Verbal reasoning tests assess how accurately you interpret written information. You may be asked whether a statement is true, false or impossible to determine, or to identify the conclusion best supported by a passage.
These questions reward disciplined reading. General knowledge, personal experience and what seems likely in real life should not replace the evidence presented on the screen.
Key points
- Treat the passage as the complete evidence set.
- Separate what is stated from what is merely plausible.
- Pay close attention to words such as all, only, may and usually.
- Return to the exact sentence that supports or contradicts the claim.
01
The evidence-only rule
If the passage does not provide enough information, the correct answer is often cannot say or insufficient information. This is not a weak response. It shows that you can recognise the limit of the evidence rather than inventing a conclusion.
Absolute words deserve special attention. A passage saying that most teams improved does not prove that every team improved. A statement about a short pilot does not automatically support a claim about long-term performance.
02
How to read quickly without losing accuracy
Read the statement first when the interface allows it. You then know what evidence to look for and can avoid repeatedly reading irrelevant detail. Mark the subject, time period and strength of the claim before searching the passage.
- Match the same subject in both statement and passage.
- Check whether the time period has changed.
- Notice qualifiers such as some, often, could and must.
- Reject answers that require an unstated assumption.
03
A better practice routine
Practise short sets and explain why each rejected answer is wrong. This develops evidence control more effectively than simply recording a score. When reviewing, highlight the exact words that determined the answer.
Move to timed practice only when you can distinguish contradiction from missing information reliably. Speed built on weak inference habits creates inconsistent results.
A six-week trial involved 90 employees. Report completion rose from 72% to 81%. The trial did not measure performance after the six-week period.
The trial proved that report completion remained higher for the rest of the year.
- ATrue
- BFalse
- CCannot say
The passage reports improvement during six weeks but gives no evidence about the rest of the year. The longer-term claim cannot be established.
Practise this skill
Use the method while it is fresh.
Open the matching CandidateMode pack and apply the steps from this guide to a realistic assessment interface.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use outside knowledge?
No. Base the answer only on the passage unless the instructions explicitly say otherwise.
What is the difference between false and cannot say?
False means the passage contradicts the statement. Cannot say means the passage neither proves nor disproves it.
How do I avoid rereading the passage?
Read the claim first, identify its subject and qualifier, then scan for the specific evidence needed.