National MDCAT 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 National MDCAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Critical Thinking

   2 topics

   • Building Logical Arguments
   • Evaluating True and False Beliefs
2. 2

   Letter and Symbols Series

   2 topics

   • Number Series
   • Letter and Symbol Series
3. 3

   Logical Deductions

   2 topics

   • Deducing New Relations
   • Developing Structures from Information
4. 4

   Logical Problems

   2 topics

   • Deductive Reasoning Puzzles
   • Inferring Results Across Problems
5. 5

   Course of Action

   2 topics

   • Gathering Information
   • Decision Making and Judging Courses
6. 6

   Cause and Effect

   2 topics

   • Cause-Effect Relationships
   • Reasoning About Events and Accidents

Logical Reasoning flashcards for National MDCAT

19 of 50 cards from the Logical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In logic, what is an 'argument'?

   A set of statements consisting of one or more premises offered as evidence or support for a conclusion.

2. What are the two essential components of every logical argument?

   Premises (the supporting statements/evidence) and a conclusion (the claim that follows from the premises).

3. What is the difference between a deductive and an inductive argument?

   In a deductive argument the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises (certainty); in an inductive argument the premises make the conclusion probable but not certain.

4. When is a deductive argument said to be 'valid'?

   When it is impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false at the same time; the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

5. When is a deductive argument 'sound'?

   When it is valid AND all of its premises are actually true.

6. Can a logical argument be valid but still have a false conclusion?

   Yes. An argument can be valid (correct form) yet have a false conclusion if one or more of its premises are false.

7. What is a 'strong' inductive argument?

   One in which the truth of the premises makes the conclusion highly probable, even though it is not guaranteed.

8. What does 'evaluating true and false beliefs' require a reasoner to distinguish?

   It requires distinguishing between a belief's truth (whether it corresponds to facts) and its justification (whether there is adequate evidence/logical support for it).

9. What is a 'belief' versus a 'fact' in logical reasoning?

   A belief is something a person accepts as true based on conviction; a fact is something objectively verifiable as true regardless of opinion.

10. What is an 'assumption' in an argument?

    An unstated premise that is taken for granted and must be true for the argument's conclusion to hold.

11. What is a logical fallacy?

    An error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or weak, even if it may appear persuasive.

12. In a number series, what defines an arithmetic progression?

    A sequence in which each term is obtained by adding a constant common difference (d) to the previous term. nth term = a + (n-1)d.

13. In a number series, what defines a geometric progression?

    A sequence in which each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant common ratio (r). nth term = a · r^(n-1).

14. What is the next term in the series 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ...? Explain the pattern.

    42. The differences increase by 2 each time (4, 6, 8, 10, 12), so 30 + 12 = 42. (Pattern: n(n+1).)

15. In the series 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ..., what is the rule and the next term?

    They are perfect squares (n²). The next term is 36 (6²).

16. In the series 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ..., what is the rule (Fibonacci)?

    Each term is the sum of the two preceding terms; the next term is 21 (8 + 13).

17. What is the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic series?

    S_n = n/2 × (2a + (n-1)d), or equivalently n/2 × (first term + last term).

18. How do you find the common difference 'd' in an arithmetic series?

    Subtract any term from the term immediately following it: d = a(n) − a(n-1).

19. In a letter series, what numerical positions do A, M, and Z occupy in the English alphabet?

    A = 1, M = 13, Z = 26 (the alphabet has 26 letters).

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