NTS GAT-General Analytical Reasoning Syllabus

In conditional logic, distinguish 'A only if B' from 'A if B'.

'A only if B' means A→B (B is necessary for A). 'A if B' means B→A (B is sufficient for A). 'A if and only if B' means both directions: A↔B.

In constraint-based games, what is the difference between a 'sufficient' and a 'necessary' condition?

A sufficient condition (P→Q): if it holds, the result is guaranteed. A necessary condition (Q requires P): the result cannot hold without it. Sufficient triggers; necessary is required but may not trigger.

In Matching and Distribution puzzles, what is the most efficient first step?

Build a grid/matrix mapping each entity against each attribute, then mark definite Yes/No cells from direct clues, and use elimination (each row/column has exactly one match) to fill the rest.

In matching grids, what does it mean when a row has all cells marked 'No' except one?

That single remaining cell must be 'Yes' — by elimination, since each item pairs with exactly one match, the only un-eliminated option is the correct pairing.

What does it mean to 'strengthen' an argument?

To add information that makes the conclusion more likely to be true — supporting a premise, closing a gap between premise and conclusion, or ruling out an alternative explanation.

What does it mean to 'weaken' an argument?

To introduce information that makes the conclusion less likely — attacking a premise, breaking the link to the conclusion, or offering an alternative explanation for the evidence.

In strengthen/weaken questions, why is attacking the argument's underlying assumption so effective?

Every argument rests on an unstated assumption bridging premise to conclusion. Confirming that assumption strengthens the argument; showing it false breaks the bridge and weakens the argument most directly.

In critical reasoning, how do you identify the 'main conclusion' of an argument?

It is the central claim the author wants you to accept; all other statements support it. Test: ask 'what is being argued for?' — the conclusion is the point that the premises lead to (often signalled by 'therefore', 'thus', 'hence').

What is the difference between a premise and a conclusion in an argument?

A premise is offered as evidence or reason (supports). A conclusion is the claim being supported (is supported). Premise indicators: 'because', 'since', 'for'. Conclusion indicators: 'therefore', 'thus', 'so', 'hence'.

In Drawing Inferences, what qualifies as a valid inference from a passage?

A statement that must be true given the passage — something logically entailed by the information, not merely plausible or likely. If it could be false while the passage is true, it is not a valid inference.

What is the key difference between an 'inference' and an 'assumption'?

An inference follows FROM the stated information (a conclusion you draw out). An assumption goes INTO the argument as an unstated premise it depends on. Inference = output; assumption = hidden input.

In Evaluating Conclusions, what makes a conclusion 'logically follow'?

It follows only if it is fully supported by the given statements with no gaps and no need for outside information. A conclusion that goes beyond the data, overgeneralises, or requires extra assumptions does not follow.

What is the logical flaw known as 'ad hominem'?

Attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself. The opponent's character or motives are criticised instead of refuting their actual claim.

What is the 'straw man' fallacy?

Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument into a weaker version, then refuting that distorted version instead of the real argument.

What is the 'false dilemma' (false dichotomy) fallacy?

Presenting only two options or outcomes as the only possibilities when in fact other alternatives exist, forcing an artificial either/or choice.

What is the 'circular reasoning' (begging the question) fallacy?

An argument whose conclusion is assumed within its own premises — the claim is used to prove itself, so it provides no independent support (e.g., 'It's true because it says so').

What is the 'hasty generalisation' fallacy?

Drawing a broad, general conclusion from a sample that is too small or unrepresentative — assuming what is true of a few cases is true of all.

What is the 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' fallacy?

Assuming that because event B followed event A, A must have caused B. Mere sequence in time is mistaken for a causal relationship.

What is the 'appeal to authority' fallacy?

Claiming something is true merely because an authority or famous person said so, when that authority is not a legitimate expert on the topic or the claim itself lacks supporting evidence.

In Number Series, what are the most common patterns to check first?

Constant difference (arithmetic), constant ratio (geometric/multiplication), squares/cubes, prime numbers, alternating series, and patterns based on adding/subtracting an increasing step (e.g., +2, +4, +6).

In number series, how do you recognise an 'alternating series'?

Two different rules operate on alternate terms — odd-position terms follow one pattern and even-position terms follow another. Split the series into two interleaved sub-series and analyse each separately.

In Letter Series, what is the standard alphabet-position mapping you should memorise?

A=1 … Z=26. Reverse: A=26 … Z=1. Sum of position from front + from back = 27 (EJOTY trick: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25 mark every 5th letter).

In coding-decoding letter shifts, what is the 'opposite letter' of a given letter?

The letter whose position from the other end is equal; opposite of letter at position n is position (27 - n). E.g., A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X, M↔N. Sum of the pair's positions = 27.

In Analogical Reasoning, what is the method for solving 'A : B :: C : ?' questions?

Identify the precise relationship between A and B (cause-effect, part-whole, synonym, degree, function, etc.), then apply the exact same relationship to C to find the missing term.

List common relationship types tested in analogy questions.

Synonym/antonym, part-to-whole, worker-to-tool, cause-effect, object-function, category-member, degree/intensity (warm:hot), male-female, symbol-meaning, and product-raw material.

In Classification (Odd One Out), what is the solving approach?

Find the common property shared by most items, then identify the single item that does not share it. The odd one differs by category, type, characteristic, or pattern from the rest.

In Coding and Decoding, what is 'letter-to-letter substitution' coding?

Each letter is replaced by another following a fixed rule — most often a constant positional shift (e.g., +1: A→B, B→C) or a reversal (A→Z). Decode by reversing the same rule.

In coding-decoding, how do you crack a code when words are coded by 'number coding'?

Compare the coded numbers to letter positions or letter counts; check if numbers equal alphabet positions (A=1), sums of positions, or counts of letters, and test the rule consistently across all given words.

In substitution coding, how do you handle problems where 'words are substituted' (e.g., 'sky is blue, blue is red')?

Replace the asked term with its given substitute and answer based on the substituted word, not the real-world meaning. Track the chain of substitutions exactly as defined in the problem.

In coding-decoding, what is the technique for decoding when each whole message/word is coded with no letter correspondence given (pattern of common words)?

Compare pairs of statements that share a common word; the code-symbol appearing in both coded statements corresponds to that shared word. By matching common words across statements, deduce each word's code.