📚 Sikkim TET – Reasoning Ability
Topic: Puzzles
Why Puzzles?
Puzzles test your ability to think logically, spot patterns, and solve problems under time pressure. In the TET, you’ll encounter a mix of deduction puzzles, arrangement puzzles, sequence puzzles, and lateral‑thinking puzzles.
1. Simple Explanation
| Puzzle Type | What It Looks For | Typical Question Format |
|---|---|---|
| Deduction | Logical inferences from given statements | “If A is taller than B, and C is taller than A, who is tallest?” |
| Arrangement | Placement in a line/room/board | “Arrange 5 teachers in a row so that the maths teacher sits next to the science teacher.” |
| Sequence | Identify the rule that generates the series | “1, 4, 9, 16, … – what is the 7th term?” |
| Lateral‑Thinking | Break conventional patterns | “A man walks into a room with 3 candles and 3 matches. How does he light them?” |
Goal: Use the given facts to eliminate impossibilities and arrive at the unique answer.
2. Key Points & Strategies
| # | Strategy | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Read Carefully | Every word counts. Look for qualifiers (“only”, “exactly”, “none”). | Highlight important clauses. |
| 2. Make a Table / Diagram | Visual representation removes confusion. | Draw rows for people, columns for attributes. |
| 3. Eliminate First | Narrow down possibilities before guessing. | Cross out impossible options. |
| 4. Use Process of Elimination | If 3 of 5 are ruled out, the 4th must be right. | Keep a “possible” list. |
| 5. Check Consistency | After filling in one clue, revisit earlier ones. | Look for contradictions. |
| 6. Work Backwards | Sometimes it’s easier to start from the last clue. | Re‑order clues mentally. |
| 7. Spot Patterns Quickly | Arithmetic, geometric, alternating, etc. | Look for “+1, +4, +9” or “odd, even, odd…” |
| 8. Time Management | 30‑min for 12 puzzles → 2‑3 min each. | Skip a hard one temporarily; return if time allows. |
| 9. Practice Mental Math | Speed in adding, multiplying, dividing is key. | Use “round‑off” tricks. |
| 10. Verify | Double‑check logic; one mistake can change the answer. | Quick mental “if‑then” test. |
3. Worked Example (Deduction Puzzle)
Puzzle
There are five students – A, B, C, D, E – seated in a row from left to right.
- A is not seated next to B.
- C sits immediately to the right of D.
- E sits at one of the ends.
- B sits between C and E.
- A sits left of E.
Find the seating order from left to right.
Step‑by‑Step Solution
| # | Reasoning | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E is at an end (clue 3). | Two possibilities: E‑‑‑‑ or ‑‑‑‑E |
| 2 | B sits between C and E (clue 4). So B must be adjacent to E. | B must be next to E. |
| 3 | If E is at left end → B is next to E on the right. So pattern: E B ___ ___ ___. | E leftmost, B second. |
| 4 | C right of D (clue 2). They must be adjacent. | D C must appear together. |
| 5 | A is not next to B (clue 1). With B at position 2, A cannot be at 1 or 3. | A must be at 4 or 5. |
| 6 | A sits left of E (clue 5). Since E is leftmost, A cannot be left of E. Contradiction → E cannot be leftmost. | |
| 7 | Therefore E must be at the right end. Pattern: ___ ___ ___ ___ E. | |
| 8 | B sits between C and E → B must be at position 4. Pattern: ___ ___ ___ B E. | |
| 9 | B is not next to A → A cannot be at 3 or 5. So A must be at 1. Pattern: A ___ ___ B E. | |
| 10 | D and C are adjacent with C right of D. Only spots left are 2 and 3. So D at 2, C at 3. | Final order: A D C B E |
Answer: A – D – C – B – E (left to right).
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Point | Quick Tip |
|---|---|
| Read every clue | Highlight key words. |
| Draw a sketch | Even a simple table speeds up solving. |
| Eliminate early | Get rid of impossibilities first. |
| Work from the end | Start with fixed positions (ends, corners). |
| Check consistency | After placing one, revisit all clues. |
| Practice patterns | Arithmetic, geometric, alternating. |
| Time‑box | Aim 2–3 min per puzzle. |
| Double‑check | One error = wrong answer. |
Remember: Puzzles are all about logical flow. Keep your reasoning linear, and you’ll master them in no time!