Analytical Reasoning Questions: Concepts, Syllabus Topics, Examples

Analytical Reasoning is one of the most essential parts of the SSC CGL exam. The examiner's intention behind asking the analytically based questions in any exam is to judge the candidate's ability to visualize, analyze, and their creativity. 

In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about the basics of Analytical Reasoning and how you can solve those reasoning questions. we have discussed the concepts Syllabus, Reasoning Examples along with syllabus topics for many government exams and many more.

So let's dive right in.

👁 Analytical-Reasoning-Questions-Concepts-Syllabus-Topics-Examples

Analytical Reasoning Basic Concepts

In simple terms Analytical Reasoning refers to the ability to examine and understand information by breaking down information to its fundamental components and reasons up from there. It is more like first principle thinking Which involves analyzing the relationships between different elements, identifying patterns, and using logical thinking to solve problems.

It can be used in our everyday like in various contexts, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. Analytical reasoning helps individuals make informed choices and understand the underlying principles or logic in a given situation. Examples of the Analytical Reasoning includes the following:

1. Puzzle Solving
2. Data Interpretation
3. Logical Reasoning Problems
4. Critical Thinking Scenarios
5. Scientific Method
6. Pattern Recognition
7. Legal Reasoning
8. Problem-Solving in Everyday Situations

Common Types of Analytical Reasoning

The following are some common types of Analytical Reasoning with Examples:

Type of Analytical Reasoning	Description	Example
Deductive Reasoning	Drawing specific conclusions from general principles or premises.	All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Inductive Reasoning	Making generalizations based on specific observations or evidence.	Every observed swan is white, so all swans must be white.
Abductive Reasoning	Inferring the most likely explanation or hypothesis based on available evidence.	A detective inferring the most probable sequence of events at a crime scene.
Critical Thinking	Evaluating information, arguments, or situations in a systematic and objective way.	Assessing the validity of an argument or the reliability of a news article.
Pattern Recognition	Identifying regularities or trends in data, sequences, or structures.	Recognizing a recurring sequence in a set of numbers or letters.
Logical Reasoning	Applying formal logic rules to reach valid conclusions.	If A implies B, and B is true, then A must be true (modus ponens).
Spatial Reasoning	Understanding and manipulating visual shapes, figures, and spatial relationships.	Assembling a puzzle or mentally rotating an object in space.
Causal Reasoning	Identifying cause-and-effect relationships between variables or events.	Investigating the factors leading to a particular outcome in a scientific study.
Decision-Making	Evaluating options and making informed choices based on available information.	Choosing the most cost-effective solution for a business problem.
Scientific Method	Systematic approach to conducting experiments, making observations, and drawing conclusions.	Formulating a hypothesis, testing it through experimentation, and analyzing the results.

Analytical Reasoning Syllabus

The following is the syllabus for the Analytical Reasoning:

Topic	Subtopics
Introduction to Analytical Reasoning	Definition, Importance
Deductive Reasoning	Principles, Examples
Inductive Reasoning	Principles, Examples
Abductive Reasoning	Principles, Examples
Critical Thinking	Elements, Application
Pattern Recognition	Data, Sequences, Structures
Logical Reasoning	Formal Logic, Rules
Spatial Reasoning	Visual Manipulation, Shapes
Causal Reasoning	Cause-and-Effect Relationships
Decision-Making	Evaluation, Informed Choices
Scientific Method	Steps, Experimental Design
Integration and Practical Applications	Real-world Problem-Solving
Review and Assessment	Practice Problems, Discussions
Final Exam	Comprehensive Assessment

Analytical Reasoning Questions solving Tips

Solving Analytical Reasonging problems not only make you good at solving questions for exams but also it teaches you how to think critically in daily life. Here's the 5 tips that will help you in solving the analytical reasoning questions in efficient way.

1. Understand the Question

Understand the question very deeply and don't jump right in without understanding the details and any specific instructions giving in question.

2. Identify Key Information

Identifiy the the terms that will lead in solving the problems. Look for relationships, conditions, and constraints that will guide the analysis.

3. Visualize the Information

Use diagrams, charts, or tables to visualize the information. These will help you in Creating visual representation and building relation ship in order to solve the problems.

4. Break Down Complex Information

Break Down the complex problems and solve indivusually.

5. Work Systematically

Approach the question in styp by step Process while solving the analytical reasoning question

6. Use Logic and Deduction

It is like when certain things are true how it impact in the scenario.

7. Practice Regularly

Practice practice and Practice! It will help you solving problems subconciously and as a result you will be able to solve the Analytical reasoning question faster in the Exam.

