SBOTS Analytical & Logical Reasoning Syllabus

Analytical & 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 Analytical & Logical Reasoning in SBOTS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Logical Deduction

   4 topics

   • Syllogisms
   • Statements & Assumptions
   • Statements & Conclusions
   • Cause & Effect
2. 2

   Arrangements & Puzzles

   4 topics

   • Seating Arrangement
   • Linear & Circular Arrangement
   • Blood Relations
   • Ordering & Ranking
3. 3

   Coding & Sequences

   3 topics

   • Coding-Decoding
   • Number & Letter Series
   • Direction Sense
4. 4

   Critical Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Strengthening & Weakening Arguments
   • Course of Action
   • Decision Making
5. 5

   Non-Verbal Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Figure Series & Analogies
   • Pattern Completion
   • Odd One Out

Analytical & Logical Reasoning flashcards for SBOTS

18 of 50 cards from the Analytical & Logical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In syllogism logic, what is a 'syllogism'?

   A form of deductive reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given premises (statements) that share a common (middle) term. Only conclusions that MUST follow from the premises are valid.

2. What are the four standard types of categorical statements (propositions) used in syllogisms?

   A = Universal Affirmative ('All A are B'); E = Universal Negative ('No A is B'); I = Particular Affirmative ('Some A are B'); O = Particular Negative ('Some A are not B').

3. In syllogisms, what does it mean for a term to be 'distributed'?

   A term is distributed when the statement refers to ALL members of that term's class. A-type distributes the subject; E-type distributes both terms; I-type distributes neither; O-type distributes the predicate.

4. State the basic syllogism rule about negative premises.

   If both premises are negative, no valid conclusion follows. If one premise is negative, the conclusion (if any) must be negative.

5. State the syllogism rule about particular premises.

   If both premises are particular ('Some'), no definite conclusion follows. If one premise is particular, the conclusion must be particular.

6. What is the rule about the middle term in a valid syllogism?

   The middle term must be distributed at least once. If the middle term is not distributed in either premise, no valid conclusion can be drawn.

7. What is an 'immediate inference' by conversion in syllogisms, and which statements convert validly?

   Conversion swaps subject and predicate. 'Some A are B' (I) and 'No A is B' (E) convert validly; 'All A are B' (A) converts only to 'Some B are A'; 'Some A are not B' (O) cannot be converted.

8. In syllogism questions, what is the 'possibility' / complementary-pair rule (either-or conclusions)?

   When two conclusions are individually invalid but together cover all cases (same subject and predicate, one affirmative + one negative), they form an 'either-or' pair and that combined conclusion is valid.

9. What is the difference between a 'Statement & Assumption' question and a 'Statement & Conclusion' question?

   An ASSUMPTION is something taken for granted / presupposed BEFORE the statement is made (it underlies the statement). A CONCLUSION is something that logically follows FROM the statement after it is made.

10. In 'Statements & Assumptions', what is the test for whether an assumption is implicit?

    An assumption is implicit only if it MUST be taken for granted for the statement to make sense. Negate the assumption; if the statement collapses or becomes illogical, the assumption is implicit.

11. In 'Statements & Assumptions', should an implicit assumption restate or exaggerate the statement?

    No. An assumption that merely restates the statement, is too obvious/universal, or is an extreme/exaggerated claim is generally NOT a valid implicit assumption.

12. In 'Statements & Conclusions', what makes a conclusion valid?

    A conclusion is valid only if it definitely and directly follows from the information in the statement(s) alone, without adding outside knowledge or assumptions.

13. In Cause & Effect questions, how do you identify the cause and the effect?

    The CAUSE is the event/factor that occurs first and produces the result; the EFFECT is the outcome that follows. The cause precedes the effect in time and the effect depends on the cause.

14. List the standard answer options used in Cause & Effect reasoning questions.

    Typically: (a) Statement I is cause, II is effect; (b) II is cause, I is effect; (c) both are independent causes; (d) both are effects of independent causes; (e) both are effects of a common cause.

15. In Cause & Effect, what is meant by 'both are effects of a common (independent) cause'?

    Neither statement causes the other; instead, a third, separate factor produces both events. They are correlated but not causally linked to each other.

16. In Seating Arrangement problems, what is the key difference between 'facing the centre' and 'facing outside' for left/right directions?

    When a person faces the CENTRE, their right and left are OPPOSITE to ours. When a person faces OUTSIDE (away from centre), their right and left match the observer's normal orientation.

17. For a circular arrangement of n people all facing the centre, how are 'immediate right' and 'immediate left' determined?

    With all facing the centre, a person's immediate LEFT is the next person clockwise, and immediate RIGHT is the next person anticlockwise (relative to the observer's view).

18. What is the main difference between Linear and Circular seating arrangements?

    In LINEAR arrangement people sit in a row/line (have definite ends, single facing direction), so left/right are fixed. In CIRCULAR arrangement people sit around a circle with no ends, and left/right depend on whether they face the centre or outward.

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