As such they have much in common with diagrammatic tests, as well as abstract reasoning tests and inductive reasoning tests. There are also verbal versions of logical tests, examples of which we’ll cover in more detail below. Logical reasoning tests assess a candidate’s ability to use structured thinking to deduce from a short passage which of a number of statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. This involves the ability to isolate and identify the various components of any given argument. Logical reasoning tests are frequently used during the application process at investment banks, accountancy & professional services firms and consulting firms, among others. The tests are usually provided by an external supplier, such as SHL or Kenexa. If you want to practise example tests and improve your performance, you can take practice logical reasoning tests here. As some employers also like to use verbal logic tests, we cover how to tackle those, with example questions, in the second section.
Diagrammatic Logical Reasoning Tests
These types of question require you to look at some data, identify the pattern or rules, and then spot which object does not meet those rules. Watch out for relative position, number of items, relationship between items, colour, shape, and orientation of shapes: there are many different variations on these rules and there may be some extraneous data in there that complicates the rules. Let’s have a look at a couple of examples. And if you’re looking for further ones to try, take a look at these practice test packages. You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs. Each stimulus takes the form of an argument – a conclusion based on evidence. You will need to understand the stimulus to answer the questions based on it. Common types of questions include weakening, strengthening, assumption, main point, inference, and parallel logic. Each is designed to test your ability to understand, analyze, evaluate and manipulate arguments.
Test-Taking Strategy
The best approach to tackling logical reasoning tests entails being an active reader. This means thinking about what you’re reading; paraphrasing the complicated parts; determining the topic, scope, the author’s purpose and passage structure, and author’s voice; and asking yourself questions about the passage. An assumption bridges the gap between an argument’s evidence and conclusion. It is a piece of support that is not explicitly stated but that is required for the conclusion to remain valid. When a question asks you to find an author’s assumption, it’s asking you to find the statement without which the argument falls apart. In order to test whether a statement is necessarily assumed by an author, you can use the denial test. Simply deny or negate the statement and see if the argument falls apart. If it does, that choice is a necessary assumption. If, on the other hand, the argument is unaffected, the choice is wrong. Let’s consider an example: In this statement, the second sentence is the conclusion and the first sentence is the evidence for it. However, in this case the argument is not complete. The piece that is missing is the assumption. From the information above, we can rephrase the example as: “All badminton players for Epsom High School are over six feet tall”. Now we can use the denial test. If it was not true that all badminton players for Epsom High School are over six feet tall, then we could not logically conclude that Edward must be taller than six feet. It would be possible that he was, but it would also possible that he was not. By denying the statement like this, the argument has fallen to pieces; it is no longer valid. This is our proof that the statement above is a necessary assumption of this argument.
Example Verbal Logic Question
This is an example of a typical question from a verbal logical reasoning test: Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?
A - The public does not want additional access to beaches. B - The government is currently responsible for the maintenance of all public and private beaches. C - The public already has some access to many beaches. D - Other property has been nationalized in the past, with no complaints from the original owners of the property. E - Some privately owned beaches are not well maintained.
However, familiarity with the types of questions you might face and some strategies for solving the questions will certainly help you perform better. Here are our five top tips:
Take a Free Logical Reasoning Test
Below is a logical reasoning test for you to try out. It was created by WikiJob and JobTestPrep in association with psychometric experts and is closely modelled on real tests. The test consists of 10 questions to be answered in 10 minutes (although note there is no timer on the test itself). Our tests are slightly harder than the real thing, in order to make them sufficiently challenging practice. You can take the test as many times as you like. Click the ‘Take Test’ link below on either to get started. By establishing the way a candidate interprets the relationships between objects and ideas, recognizes shapes and patterns, and can understand and evaluate arguments, make inferences, and spot fallacies, a logical reasoning test can predict the future success of a potential employee or a student applying for a gifted and talented program. A logical reasoning test can be used as part of a pre-employment screening process, for assessing the capabilities of a student and to determine training and development needs for employees already in a role. In most cases, logical reasoning tests are taken online, and they are structured with multiple choice answers. Logical reasoning assessments might be part of the learning and development planning for employees already in the role, to assess them for potential promotions or leadership opportunities. Logical reasoning tests are also used in educational settings, sometimes to assess a student for entry into gifted and talented programs, or when they apply to a particular college course or for an apprenticeship. Inductive reasoning takes specific information to form a general conclusion and is often evaluated using patterns and sequences in shapes and images (sometimes known as abstract or diagrammatic reasoning). Deductive reasoning is the