Vadim Mikhailenko on LinkedIn: How to Pass Deductive Logical Thinking Test: The Comprehensive Guide (2024)

The foundation of analytical problem-solving is the pursuit of understandingThe ability to examine information or a situation at the right level of detail in order to see what’s most important, see the strengths and weaknesses of different elements, and use these in a systematic way to come up with a persuasive argument, drive a decision, make recommendations or solve a problem. See in detail:

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The ability to explain a concept simply demonstrates a deep understanding of subject matter. When someone struggles to simplify an explanation, it often indicates that they haven't fully grasped the concept themselves. Understanding something well means being able to break it down into its fundamental components and communicate it in a clear, concise way that others can easily understand. If a person cannot explain a concept in a simple manner, it could be that they may need to further study and refine their understanding of it. Simplifying complex ideas also helps in solidifying one's own knowledge and can lead to a deeper understanding of the topic as well as build confidence in their product or service.How well do you know your field? And do you think you could do better?🤔

Good morning business students,Most job descriptions will say “problem solver” as an attribute they want in a candidate. Here is some harsh truth- you can’t problem solve right after college. The problems you encounter while working in college are building blocks for post graduation and your next job.To be a problem solver post graduation, you need to encounter problems. To find good solutions you need to execute solutions and see how it goes. See what works, what didn’t work, and reflect on why.Sometimes, you get lucky. Sometimes, the problem and solution are executed well but you don’t like the path you took to get there.To be a problem solver you keep trying. When it’s 5:30pm and you’re tired, hungry, and your coworkers are nagging you, that is when the problems usually start.Write down the problem if you can’t resolve it in 60 seconds. Then try to resolve it another day. Some problems you can’t fix until you’ve had the same problem rise up, find the commonalities of what made the problem arise, and have that ah-ha moment.Summary: Problem Solving is an ever evolving skill. This is a learned skill through trial and error, error, error. Then one day, you have a slew of accepted solutions in a row with your name attached.Good luck! You can do this!

In every technical discussion, there are overlooked aspects. Asking proper exploratory questions helps deepen understanding, think critically, and solve problems creatively. These questions push people to look past simple answers and think about why they believe or decide certain way, leading to better understanding of the subject, here is a list of them for brain storming:Clarification QuestionsAssumption QuestionsRationale and Reasoning QuestionsImplication QuestionsExploratory QuestionsPerspective QuestionsEvidence QuestionsComparative QuestionsPriority and Scale QuestionsReflective QuestionsPrognostic QuestionsCause and Effect QuestionsExplanatory QuestionsExpansion QuestionsChallenge QuestionsEmotional Insight QuestionsGoal-Oriented QuestionsStrategic Alignment QuestionsRisk Assessment QuestionsFeedback and Reflection QuestionsScalability QuestionsResource Optimization Questions

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The key to problem solving is finding the right questions to ask. When faced with a challenge, the questions we pose shape our understanding and guide our actions. By asking insightful and targeted questions, we uncover the root causes of issues, identify hidden opportunities, and clarify our goals. This process not only leads to more effective solutions but also fosters creativity and critical thinking. In essence, the quality of our questions determines the quality of our outcomes. So, take the time to reflect, inquire deeply, and let your questions lead you to breakthrough solutions.

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Asking "why" instead of "how" can lead to a better understanding of the situation, problem, or goal. It can help you to uncover the root cause of a problem, identify opportunities for improvement, and make better-informed decisions. It can also help you to think more analytically and to determine if you're on the right track.There are a few things to keep in mind when asking "why" questions. First, be respectful of the person you're asking. Avoid asking questions that could be perceived as accusatory or judgmental. Second, be specific in your questions. Don't just ask "why?" Ask "why did you make this decision?" or "why is this happening?" Third, be open to the answer. Don't ask a question if you're not prepared to hear the answer.Uncovering the WHY will always lead to the HOW.

