What is a logical reasoning test and how can you prepare?

Logical reasoning tests come in many different shapes and sizes. The one thing they’ve all got in common: they’re all assess how you solve problems.

We’ll take you through everything you need to know about logical reasoning exams, including:

• What is logical reasoning?
• Types of logical reasoning tests
  • Deductive
  • Abstract
  • Inductive
  • Critical thinking
• How to tackle logical reasoning tests

Logical reasoning is a way of thinking using rules to analyse information, identify patterns, make predictions, explain scenarios and come to conclusions.

It’s based on the philosophical law of logic, but you don’t need to know Aristotle to have logical reasoning. A simple example of a rule would be “All cats are mammals”. So, if Whiskers is a cat, then you know logically that they’re also a mammal.

Employers sometimes use logical reasoning tests during assessment centres or at other stages of the recruitment process to get to know candidates’ logical reasoning abilities. Although the tests won’t always obviously connect to what you’d do in the day-to-day job (ie. looking for patterns in images when you want to be a banker), they all assess your logical thinking – a super important quality for problem-solving.

There are several types of logical reasoning assessments. During a recruitment process, an employer may ask you to take one exam or multiple.

The main types of logical reasoning exams are:

Deductive reasoning involves spotting a general rule or principle that leads you to a specific conclusion.

For example:

You know that all numbers ending in 0 are divisible by 10. The number 50 ends with a 0, so you conclude that it must be divisible by 10.

Deductive reasoning tests assess your ability to make logical arguments and draw sound conclusions based on specific data – often passages of text or numerical information. Within this information, you’ll find the general rules (ie. facts like “All numbers ending in 0 are divisible by 10”) and will use them to inform your conclusion.

In a more complicated test, you’ll sometimes have to identify flaws in the data too. For example, you’ll spot that the data is impossible based on the facts.

Also known as conceptual or diagrammatic reasoning tests, abstract reasoning tests measure your ability to think laterally. The better you can identify relationships, patterns and trends, the more successful you’ll be at this test type.

Abstract reasoning assessments test your ability to identify the rules that apply to a sequence (whether it’s made up of shapes, diagrams, symbols or numbers) and if you can use this knowledge to pick an appropriate answer.

In an assessment, you’ll be given a series that follows a logical sequence or underlying rule. You might need to build on that rule (ie. advise what would come next in a sequence), identify a code or find a missing diagram.

An example of an abstract reasoning test would be like this:

What would the sixth image look like?

Need help here? Find the solution (and a walkthrough explanation) in our abstract reasoning guide.

Inductive reasoning is the ability to reach a conclusion based on the patterns you see in specific events. It’s often used in everyday life so it’s of strong practical benefit in the workplace.

An example of inductive reasoning would be:

“I always order an iced coffee when I go to a coffee shop so every coffee shop will sell iced drinks.”

Sometimes, your assumptions will be wrong (you can’t go to every coffee shop to test your theory). However, inductive reasoning is about your ability to take something specific and make a broader generalisation.

While deductive reasoning starts with general principles and applies them to specific cases, inductive reasoning does the opposite. Inductive reasoning uses specific observations to make general conclusions. If it helps, think of deductive as top-down and inductive as bottom-up.

Inductive reasoning tests assess your recognition of patterns in a similar way to abstract reasoning tests. You’ll usually have to identify a potential pattern and fill in the blanks in a sequence.

Usually verbal, critical thinking tests measure your logical reasoning skills by seeing how well you analyse arguments, make inferences and evaluate conclusions.

One format of a critical thinking test involves an assessor presenting you with information and then asking you if that means a different statement is true or false.

For example, you may be told:

“Nobody who lives by the seaside can resist at least one trip to the beach in the summer.”

And then asked if the above statement means the below is undoubtedly true:

“Everyone who lives by the seaside visits the beach every summer.”

Alternatively, you might be asked to critique something like an approach to a task or assumptions made by others.

For example:

Can you identify any flaws in the below study?

“A recent study found that tall people who regularly exercise are less likely to have a certain health condition. Therefore, regularly exercising prevents the condition.”

You might question:

• What is meant by “tall”? The measurement isn’t defined.
• Are tall people already less likely to have a lower risk of the condition? Are they being compared to people of a similar height or different heights?
• Can we confirm cause and effect? For example, perhaps people who regularly exercise are more likely to do something else that lowers their risk of the condition (such as sleep longer or eat a certain diet).

Critical thinking is one of the soft skills employers are looking for. Answer the test well and you’ll be sure to impress.

As we’ve covered, there are several types of logical reasoning tests. Despite their differences, there are some general strategies you can apply to whichever one(s) you need to take.

Our top tips are:

We know it’s easier said than done but try to relax as much as possible.

Yes, logical reasoning tests can be nerve-wracking. However, the calmer you are, the better your chances of doing well.

While a little bit of adrenaline will help you focus, overwhelming anxiety can make you freeze up.

Plenty of practice, a good night’s sleep and deep breathing will all help settle your nerves.

Since logical reasoning tests are so wide-ranging, you want to pin down what type you’ll take. Don’t be afraid to question which logical reasoning skill the test will measure. Remember to ask who the test provider is too. You can even request sample questions. If you don’t ask, you won’t get!

Becoming familiar with the type of test you’ll be taking, experiencing the time limits and learning from your mistakes will build your confidence.

It’s a good idea to practise little and often. Around 30 minutes a day during the two weeks leading up to your test is ideal. Then, when it comes to the actual assessment, you can spend your time answering the questions rather than working out how to respond to them.

Even if you’ve become a pro through practice, remember to still read every instruction carefully when it comes to the real thing. Just because you’ve seen something similar before, it doesn’t mean it’s the same.

You can make your mind more logical with practice – and that doesn’t have to be in the form of exam papers.

Doing a crossword, filling in a Sudoku puzzle or playing chess are all ways to boost your ability to spot patterns. Who knew that games night could boost your employability skills?

Sometimes, logical reasoning tests will contain multiple-choice answers. Our top tip is to ignore them – at least at the start.

You want to figure out the correct answer before you look at the options.

Looking at the available answers first can skew your thinking as you might be biased towards the one that appears most correct. Instead, trust your thinking and work through your answer logically. Of course, if the solution you’ve come to isn’t an option, you know you’ve gone wrong somewhere but it’s still best to tackle it without looking at the options first.

Logical reasoning tests are usually time-limited.

Although you mustn’t rush through each question, you also need to know when to cut your losses with a particularly tough one and move on.

When you start your exam, check how many questions there are in your test and work out how much time you’ve got to answer each one. That’ll help you figure out how long is too long to spend on a question.

If you do get stuck on something, feel free to skip it. In most cases, you can come back to past questions at the end. If it isn’t clear if you can answer in any order (ie. if you’re answering on a digital device), check with your examiner at the start of the test.

Logical reasoning is a way of thinking using rules. Employers are on the lookout for logical thinkers, which is why they sometimes use logical reasoning tests to assess job candidates.

A logical reasoning test may come up at an assessment centre or separately during the recruitment process.

While there are different types of logical reasoning tests, they’re all there to assess the same thing: how you think.

Although the tests can seem far away from how you solve problems on a day-to-day basis, employers still gain valuable insights from how you respond. So, if you want the job then you’ve got to take a logical reasoning test seriously – but don’t worry yourself over it.

Once you’ve read up on the types of logical reasoning assessments (inductive, deductive, abstract and critical thinking), you’ll have a clearer idea of what to expect. Combine your new knowledge with practice and our top tips for tackling the test and you’ll go far. Good luck!