IPMAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus

Logical Reasoning syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Logical Reasoning in IPMAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Series and Sequences

   3 topics

   • Number Series
   • Alphabet Series
   • Mixed Series
2. 2

   Analogies and Classification

   3 topics

   • Verbal Analogies
   • Non-Verbal Analogies
   • Odd One Out
3. 3

   Syllogisms

   2 topics

   • Basic Syllogisms
   • Advanced Syllogisms
4. 4

   Puzzles and Arrangements

   3 topics

   • Linear Arrangements
   • Circular Arrangements
   • Seating Arrangements

Logical Reasoning flashcards for IPMAT

19 of 49 cards from the Logical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In a number series, what is an arithmetic progression and how is its general (nth) term found?

   An arithmetic progression (AP) is a series where each term differs from the previous by a constant common difference d. The nth term is a_n = a + (n-1)d, where a is the first term.

2. In a number series, what defines a geometric progression and what is its nth term?

   A geometric progression (GP) is a series where each term is the previous term multiplied by a constant ratio r. The nth term is a_n = a·r^(n-1), where a is the first term.

3. What is the standard step-by-step method to crack a number series question?

   1) Find the difference between consecutive terms. 2) If constant, it's an AP. 3) If not, check the ratio for a GP. 4) Check second-level differences, then squares/cubes, primes, or alternating patterns. 5) Apply the identified rule to find the missing/next term.

4. Identify the pattern: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ... and give the next term.

   The differences are 4, 6, 8, 10 (increasing by 2); equivalently a_n = n(n+1). The next term is 42.

5. What is a 'squares' series and a 'cubes' series? Give an example of each.

   A squares series lists perfect squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 (n²). A cubes series lists perfect cubes: 1, 8, 27, 64, 125 (n³). Variants add/subtract a constant, e.g. n²+1: 2, 5, 10, 17.

6. What is an alternating (or double) number series and how do you solve it?

   It interleaves two independent series in alternate positions. Solve by separating odd-position terms and even-position terms into two sub-series, find each pattern separately, then recombine. Example: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 18 → odd positions 1,4,9 (squares), even positions 2,6,18 (×3).

7. In an alphabet/letter series, what are the positional values of A, M, N, and Z?

   A = 1, M = 13, N = 14, Z = 26. Remembering that M/N split the alphabet at the middle (13/14) speeds up letter-gap calculations.

8. What is the EJOTY rule used for in alphabet series, and what does it stand for?

   EJOTY is a memory aid for letter positions at intervals of 5: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25. It lets you quickly locate any letter's position without counting from A.

9. Identify the pattern and next letter: A, C, F, J, O, ...

   Gaps increase: +2, +3, +4, +5, so the next gap is +6. O (15) + 6 = U. The next letter is U.

10. What is the reverse-position (complement) rule for letters, and how is the complement of any letter found?

    Each letter has a complement that is the same distance from the other end: complement-position = 27 − (letter's position). For example A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X, M↔N. So the letter at position p maps to position 27−p.

11. What is a mixed (alphanumeric) series and what general approach handles it?

    A mixed series combines letters, numbers, and sometimes symbols together (e.g. A1, C3, E5...). Approach: separate the components, analyze the letter pattern and the number pattern independently, then recombine to predict the next term.

12. In an alphanumeric series question, what are the three common things you are asked to count or locate?

    1) A letter/number/symbol immediately preceded or followed by a specific element. 2) The element at a given position from the left or right end. 3) Elements satisfying a combined condition (e.g. a number followed by a vowel).

13. Find the next term: B2, D4, F6, H8, ...

    Letters skip one each time (B, D, F, H → next J) and numbers are even, increasing by 2 (2, 4, 6, 8 → next 10). The next term is J10.

14. What is a verbal analogy and what is the key to solving 'A : B :: C : ?' questions?

    A verbal analogy expresses that the relationship between the first pair (A:B) is the same as that between the second pair (C:?). The key is to identify the precise relationship in the first pair and apply the identical relationship, in the same direction, to find the missing term.

15. Name five common relationship types tested in verbal analogies.

    Synonym/antonym, part-to-whole, cause-and-effect, worker-to-tool (or worker-to-product), and category/classification (item-to-class). Others include degree of intensity, function, and gender pairs.

16. Solve and name the relationship: Author : Book :: Composer : ?

    The answer is Symphony (or Music). The relationship is creator-to-creation: an author creates a book just as a composer creates a symphony.

17. In analogies, why does the order/direction of the relationship matter? Give an example.

    The relationship must be applied in the same direction, or the answer reverses. E.g. Doctor : Hospital (worker:workplace) requires the answer to keep worker first; if given Hospital : Doctor, you must map workplace:worker accordingly. Reversing direction gives a wrong option that often appears as a trap.

18. What is a non-verbal analogy and what features of figures must be tracked to solve one?

    A non-verbal analogy presents figures: figure-A relates to figure-B as figure-C relates to ?. Track changes in rotation (angle/direction), reflection (mirroring), number of elements/sides, shading/color, size, and position of components, then apply the same transformation to the third figure.

19. In non-verbal analogies, how do you distinguish a rotation from a reflection (mirror image)?

    In a rotation the figure turns about a point but its 'handedness' (left/right orientation of asymmetric parts) is preserved. In a reflection the figure is flipped, reversing handedness so it looks like a mirror image; an asymmetric figure and its mirror cannot be made to coincide by rotation alone.

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