NTS NAT-ICOM Analytical Reasoning Syllabus

Analytical Reasoning syllabus — full chapter and topic list

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

1. 1

   Logical Reasoning

   5 topics

   • Statement and Assumptions
   • Statement and Conclusions
   • Cause and Effect
   • Strengthening and Weakening Arguments
   • Course of Action
2. 2

   Scenario-Based Reasoning

   4 topics

   • Seating Arrangements
   • Ordering and Sequencing
   • Grouping and Selection
   • Conditional Relationships
3. 3

   Logical Deductions

   4 topics

   • Syllogisms
   • Venn Diagram Logic
   • Blood Relations
   • Direction Sense
4. 4

   Coding and Pattern Recognition

   4 topics

   • Coding and Decoding
   • Series Completion
   • Analogical Patterns
   • Classification and Odd-One-Out

Analytical Reasoning flashcards for NTS NAT-ICOM

20 of 51 cards from the Analytical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In Statement and Assumptions questions, what is an assumption?

   An assumption is something taken for granted or supposed to be true — an unstated idea that the speaker presumes while making the statement. It must be implicit (hidden), not explicitly stated.

2. What is the basic rule for deciding whether an assumption is implicit in a statement?

   An assumption is implicit only if the statement cannot hold true or make sense without it. If the statement still stands without the assumption, it is NOT implicit.

3. Why are assumptions that are 'too obvious' or 'universally known facts' usually rejected as NOT implicit?

   Because the statement does not need to presume them — they are general knowledge, not specific suppositions made by the speaker for that particular statement.

4. In assumption questions, why is an assumption that merely restates the statement rejected?

   A restatement is given information, not an unstated supposition. An assumption must be hidden/implied, so anything directly contained in the statement cannot be an assumption.

5. When a notice/advertisement/appeal is given, what assumption is generally considered implicit?

   That the medium used will reach the target audience and that people will read/respond to it; i.e., the action taken is presumed to be effective and noticed.

6. Define 'conclusion' in Statement and Conclusions questions.

   A conclusion is a judgment, opinion, or inference that can be logically and definitely drawn from the information given in the statement(s), without adding outside knowledge.

7. What is the key test for a valid conclusion in Statement and Conclusions questions?

   The conclusion must necessarily follow from the given statement(s) alone. If it requires extra assumptions or external information, it does not follow.

8. How does a conclusion differ from an assumption?

   An assumption is an UNSTATED idea presumed BEFORE/within the statement; a conclusion is an inference logically derived AFTER/from the statement. Assumption precedes, conclusion follows.

9. In 'Either/Or' conclusion problems, when do you mark 'Either I or II follows'?

   When both conclusions individually do not follow, but together they exhaust all possibilities (are complementary) and at least one must be true, e.g., contradictory pairs covering the same subject.

10. Define Cause and Effect in analytical reasoning.

    A cause is an event/condition that produces a result; the effect is the result produced. The cause must occur before the effect, and the effect depends on the cause.

11. What are the main categories used to classify two events in Cause and Effect questions?

    (1) One is cause, other is effect; (2) both are effects of a common/independent cause; (3) both are independent causes; (4) one is the immediate cause and the other the principal/remote cause; (5) effects of independent causes.

12. In Cause and Effect, what does it mean if 'both statements are effects of a common cause'?

    Neither event causes the other; instead, some third underlying factor produces both events independently. They are correlated but not causally linked to each other.

13. What is the difference between an immediate cause and a principal (remote) cause?

    The immediate cause is the direct, proximate trigger of the effect; the principal/remote cause is the deeper, root underlying reason. Both can produce the same effect at different levels.

14. Why does correlation not imply causation in Cause and Effect reasoning?

    Two events occurring together may both stem from a third common cause, or be coincidental. Temporal sequence and a real dependency are needed to establish true causation.

15. In argument evaluation, what makes an argument 'strong'?

    A strong argument is both relevant to the question and addresses its real, substantial, practical aspect — it carries genuine weight and is directly related to the issue.

16. In argument evaluation, what makes an argument 'weak'?

    A weak argument is irrelevant, ambiguous, superficial, trivial, based on individual/personal opinion, or addresses a minor/illusory aspect rather than the main issue.

17. What does it mean to 'strengthen' an argument?

    To provide additional evidence, a fact, or reasoning that makes the conclusion MORE likely to be true or supports the assumption on which the argument rests.

18. What does it mean to 'weaken' an argument?

    To provide a fact or reasoning that makes the conclusion LESS likely, attacks the underlying assumption, offers an alternative explanation, or shows the evidence is insufficient.

19. Which statement type most effectively weakens an argument?

    One that attacks/negates the key assumption the argument depends on, or supplies an alternative cause/explanation for the observed result.

20. Why is an answer choice that is true but irrelevant to the conclusion neither a strengthener nor a weakener?

    Strengthening/weakening requires affecting the link between premises and conclusion. A statement outside the argument's scope leaves the conclusion's likelihood unchanged.

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