opposite of inductive reasoning; it means taking general information and using it to come to a specific conclusion. These types of tests are usually verbally based, using written information. Critical thinking is another facet of logical reasoning, and in this type of test, you will be assessed on the way you can analyze arguments, spot fallacies, evaluate conclusions, and make inferences. With the right test, calibrated to suit the role, a logical reasoning assessment provides quantifiable and accurate data on the suitability of a candidate based on their ability to solve problems. This is not something that can be found on a CV, or even in other types of aptitude tests or psychometric assessments. Even without knowing the publisher, practice is perhaps the most important strategy to use for passing a reasoning test. Practice will help you decide where to focus your efforts when it comes to making study plans and completing revision – you need to spend time improving the areas you found more difficult in the practice test. On the day, make sure that you are well-rested and have eaten well, and stay hydrated. Read every question carefully and make sure you know what is expected of you at every stage. Take your time – even on a timed test, rushing can cost you marks if you miss a simple answer because you did not take the time to read the provided information. These are an excellent choice for those that need more practice and will help you feel comfortable and confident in the actual assessment because they will be structured and designed in the same way as the real thing. If you do not know which publisher it will be, or you need extra practice, you can make use of the practice tests available on sites like JobTestPrep. Here you can take generalized logical reasoning assessments, focus on inductive or deductive reasoning, or find specific publisher tests to practice. Many of them are generalized, with information designed to help both students and hopeful job applicants to improve their skills. The below list is not exhaustive and is just a small selection of what is available online:
Ultimate Aptitude Tests Psychometric Tests for Dummies MENSA Logic Tests
To make the most out of your book purchase, be sure to find resources that include both practice tests and revision help. The app called IQ and Aptitude Test Practice is free, although you might be asked to make in-app purchases for some features. It offers different test types and options so you can try out different question structures. There is an app available on Android called Logical Reasoning, which is specifically aimed at improving your logical thinking ability. With different tests available, this free app is a great way to practice reasoning on the go. Lumosity is a brain-training type of application, with a game system developed by neuroscientists. It is designed to improve attention, memory, speed and problem solving. Elevate – Brain Training is another fun, game-based app that boasts a personalized training program that boosts productivity, learning ability, cognitive skills, self-confidence, processing speed and focus.
SHL – Used by companies including Microsoft Kenexa – Used by Deutsche Bank Cubiks – Big businesses like Ernst & Young Talent Q/Korn Ferry – Astra Zeneca
When you are practicing, stick to exam conditions to replicate the way you will be answering in the real thing. When you have completed the practice test, look at the questions that you got wrong – this is where you will need to focus your revision. Hone your skills in unusual ways – through mobile games and brain training apps, looking at drawing conclusions and finding inferences in newspaper articles, and thinking logically about different problems. On the day, make sure that you have had a good night’s sleep so you are well-rested and ready to face the test. Eat well and focus on sustainable energy, and drink plenty of water. A well-fed, awake and hydrated brain will help you perform at your best. Make sure you take your time answering the questions. This means reading the questions and the provided information carefully – you might be under timed conditions in the test but rushing could mean you miss an easy answer. The SHL Verify G+ Deductive Reasoning Pack includes both free tests and paid-for revision, tips and tests. The SHL Verify G+ Inductive Reasoning Pack is the same, but for the inductive reasoning test. For the most accurate free tests, you can rely on JobTestPrep or go to the SHL website and practice with their free access tests. This means that SHL will use different techniques to ensure that you are not cheating the test and that you are working in the right way. Some of these techniques include:
Periodic image capture Multi-face detection Browser toggle Screenshot or copy & paste
By monitoring these actions, SHL can tell if it is you taking the test, if someone is looking over your shoulder (and potentially helping you) or if you are toggling between screens to get the answer. It can also tell if you simply copy/paste your answers. One of the ways that people might cheat in a logical reasoning test is to get someone else to take the test for them – either a friend or by paying a service to do it. For the more tech-savvy – and those with more time on their hands – getting access to the question bank and knowing the answers ahead of time is another cheat. This can involve screenshotting the questions in the test as they appear and then telling the publisher that they lost connection, or creating many different usernames to take the test and hoping that they get all the questions that way. It is not worth cheating, however. Both test publishers and employers have ways to tell if someone has cheated on a logical reasoning test, including making the candidate resit the test at an assessment center or remotely proctoring the assessment, and having exceptionally large question banks. Even if you can get through the test process with a cheat, part of the reason you take the assessment is to ensure that you would be a good fit for the role – and if you lack the logical or critical thinking skills, you might not be cut out for it. Remember, if you are found to be cheating, not only will you not be hired but you are likely to be unable to apply for any position in that company in the future.
