SSC CGL 2026 TIER 1 & TIER 2 QUESTION BANK

SSC CGL Reasoning: Top 50 Expected Questions & Solutions [PDF]

Complete 50 expected reasoning questions for SSC CGL 2026 with detailed step-by-step solutions, options, and explanations.

25 Min Read • 100% Complete 50 Questions

Part 1: Coding-Decoding & Analogy (Q1 to Q10)

QUESTION 01Coding-Decoding

In a certain code language, 'SYSTEM' is written as 'SYSMET' and 'FRACTION' is written as 'CARFNOIT'. How will 'OVERCOMING' be written in that code language?

A) OCVERINGM

B) REVOCGNIMO

C) CVEROMGNI

D) EVOICGNMR

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (REVOCGNIMO)

Split into two halves of 5 letters each: OVERC → REVOC, OMING → GNIMO. Result: REVOCGNIMO.

QUESTION 02Opposite Pair Code

If 'SMART' is coded as 'HZIZG', how is 'GENIUS' coded in the same language?

A) TVMRFH

B) TVMFRH

C) TVNFRH

D) TUMFRH

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (TVMFRH)

Opposite pairs (Sum = 27): G↔T, E↔V, N↔M, I↔R, U↔F, S↔H → TVMFRH.

QUESTION 03Number Coding

If 'CAB' = 6 and 'BED' = 40, then what is the value of 'MAP'?

A) 208

B) 192

C) 216

D) 240

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (208)

Multiply positional values: M(13) × A(1) × P(16) = 208.

QUESTION 04Word Analogy

'Seismograph' : 'Earthquake' :: 'Anemometer' : ?

A) Humidity

B) Wind Speed

C) Pressure

D) Current

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (Wind Speed)

Seismograph measures earthquake intensity; Anemometer measures wind speed.

QUESTION 05Number Analogy

14 : 210 :: 18 : ?

A) 342

B) 324

C) 360

D) 306

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (342)

n² + n pattern: 14² + 14 = 210. 18² + 18 = 342.

QUESTION 06Alphabet Analogy

ACEG : BDFH :: IKMO : ?

A) JLNP

B) HIKL

C) KMOP

D) JLMO

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (JLNP)

+1 shift for each letter: I+1=J, K+1=L, M+1=N, O+1=P → JLNP.

QUESTION 07Odd One Out

Select the odd number from the given alternatives: 145, 197, 257, 325, 399.

A) 145

B) 257

C) 399

D) 197

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: C (399)

n² + 1 pattern: 12²+1=145, 14²+1=197, 16²+1=257, 18²+1=325. 20²−1=399 is odd one out.

QUESTION 08Word Classification

Select the odd word: (A) Bharatanatyam (B) Kathak (C) Kuchipudi (D) Bhangra.

A) Bharatanatyam

B) Kathak

C) Kuchipudi

D) Bhangra

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: D (Bhangra)

Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi are classical dances; Bhangra is a folk dance.

QUESTION 09Letter Classification

Select the odd pair of letters: (A) CX (B) HS (C) GT (D) JP.

A) CX

B) HS

C) GT

D) JP

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: D (JP)

CX, HS, GT are opposite pairs (Sum=27). J is opposite to Q, not P.

QUESTION 10Mathematical Operation

If '+' means '×', '−' means '÷', '×' means '−', and '÷' means '+', evaluate: 16 + 4 − 2 × 5 ÷ 8

A) 35

B) 40

C) 32

D) 28

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (35)

16 × 4 ÷ 2 − 5 + 8 = 32 − 5 + 8 = 35.

Part 2: Syllogism & Blood Relations (Q11 to Q20)

QUESTION 11Syllogism

Statements: All dogs are cats. All cats are lions.
Conclusions: I. All dogs are lions. II. Some lions are dogs.

A) Only I follows

B) Only II follows

C) Both I and II follow

D) Neither follows

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: C (Both I and II follow)

All A→B + All B→C = All A→C. Also, All A→C implies Some C are A.

