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Reasoning, either verbal as well as nonverbal, logical as well as analytical, is a key element in the composition of examination formats of many professional and skill-based exams in many countries around the globe. Institutions utilize reasoning questions to examine problem-solving, critical analysis, arithmetic, and the ability to integrate diverse pieces and foresee series.
Furthermore, introductory examinations frequently assess cognitive and linguistic skills that act as a screening program for later stages of evaluation and, ultimately, a brief interview. This paper will cover the basic strategies to handle critical reasoning questions in any exam easily.
What is critical reasoning?
Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Correction are all equally represented question categories in the Verbal Reasoning Section of competitive exams. Critical Reasoning questions start with a paragraph of content to read, followed by a multiple-choice problem. However, students will review a shorter paragraph for a Critical Reasoning topic than for a Reading Comprehension topic, and students will only answer a single question regarding the passage rather than three or four for a Reading Comprehension question.
The typical structure of a Critical Reasoning passage is to present a set of facts accompanied by a conclusion based on those facts. CR questions aim to evaluate your ability to think critically and analyze a given argument and the evidence presented to confirm or refute it. Because the question’s purpose varies, your approach to CR questions should be contextual as well.
The term “critical” has numerous implications. A patient’s critical state, for example, is fragile. Being critical of someone’s actions is an example of being critical. Critical analysis of poetry or a painting is an example of dispassionate analysis. The term ‘Critical Reasoning’ comes under the third connotation.
List of topics that comes under critical reasoning
Any competitive exam’s Verbal component includes a critical reasoning element. This section will test your ability to recognize an argument, evaluate statements, make a conclusion, and formulate a suitable course of action. Students generally perceive CR questions to be difficult, yet they can be the most marking portion if addressed correctly.
A list of topics that are included in CR questions
● Basics of Critical Reasoning: Facts, Inferences, and Judgments
● Inference Questions: Questions for Discussion
● Argument Questions: Strong and Weak argument
● Para Completion: Exercise for Completion
● Inference Vs. Conclusion: Conclusions Exercises for Practice
● Summary Based Questions: Advanced CR Concept
● Paradox Questions: Plan of Action
The following stages are required to answer Critical Reasoning questions:
● Understand and communicate with precision, clarity, and judgment.
● Recognize implicit assumptions and values and use necessary details from the facts in this case
● To interpret data, assess evidence, and assess arguments
● Recognize whether logical relationships exist (or do not exist) between propositions.
● Draw reasonable inferences and broad generalizations.
What are some strategies to handle critical reasoning questions?
When interacting with Reading Comprehension questions, it’s a good idea to read each piece carefully. For starters, you’re answering many questions with the same passage. You will also be assessed on your level of comprehension of the subject. When addressing a Critical Reasoning problem, your purpose is to assess a conclusion drawn from a set of data. As a result, your response to these topics should be unique. You can save time and improve your accuracy on Critical Reasoning questions by following the methods below.
● The first step in addressing a Critical Reasoning inquiry is to skim the text for important terms that will lead you to the passage’s assertion or conclusion. Because the question you should answer is closely linked to the conclusion, you can save time by discovering it first. Watch carefully for the following words or phrases:
Cause and effect: Because, since, so, therefore, leads in, thus, which indicates that, consequently
Conclusion: clearly, definitely
Recommendation: It should, recommended
● You can identify the article’s conclusion in the excerpt provided once you’ve isolated essential words. Because the issue you answer will be closely tied to the conclusion, you should first make sure you understand the claim.
● Once you’ve concluded, put it out in your own words. In general, utilizing your words assists you in grasping the question and simplifies the test-maker’s complicated writing. It will be simpler to find the proper answer after you have rephrased the conclusion.
● You may now need to return to the text and repeat it with the issue and conclusions in mind. This will allow you to concentrate on the facts that support the thesis rather than reading the section.
Some solved examples of critical reasoning
Example
“Some men are intelligent, while others are not, but should we call intermediate men ‘intelligent’? Yes, I believe he is bright, but I am not willing to call somebody intelligent.”
Which of the above best expresses the Writer’s intent?
● To label guys as intellectual when they aren’t, particularly so, must be an overuse of the term.
● Every scientific concept has some ambiguity.
● Whether or if someone is intelligent is a matter of taste.
● There’s no need to be just as hesitant as the author of the previous paragraph.
Answer: A
Explanation: In the concluding portion of his comment, the Writer clearly explains whether he should and should not be willing to call someone intelligent. The first option is the only one that expresses that intention and hence is the answer.
Option A is correct, and option B is incorrect since we cannot assume that all empirical notions are imprecise based on this, and it is also irrelevant. Solutions C and D are both confusing.
Conclusion
Competitive exam questions often fall into verbal or nonverbal reasoning or analytical or critical thinking. Though categorizing a question can be difficult, picture or conceptual model questions usually fall under the non-verbal category, core logic, and depreciation questions fall under logical reasoning while blood relations questionnaires, seating arrangement questionnaires, and other questions may fall under verbal and logical reasoning.
