This page covers SSC GD Constable Data Sufficiency — Reasoning with complete concept notes, 13 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Data Sufficiency is a unique question type where you don't solve the problem completely. Instead, you determine whether the given information is enough to answer the question. Think of it as being a detective - you need to check if the clues are sufficient to solve the case. In SSC CGL, data sufficiency questions typically provide a question followed by two statements (I and II). Your job is to decide which combination of statements can answer the question. The standard answer choices are:
A) Statement I alone is sufficient B) Statement II alone is sufficient
C) Both statements together are sufficient D) Neither statement is sufficient
E) Each statement alone is sufficient Key Rules: Never assume information not given. Don't make calculations unless necessary - just check if calculation is possible. Focus on 'Can I solve?' not 'What is the answer?'. Remember that 'sufficient' means you can find a unique answer, not multiple possibilities.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL asks 2-3 data sufficiency questions per paper. Common topics include ages, profit-loss, time-work, geometry, and number problems. Questions often test logical thinking more than mathematical computation.
Powerful Shortcut: Use the SCAN method - S(can I solve with Statement I alone?), C(an I solve with Statement II alone?), A(re both needed together?), N(ot sufficient even together?). This systematic approach prevents confusion and saves time.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Check Statement I alone
Statement I gives us: Ram = Shyam + 5
This has two unknowns but only one equation. We cannot find Ram's exact age.
Statement I alone: NOT SUFFICIENT
2
Step 2
Check Statement II alone
Statement II gives us: Ram + 10 = 2 × (Shyam's current age)
Again, two unknowns, one equation. Cannot find exact ages.
Statement II alone: NOT SUFFICIENT
3
Step 3
Check both statements together
From I: Ram = Shyam + 5, so Shyam = Ram - 5
From II: Ram + 10 = 2 × Shyam
Substituting: Ram + 10 = 2(Ram - 5)
Ram + 10 = 2Ram - 10
20 = Ram
Both statements together give us Ram's age as 20 years.
Answer: C) Both statements together are sufficient
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often try to solve the complete problem instead of just checking sufficiency. This wastes time and can lead to wrong conclusions. Another trap is assuming obvious information that isn't stated - stick strictly to what's given.
Remember: In data sufficiency, your goal is to be a judge, not a calculator.
Judge whether the evidence is enough to reach a verdict.
Key Points to Remember
Data sufficiency tests whether given information is enough to answer the question, not the actual answer
Standard format includes a question followed by two statements I and II
Five answer choices cover all combinations of statement sufficiency
Never assume information that is not explicitly provided in the statements
Focus on 'Can I solve?' rather than 'What is the solution?'
Use SCAN method: check Statement I alone, Statement II alone, both together, neither sufficient
Sufficient means you can find one unique answer, not multiple possibilities
Most common topics are ages, profit-loss, time-work, and basic geometry problems
Exam-Specific Tips
SSC CGL includes 2-3 data sufficiency questions per reasoning section
Standard answer choices are always A, B, C, D, E representing different statement combinations
Data sufficiency questions carry same marks as other logical reasoning questions
Age-related problems appear in 40% of data sufficiency questions in SSC exams
Time allocation should be maximum 2 minutes per data sufficiency question
Geometry-based data sufficiency questions often involve finding area or perimeter
Number theory problems frequently test concepts of even, odd, and prime numbers
Practice MCQs
Data Sufficiency — Reasoning — Practice Questions
13graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
Statements:
I. All teachers are educated.
II. Some educated people are not teachers.
Question: Is it possible for a person to be educated but not a teacher?
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Practice 2easy
Statements:
I. Raj is taller than Priya.
II. Priya is taller than Karan.
Question: Is Raj taller than Karan?
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Practice 3easy
Statements:
I. All roses are flowers.
II. Some flowers are red.
Question: Are all roses red?
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Practice 4easy
Statements:
I. Mohan is older than Sohan.
II. Sohan is older than Rohan.
III. Rohan is older than Mohan.
Question: What is the age order of the three?
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Practice 5easy
Statements:
I. All doctors are professionals.
II. Rajesh is a professional.
Question: Is Rajesh a doctor?
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Practice 6medium
In a row of 8 students, Priya is 3rd from the left. When all students are arranged in reverse order, what is Priya's position from the right?
Statement I: The row contains exactly 8 students.
Statement II: Priya was originally 3rd from the left.
A) Only Statement I is sufficient
B) Only Statement II is sufficient
C) Both statements together are sufficient
D) Neither statement alone is sufficient
Practice 7medium
A shopkeeper sells three types of items: X, Y, and Z. The profit on X is 20%, on Y is 15%, and on Z is 25%.
Statement I: The shopkeeper sold 10 units of X, 8 units of Y, and 12 units of Z.
Statement II: The cost price of X is ₹100, Y is ₹150, and Z is ₹200 per unit.
Can we determine the total profit earned?
A) Only Statement I is sufficient
B) Only Statement II is sufficient
C) Both statements together are sufficient
D) Neither statement alone is sufficient
Practice 8medium
In a family, there are 5 members. The average age of all members is 30 years.
Statement I: The sum of ages of the two youngest members is 40 years.
Statement II: The oldest member is 50 years old.
Can we determine the sum of ages of the three oldest members?
A) Only Statement I is sufficient
B) Only Statement II is sufficient
C) Both statements together are sufficient
D) Neither statement alone is sufficient
Practice 9hard
A person travels from Town P to Town Q. Statement I: The person travels 40 km North, then 30 km East, then 20 km South. Statement II: The person's final displacement from P is 50 km. What is the person's final displacement from P?
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient
(B) Statement II alone is sufficient
(C) Both statements together are sufficient
(D) Neither statement alone nor together is sufficient
Practice 10hard
Six boxes are arranged in a line. Box P contains either 10 or 20 items. Statement I: If Box P contains 10 items, then the total items in all boxes is 100. Statement II: If Box P contains 20 items, then the total items in all boxes is 110. How many items does Box P contain?
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient
(B) Statement II alone is sufficient
(C) Both statements together are sufficient
(D) Neither statement alone nor together is sufficient
Practice 11hard
A committee has members from three departments: Sales, Marketing, and Operations. Statement I: The number of Sales members is twice the number of Marketing members. Statement II: The total committee size is 15, and Operations has 3 members. What is the number of Sales members?
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient
(B) Statement II alone is sufficient
(C) Both statements together are sufficient
(D) Neither statement alone nor together is sufficient
Practice 12hard
A person's age and their sibling's age satisfy a relationship. Statement I: The person is currently 5 years older than their sibling. Statement II: Five years ago, the person was twice as old as their sibling. What is the person's current age?
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient
(B) Statement II alone is sufficient
(C) Both statements together are sufficient
(D) Neither statement alone nor together is sufficient
Practice 13hard
A code uses letters and numbers. Statement I: Every vowel is replaced by the digit that is 1 more than its position in the alphabet (A=2, E=6, I=10, O=16, U=22). Statement II: The word 'AUDIO' is coded as '2 22 5 10 16'. Is the code consistent?
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient to verify consistency
(B) Statement II alone is sufficient to verify consistency
(C) Both statements together are sufficient to verify consistency
(D) The statements are contradictory
60-Second Revision — Data Sufficiency — Reasoning
Remember: Judge sufficiency, don't calculate the actual answer unless necessary
Formula: Use SCAN method to systematically check each statement combination
Trap: Never assume information not explicitly stated in the problem
Strategy: If one statement alone works, don't waste time checking combinations
Focus: Look for unique answer possibility, not multiple solutions
Time tip: Spend maximum 2 minutes per question using elimination method