IBM Reasoning Questions

Reasoning questions are asked in most of the placement tests. These questions assess the problem-solving abilities, decision making skills, and analytical, numerical, and logical capabilities of the test-takers. In case of IBM written test, reasoning questions feature in form of games in cognitive ability section. Based on common reasoning concepts, we have presented some sample questions as per the IBM reasoning test:

Directions from questions 1 to 6: Complete the series.

250 235 205 160? 25
1. 110
2. 150
3. 75
4. 100
5. 120
Answer: Option D
The series is: -15, -30, - 45, -60
So the answer is: 100

20? 29 40 58 85
1. 23
2. 25
3. 27
4. 31
5. 24
Answer: Option A
The series is: 20 23 29 40 58 85
3 6 11 18 27
3 5 7 9
Answer is 23
5 7 17 55 225?
1. 971
2. 1131
3. 1253
4. 1435
5. 956
Answer: Option B
5*1+2=7
7*2+3=17
17*3+4=55
55*4+5=225
225*5+6=1131
Answer is 1131

10 6 8 15 34?
1. 1. 90
2. 80
3. 110
4. 75
5. 85
Answer: Option A
10 6 8 15 34
(10/2 +1)*1=6
(6/2+1)*2=8
(8/2+1)*3=15
(15/2+1)*4=34
(17+1)*5=90
Answer is 90.
85 53 33 22 17?
1. 5
2. 9
3. 10
4. 8
5. 15
Answer: Option E
The series is: 85 53 33 22 17 15
32 20 11 5 2
12 9 6 3
Answer is 15.

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4, 16, 36, 64, 100, ?
1. 121
2. 142
3. 144
4. 120
Answer: Option C
Here the series follows as 2^2, 4^2, 6^2, and so on. So the term will be 12^2 = 144

DIRECTIONS for the question 7-8 : What should come in place of question mark (?) in the following number/alphabetic series?
A I L , C L P , E O T, ?
1. F R X
2. F R Y
3. G R X
4. G R Y
Answer: Option C
Clearly, the first, the second and the third letters of each term are moved two, three and four steps forward respectively to obtain the corresponding term. So, the next term will be G R X
S A K , Q B L , O D M ?
1. N G M
2. M H J
3. P J H
4. M G N
Answer: Option D
Here the first letter of each term is moved two step backward to get the first letter of next term. So for missing term, it will be M
The second letter of 1st, 2nd and 3rd terms are respectively moved one, two and three steps forward to obtain the corresponding letter of next term. So, for missing term it is G. The third letter of each term is moved one step forward to get next term. Thus, third letter of missing term is N. Hence, the answer becomes MGN
Which of the following will come next in the following series?
a z a b y a b c x a b c d w a b c d
1. f
2. u
3. a
4. y
5. e
Answer: Option E
a, z, ab, y, abc, x, abcd, w…next will be abcde.
So, the next alphabet will be 'e'
Hence, the correct answer is option E
What will be the next term in the following series?
A B B D C F D H E J
1. N
2. O
3. K
4. F
5. L
Answer: Option D
There are two alternate series in the following arrangement
A B B D C F D H E J
Thus the next term will be F. Hence option D is the answer .