Direction Sense for CAT, MAT, SNAP, XAT Exams

By : Raghavendra Singh

Updated : Dec 31, 2020, 10:31

Direction sense questions form an integral part of many competitive exams including CAT and other MBA Entrance Exams. Direction sense test questions are part of the logical reasoning section of an aptitude test. Looking for direction sense definition might not give any conclusive answers. These questions are designed to test your analytical and logical skills. In direction sense questions, the direction and distance of a person are to be found.

Direction Sense quiz section holds significant weightage in CAT, UPSC CAPF, IBPS Exams, SBI Exams, SSC Exams, RRB Exams, RBI Exams, FCI Manager Exam, Insurance Exams, and other government exams. It is absolutely necessary for aspirants to be well-versed with direction sense problems with solutions.

Important Topics of Direction Sense

Direction sense questions for CAT can be a high-scoring section if you master the relevant techniques and practice well before appearing for your examination. The types of direction sense questions and solutions include:

Topic	Description
Right and left directional movement	A given body moves a few units in a particular direction. They then turn either right or left and move a few more units. This will repeat a few more times. You then have to identify which direction they are facing.
Directional reference point	A given body moves in a specified direction in relation to a set reference point. They continue to move in directions mentioned in the question. You have to pick the direction the object is in with respect to the reference point.
Direction of sun rays and shadow	The question might specify the time of day and the movement of the object or direction of the shadow. You have to determine the direction of the object.
Correct map vs. wrong map	Comparing two maps of which one is wrong. You have to find the correct direction in the wrong map with logical analysis.
Directions in Clocks	The hours in a clock are likened to a compass where 12 0’clock points North. You will be asked to identify the direction of another hour according to this orientation.
Directions in Seating Arrangements	Direction sense is applied to popular board games like chess, where you will have to identify the direction of a given object with respect to the game.

Tips to Solve Direction sense Questions

Direction sense questions and answers rely heavily on logic and analytical skills. Direction sense tricks help to answer correctly without spending too much time on the section. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when solving direction sense.

The top of the page is always North unless otherwise specified.
A person is always facing North unless a compass is given in the question.
Right and left are based on the object in question and not the person answering the question.
Try to draw the directions and units moved approximately to scale to help find the answer.

Questions from direction sense topics are high-scoring. However, remember to time yourself. Do not spend more than 60 seconds per question. Keep solving direction sense practice questions to master the time limit of solving easy questions in a few seconds.

Importance of Direction Sense in SSC, Railways and Other Government Exams

Direction sense questions test your ability to apply logical and analytical skills.
The direction sense quiz is an easy topic to score in competitive government exams.
Directions sense questions help in the preparation of quantitative topics.
Direction Sense questions require analytical and logical skills, through this the examiner checks these attributes of a candidate.

Most Recommended Books for Direction sense

Direction sense study guides require that you practice as many questions as you can before the examination. Here is a list of highly recommended books on this topic.

Book Name	Author Name
Short Tricks and Notes on Logical Reasoning - Direction sense	Practice Guru
A Manual for the Direction sense Tests	Herman A. Witkin
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning	Dr. RS Aggarwal
A new approach to Reasoning	B.S. Sijwali & S. Sijwali Arihant
Analytical Reasoning	M.K Pandey
Reasoning Book for Competitive Examinations	Pearson

Why prepare for Direction sense from BYJU'S Exam Prep?

BYJU'S Exam Prep offers the best CAT mock tests, quizzes, books, direction sense questions and answers pdf, and other preparatory material to the aspirants. BYJU'S Exam Prep’s CAT mock tests are based on the exam pattern of the actual exam, which allows students to practice efficiently. The mentors at BYJU'S Exam Prep are highly proactive and always available to answer any queries by the aspirant.

The BYJU'S Exam Prep community offers a platform for aspirants to interact with each other and discuss questions and the latest exam patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many marks are direction sense questions?

Direction sense is used to test a student’s logical and analytical skills. You can expect at least 4-5 such questions on any competitive examination.

2. How do you solve a direction sense question?

Quickly sketch the movement of the given object based on the directions given. You could also map out any given reference points to help with the orientation of the object.

3. How long does it take to prepare for direction sense questions?

Focus on working on sample papers and previous years’ question papers with direction questions. Once you understand the fundamentals, you should focus on decreasing the amount of time you need to solve the questions correctly.

4. How to prepare direction sense questions in a time-effective way?

Practice regularly and monitor the time taken to solve the questions. Your speed will improve with regular practice.

5. Can I skip the direction sense questions in CAT Exam?

It is advisable not to as these are scoring questions. The Direction and sense questions are very easy to solve and are equally scoring. Good preparation of direction sense can help you for many different competitive exam portions.