QUESTION 12Syllogism Either-Or

Statements: Some pens are books. Some books are pencils.
Conclusions: I. Some pens are pencils. II. No pen is a pencil.

A) Only I follows

B) Only II follows

C) Either I or II follows

D) Neither follows

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: C (Either I or II follows)

Complementary pair (Some + No) with same subjects yields Either-Or.

QUESTION 13Blood Relations

Pointing to a photo, Rohit said, "She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son." How is the girl related to Rohit?

A) Mother

B) Sister

C) Aunt

D) Cousin

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (Sister)

Grandfather's only son = Father. Father's daughter = Sister.

QUESTION 14Coded Blood Relation

If 'A + B' means A is father of B; 'A × B' means A is brother of B. Which shows P is uncle of Q?

A) P × R + Q

B) P + R × Q

C) P − R + Q

D) P × R − Q

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (P × R + Q)

P is brother of R, R is father of Q → P is uncle of Q.

QUESTION 15Direction Sense

A man walks 6 km North, turns Right and walks 8 km. How far is he from his starting point?

A) 14 km

B) 10 km

C) 12 km

D) 2 km

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (10 km)

√(6² + 8²) = √(36 + 64) = √100 = 10 km.

QUESTION 16Sunrise Shadow

One morning after sunrise, Nilesh's shadow fell to his left. Which direction was he facing?

A) North

B) South

C) East

D) West

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (North)

Sunrise sun is in East → Shadow is in West. Shadow on left means facing North.

QUESTION 17Generation Gap

If A is mother of B, B is sister of C, and C is father of D, how is A related to D?

A) Mother

B) Grandmother

C) Aunt

D) Sister

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (Grandmother)

A is mother of C (since B and C are siblings). C is father of D → A is Grandmother of D.

QUESTION 18Direction Net Rotation

A person facing North turns 45° clockwise, then 135° counter-clockwise. Which direction is he facing now?

A) West

B) East

C) North-West

D) South-West

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (West)

Net Angle = +45° − 135° = −90° (90° counter-clockwise). North − 90° = West.

QUESTION 19Syllogism Possibility

Statements: No A is B. No B is C.
Conclusion: All A being C is a possibility.

A) Follows

B) Does not follow

C) Either follows

D) Cannot be determined

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Follows)

No direct relation between A and C, so any possibility between A and C is True.

QUESTION 20Only a few Syllogism

Statements: Only a few apples are mangoes.
Conclusions: I. Some apples are not mangoes. II. All apples can be mangoes.

A) Only I follows

B) Only II follows

C) Both follow

D) Neither follows

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Only I follows)

"Only a few" means both "Some are" and "Some are not". Hence, "All apples can be mangoes" is False.

Part 3: Clock, Calendar & Number Series (Q21 to Q30)

QUESTION 21Clock Angle

Find the angle between hour and minute hands at 3:40.

A) 130°

B) 140°

C) 125°

D) 135°

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (130°)

|30(3) − 5.5(40)| = |90 − 220| = 130°.

QUESTION 22Clock Coincidence

At what time between 4 and 5 o'clock will the hands of a clock coincide?

A) 21 (9/11) min past 4

B) 21 (8/11) min past 4

C) 20 min past 4

D) 22 min past 4

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (21 (9/11) min past 4)

Time = (5/11) × (30H) = (5/11) × 120 = 240/11 = 21 (9/11) minutes past 4.

QUESTION 23Clock Right Angle

How many times in a day (24 hours) are the hands of a clock at right angles (90°)?

A) 22

B) 44

C) 24

D) 48

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (44)

22 times in 12 hours → 44 times in 24 hours.

QUESTION 24Calendar Date

What was the day of the week on 26th January 1950?

A) Wednesday

B) Thursday

C) Friday

D) Tuesday

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (Thursday)

Odd days = 1 (1900) + 5 (49 yrs) + 5 (Jan 26) = 11 = 4 (Thursday).

QUESTION 25Calendar Repetition

The calendar for the year 2017 will repeat in which year?

A) 2022

B) 2023

C) 2028

D) 2029

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (2023)

2017 is Leap+1 year → Add 6 years → 2017 + 6 = 2023.

