Boost Your Score by 20%: Master Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning with CBSE 12's Analytical Skills Training

Logical reasoning is a crucial skill that plays a significant role in various aspects of our lives, including academics, careers, and problem-solving. It is an essential component of the CBSE 12 exam in India, where students are expected to demonstrate their ability to think critically and make logical deductions based on given information. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the concept of logical reasoning, provide step-by-step approaches to solving logical reasoning questions, discuss the topics covered in the logical reasoning section, and offer practice exercises to enhance your skills. So, let's dive in and develop our logical reasoning abilities!

What is logical reasoning?

Logical reasoning involves the ability to analyze and evaluate information, draw logical conclusions, and identify patterns or relationships. It is about thinking critically and making well-founded judgments based on evidence and logical thinking. In the CBSE 12 exam, logical reasoning questions are designed to assess your ability to interpret and analyze data, evaluate arguments, and solve problems using logical thinking.

To better understand logical reasoning, let's consider an example. Imagine you are presented with a series of numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___. To find the missing number, you need to observe the pattern or relationship between the given numbers. In this case, the pattern is an increase of 2 between each number. Therefore, the missing number is 10. By recognizing patterns and applying logical reasoning, you can arrive at the correct answer.

Steps to solve logical reasoning based questions

To effectively solve logical reasoning questions in the CBSE 12 exam, it is important to follow a systematic approach. Here are the steps to tackle logical reasoning questions:

1. Understand the question: Read the question carefully to comprehend the given information and the problem at hand. Pay attention to details and identify any key elements or patterns provided in the question.
2. Identify the relationships: Determine the relationships between the given elements or statements. Look for connections, dependencies, or conditions that may exist. Identifying these relationships will guide you in finding the logical solution.
3. Analyze the options: Evaluate each option or answer choice and eliminate those that do not logically fit with the given information. Use the process of elimination to narrow down the possibilities and focus on the most plausible answers.
4. Apply logical deduction: Use logical reasoning to deduce the correct answer based on the given information and the relationships established. Make logical connections and draw conclusions by using the provided data.
5. Verify the answer: Once you have chosen an answer, verify its correctness by re-reading the question and ensuring that it aligns with the provided information. Double-check your deductions to avoid errors and make sure your answer logically satisfies the conditions of the question.

By following these steps systematically, you can approach logical reasoning questions in a structured manner and improve your chances of arriving at the correct answer.

List of topics under the logical reasoning section

In the CBSE 12 exam, the logical reasoning section covers a wide range of topics. Here are some of the common topics that you may encounter:

1. Syllogisms: These questions assess your ability to draw logical conclusions based on given statements and determine the validity of arguments.
2. Analogies: Analogical reasoning questions involve identifying relationships between pairs of words or concepts and applying that relationship to find the missing element in a new pair.
3. Number series: This topic tests your ability to recognize patterns and relationships in numerical sequences and identify the missing number or the next number in the series.
4. Coding-decoding: Coding-Decoding questions involve deciphering codes or patterns based on given rules and applying them to decode a message or find the corresponding code for a given word.
5. Blood relations: These questions assess your understanding of family relationships, such as identifying the relation between individuals based on given information.
6. Direction sense: Direction sense questions evaluate your ability to navigate and understand directions, such as determining the shortest route or the final destination based on given directions.
7. Logical Venn diagrams: Logical Venn diagram questions involve analyzing relationships between groups of items or concepts and selecting the correct Venn diagram that represents the given information.
8. Critical reasoning: Critical reasoning questions require you to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and draw conclusions based on provided information.

It is important to familiarize yourself with these topics and practice solving questions from each category to build proficiency in logical reasoning.

List of exams with logical reasoning as one of the topics

Logical reasoning is a significant component of various competitive exams taken by students under the age of 18 in India. Here are some exams that include logical reasoning as one of the topics:

1. CBSE 12 Exam: The CBSE 12 exam itself includes a logical reasoning section to assess students' analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE): NTSE is a scholarship exam conducted by the NCERT, which includes a Mental Ability Test (MAT) that evaluates logical reasoning skills.
3. Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Admission Test: The ISI admission test includes a logical reasoning section to assess candidates' analytical and reasoning abilities.
4. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Exam: KVPY, conducted by IISc, includes logical reasoning questions to evaluate candidates' logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
5. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST): JNVST, an entrance exam for Navodaya Vidyalayas, includes a Mental Ability Test (MAT) that assesses logical reasoning abilities.

By being aware of these exams and their logical reasoning sections, you can focus your preparation on developing the necessary skills to excel in them.

Sample questions – logical reasoning

To strengthen your logical reasoning skills, let's practice solving a few sample questions:

Question 1

Identify the missing number in the following series: 2, 4, 8, 16, ___.

A) 18

B) 20

C) 22

D) 24

Answer: B) 20
Explanation: In this series, each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 2. Therefore, 16 multiplied by 2 gives 32, which is the missing number in the series.

Question 2

All cats are animals. Some animals are mammals. What can you conclude from these statements?

A) All mammals are cats.

B) All cats are mammals.

C) Some cats are mammals.

D) None of the above.

Answer: C) Some cats are mammals.
Explanation: From the given statements, we can infer that some animals are mammals, and since all cats are animals, it follows that some cats are mammals.

Frequently asked questions on logical reasoning

Q1. What are logical reasoning questions?‍

‍Logical reasoning questions are designed to assess an individual's ability to think critically, analyze information, and make logical deductions based on given data. These questions often involve evaluating relationships, patterns, or arguments.

Q2. What are the topics asked in the logical reasoning section?

‍The logical reasoning section may include topics such as syllogisms, analogies, number series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, logical Venn diagrams, and critical reasoning.

Q3. How to solve logical reasoning questions?

‍To solve logical reasoning questions effectively, it is crucial to understand the question, identify relationships between elements, analyze answer options, apply logical deductions, and verify the answer by re-reading the question and ensuring its alignment with the given information.

Q4. How to prepare logical reasoning for upcoming competitive exams?

‍To prepare for logical reasoning in competitive exams, practice regularly with sample questions, previous year question papers, and mock tests. Analyze your mistakes, learn from them, and focus on improving your logical reasoning skills.

Conclusion

By practicing logical reasoning questions and understanding the key concepts, you can enhance your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, thereby increasing your performance in the CBSE 12 exam.

To further enhance your logical reasoning skills, consider subscribing to Aha, a learning website that offers a wealth of quality sample questions and utilizes AI to analyze your weak points. Happy learning and good luck with your exam preparation!

Relevant links

• Mastering Logical Reasoning for Competitive Exams - Tips and Techniques
• Unlock Success with Top 6 Tips for Mastering Your CBSE Class 10 Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills
• Enhancing Analytical Skills: The Key to Success in Entrance Tests
• CBSE 12 Syllabus: Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning
• Preparing for Competitive Exams: Importance of Logical Reasoning Skills