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IMAT practice questions

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Question 1Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A train leaves Milan at 09:00 and travels at a constant 120 km/h. A second train leaves the same station at 09:30 on the same track at 160 km/h. At what clock time does the second train catch the first?

  1. 12:00
  2. 11:30
  3. 10:30
  4. 11:00 Correct answer.

Explanation

By 09:30 the first train has covered 60 km. The second train closes the gap at 40 km/h, so it needs 1.5 hours to catch up, arriving at 11:00.

Question 2Logical reasoning and general knowledge

In a group of 40 students, 25 study Latin and 18 study Greek, and every student studies at least one of the two. How many study both?

  1. 43
  2. 7
  3. 3 Correct answer.
  4. 10

Explanation

Using inclusion-exclusion, the overlap equals 25 + 18 − 40 = 3. The union is given as the whole group, so the arithmetic is fixed.

Question 3Logical reasoning and general knowledge

All philosophers in the seminar read Greek. Some who read Greek also read Latin. Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. All who read Latin are philosophers in the seminar.
  2. No philosopher in the seminar reads Latin.
  3. Some philosophers in the seminar read Latin.
  4. Some who read Greek are philosophers in the seminar. Correct answer.

Explanation

Since every philosopher in the seminar reads Greek, the philosophers themselves form a non-empty subset of Greek readers, so some Greek readers are philosophers. The Latin information concerns only an unspecified part of the Greek readers.

Question 4Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A cube is painted on all faces and then cut into 27 equal smaller cubes. How many of the small cubes have exactly two painted faces?

  1. 1
  2. 8
  3. 12 Correct answer.
  4. 6

Explanation

Cubes with exactly two painted faces sit on the edges but not at corners. A 3×3×3 cut gives 12 edges, each contributing one such cube.

Question 5Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Which sequence completes the pattern? 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ...

  1. 42 Correct answer.
  2. 44
  3. 36
  4. 40

Explanation

The differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, so the next difference is 12 and 30 + 12 = 42. Equivalently each term is n(n+1) for n = 1, 2, 3, ...

Question 6Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A statement says: "If the experiment succeeds, then the hypothesis is confirmed." The experiment succeeded but the hypothesis was not confirmed. What follows logically?

  1. Nothing follows about the statement.
  2. The original statement is false. Correct answer.
  3. The hypothesis was never tested.
  4. The experiment did not succeed.

Explanation

A conditional is falsified exactly when its antecedent is true and its consequent false. The described situation is precisely that case, so the conditional is false.

Question 7Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A shirt priced at 80 euros is discounted by 25%, then the reduced price is increased by 20%. What is the final price?

  1. 76 euros
  2. 80 euros
  3. 72 euros Correct answer.
  4. 84 euros

Explanation

After the 25% discount the price is 60 euros. Increasing 60 by 20% gives 72 euros, which is below the original because the percentages apply to different bases.

Question 8Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Five colleagues sit in a row. Anna sits to the left of Bruno. Carla sits to the right of Bruno. Davide sits between Anna and Bruno. Who must sit immediately to the left of Bruno?

  1. Anna
  2. Elena
  3. Carla
  4. Davide Correct answer.

Explanation

Davide is between Anna and Bruno, and Anna is left of Bruno, so the order is Anna, Davide, Bruno. Therefore Davide is immediately left of Bruno.

Question 9Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Which of these is an example of a post hoc fallacy?

  1. Either the drug works or it does not; it does not, so it fails.
  2. Every swan seen so far is white, so all swans are white.
  3. The rooster crowed, then the sun rose, so the crowing caused the sunrise. Correct answer.
  4. Most students who revise pass, so revising helps.

Explanation

Post hoc reasoning infers causation from mere temporal succession. The crowing preceding sunrise is offered as the cause purely because it came first.

Question 10Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A bag contains 4 red and 6 blue balls. Two balls are drawn without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?

  1. 2/15 Correct answer.
  2. 8/45
  3. 4/25
  4. 1/5

Explanation

The first draw is red with probability 4/10 and the second with probability 3/9. Multiplying gives 12/90 = 2/15.

Question 11Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Read the argument: "Every published result in this journal was peer reviewed. This paper was not peer reviewed. Therefore this paper was not published in this journal." The argument is:

  1. Valid, by modus tollens. Correct answer.
  2. Valid, but only if the journal is prestigious.
  3. Invalid, because it affirms the consequent.
  4. Invalid, because it generalises from too few cases.

