NTS NAT-IGS 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-IGS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Scenario-Based Questions

   5 topics

   • Reading and Modeling the Scenario
   • Linear Ordering and Sequencing
   • Grouping and Selection
   • Matching and Assignment Puzzles
   • Drawing Diagrams and Tables
2. 2

   Statement-Based Questions

   4 topics

   • Logical Deduction from Statements
   • Assumptions and Conclusions
   • Strengthening and Weakening Arguments
   • Cause and Effect Statements
3. 3

   Logical Connectives and Conditions

   4 topics

   • If-Then Conditional Reasoning
   • And, Or, Not Logic
   • Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
   • Contrapositive and Negation
4. 4

   Inference and Conclusions

   3 topics

   • Valid vs Invalid Inferences
   • Syllogisms
   • Identifying Hidden Assumptions
5. 5

   Coding, Sequences and Patterns

   3 topics

   • Letter and Number Coding
   • Series and Pattern Recognition
   • Blood Relations and Directions

Analytical Reasoning flashcards for NTS NAT-IGS

20 of 52 cards from the Analytical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In analytical reasoning, what is a "scenario" (or stimulus)?

   The setup paragraph that describes a situation, the entities involved, and the variable conditions you must reason about. It establishes what must be arranged, ordered, grouped, or matched before the rules apply.

2. What two parts make up a typical analytical reasoning game/set?

   (1) The scenario/setup describing the entities and the task, and (2) the rules/conditions (constraints) that govern how the entities can be arranged.

3. When reading a scenario, what three things should you identify first?

   The entities (players/items), the slots/positions or categories they fill, and the action (ordering, grouping, matching, or selecting).

4. What is the difference between a "fixed" rule and a "floating" rule in a scenario?

   A fixed rule pins an entity to a specific position (e.g., "A is third"); a floating/relative rule only fixes a relationship between entities (e.g., "A is before B") without anchoring an absolute position.

5. Why should you symbolize (abbreviate) the rules before solving an analytical reasoning set?

   Symbolizing turns wordy conditions into compact notation (arrows, letters, slashes), reducing memory load, exposing chains/links between rules, and letting you scan constraints quickly while testing options.

6. What is linear ordering (sequencing) in analytical reasoning?

   A puzzle type where entities are placed in a single ordered line of positions (1st to last, or left to right) based on rules about who comes before, after, or adjacent to whom.

7. In a linear ordering puzzle, what does the rule "A is immediately before B" tell you?

   A and B occupy consecutive positions with A directly preceding B (the AB "block"), with no entity between them.

8. What is the difference between "A is before B" and "A is immediately before B"?

   "A is before B" only requires A to be at some earlier position than B (gaps allowed); "A is immediately before B" requires them to be adjacent with A directly preceding B.

9. In sequencing, what is a "block" (or chunk)?

   Two or more entities locked into a fixed adjacent order (e.g., AB or A_B with a gap), which you can slide along the positions as a single unit.

10. How do you count arrangements of n distinct items in a line with no restrictions?

    n! (n factorial) = n x (n-1) x ... x 1. For example, 5 items in a row = 5! = 120 arrangements.

11. If two specific items must always sit together in a line of n items, how many arrangements are there?

    Treat the pair as one block: (n-1)! arrangements, then multiply by 2 for the two internal orders of the pair = 2 x (n-1)!.

12. What is grouping (selection) in analytical reasoning?

    A puzzle type where entities are divided into two or more groups/teams, or a subset is selected from a larger pool, subject to rules about who can or cannot be together.

13. What does an "in/out" (selection) game require you to do?

    Split the entities into those selected (in) and those not selected (out), respecting rules about how many can be chosen and which selections force or forbid others.

14. In grouping, what does "if A is selected then B is selected" imply about its contrapositive?

    The contrapositive is: if B is NOT selected, then A is NOT selected. Whenever the consequent fails, the antecedent must also fail.

15. In grouping puzzles, what is the difference between "A and B cannot be in the same group" and "A and B must be in the same group"?

    "Cannot be together" means A and B are always split across different groups; "must be together" means they always share the same group, moving as a pair.

16. How many ways can you choose r items from n distinct items where order does not matter?

    The combination C(n,r) = n! / [r! (n-r)!].

17. What is a matching (assignment) puzzle in analytical reasoning?

    A puzzle where each entity is paired with one or more attributes (e.g., person-to-color, person-to-day), and rules constrain which attributes can go with which entities.

18. What grid/table tool is most useful for matching and assignment puzzles?

    A matrix (grid) with entities on one axis and attributes on the other, marking each cell with a check (yes/match) or cross (no), eliminating possibilities until pairings are forced.

19. In a matching grid, once a cell is confirmed as a "yes" match, what can you immediately do?

    Mark all other cells in that entity's row and that attribute's column as "no," since each entity takes that attribute and that attribute is taken by that entity (in one-to-one matching).

20. What is the benefit of drawing a diagram or table before answering analytical reasoning questions?

    It externalizes the constraints into a visual model, making it easier to see implications, test scenarios, spot forced placements, and avoid re-reading the rules repeatedly.

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