Crack the Code: Problem Solving & Logical Thinking for Competitive Exams

The School of Business and Management (BBA), CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organised a focused and skill-oriented session titled “Crack the Code: Problem Solving & Logical Thinking for Competitive Exams” on 3rd December 2025 at the Auditorium, Management Block. This initiative forms an essential part of the department’s continuous efforts to prepare BBA Honours students for various national and international competitive examinations from the very beginning of their academic journey. By introducing the fundamentals of quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and systematic problem-solving in the first year itself, the department aims to build long-term competency and confidence among students, enabling them to excel as they progress into higher semesters.

The session was organised exclusively for First Year BBA Honours students, with more than 30 participants attending the lecture. The event was coordinated by Dr. Saran Murali, and the resource person for the session was Prof. (Dr.) Thomas KV, a senior faculty member from the School of Commerce, Finance & Accountancy, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa. Dr. Thomas KV brings extensive experience in training students for aptitude-based assessments, competitive examinations, and business-oriented analytical skills, making him an ideal mentor for this initiative.

The lecture began with an introduction to the relevance of competitive examinations in shaping career opportunities for management graduates. Dr. Thomas highlighted the increasing importance of aptitude tests in recruitment processes, higher-education entrance exams, and government examinations. He explained that problem-solving ability and logical reasoning are not merely test components but essential life skills that enhance decision-making, analytical clarity, and structured thinking—attributes highly valued in both academic and professional environments.

To ensure active participation and deeper engagement, the students were divided into small groups, transforming the session into an interactive, activity-based learning environment. Dr. Thomas introduced a series of numerical problems covering basic arithmetic, percentage applications, and logical puzzles. Students were encouraged to collaborate with their group members, discuss alternative approaches, and apply time-saving strategies commonly used in competitive exams.

The interactive format helped students break down complex problems into simpler steps and understand how to choose the most efficient solution path. Dr. Thomas also emphasised the importance of approximation techniques, pattern recognition, elimination methods, and logical deduction—all of which are crucial for solving aptitude questions under time constraints. By working through examples collectively, students gained clarity on common mistakes, misconceptions, and shortcuts that can significantly improve exam performance.

In the second part of the session, Dr. Thomas focused on Logical Reasoning, introducing areas such as sequencing, coding-decoding, analogies, syllogisms, and direction-sense problems. He provided practical demonstrations on how logical thinking can be developed gradually through consistent practice and exposure to structured exercises. Students shared their solutions, explained their thought processes, and learned to evaluate reasoning patterns critically.

The session successfully met its objectives by equipping first-year students with foundational skills required for competitive examinations. It also strengthened their confidence to approach numerical and logical problems systematically. Overall, this initiative aligned with the School of Business and Management’s broader academic strategy of preparing students early for aptitude-driven competitive landscapes and ensuring sustained readiness throughout their BBA programme.