QUESTION 26Same Date Shift

If 1st March 2024 was Friday, what day of the week was 1st March 2025?

A) Saturday

B) Sunday

C) Monday

D) Friday

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Saturday)

2024 is leap year, but Feb 29 2024 has already passed before March 1 2024. Shift = +1 day → Saturday.

QUESTION 27Number Series

Complete series: 7, 10, 16, 28, 52, ?

A) 100

B) 96

C) 88

D) 104

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (100)

Differences double: +3, +6, +12, +24, +48 → 52 + 48 = 100.

QUESTION 28Cube Series

Complete series: 2, 9, 28, 65, 126, ?

A) 217

B) 215

C) 216

D) 224

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (217)

n³ + 1 pattern: 1³+1=2, 2³+1=9, 3³+1=28, 4³+1=65, 5³+1=126, 6³+1 = 217.

QUESTION 29Alternate Series

Complete series: 3, 5, 9, 17, 33, ?

A) 65

B) 64

C) 66

D) 63

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (65)

Pattern: ×2 − 1. (3×2−1=5, 5×2−1=9, 9×2−1=17, 17×2−1=33, 33×2−1=65).

QUESTION 30Alphabet Series

Complete series: Z, W, S, N, H, ?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (A)

Decreasing shift: −3, −4, −5, −6, −7. H(8) − 7 = 1 (A).

Part 4: Matrix, Ranking & Logical Statements (Q31 to Q40)

QUESTION 31Dice Opposite Face

Two positions of a dice are shown. If 3 is on top, what number is on the bottom?

A) 4

B) 6

C) 2

D) 5

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (4)

Standard dice opposite sum = 7 → 7 − 3 = 4.

QUESTION 32Counting Triangles

How many triangles are present in a square with both diagonals drawn?

A) 4

B) 6

C) 8

D) 10

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: C (8)

Total Triangles = Number of small triangles × 2 = 4 × 2 = 8.

QUESTION 33Order & Ranking

In a row of 40 students, Rahul is 15th from the left. What is his position from the right end?

A) 25th

B) 26th

C) 24th

D) 27th

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (26th)

Right = (Total − Left) + 1 = (40 − 15) + 1 = 25 + 1 = 26th.

QUESTION 34Interchange Ranking

In a row, A is 10th from left and B is 15th from right. When they interchange positions, A becomes 22nd from left. What is total number of persons?

A) 36

B) 37

C) 35

D) 38

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (36)

Total = (New position of A + Old position of B) − 1 = (22 + 15) − 1 = 36.

QUESTION 35Linear Seating

Five friends A, B, C, D, E are sitting in a row facing North. C is to immediate left of E. B is to immediate right of D. A is at extreme left. D is second from left. Who is sitting in the middle?

A) B

B) C

C) D

D) E

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (B)

Seating arrangement from left to right: A - D - B - C - E. Middle person is B.

QUESTION 36Missing Matrix Number

Find missing number in matrix:
3 4 7
5 6 11
8 9 ?

A) 17

B) 16

C) 18

D) 15

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (17)

Row pattern: Col 1 + Col 2 = Col 3. (8 + 9 = 17).

QUESTION 37Statement & Assumption

Statement: "Please post this notice on the notice board."
Assumption I: People read notice boards. II. The notice contains important information.

A) Only I is implicit

B) Only II is implicit

C) Both I and II are implicit

D) Neither is implicit

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: C (Both I and II are implicit)

Notice boards are used assuming people read them and messages are important.

QUESTION 38Statement & Argument

Statement: Should plastic bags be completely banned in India?
Argument I: Yes, they cause severe environmental pollution. II. No, it will affect plastic industries.

A) Only Argument I is strong

B) Only Argument II is strong

C) Both are strong

D) Neither is strong

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Only Argument I is strong)

Environmental protection takes logical precedence over industry inconvenience.

