Study Notes & Short Tricks: Course of Action

As per today’s scenario in the Banking exam even in other exams like SSC, it has become important that to solve a particular problem quickly you have to know the concept behind the question and also the way how to solve that problem quickly. Keeping in mind that thing we are providing here some important study notes and short tricks of various topics of Reasoning Ability so that a student can attempt more questions in less time (especially in Banking and SSC exams) and can make a higher probability of being selected. Best of hard work to all students. Keep using Bankersadda.

Courses of Action

• What is Course of Action? 

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

• There are two broad types of pattern in Courses of Action : –

1. Problem and solution based:–This is the case in which presented situation talks of a problem and the suggested courses of action talks of a solution.
2. Facts and improvement based:– This is the case in which presented situation talks about simple facts and courses of action for their improvement.

Some important points which should be in mind while solving Courses of Action:–
1. Course of action should be viable i.e you should take that course of action which are within your limit, which you are able to do that.
2. Action must be the solution i.e you should take that course of action which will solve or minimize the problem.
3. Action must be instant.
4. Action should be logically correct.
5. You cannot take any harsh action.
6. Action must be related to the problem.
7. A course of action cannot be repeated if it has previously failed.
8. A course of Action should be preventive in nature.
9. Remember that opinions are not course of action.
10. A course of action cannot be illegal.


Note:– In most of the cases, a situation has more than one courses of action. But they are never exclusive to each other. So our answer should be always “Both follow” and not “either of them follows”.

So, in simple word we can say that-Take that Course of Action which solves or minimize the problem.

Pattern of questions asked in exams:–

• Directions:– In each questions below, a statement followed by two courses of action numbered I and II, on the basis of the information given in the statement you have to assume everything in the statement to be true, then decide which of the suggested course of action logically follow for pursuing.

Mark your answer as:—
(a) If Only I follows
(b) If Only II follows
(c) If Either I or II follows
(d) If Neither I nor II follows
(e) If Both I and II follows
Some times in exam more than two Courses of Action are given. And option will be given according to that.

• Now, let’s take some example of Courses of Action 

1. Statement :– The inmates of Jail X are very dangerous people.
Courses of Action : –
(i) More security personnel should be posted to guard the jail.
(ii) Some inmates should be shifted to a different jail.

Explanation :– only 1st course of action follows because in statement it is mentioned that the inmates are very dangerous people so, it is better to deploy more guard to prevent any wrong happening but 2nd course of Action is not viable. Shifting is not a solution of problem.

2. Statement :– Severe drought is reported to have set in several parts of the country.
Courses of Action:–
(i) Govt. Should immediately make arrangement for providing financial assistance to those affected.
(ii) Food, water and fodder should immediately be sent to all these areas to save the people and     cattle.


Explanation:– In the break-out of a natural calamity, the basic duty of the Govt. becomes to provide the basic amenities essential to save the lives of people and cattle. So, only 2nd conclusion follows.

3. Statement:– Three persons were caught with huge arms and ammunition in the city.
Courses of Action:–
(i) Police should be instructed for night patrolling.
(ii) The three persons should be set free and their movements should be carefully watched to    nab the other criminals.
Explanation:– The police should at once be made cautions and put on high alert to prevent any unwanted incident. Also, once caught, such criminals ought not to be released. They can be interrogate d to detect other criminals.
So, only 1st conclusions follows.

4. Statement:– The teenager was arrested by the police for taking drugs.
Courses of Action:–
(i) The teenager should be meted with corporal punishment by the police.
(ii) The teenager should be sent to a drug rehabilitation centre.
Explanation:– Only 2nd course of action follows because for their improvement, teenager should be sent to a drug rehabilitation centre. 1st one is harsh course of Action.

5. Statement:– India’s performance in the recent Olympic games was very poor. Not even a single medal could be bagged by the players. Govt. has spent Rs. 5 crores in training and deputing a team of players to participate in the Olympic Games.
Courses of Action:–
(i) India should stop sending players to the future Olympic Games.
(ii) Govt. Should immediately set up an enquiry commission to find out reason for India’s dismal  performance.
Explanation:– Stop sending players to the Olympic games is not a solution but an enquiry commission should be set up to find out where the team is lacking. So, only 2nd course of action follows.

We have given our best to make you understand the concept of “Course of Action” with some different examples with their explanation. Hope you will be able to get things clear.