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Logic Thinking #logicthinking

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Complexity and simplicity are valued very differently in school and the world of work.When I got my first job in tech I noticed a big difference from how I'd been taught to do problem solving. Finding an out of the box way to complete a task that was meant to take weeks in a few hours was not considered lazy.A complex solution to a problem in school, with multiple steps and complex vocabulary is impressive because it shows understanding. Finding a loophole in a task to complete it in a few minutes in most cases is considered lazy.Some industries value this, some large consultancy companies love a solution with many billable hours.However in most businesses, time is money, and solving problems efficiently is one of the most valuable skills you can have.Students need opportunities to solve problems where simplicity is valued, to practice problem solving as it is in real life.

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2nd only to "thinking outside the box;" "getting out of the box." From Allaya Cooks-Campbell, a good thread entitled, Thinking outside the box: 8 ways to become a creative problem solver @ https://lnkd.in/eZ7fGP-tHere’s the abbreviated version…1. Do a brain dumpBrain dumping helps you get ideas out of your head and onto a paper to provide clarity and jumpstart the thinking process.You write down your thoughts as quickly as they come without worrying about grammar or making any sense at all. This forces you to focus on what matters most: getting those thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or word processor!).It helps you pen down ideas that you may discard as ridiculous if you paused to think about them. You'll be able to organize and evaluate all these ideas later to come up with a good solution. 2. Broaden your scope of relevanceWhen you're trying to solve a problem, it can be tempting to stick to facts that are directly relevant to the particular problem. But that’s not enough. Sticking to a narrow view of relevance prevents you from seeing opportunities that may be right in front of you. 3. Box yourself in with a timer Does your brain move into creative overdrive to beat approaching deadlines? This might be the perfect technique for you.When faced with a challenging problem, set an arbitrary deadline for yourself. Next, find someone (or something) to hold you accountable. You may ask a friend or colleague, or wager some money for challenges that will take days to months. You could set a timer on your phone for smaller problems.4. Work backward from the goalWorking backward from the goal allows you to focus more on the outcome than the process. As such, you give yourself room to get creative with the process.You’ll be able to design key milestones that you can focus on separately as well. This allows you to break the problem down into tiny solvable bits.5. Ask someone outside your fieldOne of the biggest reasons for boxed-in thinking is because you’re too close to the rules to see anything else. Ask someone who doesn’t know the rules of your industry what they would do to solve the problem. You’ll get some new perspectives you’d never see on your own.6. Ask a childChildren have an uncorrupted view of the world and how things work. To them, everything is possible. If you talk to a child about your problem, they’ll likely share ideas you’d never come up with on your own.7. Problem solve for someone elseSolving other people’s problems can help you come up with ideas to resolve your own. You exercise your brain without pressure and get a thrill from problem-solving. That thrill should keep your brain in heightened problem-solving mode.8. Brainstorm with colleaguesBrainstorming with colleagues can be a great way to spark creativity. Gather colleagues in your office, an empty conference room, or on a Zoom call and brainstorm together.

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀Here are crucial insights on leveraging critical thinking for a streamlined and efficient preparation strategy:1️⃣ Reverse Engineer Previous Papers: Unveil the exam's DNA by dissecting past papers. Analyze trends, question distribution, and recurring topics. This critical analysis will shed light on the probable emphasis areas, helping you channel efforts more effectively.💡Appear for at least 3 mocks before you begin your CAT preparation, just for the sake of analysis. You do not need to fret over your score at all.2️⃣ Synthesize Concepts Across Subjects: Break the silos! Fuse concepts from various sections to fortify your understanding. Integrating knowledge from diverse areas fosters holistic thinking, allowing you to tackle multidimensional questions with finesse.💡For LRDI specifically, look for online resources that integrate the 2 sections (i.e. LR and DI) together. I found the sets that have appeared in the previous years’ mock papers (from TIME and CL) to be the best resource for this exercise.3️⃣ Practice Decision-Making Under Time Pressure: Time-bound exercises sharpen your ability to think on your feet, crucial in acing those challenging, time-constrained exams.💡Keep a general track of how much time you are spending on each set and be cognizant of any patterns that emerge in the analysis. For example, on average, linear arrangement sets take you about 12 minutes to solve while a games and tournament set takes you 17 minutes. Then further do a SWOT analysis of all the topics to improve upon the areas that need improving.Applying critical thinking isn’t just about understanding; it’s about strategic application. Embrace these insights, craft a meticulous preparation plan, and watch as your efforts yield optimal results.

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