SSC CGL Reasoning · Free notes
Non-Verbal Series: SSC CGL Reasoning
Non-Verbal Series and Analogy has 148 questions in the SSC CGL Tier I bank: 76 from the 2023 shifts and 72 from the 2024 shifts, and none from the 2025 shifts. All but one are figure series, where four figures follow a rule and you pick the fifth, and 45 of them are HARD, more than in any other Reasoning chapter.Every rule is one of a few kinds, so the method is the same each time. Check for a count, a turn, a move, an alternation or a rearrangement, one part of the figure at a time. Then use the first rule you find to strike options.
The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown.
Subtopic notes
Counting Elements
27 PYQsFigure series where something is counted: one more line, petal or circle at each step, one fewer side, or a figure built or rubbed out one part at a time.
Turning and Flipping
19 PYQsFigure series and analogies where a figure turns by a fixed angle at each step, or is mirrored or turned upside down, sometimes as it is carried into the next figure.
Moving Round the Box
34 PYQsFigure series where small parts step from place to place inside a box: one corner at a time, round the border, or all together along a fixed path, often changing colour as they go.
Alternating Figures
9 PYQsFigure series where two forms take turns, so every second figure is the same, or where each part of the figure follows its own short rule.
Symbol Grids
59 PYQsFigure series where a box holds many letters, numbers and symbols, and each step rearranges them by a fixed move, or by two moves used in turn.
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 19 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 19 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Watch out for (5)
- Looking at the whole picture at once→ Reading a figure series: the order of checks
- Counting one element when two are changing→ Counting up and counting down
- Keeping one of an element that has run out→ Counting up and counting down
- Right number of pieces, wrong place→ A figure built or rubbed out part by part
- Missing that the series rubs out→ A figure built or rubbed out part by part
Watch out for (4)
- Turning the wrong way→ Turning by a fixed angle
- Forgetting that the inside turns too→ Turning by a fixed angle
- Mixing up a mirror image and a water image→ Mirrored, turned over and carried parts
- Changing more than the analogy changes→ Mirrored, turned over and carried parts
Watch out for (4)
- Counting four border places in a grid→ One part stepping round the corners or the border
- Following only one of two moving parts→ One part stepping round the corners or the border
- Reading the path from one symbol only→ Several parts moving together along one path
- Losing the new symbol at the start of the path→ Several parts moving together along one path
Watch out for (3)
- Calling a series alternating too soon→ Two forms taking turns
- Solving one part and stopping→ Parts with rules of their own
- Mixing the rules of two parts→ Parts with rules of their own
Watch out for (3)
- Tracking a symbol by its look, not its place→ One move repeated at every step
- Repeating the last move instead of the one before→ Two moves used in turn
- Deciding the moves alternate from one pair→ Two moves used in turn
PYQ weightage by concept
11 concepts · 148 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
11 concepts · 148 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Counting up and counting down | 16 | 11% |
| A figure built or rubbed out part by part | 11 | 7% |
| Reading a figure series: the order of checksfoundation | — | — |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turning by a fixed angle | 14 | 9% |
| Mirrored, turned over and carried parts | 5 | 3% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Several parts moving together along one path | 18 | 12% |
| One part stepping round the corners or the border | 16 | 11% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Two forms taking turns | 6 | 4% |
| Parts with rules of their own | 3 | 2% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Two moves used in turn | 45 | 30% |
| One move repeated at every step | 14 | 9% |
Test yourself on Non-Verbal Series and Analogy
20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.