Logical Reasoning is one of the section that has maximum chances to score if planning is done and many aspirants find it hard to manage time for this section. The real- challenge is how fast and accurately we can solve the questions regarding Logical Reasoning. In this blog, we will highlight time management strategies for the logical reasoning section, along with strategies, preparation approaches, and some FAQs that will help you in this particular section.
Why is Time Management key to success in Logical Reasoning?
Logical Reasoning tests your analytical, problem-solving; and decision-making skills. Most competitive exams have time limits based on the number of sections to be attempted ,to, too much time spent on your reasoning section could be detrimental to your other; sections. Hence with the right mindset and time management, you will be able to maximize your scoring potential with your efforts and minimize stress.
What are the general problems students encounter in Logical Reasoning?
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Lengthy Questions – Some puzzles and with the exception of seating arrangements can be time-consuming.
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Overthinking – aspirants may overthink question and waste minutes on a single question.
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Lack of Practice – if you have not practiced enough with your preparation or are just a reasonably confident student even simple questions can seem difficult to answer.
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Exam Pressure – exams pressure makes us nervous, which when we are nervous we are human that mostly make mistakes, hence wasting more time.
If you face one or more of the problems, these challenges can be mitigated with the right approaches and strategies, and both speed & accuracy can be improved.
Read More: How Logical Reasoning Enhances Problem-Solving Skills in Real Life?
Time Management Strategies for Logical Reasoning
1. Identify Strong and Weaker Areas
The Logical Reasoning section has topics that include puzzles, coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogisms, and seating arrangements. Begin by identifying the topics you are able to solve very quickly or know you take longer to solve. Always try the easier and familiar topics first to help you gain confidence and be quick.
2. Practice Timing Yourself
When you are solving practice sets, use a stopwatch to time yourself every time you solved a number of practice problems in a row. Developing speed should happen naturally. Start out allowing yourself more than the actual amount of time to solve a problem. Solve a certain number of problems in that amount of time and then gradually reduce it until you are able to solve the questions within the amount of time allocated during the exam.
3. Don’t Get Stuck on a Single Question
If you find you are taking too much time on a single problem, skip it. There is nothing wrong with marking it for review and skipping to another problem. You can go back to it when you have finished all the questions. You will increase your score, if you go to move ahead you can than come back to the problem that you were being stuck on and wasting precious time on it.
4. Short Questions are Priority
Syllogisms, coding-decoding, and direction sense questions are normally shorter sizes than puzzles. Mark these questions first and make some easy marks and then spend your time on the questions worth more while your mind is fresh.
5. Improve Mental Calculation
If a question has numbers in it or occurs in a series of questions like mathematical reasoning, mental math is a must! If you can practice quick calculations in your mind regular it will save you seconds on every question.
6. Follow Shortcut Techniques
Shortcut tricks for topics like syllogisms and Venn diagrams can cut solving time in half. For puzzles, learn diagrammatic representation methods to visualize answers faster.
7. Mock Test Analysis
Simply taking mock tests is not enough. Spend time analyzing which types of questions consume the most time and work on reducing that time through repeated practice.
8. Keep a Question Selection Strategy
In the actual exam:
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First attempt all easy questions.
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Then move to medium-level ones.
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Finally, attempt the toughest or most time-consuming ones if time permits.
This three-step approach prevents panic and ensures maximum attempts.
9. Use the Right Study Material
Your choice of resources can make or break your preparation. Using a reliable logical reasoning book ensures that you practice well-structured questions and explanations. Similarly, a high-quality reasoning book with solved examples helps in understanding different approaches to the same problem. With consistent practice from the best reasoning book, you can boost both your speed and accuracy.
Sample Time Allocation for Logical Reasoning Section
Here’s a simple table showing how you can divide your time in exams (assuming 30 questions in 40 minutes):
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Ideal Time Allocation |
---|---|---|
Easy (Syllogisms, Coding) |
10 |
10 minutes |
Medium (Blood Relations, Series) |
10 |
12 minutes |
Difficult (Puzzles, Seating Arrangements) |
10 |
15 minutes |
Review & Recheck |
- |
3 minutes |
Daily Practice Plan for Logical Reasoning
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Morning – Solve 10-15 short questions (syllogisms, coding-decoding).
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Afternoon – Practice 2-3 puzzles or seating arrangement sets.
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Evening – Take one mini mock test under timed conditions.
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Night – Analyze mistakes and revise tricky questions.
Following this daily schedule for at least two months will give you remarkable improvement.
FAQs on Time Management for Logical Reasoning
Q1. How much time should I dedicate daily to Logical Reasoning?
A: At least 1–1.5 hours daily is sufficient if practiced consistently.
Q2. What is the best way to attempt reasoning in exams?
A: Start with short and easy questions, then move to puzzles and lengthy problems.
Q3. Can I skip puzzles if they are too time-consuming?
A: Yes, if puzzles take too long, it’s better to attempt other questions first and return to them later.
Q4. Which resources should I follow for Logical Reasoning?
A: Pick the best reasoning book that provides chapter-wise explanations, solved examples, and practice sets.
Q5. How do I improve my speed in reasoning?
A: Regular timed practice, learning shortcuts, and mock test analysis are the best ways to improve speed.
Conclusion
The Logical Reasoning section can be a scoring area if you master time management. By identifying your strengths, practicing regularly with a timer, and following a smart attempt strategy, you can significantly improve your performance. Always remember that skipping a difficult question is smarter than wasting time on it. Using a high-quality logical reasoning book or any standard reasoning book will give you the right exposure to different question types. Ultimately, with discipline, consistency, and the right strategy, you can turn Logical Reasoning into one of your strongest sections.