The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive exam for admission into prestigious business schools in India. Among the various sections in the CAT, the Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI) section is pivotal, often deemed challenging by aspirants. A key component of the LRDI section is alphanumeric questions, which test the candidate’s ability to handle problems involving letters and numbers. These questions assess skills such as pattern recognition, sequencing, and logical connections between alphanumeric characters. Although the specific weightage of alphanumeric questions can vary annually, they consistently form an integral part of the LRDI section, influencing overall performance and scores significantly. Mastery of these questions is essential for a robust LRDI score, directly impacting the candidate’s overall percentile and competitiveness in the CAT.
What is an Alphanumeric Series?
An alphanumeric series in logical reasoning involves a sequence composed of both letters and numbers, arranged according to specific patterns or rules. These series challenge a candidate’s ability to identify and extrapolate the underlying logic governing the sequence. For example, consider the series “A1, C2, E3, G4.” In this series, the pattern consists of
Sample Questions Based on Alphanumeric Series
Question 1. The numbers of letters skipped in between adjacent letters in the series is increased by one each time. Which of the following series observes the rule?
(a) ADHMS (b) HKOSV (c) GJNSX (d) FLQUX
Ans. Option a: ADHMS
Question 2. In each of the following questions, a series is given, with one term/number/letter missing, choose the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.
- 1000, 200, 40, ? (a) 10 (b) 20 (c) 15 (d) 8
- 6, 11, 21, 26, 36, 51 ? (a) 41 (b) 39 (c) 47 (d) 48
- ACDFGIJLMOP ? (a) Q (b) R (c) S (d) T
- J, Q, I, R, H, S, ? (a) F T (b) G T (c) HU (d) KT
- EAC, GCE, IEG, ? (a) JHI (b) KGI (c) JGI (d) KIJ
Ans. 1– (d). 2- (a), 3-(b), 4- (b), 5- (b)
Question 3. How many such 5’s are there in the above arrangement, each of which is immediately followed by a digit which has a numerical value greater than 6?
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three (e) More than three
Ans. Option c
Question 4. How many 9 are followed by an even number and preceded by an odd number in the following series 469259339467924894?
(a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 1
Ans. Option c
Question 5. Study the following arrangement carefully and answer the questions given: R 4 P I J M Q 3 % T @ © U K 5 V 1 W $ Y 2 B E 6 # 9 D H 8 G & Z N
(1) Which of the following is the sixth to the left of the fifteenth from the left end of the given arrangement?
(a) 2 (b) # (c) % (d) $ (e) None of these
Ans. Option a
(2) How many such consonants are there in the given arrangement, each of which is immediately preceded by a consonant and immediately followed by a symbol?
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three (e) More than three
Ans. Option a
(3) What should come in the place of question mark (?) in the following series based on the above arrangement? PJQ T©K 1$2 ?
(a) E#D (b) 69D (c) 698 (d) 6#D (e) 69H
Question 6. Study the following arrangement and answer questions given: 648 483 295 333 261 312
- If the positions of first and second digits are changed in each number, which is the lowest number?
A) 261 B) 312 C) 295 D) 648 E) 483
Ans. Option b
2. If in each number 1 is added to first digit and then first and third are interchanged, then which is the largest number?
a) 312 b) 261 c) 295 d) 648
Ans. Option d
Tips and Tricks to Solve Alphanumeric Based Question
Go for Short Cuts
During practice sessions, it is crucial to learn and develop shortcuts that facilitate the efficient solving of alphanumeric series questions. With consistent practice, individuals can devise their unique strategies and create personalized shortcut techniques tailored to their strengths. These customized approaches enable quick and accurate responses to a variety of questions, enhancing overall performance. Additionally, understanding and utilizing these shortcuts not only saves valuable time during the exam but also boosts confidence, allowing test-takers to tackle more challenging questions with ease. Regular practice and refinement of these techniques can significantly improve problem-solving speed and accuracy, providing a competitive edge in the logical reasoning section.
Carefully Analyze the Question Statements
It is crucial to meticulously read the question statements before attempting an answer. Pay special attention to specific terms like “preceding” and “succeeding,” as these words are vital to understanding the question’s requirements and can easily lead to errors if misinterpreted. Moreover, carefully noting any additional instructions or conditions in the question can prevent mistakes and ensure a correct and comprehensive response. This attention to detail not only enhances accuracy but also optimizes the time spent on each question, ultimately improving overall performance in the logical reasoning section.
Keep Practicing
These types of questions, though generally straightforward, can be time-consuming to solve. Therefore, regular practice is crucial to enhance both speed and accuracy in tackling these problems. Engaging with a variety of alphanumeric series questions, including those from previous years’ exams and sample papers, is highly recommended. This approach helps in familiarizing with different patterns and boosts confidence in solving them efficiently under exam conditions. Consistent practice not only improves problem-solving skills but also aids in developing quick recognition of patterns, ultimately contributing to better performance in the logical reasoning section.
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