Reasoning Questions for Competitive Exams

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Reasoning-Questions

Reasoning questions, whether verbal, non-verbal, logical, or analytical, play a crucial role in the exam patterns of many competitive assessments in India and worldwide. These questions help institutions evaluate candidates’ problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, calculation proficiency, and capacity to connect various elements and predict sequences.

Typically, reasoning and verbal ability are featured in the preliminary or initial stages of exams, serving as a screening mechanism for further selection rounds, including personal interviews. Read on to explore the different categories of logic reasoning questions commonly found in competitive exams.

Type of Reasoning Questions

Reasoning ability questions are crucial in evaluating a candidate’s cognitive abilities in competitive exams. They can be broadly categorized into two significant types: Logical Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning. Understanding Logical and Analytical reasoning questions is essential for effective exam preparation, enabling candidates to hone their skills in both logical and analytical thinking.

Analytical Reasoning

Analytical reasoning questions emphasize the ability to analyze and interpret data, often requiring candidates to solve complex problems by breaking them down into simpler parts. This type of reasoning assesses critical thinking and the ability to connect different elements.

The topics covered under Analytical Reasoning are Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Direction Sense Test, Complex Arrangement, Simple & Coded Inequality, Conditions & Grouping, Ranking & Time Sequence Test, etc.

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning involves solving logical questions that require a critical level of examination to reach the correct conclusion. It includes evaluating arguments, identifying patterns, and drawing conclusions based on the provided information.

The topics covered under logical reasoning are Statements & Assumption, Syllogism, Puzzles, Constraint-Based Reasoning, Proposition Testing, Course of Action, Assertion and Reason, Input Output Relations, Conclusion Estimation from Passages, Cause and Effect Reasoning, Theme Detection etc.

Logical Reasoning ability is further divided into Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning.

Divisions of Logical Reasoning

  • Verbal Reasoning: Analogy, Series Completion, Blood Relations, Venn Diagrams, Sequential Output Tracing, Ranking & Time Sequence Test, Alphabet Test, Logical Sequence of Words, Inserting the Missing Character, Data Sufficiency, Arithmetical Reasoning Questions, Coding-Decoding, Puzzle Test, Eligibility Test, Situation Reaction Test, Assertion & Reason, etc.
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning: Mirror Images, Reverse Images, Spotting Embedded Figures, Figure Matrix, Paper Folding, Cubes & Dice, Construction of Squares & Triangles, Grouping of Identical Figures, Paper Cutting, Rule Detection, Dot Situation, Figure Formation & Analysis, Series, Classification, Analogy etc.

Note: Students must note that a large majority of the logic reasoning ability questions overlap among the categories of reasoning and are flexibly utilized.

Also Read: How to Speak Fluent English in 30 Days?

Common Types of Reasoning Questions in Exams

Here are some of the major types of logic reasoning ability questions that are most commonly used or asked in different competitive exams for different recruitments, intakes, etc.

  • CAT
  • NTSE
  • SCRA
  • AFCAT
  • SSC CGL
  • AMCAT
  • RBI
  • Railway Recruitment Exams
  • LIC
  • IBPS
  • UPSC
  • Bank PO

Sample of Reasoning Questions With Answers

There are many types of reasoning ability questions, each testing different thinking skills. Let’s look at a few important reasoning questions with answers from categories like verbal, non-verbal, logical, and analytical reasoning.

Logical Reasoning Questions

1. In a family, there is are husband-wife, two sons and two daughters. All the ladies were invited to a dinner. Both sons went out to play. The husband did not return from the office. Who was at home?

A. Only wife was at home
B. Nobody was at home
C. Only sons were at home
D. All ladies were at home

Answer: B

2. In Arun’s opinion, his weight is greater than 65 kg but less than 72 kg. His brother doesn’t agree with Arun, and he thinks that Arun’s weight is greater than 60 kg but less than 70 kg. His mother’s view is that his weight cannot be greater than 68 kg. If all are them are correct in their estimation, what is the average of different probable weights of Arun?

A. 67 kg
B. 68 kg
C. 69 kg
D. Data inadequate

Answer: A

Blood Relations Reasoning Questions

3. If ‘X $ Y’ means ‘X is father of Y’; ‘X # Y’ means ‘X is mother of Y’; ‘X × Y’ means ‘X is sister of Y’, then how is D related to N in N # A $ B × D?

A. Nephew
B. Grandson
C. Granddaughter
D. Cannot be Determined

Answer D

4. Pointing to a photograph, a man said, “I have no brother or sister but that man’s father is my father’s son.” Whose photograph was it?

A. His own
B. His Son
C. His Father
D. His Grandfather

Answer C

Coding- Decoding Reasoning Questions

5. If in a certain language, MADRAS is coded as NBESBT, how is BOMBAY coded in that code?

A. CPNCBX
B. CPNCBZ
C. CPOCBZ
D. CQOCBZ

Answer B

6. In a code language, if POSE is coded as OQNPRTDF, then the word TYPE will be coded as

A. SUXZOQFD
B. SUXZQOFD
C. SUXZOQDF
D. SUXZQODE

Answer C

Puzzle Test

7. Four usual dice are thrown on the ground. The total of numbers on the top faces of these four dice is 13, as the top faces showed 4, 3, 1 and 5, respectively. What is the total of the faces touching the ground?

