Questions
3 questions in Banking/SSC papers
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High impact on overall percentile in SBI/IBPS PO
Overview
Critical Reasoning tests your ability to analyze logical arguments rather than just calculating values. It is a high-accuracy scoring area where the answers depend on identifying implicit premises, practical solutions, and causal links within professional or social scenarios. Success relies on maintaining an objective, third-person perspective and avoiding personal biases.
Statement & Assumption
An assumption is an unstated piece of information that makes a statement valid. To identify it, use the 'negation test': if negating the statement makes the original claim invalid, it is a necessary assumption.
- Ignore personal opinions or real-world facts outside the scope.
- Assumption must be 'implicitly' present in the statement.
- Look for keywords like 'is', 'will', or 'can' that bridge the gap.
- An assumption is always positive and supportive of the argument.
Course of Action
This section evaluates your administrative problem-solving ability. A correct course of action must be feasible, reduce the impact of the problem, and align with legal or administrative authority.
- The solution must directly address the specific problem mentioned.
- Avoid extreme actions like 'completely ban' or 'severe punishment' unless necessary.
- Action must be within the jurisdiction of the concerned authority.
- Prioritize preventive measures over reactive ones.
Cause & Effect
You must determine if two events are independent, linked, or related to a common cause. Identify which event happened first chronologically to establish the causal relationship.
- Check for chronological sequence: Cause always precedes effect.
- Look for keywords indicating results like 'due to', 'because', or 'consequently'.
- If both events lead to a third outcome, they share a common cause.
- Distinguish between a direct cause and a mere coincidence.
Strong vs Weak Arguments
A strong argument is both important and directly related to the question asked. It must withstand logical scrutiny and not rely on vague comparisons or emotional appeals.
- A strong argument must be practically applicable.
- Avoid arguments based on 'is this good' vs 'is this bad'.
- Ambiguous or hypothetical scenarios make an argument weak.
- An argument is strong if it addresses the core issue of the statement.
Exam Tip
Always act as a neutral bureaucrat; never choose an extreme action or an assumption that requires jumping to conclusions beyond the provided text.
Common Mistakes
- Applying personal real-world knowledge to situations where the statement's internal logic should prevail.
- Selecting a course of action that is morally right but administratively infeasible.
- Confusing 'Conclusion' (what follows) with 'Assumption' (what was missing).
More Revision Notes
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