Are there any quick hacks for Logical Reasoning?

Yes, there are several quick hacks to approach Logical Reasoning questions more efficiently. These techniques can help you save time, improve accuracy, and tackle this section with confidence:

1. Read the Question Stem First

Before diving into the passage, read the question stem (the question itself). This will give you an idea of what you’re looking for, whether it’s the main point, an inference, a flaw in reasoning, or supporting evidence. Knowing the question type helps you focus on relevant information in the passage and avoid distractions.

2. Focus on the Argument Structure

In Logical Reasoning, identifying the argument’s structure is essential. Look for:

• Premises (statements supporting the conclusion)
• Conclusion (the main point the author is trying to make)

By understanding this structure, you can quickly identify what the author is arguing and how they are supporting their claim. This approach is particularly useful for questions about strengthening, weakening, or evaluating an argument.

3. Look for Keywords and Transitional Words

Logical Reasoning questions often include keywords that indicate relationships between ideas:

• Supportive keywords: because, since, as a result, therefore (help identify premises)
• Contradictory keywords: however, but, although, despite (signal shifts or opposing ideas)
• Conclusion keywords: thus, therefore, consequently, hence (highlight the conclusion)

Focusing on these keywords helps you quickly navigate the passage and understand the flow of reasoning.

4. Use the Process of Elimination

In multiple-choice questions, eliminate options that don’t align with the passage’s logic. If an answer choice introduces information irrelevant to the argument or contains extreme language (e.g., always, never, only), it’s likely incorrect. By ruling out improbable answers, you narrow down your choices, increasing your chances of selecting the correct answer.

5. Identify Common Logical Fallacies

Recognising common logical fallacies can help you quickly identify flawed arguments. Some common fallacies include:

• Ad hominem (attacking the person rather than the argument)
• Circular reasoning (the conclusion restates the premise)
• False causation (assuming one event causes another without sufficient evidence)
• Hasty generalisation (drawing a conclusion from insufficient evidence)

Understanding these patterns helps you spot errors in reasoning and answer questions about flawed arguments.

6. Simplify Complex Language

Logical Reasoning passages can be wordy or complex, but simplifying them in your mind can help. Break down complex sentences into simpler parts or mentally rephrase statements. This will make it easier to understand the main point and supporting ideas without getting bogged down by dense language.

7. Practice “If-Then” Thinking for Assumptions

For questions about assumptions, try “if-then” thinking: assume the option is true and see if it logically fills a gap in the argument. If an answer choice strengthens or completes the argument’s logic, it’s likely the correct assumption. This quick mental check helps you assess the relevance of each option.

8. Don’t Get Stuck – Move On

If a question is taking too long, move on and come back to it later. Spending too much time on one question can hurt your performance in the rest of the section. Answer easier questions first to build confidence, then return to the more challenging ones if you have time left.

In Summary

• Read the question stem first to understand the task.
• Identify the argument’s structure (premises and conclusion).
• Use keywords to navigate the argument.
• Eliminate extreme or irrelevant answers to narrow options.
• Look for logical fallacies to spot flaws quickly.
• Simplify complex language to grasp the main idea.
• Use “if-then” thinking for assumption questions.
• Skip tough questions and return to them later if needed.

These hacks can make Logical Reasoning questions less intimidating and help you improve both speed and accuracy in this section.