NMAT 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 NMAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Analytical Reasoning

   5 topics

   • Arrangements
     • Linear seating arrangement
     • Circular and rectangular arrangement
     • Double-row arrangement
   • Distribution and Grouping
     • Item-person matching
     • Conditional grouping puzzles
   • Order, Ranking and Scheduling
     • Comparison-based ranking
     • Days, dates and timetable puzzles
   • Blood Relations
     • Family tree construction
     • Coded relationships
   • Directions and Distance
     • Direction sense tracing
     • Net displacement calculation
2. 2

   Verbal and Critical Reasoning

   4 topics

   • Statement and Assumption
     • Identifying implicit assumptions
     • Statement and conclusion
   • Strong and Weak Arguments
     • Argument evaluation
     • Course of action
   • Cause and Effect
     • Identifying causal links
     • Statement and inference
   • Critical Reasoning
     • Strengthening and weakening arguments
     • Inference and assumption questions
     • Paradox and flaw identification
3. 3

   Logical Deduction

   4 topics

   • Syllogisms
     • Venn diagram method
     • Possibility cases and definite conclusions
   • Logical Sequence and Pattern
     • Number and letter series
     • Analogy and odd-one-out
   • Coding-Decoding
     • Letter and number coding
     • Symbol substitution
   • Input-Output and Machine Logic
     • Step-by-step rearrangement
     • Pattern identification
4. 4

   Reasoning Aids

   3 topics

   • Mathematical Operations and Symbol Logic
     • Symbol-based equation interpretation
     • Inequality coding
   • Decision Making and Data Conditions
     • Eligibility-criteria problems
     • Multi-condition selection
   • Venn Diagram Logic
     • Categorisation of items
     • Logical Venn matching

Logical Reasoning flashcards for NMAT

19 of 51 cards from the Logical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In a linear (single-row) arrangement problem, what does the phrase "immediate neighbours" indicate about two persons?

   They sit directly next to each other with no one in between (adjacent positions).

2. In a circular arrangement, how do "facing the centre" vs "facing outward" affect left/right directions?

   For people facing the centre, left/right are opposite to the observer's; for people facing outward, left/right match the observer's view. Mixed-facing arrangements must track each person's orientation separately.

3. What is the key first step when solving any seating/arrangement puzzle?

   Separate clues into fixed (definite) and variable (conditional) statements, place the fixed clues first to fix positions, then use conditional clues to eliminate possibilities.

4. In Distribution and Grouping problems, what does a one-to-one (unique) assignment constraint mean?

   Each item is matched with exactly one element of the other set and vice versa, so no element can repeat across the matched pairs (e.g., each person has a distinct car colour).

5. What technique best organizes a Distribution/Matching puzzle with multiple categories (e.g., people, colours, cities)?

   A matrix (grid) table: list one category per row and another per column, marking cells with Yes/No (tick/cross) as clues confirm or eliminate combinations.

6. In Order and Ranking problems, what does "A is taller than B" tell you, and how is it represented?

   A holds a higher position than B in the height order; represent as A > B and chain inequalities (e.g., A > B > C) to build a complete ranking.

7. If a person ranks 7th from the top and 14th from the bottom in a row, how many people are there in total?

   Total = (rank from top) + (rank from bottom) − 1 = 7 + 14 − 1 = 20 people.

8. In a queue, a person is 5th from the front; if there are 18 people total, what is their position from the back?

   Position from back = Total − position from front + 1 = 18 − 5 + 1 = 14th from the back.

9. In Scheduling problems involving days/months, what assumption is usually made about the timeline?

   That events occur in a fixed sequence (e.g., one event per day, no repeats unless stated), so you order them along a calendar line using before/after and gap clues.

10. In Blood Relations, who is your father's brother's son to you?

    Your cousin (cousin brother).

11. In Blood Relations, what relation is your mother's brother to you?

    Your maternal uncle (mama).

12. In Blood Relations, define a 'paternal' versus 'maternal' relative.

    Paternal relatives are connected through the father's side of the family; maternal relatives are connected through the mother's side.

13. In coded-relationship problems, what do the symbols typically represent: A + B, A − B, A × B, A ÷ B (common convention)?

    By a common convention: '+' = male relation/husband-father link, '−' = female relation, '×' = married to, '÷' = sibling/child relation — but always use the legend given in that specific question.

14. In Directions, name the four cardinal and four intercardinal (ordinal) directions.

    Cardinal: North, South, East, West. Ordinal: North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West.

15. If you face North and turn 90° clockwise, which direction do you face? And 90° anticlockwise?

    Clockwise 90° from North = East; anticlockwise 90° from North = West.

16. In Directions and Distance, how do you compute the shortest (straight-line) distance after movements form a right angle?

    Use the Pythagorean theorem: shortest distance = √(horizontal displacement² + vertical displacement²).

17. A man walks 6 km North then 8 km East. How far is he from the start, and via which formula?

    √(6² + 8²) = √(36+64) = √100 = 10 km, using the Pythagorean theorem.

18. In Statement and Assumption questions, what is an 'assumption'?

    Something taken for granted or implied — an unstated premise the speaker must believe to be true for the statement to make sense.

19. What is the standard test for whether an assumption is valid (implicit) in Statement-Assumption questions?

    It must be necessarily implied by the statement; if negating the assumption destroys or contradicts the statement, the assumption is implicit (valid).

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