QUESTION 39Word Dictionary Order

Arrange in dictionary order: 1. Eagle 2. Earth 3. Early 4. Eager

A) 4, 1, 3, 2

B) 4, 3, 1, 2

C) 1, 4, 3, 2

D) 4, 1, 2, 3

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (4, 1, 3, 2)

Eager → Eagle → Early → Earth.

QUESTION 40Logical Meaningful Order

Arrange in logical sequence: 1. Doctor 2. Fever 3. Medicine 4. Prescription 5. Recovery

A) 2, 1, 4, 3, 5

B) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C) 2, 1, 3, 4, 5

D) 2, 4, 1, 3, 5

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (2, 1, 4, 3, 5)

Fever → Doctor → Prescription → Medicine → Recovery.

Part 5: Venn Diagrams, Dice & Non-Verbal (Q41 to Q50)

QUESTION 41Venn Diagram

Which Venn diagram best represents: Engineers, Doctors, Humans?

A) Two separate circles inside a big circle

B) Three intersecting circles

C) Three concentric circles

D) Two intersecting circles inside big circle

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Two separate circles inside a big circle)

Both Engineers and Doctors are Humans, but an Engineer cannot be a Doctor professionally in general set definition.

QUESTION 42One Common Number Dice

Dice Position 1 has (2, 4, 5) and Dice Position 2 has (2, 1, 6). What number is opposite to 4?

A) 1

B) 6

C) 3

D) 5

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (1)

Rotate clockwise from common number 2: Dice 1 = 2-4-5, Dice 2 = 2-1-6. Opposite of 4 is 1.

QUESTION 43Two Common Numbers Dice

Dice Position 1 has (3, 5, 2) and Dice Position 2 has (3, 5, 6). What number is opposite to 2?

A) 6

B) 1

C) 4

D) 5

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (6)

Common numbers are 3 and 5. Remaining numbers 2 and 6 are opposite.

QUESTION 44Unfolded Cube

In an unfolded cube strip with sequence A - B - C - D in a line, which faces are opposite?

A) A and C

B) A and B

C) B and C

D) A and D

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (A and C)

Alternate boxes in a straight line (A and C, B and D) are opposite faces.

QUESTION 45Painted Cube 2-Side

A cube of side 4 cm is painted red on all faces and cut into 1 cm smaller cubes. How many small cubes have exactly 2 faces painted?

A) 24

B) 12

C) 8

D) 16

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (24)

Formula = 12 × (n − 2) where n = 4/1 = 4. Total = 12 × (4 − 2) = 12 × 2 = 24.

QUESTION 46Painted Cube 1-Side

In the same 4 cm cube cut into 1 cm cubes, how many small cubes have exactly 1 face painted?

A) 24

B) 12

C) 16

D) 8

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (24)

Formula = 6 × (n − 2)² = 6 × (4 − 2)² = 6 × 4 = 24.

QUESTION 47Mirror Image String

Select the correct mirror image of the word 'REASONING' when mirror is placed to the right.

A) GNINOSAER (Inverted letters)

B) REASONING

C) GNIOSAERN

D) GINOASERN

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (GNINOSAER with horizontally flipped characters)

Mirror on right reverses character order starting from G to R, with each character horizontally inverted.

QUESTION 48Water Image Clock

If a clock shows 3:15, what will be its water image time?

A) 3:15

B) 2:15

C) 14:15

D) 9:15

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: B (2:15)

Water image formula: Subtract given time from 18:30. 18:30 − 3:15 = 15:15 = 3:15 (adjusting hour shift = 2:15).

QUESTION 49Paper Cutting Symmetry

A square paper is folded twice into a small square and a circle punch is made at the center. How many circles appear when fully opened?

A) 4

B) 2

C) 1

D) 8

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (4)

Folding twice divides paper into 4 layers. 1 center punch produces 4 symmetrical circles.

QUESTION 50Embedded Figure Spotting

A 'V' shaped icon is embedded inside which complex figure pattern?

A) Triangle Grid

B) Parallel Lines

C) Concentric Circles

D) Spiral

View Solution & Explanation

Correct Answer: A (Triangle Grid)

Intersecting diagonal lines in a triangle grid contain embedded V-shapes.