Azure Certification – Reasoning Ability
Topic: Analogy
Analogy is a reasoning skill that tests your ability to find relationships between two pairs of items or concepts.
In the exam you’ll be asked to pick the best analogy that keeps the same relational pattern as a given example.
Simple Explanation
| Given pair | Relationship | New pair | Must keep the same relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUN : DAY | The sun produces a day. | MOON : ___ | The moon produces the same effect? (night) |
| ENGINE : CAR | An engine drives a car. | CPU : ___ | A CPU drives a computer. |
- Identify the relationship (e.g., cause‑effect, function, part‑whole, source‑destination, etc.).
- Apply that same relationship to the new pair and choose the answer that best matches.
Key Points
| # | Key Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the type of relationship – cause, effect, function, part‑whole, similarity, difference, process, etc. | It’s the foundation of solving analogies. |
| 2 | Remember common relationship categories – “is to” (similarity), “has to” (ownership), “works with” (function), “produces” (cause‑effect), “completes” (part‑whole). | Helps you quickly narrow down options. |
| 3 | Look for clues in the wording – words like “does,” “creates,” “produces,” “containing,” “originates.” | They point to the relationship type. |
| 4 | Eliminate obviously wrong answers – those that break the logical connection. | Saves time and reduces noise. |
| 5 | Check for exact match, not just similarity – the relationship must be identical, not just similar. | Prevents choosing a close but wrong answer. |
| 6 | Practice with sample analogies – they train pattern recognition and speed. | The more you practice, the faster you solve. |
Worked Example
Question
“CLOUD : STORAGE :: NETWORK : ___”
Step‑by‑Step
-
Identify the relationship for the first pair
- CLOUD provides storage (cloud storage).
- Relationship: provides / offers.
-
Apply the same relationship to the second pair
- NETWORK must provide / offer something.
- What does a network provide?
- connectivity, bandwidth, access, etc.
-
Check the answer options
- Security
- Connectivity
- Data
- Protocol
-
Match the relationship
- Connectivity is the function a network provides.
- Other options are either part of network or not the primary function.
-
Answer – Connectivity.
Explanation
- CLOUD (as a service) provides STORAGE.
- NETWORK (as an infrastructure) provides CONNECTIVITY.
Quick Revision Summary
| Item | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| Analogy Definition | Matching relationships between two pairs. |
| Common Relationship Types | Cause/Effect, Function, Part‑Whole, Similarity, Source‑Destination, Process, Comparison. |
| Solving Strategy | 1. Identify relationship → 2. Apply to new pair → 3. Eliminate options → 4. Pick the exact match. |
| Common Mistake | Choosing an answer that resembles the relationship but isn’t identical. |
| Tip for Azure Context | Think of services and features: e.g., “Azure AD : Identity”, “Azure Functions : Serverless”. |
| Study Practice | Do 10–15 analogy questions daily, focus on reading comprehension and logical deduction. |
Quick Self‑Quiz
-
“SERVER : HOST :: DATABASE : ___”
a) Query b) Data c) Backup d) SchemaAnswer: Data (server hosts a database; database stores data).
-
“PROVIDER : SERVICE :: CLIENT : ___”
a) User b) Product c) Request d) ContractAnswer: User (provider offers service to a user).
Good luck! Mastering analogies will sharpen your logical reasoning and give you confidence in the Azure certification exam.