Analytical Reasoning Questions - Examples

1. Find the number of maximum possible triangles in the below figure. 

👁 Analytical Reasoning: maximum possible triangles

Options: A. 10 B. 19 C. 23 D. 21

Solution:

👁 Analytical Reasoning: maximum possible triangles solution

Number of direct/ simple triangles = 10

Number of triangles composed of two points each = 7

Number of triangles composed of four points each = 4

Total number of triangles = 10+ 7 + 4 = 21

2. Determine how many straight lines are necessary to create the given figure.

👁 Analytical reasoning: straight lines in figures

Options: A. 9 B. 11 C. 15 D. 16

Solution: 

Required horizontal lines are DE, FH, IL and BC i.e. 4

Required slanting lines are AC, DO, FN, IM, AB, EM and HN i.e. 7.

Total number of required lines = 11

3. Count the number of rectangles in the below figure.

👁 number of rectangles in figures

Option: A. 19 B. 16 C. 30 D. 34

Solution:

👁 Analytical Reasoning: Triangles in figures solution

Simple rectangles = 8 (VWON, OBAN,XYQP,PQCB, CRSD, RZA1S,DTUA,B1C1UT)

Rectangles combining 2 Components = 8 (ABJL,BCKI,JCDL,KDAI,EFCA,BFGD,CGHA,DHEB)

Squares combining 2 components = 4 (BJMI, CKMJ , DLMK and AIML).

Squares combining 3 components = 4( EBMA, BFCM, MCGD and AMDH).

Squares combining 4 components = 4( VWBA, XYCB, ZA1DC and B1C1AD ).

Squares combining 7 components = 4( NOJL, PQKI, RSLJ and TULK).

Squares combining 8 components = 1 (ABCD).

Squares combining 12 components = 1 (EFGH).

Hence, total number of rectangles = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 +8+8 = 34

4. Count the number of squares and triangles in the given figure. 

👁 Analytical Reasoning Question

Option:

A. 28 triangles, 10 squares
B. 28 triangles, 8 squares
C. 32 triangles, 10 squares
D. 32 triangles, 8 squares

Solution: 

👁 Analytical Reasoning Solutions

Triangle :

The eight most basic triangles are IJQ, JKQ, KLQ, LMQ, MNQ, NOQ, OPQ, and PIQ.

There are 12 triangles who has 2 compoents = ABQ, BCQ, CDQ, DEQ, EFQ, FGQ, GHQ, HAQ, IKQ, KMQ, MOQ, and OIQ.

There are 12 triangles who has 4 compoents = ACQ, CEQ, EGQ, GAQ, IKM, KMO, MOI and OIK.

There are 8 triangles who has 8 compoents = ACE, CEG, EGA and GAC

∴ Total number of triangles in the figure : 8 + 12 + 8 + 4 = 32.

Squares :

Four squares consist of two components each, which are IJQP, JKLQ, QLMN, and PQNO.

Similarly, there are four squares composed of four components each, which are ABQH, BCDQ, QDEF, and HQFG.

There is only one square consisting of eight components, which is IKMO.

Moreover, there is only one square made up of sixteen components, which is ACEG.

The figure contains a total of 10 squares.

Hence, option C is correct.

Q 5. Calculate a number of triangles.

👁 number of triangles - No of triangles

Option. A. 8 B. 7 C. 6 D. 5

Solution:

👁 Analytical Reasoning solution

Question 6. Calculate the number of quadrilaterals in the below figure.

👁 Analytical Reasoning Solution

Options: (A) 15 (B) 18 (C) 19 (D) 21

👁 Analytical Reasoning Solution

Solution:

👁 Analytical Reasoning solution

Quadrilateral: Any closed shape which has 4 sides is called as quadrilateral. Now, we have to count 4 sided closed shape.

No. of square=5

No. of rectangle=4

Shape with 4 sides= 9

Totall =18

Q 7. Calculate a number of rhombus in the below figure.

👁 Analytical-reasoning: number of rohmbus

Option

(A) 1

(B) 4

(C) 5

(D) 6

Solution:

Question 8: Count number of squares.

Options:

A. 10

B. 17

C.11

D.16

Solution:

Simple squares: 10

Combined squares: 6 (Note: Don't count the center Square twice)

👁 Count number of quares

Total : 16.

Question 8: Count sum of triangles and square.

Option:

A. 23

B. 9

C. 32

D. 19

👁 Count sum of triangles and square

Solution:

Triangle = 12+7+4 =23

👁 Counts of triangles solution

Square= 6+3=9

👁 Counts of triangles solution

Answer is 32

Question 9: Count parallogram in the below figure.

👁 Count Parallogram Questions

Options:

A. 26

B. 21

C. 38

D. 47

Solution: 

Remember parallogram is trapezium, but vice versa is not true.

👁 Count parallogram: solutions

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Analytical Reasoning is an essential skill for the SSC CGL exam. Candidates should develop their observation and visual skills, practice regularly, and manage their time effectively to excel in this section. With the right approach and dedicated effort, anyone can improve their Non-Verbal Reasoning skills and score well in the SSC CGL exam. 

All the Best!!!