Explanation

The argument has the form: if published then reviewed; not reviewed; therefore not published. This is modus tollens and is deductively valid.

Question 12Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Which number replaces the question mark? 3, 7, 15, 31, ?

  1. 47
  2. 62
  3. 63 Correct answer.
  4. 55

Explanation

Each term is double the previous term plus one: 3→7→15→31→63. Equivalently the terms are 2^n − 1 for n = 2, 3, 4, ...

Question 13Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A statement reads: "Only students who have paid the fee may sit the exam." Which situation is compatible with this statement?

  1. A student who paid the fee does not sit the exam. Correct answer.
  2. Every student who sits the exam has paid the fee, and all payers sit it.
  3. A student who did not pay the fee sits the exam.
  4. No student pays the fee.

Explanation

"Only P may Q" means Q implies P, so paying is necessary but not sufficient. A payer who does not sit is therefore allowed.

Question 14Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A rectangular garden is 12 m long and 8 m wide. A path of uniform width 1 m runs inside along all four sides. What is the area of the path?

  1. 40 m²
  2. 44 m²
  3. 36 m² Correct answer.
  4. 20 m²

Explanation

The inner rectangle measures 10 m by 6 m, giving 60 m². Subtracting from the total 96 m² leaves 36 m² for the path.

Question 15Logical reasoning and general knowledge

In a certain code, CAT is written as 3-1-20. How is DOG written using the same letter-to-number rule?

  1. 4-15-6
  2. 4-14-7
  3. 3-15-7
  4. 4-15-7 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each letter is replaced by its position in the alphabet: C=3, A=1, T=20. Hence D=4, O=15, G=7.

Question 16Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A survey finds that towns with more bookshops per capita also have higher average income. Which inference is best supported?

  1. There is an association between bookshops and income, but causation is not established. Correct answer.
  2. Opening bookshops raises income.
  3. The survey must be wrong, since correlation cannot exist without causation.
  4. Higher income causes bookshops to close.

Explanation

Correlational data show association only. A third factor, such as town size or education, could drive both variables, so a causal claim needs further evidence.

Question 17Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Which pair of words has the same logical relation as "doctor : hospital"?

  1. scalpel : surgeon
  2. library : book
  3. teacher : school Correct answer.
  4. patient : illness

Explanation

A doctor works in a hospital, and a teacher works in a school, so both pairs relate a professional to their workplace. The other pairs differ in the type of relation.

Question 18Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Six people are split into two groups of three. If Anna and Bruno must be in the same group, how many ways can the two groups be formed (order of groups irrelevant)?

  1. 10
  2. 6
  3. 20
  4. 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

Fix Anna and Bruno together and choose the third member of their group from the remaining four people, giving 4 ways. The other group is then determined.

Question 19Logical reasoning and general knowledge

An argument concludes: "This policy will reduce unemployment because its supporters say it will." What is the main flaw?

  1. It appeals to authority rather than evidence. Correct answer.
  2. It generalises from a small sample.
  3. It uses circular reasoning.
  4. It commits the straw man fallacy.

Explanation

The argument treats supporters' claims as sufficient evidence for the policy's effect. That is an appeal to authority, since no independent evidence of effectiveness is offered.

Question 20Logical reasoning and general knowledge

If today is Wednesday, what day will it be 100 days from today?

  1. Monday
  2. Friday Correct answer.
  3. Saturday
  4. Thursday

Explanation

One hundred days is 14 weeks plus 2 days, so the day advances by two. Two days after Wednesday is Friday.

Question 21Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A statement claims: "All effective medicines have side effects." Which finding would refute it?

  1. A medicine with no side effects that is ineffective.
  2. A medicine with side effects that is effective.
  3. An effective medicine with no side effects. Correct answer.
  4. An ineffective medicine with side effects.

Explanation

A universal claim is refuted by a single counterexample: an effective medicine lacking side effects. The other findings are consistent with the claim.

Question 22Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A machine produces 240 parts in 6 hours. At the same rate, how many parts does it produce in 45 minutes?

  1. 40
  2. 30 Correct answer.
  3. 45
  4. 20

Explanation

The rate is 40 parts per hour, and 45 minutes is 0.75 hours. Multiplying gives 30 parts.

Question 23Logical reasoning and general knowledge

In a logic puzzle, exactly one of three boxes contains a prize. Box A says "The prize is not here." Box B says "The prize is in A." Box C says "The prize is not in A." If exactly one statement is true, where is the prize?

