What are the tricks to solve Mental Ability Questions?

No Fixed Theory- Unlike subjects like physics and mathematics, there is no fix

theory to solve mental ability problems. Thus, a candidate has to apply various
approaches for different types of questions.
The following are the most common questions concerning this section. Find out the
tricks to solve the questions along with some examples.
1. To solve any mental ability problem, the candidate needs to read the question
carefully. For example, if you are solving a data interpretation question, try to analyze
the data very carefully before concluding.
2. Blood Relation Tricks– Prepare a tree diagram by assigning symbols to different
members of the family. For example, you can allot a circle for mother, a square
symbol for father, etc. While reading the questions, draw the symbols of the members
mentioned in the problem. This will help you to get accurate answers to blood relation
problems.
3. Coding-Decoding Tricks: Most of the coding-decoding questions have a particular
pattern to figure out the problem. Be it letter codes or substitution questions, the
pattern is the key to solve the coding and decoding questions.
4. Analogy Tricks– There are various types of verbal analogy questions. The
applicants need to find the analogy of one set of words based on the first pair of
words. Check the following question for example.
Question
Seismograph : Earthquake :: Taseometer : ?
A) Landslides
B) Strains
C) Resistances
D) Volcanoes
Answer: B
Explanation:
Seismograph measures the intensity of an earthquake.
Similarly, a Taseometer is an instrument to measure physical strains in a structure.
5. Jumbled Paragraph Tricks: Applicants need to identify the opening sentence of
the paragraph. The opening of the sentence is important as it gives an introduction to
the topic. Similarly, identify the closing sentence. This will help you to find 50%
answer to the para jumble question.
6. Assertion And Reason Tricks: The assertion part of the question contains a
normal statement. The reason part of the question offers an explanation or statement
concerning the assertion. Applicants are given four options to select the right answer.
Candidates need to figure out if the assertion and reason statements are true or false
and mark the applicable option.
Question
Assertion (A): India’s ‘Republic Day’ falls on 26th January.
Reason (R): Constitution of India, declaring India as a ‘Republic’, came into force on
26th January 1950.
A) if both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B) if both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C) if A is true but R is false
D) if A is false but R is true
Answer: A
7. Direction Sense Tricks: There are four main directions and four cardinal
directions. The best way to solve a direction problem is to draw a diagram of the four
main directions- North, East, South and West. Keep adding person/directions to the
diagram while reading the question.
Example.
One morning after sunrise, Ramesh was standing facing a pole. The shadow of the
pole fell exactly to his right. To which direction was he facing?
A) East
B) West
C) South
D) Data is inadequate
Answer: C) South
Explanation:
The sun rises in the east and Ramesh’s shadow falls to his right. Hence, he is facing
South.