Tips and Sample Questions for Statement- Course of Action | Logical Reasoning (LR) and Data Interpretation (DI) - CAT PDF Download

What is the Course of Action?

A course of action is a step or administrative decision to be taken up for improvement or follow-up for further action in regard to the problem, policy etc. on the basis of the information given in the statement. 

1. Problem and Solution based: When the given situation talks of a problem, then the suggested ‘course of action’ should talk about the solution keeping in mind the following points- 

• It solves/reduces or minimizes the problem.
• The solution or course of action is practically Possible.

For Example 
Statement: A large number of people in ward X of the city are diagnosed to be suffering from a fatal malaria type.
Courses of Action: I. The city municipal authority should take immediate steps to carry out extensive fumigation in ward X.
1. The people in the area should be advised to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. 
(a) Only I follows 
(b) Only II follows 
(c) Either I or II follows 
(d) Neither I nor II follows 
(e) Both I and II follow
Ans: (e)
Sol: Clearly, prevention from mosquitoes and elimination of mosquitoes are two ways to prevent malaria. The action will reduce the problem. So, both the courses of action follow.

2. Fact and Improvement based: When the presented situations talk about a simple fact (not a problem, just a situation) then the suggested courses of action should suggest ways of improvement.
The format of the Problem: These types of questions contain two or more statements and these statements are followed by a number of Courses of Action. You are required to find which Course of Action will logically follow from the given statement.
For Example
Statement: Exporters in the capital are alleging that commercial banks are violating a Reserve Bank of India directive to operate a post-shipment export credit denominated in foreign currency at international rates from January this year.
Courses of Action: 
I. The officers concerned in the commercial banks are to be suspended. 
II. The RBI should be asked to stop giving such directives to commercial banks. 
(a) Only I follows 
(b) Only II follows 
(c) Either I or II follows 
(d) Neither I nor II follows 
(e) Both I and II follow
Ans: (d)
Sol: The statement mentions that the commercial banks violate a directive issued by the RBI. The remedy is only to make the banks implement the Act. So, none of the courses follows.

Following are the approaches to solve the questions of this topic 

• Don’t make your individual perception.
• Act according to the rules of any organization.
• Go for impartial and not personal thinking.
• Existing practices are not effective Course of Action.
• Whenever a problem arises, it is always a sensible course of action to find out the cause.

Important Points to proceed step by step to reach final courses of action

1. Extreme or strict action is not a valid course of action.
2. The actions should be a positive step towards the solution of the problem, rather harsh and undemocratic.
3. Analyses course of action whether it will solve the problem or lessen it. For proper analysis check with
(i) Universal truth
(ii) Experience
(iii) Logic
4. Go for a practical course of action. A simple problem must have a simple course of action, not a complex one which might create more problem than to solve or reduce.
5. In most of the cases, a situation has more than one course of action. But they are never exclusive to each other. So our answer should be always “both follow” and not “either of them follows”.
6. If the course of action and problems are properly balanced and if the course of action is also feasible than that action can be followed.

Tips and Tricks to Solve Statement and Course of Action Questions

Candidates can find various tips and tricks from below for solving the questions related to the Statement and Course of Action reasoning section. 

• Candidates should make sure that the chosen answer should be practically true and suitable for the long term. 
• The solution should not have any negative effects afterwards.
• The best course of action is to either reduce the problem or improve the condition that the problem has produced.
• A simple problem requires a simple solution, not a complex one that may cause more difficulties than it solves or reduces.
• The course of action should be reasonable and relevant to real-life situations.
• The solution should not have any negative consequences afterward.

Sample Questions

Q1: Statement: Youngsters are often found staring at obscene posters.
Courses of Action :
(I) Children should be punished and penalized if they are found doing so.
(II) Any display of such materials should be banned.
(a) Only I follows
(b) Only II follows
(c) Either I or II follows
(d)  Neither I nor II follows
(e) Both I and II follow
Ans: (b)
Sol: Bad things attract more and punishment after the act has been committed is no remedy. The act should be prevented so only II follows.

Q2: Statement: Rapid growth of the urban population has led to a severe shortage of living space resulting in a drop in living conditions.
Courses of Action:
(I) The Government should draw plans for urban re planning and development.
(II) All village to town migrations should be stopped.
(II) The Government should demolish the five-star hotels and build peoples cottages there.
(a) Only I follows
(b) Only III follows
(c) I & III follow
(d) I & II follow
(e) All follow
Ans: (a)
Sol: ‘I’ is a positive step towards the solution of the problem. III is rather harsh and undemocratic. II too is an extreme action. Both II & III would violate the Fundamental Rights of the Indian Constitution. 

Q3: Statement: Although the advancement of medical science has raised life expectancy, the rate of child mortality remains high in India.
Courses of Action :
(I) Efforts should be made to lower life expectancy.
II) Medical scientists should be asked to give up their jobs.
III) Efforts should be made to decrease the rate of child mortality.
(a) I & II follow
(b) II & III follow
(c) I & III follow
(d) Only I follows
(e) Only III follows
Ans: (e)
Sol: Option ‘I’ is an absurd suggestion. Option ‘II’ is an extreme action not required in the present circumstances. Option ‘III’ is undeniably a proper course of action.