Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
What this domain tests
Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving tests your ability to extract rules, spot patterns, test deductions and solve constrained problems. Items may use number sequences, verbal syllogisms, spatial relationships, ordering, scheduling or data sufficiency. The exam rewards valid inference from the stated information, not guesswork based on what usually happens.
Core rules and concepts
- Separate given facts from assumptions. If a fact is not stated, do not add it.
- For conditional statements, If P then Q allows not Q, therefore not P; it does not allow Q, therefore P.
- For ordering or scheduling, draw a simple line or table and place the most restrictive condition first.
- For sequences, check differences, ratios, alternating patterns and squares before choosing a rule.
Worked example
A sequence is 3, 6, 11, 18, ... What is the next term? Reasoning: look at consecutive differences: 6−3=3; 11−6=5; 18−11=7. The differences increase by 2 each time, so the next difference is 9. Next term = 18+9=27. A tempting error is to double and subtract: 3×2=6, 6×2−1=11, 11×2−4=18, but that rule is less consistent than the difference pattern and would need an arbitrary adjustment.
Traps that cost marks
Reversing all A are B into all B are A; treating some A are B as if it proves all A are B; affirming the consequent; overfitting a complicated sequence rule when a simple one fits; and ignoring a constraint such as must be immediately before.