Explained per part › Logical reasoning
Logical reasoning
You get a few statements and judge what follows from them for certain. Sometimes as text (syllogisms), sometimes as a Venn diagram or a grid with rules. Only what is certainly true counts.
The Dutch Armed Forces (Venn diagrams), Harver (logical), Aon/cut-e (grids), Korn Ferry (logical, adaptive) and the Dutch capacity test.
How to solve it
“All engineers in the team have a safety certificate. Sam is in the team and has a safety certificate.” Does it follow that Sam is an engineer?
- Draw two circles: “engineers” completely inside “has a certificate”.
- Sam is in the large circle (has a certificate).
- Can Sam be outside the small circle? Yes: other team members may also have a certificate.
- So it may be true, but it does not have to be.
Answer: No, it does not follow for certain. This is the most common reasoning error: “all A are B” does not mean “all B are A”.
Try it yourself
1. “No manager works night shifts. Kim works night shifts.” Conclusion: “Kim is not a manager.”
- Follows for certain
- Does not follow for certain
Show the answer
A. Managers and night shifts do not overlap. Kim is on night shifts, so not among the managers.
2. “Some analysts speak German. Everyone who speaks German works in Sales.” Conclusion: “Some analysts work in Sales.”
- Follows for certain
- Does not follow for certain
Show the answer
A. The analysts who speak German work in Sales according to the second statement. “Some” means: at least one.
3. “All trainees take the test. Some people who take the test are interns.” Conclusion: “Some trainees are interns.”
- Follows for certain
- Does not follow for certain
Show the answer
B. The interns may all be outside the group of trainees. It may be true, but it does not have to be.
Tips
- Draw circles. With two or three groups you often see the answer straight away.
- “Some” means at least one, possibly all.
- Ask yourself: can I think of a situation where the statements are true and the conclusion is not? Then it does not follow for certain.
- Do not use knowledge from outside the question.
Practise with new questions: Logical reasoning
Numbered practice tests with an explanation for every answer, plus interview and assessment day practice. No account needed.
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