllogism 150 50 Rule” (Watch videos by Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication or E1 Coaching).

2. Blood Relations (Coded)

• Question: A + B means A is father of B…

• Hack: Never draw the full family tree from the start. Look at the Options first.

• Gender Elimination: If the question asks “How is A related to B?”, and the option says “Sister”, but A is a Male (denoted by +), eliminate that option immediately. You can often solve these without drawing a single line.

3. Dice and Cubes

• Hack: This is the easiest topic. Memorize the “One Common Trick” and “Two Common Trick.” You should never take more than 5 seconds for a Dice question.

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The Ideal “Order of Attempt” for Reasoning

Do not solve question 1 to 25 linearly. Your brain gets tired. Group them mentally.

Phase	Question Type	Strategy	Time Goal
Phase 1 (The Sprints)	Mirror Image, Embedded Figure, Dice, Dictionary Order	Look & Click. No Pen needed.	4 Mins
Phase 2 (The Logics)	Syllogism, Blood Relation, Analogy, Odd One Out	Minimal Pen usage. Use Options.	6 Mins
Phase 3 (The Heavyweights)	Number Series, Coding-Decoding, Seating Arrangement	Use Pen. SKIP if pattern doesn’t click.	5 Mins

Total Time: 15 Minutes.

Recommended Resources (Don’t Buy Too Many)

Reasoning does not require expensive books. Practice is everything.

1. For Practice: Pinnacle SSC Reasoning (Chapter-wise).

   • Why? It has TCS Previous Year Questions (PYQs). TCS asks specific logic in “Analogy” (e.g., Square + 1, Cube – 2). You need to get used to their logic.

2. For Mocks: Testbook Sectional Tests.

   • Take a “Reasoning Sectional Test” daily. Your target is not just marks; it is the Timer. Try to finish before the timer hits 00:00.

Conclusion: It’s All About Confidence

Scoring 50/50 in Reasoning is the biggest confidence booster in the exam hall. When you finish one section perfectly in 15 minutes, your panic reduces. You feel calmer for Maths and English.

Start writing the “Alphabet Chart” on your rough sheet from your very next mock test. Make it a habit.

Now that you have saved time in Reasoning, use it to master Calculations. Check our guide on Maths Strategy for Non-Maths Students.