  1. In box B
  2. In box C
  3. In box A Correct answer.
  4. Cannot be determined

Explanation

B and C make contradictory claims about A, so exactly one of them is true. For exactly one statement overall to be true, A's statement must be false, placing the prize in A.

Question 24Logical reasoning and general knowledge

Which of the following best illustrates the difference between a valid argument and a sound argument?

  1. A sound argument has good form; a valid argument also has true premises.
  2. Valid and sound arguments are the same thing.
  3. A valid argument has a good form; a sound argument also has true premises. Correct answer.
  4. A valid argument must have a true conclusion, while a sound one need not.

Explanation

Validity concerns form: if the premises were true, the conclusion could not be false. Soundness adds that the premises actually are true, so a sound argument is valid with true premises.

Question 25Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A sequence of figures grows so that figure n contains n² small squares. Figure 5 has 25 squares. How many squares does figure 7 have, and what is the increase from figure 5 to figure 7?

  1. 56 squares, an increase of 31
  2. 42 squares, an increase of 17
  3. 49 squares, an increase of 24 Correct answer.
  4. 36 squares, an increase of 11

Explanation

Figure 7 contains 7² = 49 squares. The increase from 25 is 49 − 25 = 24, consistent with the difference of squares 7² − 5².

Question 26Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A candidate reads in a newspaper: "Countries that eat more chocolate win more Nobel prizes per capita, so chocolate raises national intelligence." Which description best captures the flaw in this reasoning?

  1. It uses the opinion of an authority rather than empirical measurements.
  2. It assumes that what is true of a whole country must be true of each individual citizen.
  3. It treats a correlation between two variables as proof of a causal link between them. Correct answer.
  4. It relies on a sample that is too small to support any statistical generalisation.

Explanation

The argument moves directly from a statistical association between chocolate consumption and Nobel prizes to a causal claim, ignoring that wealth, education or research funding could drive both. A correlation alone never establishes which variable causes which, or whether a third factor explains the pattern.

Question 27Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A museum ticket costs 15 euros. A school group of 28 students and 4 teachers receives a 20% reduction on the total price for everyone. How much does the group pay?

  1. 336 euros
  2. 480 euros
  3. 420 euros
  4. 384 euros Correct answer.

Explanation

The group has 32 people in total, so the full price is 32 × 15 = 480 euros. Applying a 20% reduction leaves 80% of that amount, and 480 × 0.8 = 384 euros.

Question 28Logical reasoning and general knowledge

A statement reads: "No one may enter the laboratory unless they wear safety goggles." Which situation is compatible with this statement?

  1. A researcher wearing goggles is refused entry for lacking a lab coat. Correct answer.
  2. A student wearing goggles is allowed in while the rule is suspended.
  3. A visitor without goggles is admitted because a technician accompanies them.
  4. A cleaner without goggles enters to collect waste paper.

Explanation

The statement sets goggles as a necessary condition for entry, not a sufficient one, so other requirements such as a lab coat may still block admission. Refusing a person who wears goggles therefore contradicts nothing in the rule.

Question 29Logical reasoning and general knowledge

In a certain code, each letter is replaced by its position in the alphabet, and the digits of each two-digit number are then added together (for example, K becomes 11, then 1+1 = 2). Using this rule, what is the code for the word LAMP?

  1. 3-2-5-7
  2. 1-2-3-4
  3. 3-1-4-7 Correct answer.
  4. 2-1-4-8

Explanation

L is the 12th letter, giving 1+2 = 3; A is 1; M is 13, giving 1+3 = 4; P is 16, giving 1+6 = 7. The resulting sequence is therefore 3-1-4-7.

Question 30Logical reasoning and general knowledge

An argument runs: "Every validated diagnostic test in this clinic is listed in the register. This test is not listed in the register. Therefore this test is not validated." Which statement about the argument is correct?

  1. It is invalid because it denies the antecedent of the first premise.
  2. It is valid, since it has the form of modus tollens. Correct answer.
  3. It is valid only if every test in the clinic has been validated.
  4. It is invalid because it affirms the consequent of the first premise.

Explanation

The first premise has the form "if validated, then listed"; the second premise denies the consequent, and the conclusion denies the antecedent, which is the valid pattern of modus tollens. The inference holds regardless of how many tests are actually validated.

