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Observation, Visual Memory & Social Intelligence

Reasoning & General Intelligence — Paper-I · Official 2026 Coverage

Useful for: SSC CGL

Overview

These items test attention to detail, recall of visual information and sound judgement in social situations.

Key points

Count objects in rows and columns to avoid double counting.
Note colour, shape, size and position for memory items.
Social intelligence: empathise, communicate respectfully, follow rules.
Prefer solutions that keep relationships and solve the problem.
Reject passive, aggressive or rule-breaking options.

Explanation

Group details into small sets to remember them.
In grids, count squares of every size (1×1, 2×2, …).
In workplace scenarios, escalate through proper channels.
Honesty and safety come first.

Step by step

Identify the pattern, rule or relationship.
Apply it carefully to the question part.
Verify against every condition before marking.

Examples

A 3 × 3 grid has 9 + 4 + 1 = 14 squares.
A teammate misses deadlines: talk privately, understand the reason, agree on a plan, inform the supervisor if it continues.
A picture shows 3 red and 2 blue balls; a memory question asks for blue balls → 2.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Counting only the smallest squares.
Trap: Choosing confrontational responses.
Trap: Skipping systematic scanning.

Quick revision

Scan systematically.
Count all square sizes.
Calm, fair, constructive.

Practice MCQs

Find the odd one out: circle, square, triangle, cube.
1. Cube
2. Circle
3. Square
4. Triangle
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Answer: (a) Cube. A cube is three-dimensional; the others are plane figures.
Find the odd one out: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Paris.
1. Paris
2. Delhi
3. Mumbai
4. Kolkata
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Answer: (a) Paris. The others are Indian cities.
A friend forgets your birthday and apologises. The most socially intelligent reply is
1. post about it online
2. stop talking to them
3. accept the apology warmly
4. demand a gift
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Answer: (c) accept the apology warmly. Small lapses are best forgiven.
In a meeting, a junior member is not getting a chance to speak. A good leader will
1. ignore it
2. invite the junior member to share views
3. end the meeting
4. speak for them without asking
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Answer: (b) invite the junior member to share views. Inclusion builds a better team.
Which number is missing: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?, 64
1. 32
2. 24
3. 30
4. 48
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Answer: (a) 32. Each term doubles.
If all roses are flowers and some flowers fade quickly, which conclusion definitely follows?
1. All roses fade quickly
2. All roses are flowers
3. No rose fades
4. All flowers are roses
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Answer: (b) All roses are flowers. Only the given premise is certain.