Have you been asked to take a Deductive Reasoning test as part of an upcoming interview process?
Continue reading to find out more about this type of test, including:
- Why employers use Deductive Reasoning Tests.
- How you can improve your performance at Deductive Tests.
- What types of questions you will be asked during the Test.
Article Contents
What Is A Deductive Reasoning Test?
Deductive or logical thinking tests are used by employers to measure an applicant’s ability to make logical arguments and form sound conclusions.
During this type of test, you will be presented with a variety of scenarios, statements and arguments for which you will need to apply a given set of rules to determine the validity of the corresponding conclusion.
Deductive Reasoning Questions
During your deductive reasoning test, you may be asked to reach conclusions based on different scenarios or identify both the strengths and weaknesses of an argument.
You will either receive questions in the form of syllogisms or in a story format.
The questions you are likely to encounter during a deductive reasoning test include:
- Syllogisms
- Seating Arrangements
- Assumptions
- Conclusions
- Work involving numbers and tables
Some examples of the types of questions you are bound to come across during your deductive assessment can be found below:
Example Deductive Reasoning Question 1 – Syllogisms
Questions involving syllogisms will include a major premise, minor premise and a logical conclusion:
The italicised text gives you the information that you need in order to confirm whether the statement underneath is valid.
Question: with regard to the text above, which of the following answers are correct:
- Conclusion Follows
- Conclusion Does Not Follow
In this case the correct answer is: Conclusion Follows.
Can you understand why?
If not, here’s the explanation…
Company spokesmen in big company = A, report exclusively to the PR manager = B, report directly and exclusively to the CEO = C, can sleep well at night = D.
According to the premises, (A -> B), (~A -> C), and (C -> D), which means (~A -> D).
The conclusion states (A/~A + D + C) *some.
If (~A -> C), and (C -> D), then (~A + D + C) *some.
Deductive Reasoning Example Question 2 – Working with Numbers & Tables
Questions of this type involve sets of numbers and tables such as the following example.
Review the information in the table to answer the associated question:
Question: Which of the following are the correct codes for a Platinum Member customer?
A. A360, 5-10, G, 15
B. A360, 5-80, P, 20
C. A450, G-50, G, 15
D. 10, S, 5-80
E. A200
In this case the correct answer is:
A. A360, 5-10, G, 15
Do you understand why?
If we examine the codes that represent Platinum Member packs, we will see that possible codes are: 15, G, 5-10, and A360. Therefore, the answer must be A.
Deductive Reasoning Example Question 3 – Deductions & Conclusions
Questions of this sort require you to draw conclusions from multiple statements.
Here’s an example question:
Which of the following answers is correct?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Uncertain
The correct answer is:
C. Uncertain
Can you see why?
This is the right answer because we only know that some of the cats are healthy, but we cannot know anything certain about Mitzi the cat. Therefore the answer is uncertain.
Note: for the answer to be “no” the third statement must be without doubt untrue (for example, by contradicting the first two statements somehow).
Preparing for Your Deductive Reasoning Test
The best way to prepare for your deductive reasoning assessment will be to practise beforehand.
This will expose you to the different question types likely to be encountered during your exam.
We recommend using JobTestPrep’s practice tests and study guides in your preparation.
You can find out more about these Deductive Reasoning practice test packs here.