A. 12
B. 13
C. 15
D. Cannot be determined

Answer C

Direction Test

8. I am facing East. Turning to the right, I go 20 m, then turning to the left, I go 20 m and turning to the right, I go 20 m, then again turning to the right, I go 40 m, and then again, I go 40 m to the right. In which direction am I from my original position?

A. North
B. West
C. South
D. East

Answer B

9.A river flows west to east and, on the way, turns left and goes in a semi-circle around a hillock and then turns left at right angles. In which direction is the river finally flowing?

A. West
B. East
C. North
D. South

Answer B

Also Read: Omission Exercises!

Seating Arrangement Reasoning Questions

10. A, B, C, D, E, and F are sitting in a row. E and F are in the center. A and B are at the ends. C is sitting to the left of A. Who is to the right of B?

A. D
B. C
C. A
D. F

Answer: Option B

11. Q, R, S, and T are sitting on a bench. P is sitting next to Q, R is sitting next to S, and S is not sitting with T, who is on the left end of the bench. R is in the second position from the right. P is to the right of Q, and T. P and R are sitting together. In which position P is sitting?

A. Between Q and S
B. Between Q and R
C. Between T and S
D. Between R and T

Answer: B

Alphanumeric Series

12. Find the missing element in the series given below:
ABD EFH IJL MNP QRT?

A. ZXA
B. WXY
C. XYZ
D. UVX

Answer: D

13. Find the missing element in the series given below:
ACE ? MOQ …..SUW

A. EFH
B. GIL
C. GIK
D. GIM

Answer: C

Syllogism Reasoning Questions

There will be 3 statements that will be given in the questions mentioned below, followed by conclusions: I, II, III, IV. You must accept the provided claims as true, even if they appear to contradict generally known truths. Read the conclusions and then evaluate which of the supplied conclusions logically follows from the given assertions, considering widely known facts.

14. Statements: Some dogs are rats. All cats are chairs. All rats are cats.
Conclusion:
I: Some dogs are cats
II: All cats are rats
III: All chairs are dogs
IV: All cats are dogs

A. Only I & II follow
B. Only II follows
C. Only I & IV follow
D. None of these

Answer: D

15. Statements: Some ships are boats. All boats are submarines. Some submarines are watches. Conclusion:

I. Some watches are boats.
II: Some submarines are boats.
III: Some submarines are ships.
IV: Some watches are ships.

A. All follow
B. Only II and III follow
C. Only III follows
D. Only IV follow

Answer: B

Number Series

16. What number follows in the sequence: 48, 24, 12, ……?

  1. 2
  2. 4
  3. 6
  4. 8

Answer: C

These were a few examples of reasoning ability questions with answers. The variety of reasoning questions is limitless, and you can explore different sources for more practice. The more you practice, the clearer your understanding of the concepts will become.

Source: Shweta Arora on YT

Reasoning Questions Practice Worksheet

Below, we’ve provided a Reasoning ability Questions Practice Worksheet in PDF format. You can download it and start practicing right away.

How to Approach Questions Based on Logical Reasoning

The following are some methods for resolving issues and solutions, including logical reasoning:

  • Carefully read and comprehend the content.
  • Analyze important logical data.
  • Consider all of the alternatives.
  • Compared to other options, compare the result.
  • Reach the proper logical conclusion.

Tips to Crack Reasoning Questions

Owing to the vast types of reasoning questions asked by exam-setters every year, as well as their obsession with twisting easy ones into dreaded nightmares, cracking this section requires consistent effort, motivation and, most importantly, a whole lot of practice. To help you with your preparation efforts, here are a few pieces of advice that you must remember.

  • Keep the best of resources by your side. While preparing for competitive exams, materials that follow the latest syllabus are an important prerequisite. It not only aids your direction of preparation but also helps you work on your strong and weak areas.
  • Read the logical reasoning ability questions carefully. The answer to the question is often hidden in plain sight, but the barrier of jargon and sentences leads you in a different direction. In order to not regret wasting precious time on petty calculations, read every question meticulously and then answer it.
  • Do not use your prior information or knowledge. Reasoning questions on syllogism and word problems are not accurately based on real-life situations and often make assumptions. So, answer logic reasoning ability questions on the information mentioned and not anything else.
  • Terminologies & Triggers. One out of five questions may contain a few terminologies or triggers, prior knowledge of which helps you in getting to your answers quickly. These types of reasoning questions include ‘should be’ or ‘must be’ and sports, finance, and basic science, amongst others.

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FAQs

Ques. What are reasoning questions?

Ans: Reasoning questions assess logical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. They evaluate abilities like critical thinking and pattern recognition and are typically divided into Logical Reasoning (Verbal and Non-Verbal) and Analytical Reasoning. Commonly found in competitive exams, these questions test candidates’ aptitude in analyzing arguments, identifying sequences, and solving puzzles.

Ques. What are the 4 types of reasoning?

