TSA Problem Solving & Decision Making Flashcards

In TSA problem-solving sections, 'finding a procedure' questions typically require you to:

Answer: Determine which set of steps leads to a desired outcome

Finding-a-procedure questions ask test-takers to identify or construct the correct sequence of operations to achieve a given result.

A store sells items at a 25% discount. If the original price is $80, what is the sale price?

Answer: $60

25% of $80 is $20, so the sale price is $80 − $20 = $60.

Which TSA problem-solving strategy involves testing each answer option to find the one that satisfies all given conditions?

Answer: Back-solving (working backwards from answers)

Back-solving means substituting each answer option into the problem to check which one satisfies all constraints.

Five friends each brought a different number of items to a picnic: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. What is the total number of items?

Answer: 15

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15.

In spatial reasoning tasks on the TSA, you are most commonly asked to:

Answer: Mentally rotate or reflect 2D or 3D shapes to match a target configuration

Spatial reasoning tasks require mental rotation, reflection, or folding of shapes to identify matching configurations.

A train travels from City A to City B, a distance of 240 miles, at 60 mph. How long does the journey take?

Answer: 4 hours

Time = Distance ÷ Speed = 240 ÷ 60 = 4 hours.