What is Logical Reasoning?
Logical reasoning consists of aptitude questions that require a logical level of analysis to arrive at the correct solution. Most of the questions are constructed based on concepts and the rest are out of the box thinking ones.
Logical reasoning is classified into two types:
- Verbal Reasoning: It is the ability to logically understand the concepts and solve problems expressed in words. Verbal reasoning tests the ability of extraction of information and implications in a sentence.
- Non-verbal Reasoning: It is the ability to logically understand the concepts and solve problems expressed in numbers/letters/figures in combination with words. Non-verbal reasoning tests the ability of deduction and induction of logic of information and implications in a problem.
The logical reasoning section is one such, which is included in almost all major Government exams. A large part of reasoning syllabus can be divided into the two above-mentioned types.
CONTENTS -----
PART-1 (VERBAL REASONING)
SECTION-1 - GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY
1.SERIES COMPLETION
2.ANALOGY
3.CLASSIFICATION
4.CODING-DECODING
5.BLOOD RELATIONS
6.PUZZLE TEST
7.SEQUENTIAL OUTPUT TRACING
8.DIRECTION SENSE TEST
9.LOGICAL VENN DIAGRAMS
10.ALPHABET TEST
11.ALPHA-NUMERIC SEQUENCE PUZZLE
12.NUMBER,RANKING AND TIME SEQUENCE TEST
13.MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS
14.LOGICAL SEQUENCE OF WORDS
15.ARITHMETICAL REASONING
16.INSERTING THE MISSING CHARACTER
17.DATA SYFFICIENCY
18.ELIGIBILITY TEST
19.ASSERTION AND REASON
20.SITUATION REACTION TEST
21.VERIFICATION OF TRUTH OF THE STATEMENT
SECTION - 2 - LOGICAL DEDUCTION
1.LOGIC
2.STATEMENT-ARGUMENTS
3.STATEMENT-ASSUMPTIONS
4.STATEMENT-COURSES OF ACTION
5.STATEMENT-CONCLUSIONS
6.DERIVING CONCLUSIONS FROM PASSAGES
7.THEME DETECTION
8.CAUSE AND EFFECT REASONING
PART-II (NON-VERBAL REASONING)
1.SERIES
2.ANALOGY
3.CLASSIFICATION
4.ANALYTICAL REANONING
5.MIRROR IMAGES
6.WATER IMAGES
7.SPOTTING OUT THE EMBEDDED FIGURE
8.COMPLETION OF INCOMPLETE PATTERN
9.FIGURE MATRIX
10.PAPER FOLDING
11.PAPER CUTTING
12.RULE DETECTION
13.GROUPING OF IDENTICAL FIGURES
14.CUBES AND DICE
15.DOT SITUATION
16.CONSTRUCTION OF SQUARES AND TRIANGLES
17.FIGURE FORMATION AND ANALYSIS
Steps To Solve Logical Reasoning Based Questions
Listed below are some of the steps to solve Logical Reasoning questions and answers:
- Read and understand the information carefully.
- Analyze critical logical information.
- Think of all the possible solutions.
- Compare the answer obtained with other possibilities.
- Come to a correct logical conclusion.
The topics included in the logical reasoning section comprise of the following type of questions:
- Verbal Questions – These type of questions can be solved verbally and no pen-paper solution is required
- Image-Based Questions – Mirror images or paper construction based images may be given in the question and candidates may be asked to find similar or dissimilar figures
- Puzzle Questions – This includes seating arrangement or arranging people/days/months/places, etc. in different formats
- Sequence Questions – In such questions a series or sequence of people/numbers/alphabets, etc. may be given and questions based on the same may be asked
For more information on the different topics, you can check the linked pages below.
List of Topics under the Logical Reasoning Section
Aspirants need to study all the below topics under the Logical Reasoning section:
- Alphanumeric series
- Reasoning Analogies
- Artificial Language
- Blood Relations
- Calendars
- Cause and Effect
- Clocks
- Coding-Decoding
- Critical path
- Cubes and cuboids
- Data Sufficiency
- Decision Making
- Deductive Reasoning/Statement Analysis
- Dices
- Directions
- Embedded Images
- Figure Matrix
- Input-Output
- Mirror and Water Images
- Odd One Out
- Picture Series and Sequences
- Paper Folding
- Puzzles
- Pattern Series and Sequences
- Order & Ranking
- Seating Arrangements
- Shape Construction
- Statement and Assumptions
- Statement and Conclusions
- Syllogism
Sample Questions – Logical Reasoning
The key to revise a topic well and understand the concept even better is by solving questions based on them. More number of questions a candidate solves, more familiar he/she gets with the concept.
Given below are a few sample questions related to the various topics under Logical Reasoning. Candidadidates can refer to these questions and prepare themselves accordingly.
