Types of Data Sufficiency

Data sufficiency can be described as the process of reaching correct answers through statement(s) that effectively offer clues to answer given questions. Primarily, aspirants sitting to appear in the exam are responsible for seeing if the given data or indications are enough to fetch relevant answers out of the given options.

To solve each question, aspirants must better understand all the data provided to acquire correct solutions. Today, we shed light on the concepts of Data Sufficiency in logical reasoning. So, let’s get started! 

Concepts of Data Sufficiency in Logical Reasoning

In simple terms, data sufficiency is described as the process of checking and testing the entire data, usually given as two statements, to see if it is enough to answer a given question. In these exams, questions on topics like coding-decoding, ranking, sequence, blood relations, puzzle tests, and so on are asked. However, at times, something new can always come up. 

With these clues, the candidate can quickly arrive at an answer. At this point, the aspirant is responsible for thoroughly understanding the question and seeing if the data given can answer the questions or not. 

Types of Data Sufficiency 

In different government examinations, Data sufficiency plays a significant role. The various types of data sufficiency are – 

• Blood relation – Blood relation questions focus on the relationship between two or more individuals. Two statements are given to see if they are enough to arrive at the right solution. 

• Scheduling – The scheduling data sufficiency includes data based on days, years, or months. Aspirants need to check if the given statements are enough to reach the correct answer.  

• Order and ranking – In this, data on people’s ranking or their order will be given. Statements will be given to see if they are sufficient to obtain the correct solution.

• Direction and distance – In direction and distance, data about the direction or distance travelled by an individual or distance between two given points will be given. The given statements help analyse if they are sufficient for finding the best answer.

• Sitting arrangement – This type will include information about the arrangement of people. The sitting sequence can be linear (people sitting in one or multiple rows) or circular (people sitting around a circular table). Two statements will be given, and the candidates need to check if they are sufficient to reach the correct solution.

List of Topics Under Data Sufficiency

Here is the list of topics covered under data sufficiency – 

• Ratio and Mixtures

• Mensuration

• Permutation and Combination

• Number system

• Geometry

• Profit and Loss

• Time, Speed, & distance

• Probability

• Percentage

• Algebra

Data sufficiency and logical analogy are two integral parts of logical reasoning. The aim of data sufficiency is to check whether the given data is enough to extract answers. On the other hand, the reasoning analogy aims to analyse the aspirant’s ability to understand the relationship between the question pair. 

What is the Reasoning Analogy?

An analogy is one of the most common topics often seen in government examinations. It involves comparing two different things or finding a strong relationship between the two. The aim is to identify the candidate’s ability to find the relationship between the two. There are options given in reasoning questions related to the analogy that might or might not be associated with one another. 

Analogy reasoning can be defined as comparing two things with one another, and conclusions are drawn based on similarities or dissimilarities. Analogies appear to be a general topic under the reasoning section. Candidates preparing for these examinations must be thorough with this topic.

Types of Reasoning Analogy 

 Here are the various types of analogy reasoning – 

• Word-based Analogy – In word-based analogy, a pair of words possess certain similarities. 

• Number-based Analogy – In the number-based analogy, a pair of letters possess certain similarities.

• Number and letter-based Analogy – In number and letter-based analogy, a pair of letters or numbers possess certain similarities.

• Image-based Analogy – In image-based analogy, a pair of images are given that possess certain similarities. 

• General knowledge-based Analogy – A pair of words possess certain similarities in general knowledge-based analogy. It includes state/country and currency/capital/individual/groups/measurement/instrument. 

How do we Solve Reasoning Analogy-Based Questions? 

Here is a list of simple methods to solve analogy problems in reasoning. Let’s get started! 

• First, it is critical to comprehend the overall pattern implied by the analogy.

• If candidates do not comprehend the given pattern, they will be unable to evaluate the options correctly.

• For questions such as numerical, cubes, squares, addition, multiplication, addition, etc., the pattern base is used. So make sure you check such patterns. 

• Scoring marks in analogy-based questions is easy because they are uncomplicated and direct.

• To answer these questions, you must first understand the fundamentals.

Conclusion 

With this, we come to the end of the topic types of data sufficiency for competitive exams. Data sufficiency is a significant concept, especially for candidates sitting for competitive exams. It can be described as reaching the correct answer through two statements that provide data to answer all questions. 

There are mainly seven types of data sufficiency that we discussed. The guide also highlights analogy in reasoning, which features aptitude questions that require a logical level of understanding to arrive at the correct answer.