Logical reasoning tests appear in many online assessments for internships, graduate programmes and early career roles. They sit alongside numerical and verbal reasoning, situational judgement tests and video interviews as part of a wider selection process.
If you are just getting started with assessments, it helps to first understand the bigger picture.
What Is a Logical Reasoning Test
A logical reasoning test is used in many assessments to measure your ability to analyse patterns, evaluate arguments, identify relationships and solve unfamiliar problems within a limited time. Employers such as SHL, AON, TalentLens, Cubiks, Korn Ferry and many large organisations use logical reasoning assessments to help select candidates.
A logical reasoning test measures your ability to:
- Identify logical relationships
- Draw valid conclusions from given information
- Recognise rules and patterns
- Apply deductive and inductive reasoning
- Interpret abstract or symbolic information
- Follow chains of logic involving sequences, conditions and constraints
In contrast with verbal reasoning or numerical reasoning, logical reasoning tests are content neutral. They are designed to focus on how you think rather than what you already know.
Types of Logical Reasoning Questions
Deductive Reasoning
You are given a set of rules and must decide what follows logically from them.
Common forms include:
- Syllogisms
- Logic grids
- If then rules
- Constraint based puzzles
Inductive Reasoning
You infer a rule from examples and then apply it.
Typical forms include:
- Number sequences
- Letter sequences
- Pattern identification
- Symbol transformations
Abstract and Diagrammatic Reasoning
These questions involve shapes and symbols rather than words.
They often appear in assessments from SHL, AON and TalentQ.
Examples include:
- Shape transformations across a series
- Progressive matrices
- Input output rule diagrams
- Patterns that combine several rules at once
Critical Thinking
These questions focus on the quality of reasoning in arguments.
Typical formats include:
- Evaluating arguments
- Identifying assumptions
- Recognising common fallacies
- Determining which statement strengthens or weakens a claim
Logical Reasoning Test Practice Questions with Solutions
This section contains a collection of questions together with detailed explanations. If you want to see how numerical reasoning questions are structured at a similar level of difficulty, you can also work through Free Numerical Reasoning Questions Every Finance Applicant Should Know .
Deductive Reasoning Practice
A, B, C, D and E are sitting in a row in some order.
- A sits somewhere to the left of C.
- B is not next to D.
- E is between A and C, though not necessarily immediately next to them.
- C is not at either end of the row.
Which person must be in the middle seat, position three
Answer: E
Explanation
Since E is between A and C, the order has to be A then E then C somewhere to the right. The reverse order would place A to the right of C, which goes against the information given.
C cannot occupy either end of the row, so C must be placed in one of the middle positions. Testing possible arrangements while keeping A to the left of E and E to the left of C shows that the only way to satisfy all the rules is to place E in the central seat.
Four boxes contain a diamond, a coin, a key and a ring. Each box has two statements written on it, and exactly one statement on each box is true.
Box 1
(1) The ring is in Box 3.
(2) The diamond is not in Box 4.
Box 2
(1) The diamond is in Box 1.
(2) The coin is not in Box 3.
Box 3
(1) The key is in this box.
(2) The ring is in Box 2.
Box 4
(1) The coin is in Box 1.
(2) The diamond is not in Box 2.
Where is the diamond
Answer: Box 2
Explanation
Assume the diamond is in Box 1. Then Box 2 statement (1) would be true, so statement (2) on Box 2 must be false. That would place the coin in Box 3. This creates a chain of consequences that leads to more than one true statement on another box, which breaks the rule.
Similar contradictions appear when assuming the diamond is in Box 3 or Box 4. The only placement that keeps exactly one statement true on every box is when the diamond is in Box 2. In that arrangement:
- On Box 2, statement (1) is false and statement (2) is true.
- On Box 4, statement (1) is false and statement (2) is true.
- On Box 1, statement (2) must then be false, so statement (1) is true.
- On Box 3, statement (2) is false, so statement (1) is true.
Every box ends with exactly one true statement, which confirms that the diamond is in Box 2.
Inductive Reasoning Practice
Find the next number in the sequence.
7, 10, 16, 28, 52, ?
Answer: 100
Explanation
The step sizes between terms form their own pattern.
- 10 minus 7 equals 3
- 16 minus 10 equals 6
- 28 minus 16 equals 12
- 52 minus 28 equals 24
Each difference doubles the previous one. The next difference is therefore 48, and 52 plus 48 gives 100.
Find the next pair.
(A, D), (C, H), (F, N), (J, X), (?)
Answer: (O, L)
Explanation
Look at the first letters. Their positions in the alphabet move forward by larger and larger jumps.
- A to C moves two steps.
- C to F moves three steps.
- F to J moves four steps.
The next jump is five steps, so J moves to O. The second letters follow a related rule based on position values and transformation. Applying the same pattern gives L as the second letter, so the next pair is (O, L).
Abstract and Diagrammatic Reasoning Practice
The diagrams below are styled in a similar way to professional employer tests, with coloured shapes on balance scales. If you want more context on how these questions appear in real SHL assessments, you can compare them with the examples in SHL Tests Explained (2026): Tips, Question Types and More .
In each row, the balance on the left is transformed into the balance on the right. Use the first two rows to work out the rule and then apply it to the third row.
The pattern is that each shape on the left balance is duplicated on both sides of the scale in the output.
Answer
The third row must show two rectangles on one side and two yellow circles on the other side of the scale.
Each row contains an input balance and an output balance. In every case, the same two step rule is applied to the three shapes. Use the first two rows to identify the rule and then apply it to the third row.
Legend: filled coral circle, teal square and blue rectangle represent different symbols with equal value.
The rule is: move the shape on the right into the left group while keeping the original order among the three shapes.
Answer
In the third row, the tall blue rectangle moves next to the teal square on the left side, and the coral circle remains on the right. The output balance therefore shows a teal square and tall rectangle on one side and a single coral circle on the other.
Critical Thinking Practice
Argument
“Remote work reduces productivity because employees encounter more distractions at home.”
Which statement gives the strongest support to this claim
- A. Survey data shows many remote workers report higher job satisfaction.
- B. Offices contain collaboration tools that can improve teamwork.
- C. A controlled study found remote workers completed fewer tasks because of interruptions at home.
- D. Managers prefer to see their team members in person.
Answer: C
Explanation
Option C provides direct evidence from a controlled study that links home interruptions to a reduction in tasks completed. This supports the specific reason given in the argument.
Argument
“If a country raises taxes on imported steel, domestic steel will become more competitive.”
Which assumption underlies this conclusion
- A. Domestic steel producers can increase output to meet extra demand.
- B. Customers prefer imported steel.
- C. Imported steel is lower quality than domestic steel.
- D. Higher taxes automatically increase government revenue.
Answer: A
Explanation
For domestic steel to become more competitive in a practical sense, suppliers must be able to meet any additional demand. If they cannot increase output, higher taxes on imports would not translate into higher sales for local producers.
Tips for Doing Well in Logical Reasoning Tests
The following suggestions reflect the way many test providers design and score logical reasoning assessments.
- Look for the rule before you focus on answer options. This helps you avoid distraction from similar looking choices.
- Separate complex patterns into simple parts. For example, consider shape, position and number in turn.
- Check how patterns change across and down a grid. Many abstract questions use two directions at once.
- Use contradictions to eliminate possibilities quickly in deduction puzzles.
- Work with the time limit in mind. Many online tests allow roughly one minute per question, so move on if you are stuck.
Logical Reasoning Test FAQ
A logical reasoning test is an assessment that measures how well you can recognise patterns, apply rules and draw valid conclusions from given information. Questions may be presented in words, numbers or abstract diagrams. For an overview of how logical reasoning fits alongside numerical and verbal tests, see What Is an Online Assessment Test? Types, Examples and How to Prepare .
Tests from providers such as SHL and AON are designed to distinguish between many applicants who are often well qualified. Because of this, the questions can feel demanding, especially when time is limited and there is pressure to work quickly. To see how these tests are structured in practice, you can explore SHL Tests Explained (2026): Tips, Question Types and More .
The most effective approach is to practise regularly with authentic style questions. After each attempt, review full explanations to see how the rule was identified and how incorrect options were ruled out. Over time you start to recognise patterns and question types more quickly. It also helps to combine this with focused practice in numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning using our dedicated guides.
Large organisations such as Amazon, Deloitte, PwC, HSBC, Shell, Unilever, EY and Google use logical reasoning tests for graduate and experienced hire roles. Many other companies in consulting, banking and technology use similar assessments. To get ready for the interview stage that often follows, you can use 10 Competency Questions You Must Prepare For (Expert Answers Inside) to prepare strong examples from your own experience.
Preparation for modern assessments works best when you combine:
- Practice in logical, numerical and verbal reasoning.
- Timed sessions that mirror real test conditions.
- Review of detailed solutions so you understand why each answer is correct.
- Reflection on mistakes, so that you avoid repeating the same patterns in future tests.
After the online tests you are often invited to a video interview stage. To understand how that works and how to make a strong impression, you can read 10 Competency Questions You Must Prepare For , which helps you turn your practice into convincing, structured answers.
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