Directions (Q1-Q2): Based on the alphanumeric series given below, answer the following questions:
Alphanumeric Series: W % ^ K V P 1 I 7 E 0 & 2 9 A F Z N 4 * @ U ? M
Q 1. How many numbers in the series are preceded by a vowel?
- Four
- None
- Two
- One
- Three
Answer: (3) Two; 7 is preceded by I and 0 is preceded by E.
Q 2. What is the second element from the right of 7th element from left?
- K
- V
- 1
- 7
- ?
Answer: (4) 7; the Seventh element from left is 1 and 2nd element to the right of 1 is 7
Q 3. From a certain point, Smriti walks 70 m towards the south. Then, she turns to her right & starts walking straight for another 70 m. Then, again turning to her left he walks for 60 m. She then turns to her left & walks for 70 m. How far is she from the starting point?
- 120 m
- 135 m
- 140 m
- 130 m
- 125 m
Answer: (4) 130 m; 70+60 = 130 m
Q 4. In a row of persons, the position of Sakshi from the left side of the row is 26th and position of Sakshi from the right side of the row is 35th. Find the total number of students in the row?
- 67
- 32
- 46
- 60
- 72
Answer: (4) 60; {26+35-1 = 61-1 = 60}
Q 5. In a certain code language, ‘ANIMALS’ is written as ‘SLAMINA’. How is ‘ONLINE’ written in that code?
- ENILNO
- OLINEN
- LNOINE
- NNLOIE
- EINONL
Answer: (1) ENILNO; The first alphabet is replaced with the last alphabet, the second with second last and so on
Q 6. A family consists of six members Priya, Qureshi, Raj, Xavi, Yusuf and Zain. Qureshi is the son of Raj but Raj is not mother of Qureshi. Priya and Raj are a married couple. Yusuf is the brother of Raj. Xavi is the daughter of Priya. Zain is the brother of Priya. How many children does Priya have?
- One
- Two
- Three
- None
- Four
Answer: (2) Two; Qureshi and Xavi are children of Priya
Directions (Q 7-Q8). Read the information given below carefully and answer the following questions:
Five friends A, B, C, D and E travelled from Tamil Nadu to five different states Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Punjab by 5 different modes of transport: Cycle, Bus, Train, Truck, and Bike. The one who travelled to Rajasthan did not travel by Bike. C went to Karnataka by Truck and B went to Maharashtra by Train. D travelled by Bike and E travelled by Bus. Tamil Nadu is not connected by Cycle to Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Q 7. What means of Transport did C use?
- Bus
- Cycle
- Train
- Truck
- Bike
Answer: (4) Truck
| A | Punjab | Cycle |
| B | Maharashtra | Train |
| C | Karnataka | Truck |
| D | Uttar Pradesh | Bike |
| E | Rajasthan | Bus |
Q 8. Which state did E travel to?
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Uttar Pradesh
- Punjab
Answer: (1) Rajasthan
| A | Punjab | Cycle |
| B | Maharashtra | Train |
| C | Karnataka | Truck |
| D | Uttar Pradesh | Bike |
| E | Rajasthan | Bus |
Directions (Q9-Q10): Read the information given below and answer the following questions:
Pankaj, Qasif, Rajat, Supriya, Tina, Uttkarsh, Vartika, Waseem and Zoya are sitting around a circle facing at the centre. Rajat is third to the right of Zoya who is second to the right of Pankaj. Supriya is not an immediate neighbour of Zoya and Rajat. Tina is third to the left of Supriya. Qasif is third to the right of Waseem who is not an immediate neighbour of Supriya. Vartika is not a neighbour of Zoya.
Q 9. How many people are sitting between Waseem and Supriya (counted clockwise from Supriya)?
- One
- Four
- Five
- Two
- Three
Answer: (5) Three
Q 10. Who is sitting 3rd to the right of Vartika?
- Tina
- Pankaj
- Qasif
- Rajat
- Zoya
Answer: (5) Zoya
Frequently Asked Questions on Logical Reasoning
Q 1. What are logical reasoning questions?
Q 2. What are the topics asked in the logical reasoning section?
Q 3. How to solve logical reasoning questions?
Ans. Follow the steps below to solve the logical reasoning questions:
- Read the question carefully, line by line
- Note down the important information
- Use pictorial solution in case of confusion
- Opt for shortcuts and tricks, if any
- Analyse if the question can or cannot be solved verbally. This will help save some time
Q 4. How to prepare logical reasoning for upcoming competitive exams?
Ans. To prepare logical reasoning for upcoming competitive exams, candidates can refer to the following tips:
- Review the syllabus in detail and accordingly start your preparation
- Solve different types of questions based on each topic to strengthen your command over it
- Work on shortcuts and tricks to save time during the final exam
- Focus on Time Management
- Analyse previous year papers to get a list of important topics