Ans: The four main types of reasoning ability are:
Deductive Reasoning.
Inductive Reasoning.
Critical Thinking.
Intuition.

Ques. What type of questions are asked in logical reasoning?

Ans: Reasoning questions in exams are mainly divided into Analytical Reasoning and Logical Reasoning. Analytical reasoning focuses on analyzing and interpreting data to solve complex problems, assessing critical thinking and connections between elements. Key topics include seating arrangements, blood relations, direction sense tests, and ranking.
Logical reasoning, however, involves solving questions that require careful evaluation to reach correct conclusions. This includes topics like syllogism, puzzles, statements and assumptions, and cause-and-effect reasoning. Understanding these reasoning types is crucial for effective exam preparation.

Ques. How can I improve my reasoning skills?

Ans: Here are a few approaches you may take to improve your logical thinking abilities:
Spend time on hobbies that need creativity.
Experiment with inquiry.
Engage in social activities with others.
Acquire a new skill.
Attempt to predict the consequence of your decisions

Ques. Why do we study reasoning?

Ans: The objective of our ‘Reasoning’ instruction is to improve your capacity to reach logical conclusions. This skill is highly essential in our daily lives, which is why it is included in conventional IQ testing. The most typical activity is to have participants restart a numerical sequence.

Ques. What are the tips to solve reasoning questions?

Ans: The following are the ways to approach reasoning questions:
Carefully read and comprehend the content.
Analyze important logical data.
Consider all of the alternatives.
Compared to other options, compare the result.
Reach the proper logical conclusion.

Ques. What are the types of reasoning questions asked in exams?

Ans: Type 1: Coding-Decoding 
Type 2: Seating Arrangement
Type 3: Alphanumeric Series 
Type 4: Puzzle Test 
Type 5: Logical Reasoning 
Type 6: Blood Relations 

Ques. What is reasoning with example?

Ans: Reasoning is the mental process of finding answers based on information. For example, in deductive reasoning, one might say, “All mammals have lungs. A dog is a mammal. Therefore, a dog has lungs.” In inductive reasoning, observing that “the sun rises in the east every day” leads to the conclusion that “the sun will always rise in the east.” These examples show how reasoning helps us arrive at conclusions from premises or observations.

Ques. Why Are Reasoning Questions Important in Competitive Exams?

Ans: Reasoning questions are a critical component of competitive exams as they evaluate the logical and analytical abilities of candidates. They help in assessing how well candidates can handle complex situations, make decisions, and process information. These skills are vital for exams such as SSC, banking, UPSC, and GRE.

Ques. What Is the Role of Analytical Reasoning in Problem-Solving?

Ans: Analytical reasoning involves breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts and evaluating the relationships between them. This skill is crucial for solving complex problems, as it helps identify patterns and make informed decisions. It improves one’s ability to think critically and approach problems methodically.

Ques. How Can One Improve Logical Reasoning Skills?

Ans: Improving logical reasoning skills involves:
Engaging in puzzles and games like Sudoku, chess, or crosswords.
Practicing reasoning questions in timed environments.
Analyzing real-life problems logically to apply reasoning skills.
Learning logical fallacies and improving argumentation skills to identify flawed reasoning.

Ques. What is the Difference Between Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning?

Ans: Verbal reasoning involves language-based reasoning tasks, such as understanding analogies, sequences, and critical thinking through words.
Non-verbal reasoning focuses on shapes, patterns, and diagrams, testing spatial and visual problem-solving abilities.
Both types assess logical thinking, but they rely on different cognitive skills.

Ques. How Can I Prepare for Logical Reasoning Questions in Entrance Exams?

Ans: Preparation tips for logical reasoning questions include:
Practicing daily with mock tests and previous year papers.
Understanding different reasoning concepts like analogy, series, and puzzles.
Using study materials from trusted sources or online platforms that explain reasoning techniques in detail.
Focusing on time management to ensure speed and accuracy during the exam.

Ques. What Are Some Tips for Solving Analytical Reasoning Puzzles?

Ans: Tips for solving analytical reasoning puzzles:
Identify the key relationships and constraints mentioned in the puzzle.
Break down the information into smaller, manageable parts.
Use tables or charts to organize data and spot patterns.
Make logical assumptions and test them systematically.
Stay patient and methodical in your approach to avoid errors.

Ques. How Do Reasoning Questions Help in Job Interviews?

Ans: In job interviews, reasoning questions assess a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Employers often use these questions to evaluate how well candidates can analyze complex situations, think on their feet, and handle challenges in the workplace.

The overriding success mantra for nailing reasoning questions in competitive examinations is the cliched but effective policy of ‘practicing hard continuously.’ However, almost as important is to work through a well-planned and structured strategy based on your strong points. The experts atLeverage Educan help you prepare the right strategy for the competitive exam you appear in so that you can sail through your exam with flying colors. For the latest updates around study blogs, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counseling session.

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10 comments
  1. Very informative and much helpful….
    Thank you@https://leverageedu.com/blog/reasoning-questions/

  1. Very informative and much helpful….
    Thank you@https://leverageedu.com/blog/reasoning-questions/