Solving Analytical Puzzle from GRE Big Book:

First of all, solving these types of puzzle will be easier for people who have an instinct to think logically
and come to a rational conclusion using those logics. If youre good at this, you wont need any help in
solving puzzles. Just go through GRE Big Book and your instinct will guide you all the way.

But if youre having trouble, my only suggestion is to keep on practicing. In this book, there are 27 tests,
2 analytical sections in each test and approximately 4 puzzles in each section. So there are 4x2x27= 216
puzzles in this book. Best practice would be to target one test (2 analytical sections/ 8 puzzles) per day.

If you practice with regularity and patience, you will see that there is not much variety in the puzzles.
They all fall in maximum 3/4 categories. These categories are mostly:

1. Sitting arrangement based puzzles: For example, scheduling 7 persons in the seven days of a week.
2. Group puzzle: For example, arranging 8 people in 2/3 groups
3. Direction puzzle: For example, sending a message from one computer to another computer in an office.

There are other types too of course but these three types of puzzles always and I mean, always come in
IBA MBA Admission Test! So your target is to gain accuracy in solving these types of puzzles which you
will find in plenty in GRE Big Book.

Now, when it comes to solving, here goes my tips:

1. Read the opening statements carefully and be sure about your task like how many things you have to
put in how many boxes.

2. Then read the conditions and write them as briefly as possible. Use notations, symbols and
abbreviations so that you can clearly understand them.

For example, if the condition says, P will sit before Q. You can write: P < Q
If the condition says, R will sit immediately before M. You can write: R <= M

3. Be very careful about the keywords that dictate the meaning of the given conditions. These keywords
are: at least, all, each, if, none, at most, consecutive, except, only, same etc.

4. Try to form a table so that you can easily arrange the data there. In case of direction puzzles, try to
draw one single diagram/map which is simple and easy to understand for you.

5. Dont make any unnecessary assumptions from the conditions. For example, if a condition says, If S is
selected for the team, R must also be selected for the team. It means that if and only if S is selected for
the team, only then R must also be selected for the team and NOT VICE VERSA, i.e. it certainly doesnt
mean that if R is selected then S must also be selected. So be very careful about it.

6. The first question is mainly like, Which of the following is an acceptable schedule/arrangements? To
answer this type of questions, just check the options and relate them with the conditions one by one.
Eliminate options and you will get the answer easily.
7. Questions that say Which of the following must be true? means that there are four options which
might or might not be true but there is only one option which will always be true no matter how you
arrange the items and test the conditions. That will be your answer.

8. Questions that say Which of the following could be true? means that there is only one option which
might or might not be true but the other four options will never be true no matter how you arrange the
items. The option which somehow fits the conditions will be your answer.

Finally, dont stop practicing. You might find it hard but without putting efforts, you cant solve your
problems. Also dont think that youd see a huge improvement in a short time. No, that wont happen. I
saw improvements after solving 10-12 tests. So you have to be patient and carry on practicing if youre
genuinely interested to be a part of IBA.

Happy preparing.