Start here · the first lesson of Identify step pattern
Identify step pattern
Input-Output (machine) · for IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT
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The idea
A machine rearranges a line of words and numbers one step at a time by a fixed rule: move the next element into place (sorting), swap two elements, or rewrite elements (digit sums, vowels removed, letters replaced by numbers). Rohtak 2019 asked three questions on one printed arrangement (LR Q24–Q26); JIPMAT lists the topic in its syllabus.
Textbook vs exam method
Textbook method
- Line up the input and Step I; mark what moved or changed.
- Name the order behind it (descending numbers, alphabetical words, word length, last letter, ...).
- Confirm the rule on every printed step; a rule that fails one step is wrong.
- Apply it to the new input, writing each step in full.
- Answer each question from the written steps.
Exam method
- Sorting sets. after Step I you usually know the order; count how many elements are out of place to get the number of steps.
- Word-number sets. handle words and numbers as two separate queues (one of each per step).
- Position questions. count from the end named in the question; convert with .
- "Which step is this?". count how many elements are already arranged.