Understanding RRB NTPC Blood Relations with Family Tree Method
Blood Relations questions appear in every RRB NTPC exam, typically 3-5 questions worth 3 marks each. Most candidates lose marks here not because the logic is hard, but because they try to solve these puzzles mentally instead of drawing them out.
The Family Tree Method transforms confusing word problems into simple visual diagrams. You'll decode "A's brother's wife's father" in 30 seconds instead of re-reading the sentence five times.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Family Tree Method uses symbols: Male = □ or =, Female = ○, Married couple = connected by =, Parent-child = vertical line
- Draw horizontally for same generation: siblings on same level, parents above, children below
- Mark the question starter: Circle or highlight the person you're asked about
- Solve in 3 steps: Convert words to symbols (20 sec) → Complete the tree (20 sec) → Find the relationship (20 sec)
- Success rate: Students using this method solve 85% of blood relation questions correctly vs 52% without diagrams
Source: PrepGrind analysis of 1,200+ RRB NTPC candidates (2022-2024 batches)
Why Mental Solving Fails in RRB NTPC Blood Relations
Amit from Lucknow scored only 2/5 in Blood Relations during his first RRB NTPC attempt. He was solving everything in his head, getting confused between "brother's wife" and "wife's brother." After switching to the Family Tree Method, he scored 5/5 in his next mock test. The difference? Visual clarity.
RRB NTPC Blood Relations questions deliberately use complex phrasing like "pointing to a person, Rahul said 'his mother's only daughter is my wife.'" Your brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. Drawing beats thinking every time.
Standard Family Tree Symbols for RRB NTPC
Use these consistent symbols in every question:
Male
Square or equals sign
Female
Circle
Marriage
Horizontal line connecting
Parent-Child
Vertical line going down
Siblings
Connected horizontally
Pro Tip: Write names inside or next to symbols. Use M/F if you forget who's who. The diagram doesn't need to be perfect—it just needs to be clear to you.
The 3-Step Family Tree Process
Step 1: Identify the Starting Point (5 seconds)
Underline the main person in the question. Usually it's "A said" or "pointing to B." This person is your anchor—place them in the center of your rough work space.
Step 2: Build the Tree One Relationship at a Time (30 seconds)
Read the sentence in small chunks. After each relationship word (brother, father, wife, daughter), add that person to your tree.
Example: "A's father's only daughter"
- Draw A (□ or ○ depending on gender clues)
- Draw A's father above (□ connected by vertical line)
- Father's only daughter = draw ○ at A's level (A's sister)
Never skip ahead. Process relationships sequentially.
Step 3: Answer the Question (10 seconds)
The question asks "how is X related to Y?" Find both people on your tree. Count the relationship path. Parent's sibling = uncle/aunt. Sibling's child = nephew/niece.
Solving the Classic RRB NTPC Blood Relations Question
"Pointing to a woman, Rajesh said, 'She is the daughter of my grandfather's only child.' How is the woman related to Rajesh?"
Solution:
- Draw Rajesh (□)
- His grandfather above (□) connected by vertical line through one middle generation
- Grandfather's only child = Rajesh's father (□) or mother (○)
- That person's daughter (○) = the woman
If grandfather has only one child and Rajesh is that child's son, then that child's daughter is Rajesh's sister.
Answer: Sister
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Common RRB NTPC Family Tree Patterns
"A is B's sister. B is C's mother. D is C's father." Draw B and D connected (married), with A as B's sibling, and C as their child below.
"A's brother's wife" ≠ "A's wife's brother"
First phrase: A → A's brother (□) → brother's wife (○)
Second phrase: A → A's wife (○) → wife's brother (□)
Always draw to avoid confusion.
"Only son" means no other male siblings (but may have sisters). "Only child" means no siblings at all. These clues eliminate extra people from your tree.
Neha from Jaipur reduced her average solving time from 90 seconds to 45 seconds per question by using these three shortcuts consistently for two weeks. She practiced 10 questions daily using only the Family Tree Method.
Time-Saving Shortcuts for RRB NTPC Exam
Shortcut 1: Pre-Memorize Common Relations
- Father's brother = Uncle (Paternal)
- Mother's brother = Uncle (Maternal)
- Father's sister = Aunt (Paternal)
- Sister's son = Nephew
- Brother's daughter = Niece
- Spouse's sibling = Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law
Shortcut 2: Gender-Neutral Terms
If the question doesn't specify gender, use neutral symbols first. Add gender only when the final answer requires it (uncle vs aunt, nephew vs niece).
Shortcut 3: Mark Blood vs Marriage
Use solid lines for blood relations, dotted lines for marriage relations. This helps when questions ask "how is X related by blood to Y?"
Practice Strategy for RRB NTPC Blood Relations
Solve 10 questions daily. Draw the family tree even for easy questions. Your goal is speed with symbols, not getting answers right.
Move to 3-statement questions and coded blood relations. Time yourself: 60 seconds maximum per question.
Solve blood relations sections from previous RRB NTPC papers. Draw trees on the OMR sheet margins exactly like you will in the exam.
According to PrepGrind's analysis of 800+ RRB NTPC selections from 2022-2024, candidates who practiced the Family Tree Method for 30+ questions scored an average of 4.2/5 marks in Blood Relations sections versus 2.8/5 for those who attempted mental solving.
Which Approach Should You Use?
Use Family Tree Method if:
- You currently score below 3/5 in Blood Relations
- Complex statements confuse you
- You re-read questions multiple times
- You have 60+ seconds per question available
Skip Family Tree Method if:
- You consistently score 5/5 without diagrams
- Question has only 2 simple relationships
- You're down to last 2 minutes with multiple questions pending
For RRB NTPC specifically, 90% of Blood Relations questions benefit from the Family Tree Method. The exam gives you rough work space—use it. Even toppers draw diagrams for 4-5 relationship chains.
People also search for
How much time should I spend drawing the family tree in RRB NTPC exam?
Spend 30-40 seconds maximum drawing the tree. With practice, you'll complete simple diagrams in 20 seconds. The time investment pays off because you'll avoid re-reading the question and making careless errors. Total time per question including drawing: 60-75 seconds.
What if I make a mistake while drawing the family tree?
Don't erase completely. Strike through the wrong symbol and redraw next to it. Erasing wastes 5-10 seconds. Your rough work doesn't need to be clean. Focus on getting the relationships correct, not creating perfect diagrams.
Should I use the Family Tree Method for all blood relation question types in RRB NTPC?
Yes, use it for direct statements, coded relations (A$B means A is father of B), and conversation-based questions. The only exception is single-relationship questions like "Your mother's brother is your ___?" These are direct recall—no diagram needed.
How do I represent the same person appearing twice in a family tree?
If the question mentions the same person in different contexts, draw them once and label clearly. Example: "Mohan's son is Ravi's father" — draw Mohan → his son → Ravi in one vertical line. Don't duplicate people; connect the relationships through the shared person.
Can I use different symbols than circles and squares for the Family Tree Method?
Yes, use whatever symbols you can draw fastest. Some students use +/− for male/female, others use M/F letters. The symbols don't matter; consistency matters. Practice with one system for 50+ questions so it becomes automatic during the exam.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
The Family Tree Method converts RRB NTPC Blood Relations from confusing word puzzles into straightforward visual problems. Master the three-step process: identify the starting person, build the tree one relationship at a time, and trace the path to your answer.
Your goal this week: practice 50 blood relations questions using only the Family Tree Method. Draw every single tree, even for questions you could solve mentally. Speed comes after accuracy, and accuracy comes from consistent practice with one proven technique.
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