Non Verbal Reasoning: Concepts, Types & Questions

Be it a renowned degree from a leading academic institution or an esteemed government job profile, competitive exams are the ritual you need to fulfil. These entrance exams are meticulously designed in order to test an aspirant on different parameters. Some of the commonly found sections in competitive tests include reasoning questions either quant-based or verbal and non-verbal and at times, a unique combination, i.e. logical reasoning and analytical reasoning. If you are gearing up to appear for a competitive exam, here is a blog to help you with some unique questions on non verbal reasoning. 

What is Non Verbal Reasoning?

To put it in simple terms, Non verbal reasoning aims to evaluate your ability to comprehend, analyze and solve problems comprising of data and information which are depicted in visual form. Since analogy or non verbal ability is a broad category, it includes varied types of questions which are mainly psychometric in order to examine how effectively a candidate can solve problems related to formations, pattern and shapes are tested. As obvious by the name, there would be no role-play of language, instead, the questions are pictorial requiring logical and abstract thinking. 

To examine critical and analytical thinking, the following given are some of the popular types of questions under non verbal reasoning:

Analogy	Pattern Matching
Classifications	Mirror Images & Reflection
Analytical	Rotations & Symmetry
Grouping of Identical Figures	Figure Matrix
Paper Folding	Cube and Dice
Water Images	Rule Detection
Series	Embedded Figures

Now let’s take a look at some of the frequently asked non verbal reasoning questions and their conceptual explanation.

1. Find the odd one out?

Answer and Explanation: By critical analysis of the image, you can see that the number of dots on each figure is less than the total number of sides of the figure. Hence, figure E is the odd one out. As the number of dots in all the figures is one less than the number of sides. Since shape E has seven sides so it must have six dots but it has only five dots.  

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2. Establish a similar relationship between C and D as given in figure A and B. 

Answer and Explanation: In this non verbal reasoning question, the correct option is 5. Here figure A is not shaded but on the other hand the left side of figure B is shaded with black colour. Accordingly, the figure C is not at all shaded thus, the upper portion of figure D should be shaded. 

Related Read: Logical Reasoning Books for Competitive Exams

3. Identify the odd one out in the given pictures.

Answer and Explanation: The answer is D. For these types of non verbal reasoning problems, you need to find a common connection between all the figures, i.e. in these images, the arrow is being rotated clockwise around the circle in the images A-C-E and B-D-F. Hence, figure D is an odd one out as the arrow is reflected and not rotated. 

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4. Select a suitable figure from the given answers figures such that it can replace the question mark (?)

Answer and Explanation: By observing the movement of the figure A which is 3 dots connected with the straight lines but in figure B the lines have got inserted and the dots have dislocated.  You can find the right answer in this non verbal reasoning question by finding a common logici.e., the lines and dots should be disjoined from each other so that the lines are inverted we get the answer as C.

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Tips and Tricks 

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For every reasoning section, it is essentially important to familiarise yourself with the types of questions it can bombard you with as well as the basic concepts you should know to solve them in lesser time. It is only through regular practice and timely revision that you can crack an intricate section like non verbal reasoning. To equip you with some useful success mantra for this form of reasoning questions, we have made a list of helpful tips and tricks you must know to score well in the exam:

• In questions with reflected and rotated shapes, you can draw your inference on a rough sheet and get to know the angle or direction of the asked figure. 
• Don’t hurriedly jump from one question to another. Try to use at least one minute on each and every question.
• Pay great attention to the details like shape, colour, size, angle etc that are mentioned in the figures. Even the minute details can be missed which can lead you to the wrong answer.
• Practice consistently and for different types of reasoning questions. Solve a plethora of mock test papers so that you get familiarised with the types of problems that can come and how they can be solved efficiently.

Don’t Forget to Check out the Following Preparatory Guides for Quant and Logical Reasoning!

Coordinate Geometry for Competitive Exams	Mixture and Alligation For Competitive Exams
LCM and HCF for Competitive Exams	Permutation And Combination For Competitive Exams

Thus, we hope that this blog provided you with insightful analysis of non verbal reasoning as well as helpful examples of this section. If you are planning to take any international-level competitive exam like GMAT, reach out to our study abroad consultants and we will train you to ace each and every section of the test with higher scores thus ensuring that you get successfully shortlisted into your dream course and university.