Question 31Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A passage states: 'Although the trial was small, the authors caution that their findings should not be generalised to older patients.' Which inference is best supported by this sentence?

  1. The trial was conducted exclusively on older patients.
  2. The authors believe the results apply to all age groups.
  3. The authors think the trial should be repeated with a larger budget.
  4. The authors consider the sample size a limitation on how widely the results can be applied. Correct answer.

Explanation

The concessive 'Although' contrasts the trial's small size with the authors' warning, and 'should not be generalised to older patients' explicitly restricts the scope of the conclusion. The limitation concerns applicability and sample size, not the age of participants or funding.

Question 32Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which word best completes the sentence: 'The committee reached its decision ___ after reviewing the evidence, without any further debate.'?

  1. reluctantly
  2. tentatively
  3. grudgingly
  4. promptly Correct answer.

Explanation

'Promptly' means quickly and without delay, which fits the phrase 'without any further debate'. The other adverbs all suggest hesitation or unwillingness, contradicting the idea of a swift, undebated decision.

Question 33Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A historian writes: 'The invention of the printing press did not cause the Reformation, but it made the rapid spread of reformist ideas possible.' Which claim does the historian support?

  1. The printing press was the sole cause of the Reformation.
  2. The printing press had no influence on the Reformation.
  3. The Reformation caused the invention of the printing press.
  4. The printing press was a facilitating condition rather than a cause of the Reformation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast 'did not cause... but made... possible' distinguishes a facilitating condition from a direct cause. The historian denies causation while affirming an enabling role.

Question 34Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

  1. She packed her bags; which left at dawn.
  2. She packed her bags; because the train left at dawn.
  3. She packed her bags; the train left at dawn. Correct answer.
  4. She packed her bags; and left at dawn.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses that are closely related and not already linked by a conjunction. 'She packed her bags' and 'the train left at dawn' are each complete clauses.

Question 35Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Read: 'Sales of electric cars rose sharply in 2021. The following year, however, growth slowed as subsidies were withdrawn.' Which statement is best supported?

  1. Electric car sales were unaffected by subsidies.
  2. Subsidies were the only factor behind the 2021 rise.
  3. Electric car sales continued to grow in 2022, but more slowly. Correct answer.
  4. Electric car sales fell in 2022.

Explanation

'Growth slowed' means sales still increased, just at a lower rate; it does not mean sales declined. The passage links the slowdown to withdrawn subsidies without claiming they were the sole factor in 2021.

Question 36Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

In the sentence 'The scientist, who had spent years on the project, finally published her results', the clause 'who had spent years on the project' functions as:

  1. a noun clause acting as subject
  2. a defining relative clause identifying which scientist
  3. a non-defining relative clause giving extra information Correct answer.
  4. an adverbial clause of time

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and adds non-essential information about an already identified person, making it non-defining. Removing it leaves a complete, coherent sentence.

Question 37Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A study finds that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. A reader concludes: 'Eating breakfast makes students smarter.' Which criticism of this reasoning is most appropriate?

  1. Correlation does not establish causation; other factors may explain both habits and scores. Correct answer.
  2. The conclusion is valid because the correlation is strong.
  3. The study should have measured lunch instead.
  4. The conclusion is wrong because breakfast is unhealthy.

Explanation

Observing that two variables co-vary does not show that one causes the other; confounding factors such as income or sleep could affect both. The criticism correctly identifies the correlation-causation gap.

Question 38Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which option correctly completes the analogy? 'Author is to novel as composer is to ___.'

  1. symphony Correct answer.
  2. audience
  3. orchestra
  4. conductor

Explanation

An author creates a novel, so the second term should be the work created by the first. A composer creates a symphony, matching the creator-to-creation relationship.

Question 39Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Read: 'The museum's new wing, funded entirely by private donations, opened to record crowds.' Which detail is presented as an aside rather than as the main event?

  1. The museum has a new wing.
  2. The wing opened to record crowds.
  3. Crowds were larger than ever before.
  4. The wing was funded by private donations. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'funded entirely by private donations' is enclosed in commas, marking it as supplementary information. The main clause reports the opening and the crowds.

Question 40Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A passage argues: 'Cities should invest in public transport. Every car removed from the road reduces congestion and emissions.' Which assumption underlies this argument?

  1. Congestion is the most serious urban problem.
  2. Public transport is always cheaper than driving.
  3. Reducing the number of cars on the road will in fact reduce congestion and emissions. Correct answer.
  4. All drivers will switch to public transport immediately.

