TSA TSA Problem Solving & Decision Making 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In TSA problem-solving sections, 'finding a procedure' questions typically require you to:
- Write a step-by-step essay about a process
- Determine which set of steps leads to a desired outcome (Correct answer)
- Memorize a fixed formula from the test booklet
- Draw a diagram illustrating a complex process
Correct 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.
Question 2: A store sells items at a 25% discount. If the original price is $80, what is the sale price?
- $55
- $60 (Correct answer)
- $65
- $70
Correct answer: $60
25% of $80 is $20, so the sale price is $80 − $20 = $60.
Question 3: Which TSA problem-solving strategy involves testing each answer option to find the one that satisfies all given conditions?
- Forward reasoning
- Back-solving (working backwards from answers) (Correct answer)
- Diagrammatic analysis
- Elimination by analogy
Correct answer: Back-solving (working backwards from answers)
Back-solving means substituting each answer option into the problem to check which one satisfies all constraints.
Question 4: 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?
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 15
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15.
Question 5: In spatial reasoning tasks on the TSA, you are most commonly asked to:
- Write essays describing geometric shapes
- Mentally rotate or reflect 2D or 3D shapes to match a target configuration (Correct answer)
- Memorize the names of geometric theorems
- Calculate volumes of irregular shapes using calculus
Correct 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.
Question 6: A train travels from City A to City B, a distance of 240 miles, at 60 mph. How long does the journey take?
- 3 hours
- 4 hours (Correct answer)
- 5 hours
- 6 hours
Correct answer: 4 hours
Time = Distance ÷ Speed = 240 ÷ 60 = 4 hours.
TSA TSA Problem Solving & Decision Making 1
In TSA problem-solving sections, 'finding a procedure' questions typically require you to: