Critical Reasoning for Bank Exams

By : Akash Mishra

Updated : Oct 15, 2020, 11:40

Critical reasoning is the ability of a candidate or person to imagine, conceptualize, and scrutinize the question to evaluate it and form a conclusion. Critical thinking questions are formed in such a way that they test the candidate's thinking ability and logical skills to reason the arguments. Critical reasoning forms an important section in exams such as GMAT, CAT, SSC CGL, IBPS, PO, IELTS, UPSC, etc.

Critical thinking questions can be asked in many different types and these questions can be a little tricky. Critical Reasoning questions and answer pdf for bank exam by BYJU'S Exam Prep will help you in excelling this topic. Different types of Critical Reasoning questions are:

Types	Meaning
Strengthen the Argument	Such questions have conclusions and answers options; you have to choose the answer that best strengthens the argument.
Weaken the Argument	Such questions have conclusions and answers options; you have to choose the answer that best weakens the argument.
Supply the Assumption	In such questions, you have to make the conclusions logical by choosing the right assumption from answer choices.
Supply the Conclusion	You have to find the right decision or thrust based on the information given or provided in the question.
Paradox Questions	In such questions, you have to choose the correct answer choice that explains that the paradox mentioned in the question is not contradictory in nature.

Important Critical Reasoning Terms

Terms	Meaning
Arguments	An argument consists of facts, assumptions, and conclusions in which facts tend to support conclusions, and the candidate has to weaken or strengthen the argument using assumptions.
Conclusions	It is the thrust of the argument and is supported through the point of facts.
Facts	These are stated and mentioned in the argument and support the conclusion.
Assumptions	These are instated facts which are used to either strengthen or weaken the argument.
Inference	It is the analysis or interpretation made after going through the whole argument.

Critical Reasoning Questions

Argument: The fatal accident in which a couple was run down by a truck days back has again caught attention on the unsatisfactory condition of roads.

Conclusions:

The accident happened seriously.
Many accidents have taken place prior to this accident because of the unsatisfactory conditions of the road.

Solution: Both the inferences should be true as run down shows that this accident must have been fatal and terms like 'again caught attention' clarifies that several accidents have happened due to unsatisfactory conditions of roads.

Conclusion: Amritsar is a beautiful city in Punjab

Assumptions:

Amritsar has many great religious and historical monuments
Chandigarh has beautiful malls built around the city

Which assumption best strengthens the conclusion?

Solution: Assumption 1 best strengthens the conclusion as having many great monuments make Amritsar a beautiful city while assumption 2 is not at all related to Amritsar.

Tips and Tricks to Solve Critical Reasoning Questions

Following are some Critical Reasoning tricks for bank exams and other competitive exams:

The easiest way to solve Critical Reasoning problems is by dividing the problem into parts. Identification of facts, assumptions, and conclusions will help in solving the problem in a short time span.
Cancel out all incorrect answer choices as this will help increase your chances of choosing the right answer.
Rephrase the argument in simpler words as this will help in the understanding of the argument.
Read the whole argument at least twice before answering.
Underline important parts of the argument to save time in choosing the right answer.

Importance of Critical Reasoning in Competitive exams and Government exams

Critical reasoning skills are an important part of competitive exams and are often used as criteria to choose the best candidate. Critical thinking questions are a very important part of various government exams, college entrance exams, and international English examinations. Critical Reasoning is one of the most tricky parts of any competitive and Reasoning based exam and this is where Critical Reasoning notes for bank exams by BYJU'S Exam Prep benefit you.

Around 30 per cent of the Verbal Section in GMAT includes Critical Reasoning questions.
UPSC CAT and college entrance exams include a separate section for Critical Reasoning questions.
The topic 'Strengthen the statement and Weaken the statement' is the most common questions that are usually asked in every banking exam.
As of the previous year's CLAT exam, around 20-25 questions were asked related to Critical Reasoning.
Critical Reasoning forms an important part of any competitive exam so it is important to conquer this topic and BYJU'S Exam Prep can help you in this with their Critical reasoning online test for bank exams and Critical reasoning quiz for bank exams on their website.

Most Recommended Books for Critical Reasoning

There are plenty of good books available in the market which can help you in understanding and preparation of Critical Reasoning questions. These books are good for both government exam preparations and college entrance exams:

Critical Reasoning - Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible by Dave Killoran
GMAT Critical Reasoning Guide by Arun Jagannathan
GMAT Critical Reasoning by Manhattan Prep

Why Study Critical Reasoning from BYJU'S Exam Prep?

The BYJU'S Exam Prep community allows users to interact with each other and solve each other’s doubts through effective discussions. Studying with BYJU'S Exam Prep allows interacting and competing with each other through mock tests and quizzes. BYJU'S Exam Prep gives users access to preparation material and previous year examination papers. Candidates can practice for the exams they are preparing for, by taking test series and regular live classes provided by Gradup on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the format of Critical Reasoning questions in competitive examinations?

Critical Reasoning questions usually come in the form of MCQs, but the format might change according to examination.

Is it important to study Critical Reasoning for CAT and GMAT?

Critical Reasoning questions cover around 30 per cent of the Verbal section in GMAT and CAT and hence account for a large percentage of marks in these exams.

Is the type of Critical Reasoning questions mentioned in the argument?

The type of Critical Reasoning questions is mentioned in the question itself along with answer choices.

Do Critical Reasoning questions need practice?

Critical Reasoning questions are a little difficult in terms of the language used to the prior practise of such questions that will help in competitive examinations.