Explanation

The argument moves from removing cars to reduced congestion and emissions, which requires the premise that fewer cars produce those benefits. Without this link the recommendation would not follow.

Question 41Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

  1. Neither the students nor the teacher were aware of the change.
  2. Neither the students nor the teacher have been aware of the change.
  3. Neither the students nor the teacher was aware of the change. Correct answer.
  4. Neither the students nor the teacher are aware of the change.

Explanation

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. The nearest subject is the singular 'teacher', so the singular 'was' is correct.

Question 42Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

An advertisement claims: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend our toothpaste.' Which additional information would most weaken this claim?

  1. The advertisement appeared in a popular magazine.
  2. The toothpaste is sold in many countries.
  3. The toothpaste contains fluoride.
  4. The dentists were paid by the company and the survey allowed multiple recommendations. Correct answer.

Explanation

If respondents were paid and could recommend several brands, the statistic may overstate genuine preference. This directly undermines the evidential value of the claim.

Question 43Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Choose the word that best fits: 'The evidence was so ___ that the jury reached a verdict within an hour.'

  1. ambiguous
  2. obscure
  3. negligible
  4. compelling Correct answer.

Explanation

A rapid verdict suggests the evidence was strong and convincing, which is the meaning of 'compelling'. The other adjectives describe weak or unclear evidence, which would not produce a quick decision.

Question 44Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Read: 'While the report acknowledges progress in literacy, it stresses that regional disparities remain wide.' What is the report's overall stance?

  1. Balanced, recognising gains while highlighting persistent inequality. Correct answer.
  2. Wholly optimistic about literacy.
  3. Indifferent to regional differences.
  4. Wholly pessimistic, denying any progress.

Explanation

'While... acknowledges progress' concedes improvement, and 'stresses that... disparities remain' introduces a qualification. Together they produce a balanced assessment.

Question 45Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which revision removes the dangling modifier? Original: 'Having finished the experiment, the results were analysed by the team.'

  1. The results, having finished the experiment, were analysed by the team.
  2. Having finished the experiment, analysis of the results occurred.
  3. Having finished the experiment, the results were analysed.
  4. Having finished the experiment, the team analysed the results. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. In the original, 'the results' appear to have finished the experiment; making 'the team' the subject repairs the dangling modifier.

Question 46Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A passage states: 'Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind; most species see well, and many also navigate by echolocation.' Which misconception does the passage correct?

  1. That bats see well.
  2. That bats are mammals.
  3. That bats are blind. Correct answer.
  4. That bats use echolocation.

Explanation

The phrase 'contrary to popular belief' introduces the corrected misconception, which is that bats are blind. The passage then affirms their vision and echolocation.

Question 47Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?

  1. The new policy will have an affect on students.
  2. The new policy will affect an effect on students.
  3. The new policy will affect the way students study. Correct answer.
  4. The new policy will effect the way students study.

Explanation

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is normally a noun meaning a result. Only the second sentence uses the verb form correctly.

Question 48Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

A student reads: 'The novelist's later works are often dismissed as inferior, yet their complexity rewards careful reading.' What does the writer imply about the later works?

  1. They have never been read by critics.
  2. They are genuinely inferior to the earlier works.
  3. They are simpler than the earlier works.
  4. They deserve more attention than they usually receive. Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'yet' contrasts the dismissal with a claim that the works reward careful reading, implying they are undervalued. The writer defends their complexity rather than accepting the dismissal.

Question 49Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Which option best restates the sentence: 'Rarely has a discovery so quickly transformed an entire field of research.'?

  1. It is unusual for a discovery to transform a research field this quickly. Correct answer.
  2. Discoveries rarely transform research fields.
  3. No discovery has ever transformed a research field.
  4. The field of research transformed the discovery quickly.

Explanation

The fronted negative 'Rarely has' emphasises that such rapid transformation is uncommon, not that it never happens. The restatement preserves both the rarity and the speed.

Question 50Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired in school

Read: 'The council approved the plan despite objections from residents, arguing that delays would raise costs.' What reason does the council give for its decision?

  1. The plan faced no opposition.
  2. Residents supported the plan.
  3. Costs were irrelevant to the decision.
  4. Postponing the project would increase its cost. Correct answer.

Explanation

The participial phrase 'arguing that delays would raise costs' supplies the council's justification. The decision was taken despite objections, not because of support.