Top 10 Logical Reasoning Topics for Competitive Exams & Interviews (With Example Answers)

Key highlights:

• Logical reasoning is the ability to analyse information using facts and clear logic to reach correct and unbiased conclusions.
• Logical reasoning questions appear in major government and entrance exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and UPSC CSAT. They are also widely used in job interviews and aptitude tests.
• The most common logical reasoning topics include puzzles, seating arrangement, coding-decoding, syllogism, blood relations, direction sense, and order and ranking.
• Reasoning usually carries around 20 to 35 questions in most competitive exams, making it an important scoring section.
• Interviews and online assessments typically include 10 to 20 reasoning questions, depending on the role and hiring process.

Logical reasoning topics are part of almost every competitive exam and many job interviews in India, and they play an important role in shortlisting candidates. This section checks how well you analyse different situations and apply logic to reach correct conclusions under pressure. However, the logical reasoning topics list is vast and preparing everything can take a lot of time. That is why this blog focuses on the top 10 most important logical reasoning topics commonly asked in exams and interviews. You will also find common questions with sample answers and practical tips to help you prepare with better direction.

Also read: Top HR Interview Questions and Answers

What are logical reasoning topics?

Logical reasoning topics are specific categories of aptitude questions that test how logically a person can think through a problem. These questions are built around analysing situations and using reasoning skills to arrive at the right answer. Logical reasoning topics focus on structured thinking and problem-solving skills rather than learned facts or memorised formulas.

Example of logical reasoning question

Question: All pens are pencils. Some pencils are erasers. Which of the following conclusions is correct?

A) All erasers are pens
B) Some erasers are pens
C) Some pencils are erasers
D) No pen is an eraser

Correct Answer: C) Some pencils are erasers

Types of logical reasoning topics

Logical reasoning ability topics are commonly divided into two main types based on how information is presented in the questions.

1.   Verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning involves questions written in words and statements. It tests how well you understand information and draw logical conclusions from written content.

2.   Non-verbal reasoning

Non-verbal reasoning includes questions based on numbers, symbols, and visual patterns. These questions test your ability to observe and apply logic without relying heavily on language.

Common types of non-verbal reasoning questions include:

● Image-based questions involve mirror images and paper folding where you identify similar or rotated figures.

● Puzzle-based questions include seating arrangements and arranging days or places in a specific order.

● Sequence questions give a series of numbers or letters and ask you to find the missing or next element.

● Pattern recognition questionsfocus on identifying logical patterns in figures or symbols.

Top 10 logic reasoning topics list with questions and sample answers

These are the most frequently asked logical reasoning topics in competitive exams and job interviews, and focusing on them can significantly improve accuracy and speed.

1. Puzzles

Puzzles test your ability to analyse multiple conditions together. These questions often involve arranging people or objects while following several rules at the same time.

Question: Five friends A, B, C, D, and E like different fruits: Apple, Banana, Mango, Orange, and Grapes.

● A does not like Apple or Mango.

● B likes Banana.

● C does not like Grapes.

● D likes Orange.

● E does not like Banana or Orange.

Which fruit does A like?

A) Apple
B) Mango
C) Grapes
D) Orange

Answer: C) Grapes

Also read: How to answer puzzle interview questions?

2. Seating arrangements

Seating arrangement questions involve placing people in a line or circle based on given conditions to find positions or relationships between them.

Question: Six people P, Q, R, S, T, and U are sitting in a circle facing the centre. P sits between Q and R. T is opposite Q. Who is sitting to the immediate right of P?

A) Q
B) R
C) S
D) U

Answer: B) R

3. Coding–decoding

Coding-decoding questions test how well you identify patterns used to convert words or numbers into codes and apply the same logic correctly.

Question: If in a certain code, FRIEND is written as GSJFME, how is MARKET written in the same code?

A) NBSLFT
B) NBSLDU
C) LBSLFT
D) NBRLFT

Answer: A) NBSLFT (Each letter is shifted one step forward)

4. Blood relations

Blood relation questions test your understanding of family relationships using clues about gender and relations like father, mother, brother, or sister.

Question: Ravi is the brother of Sita. Sita is the mother of Aman. How is Ravi related to Aman?

A) Uncle
B) Father
C) Brother
D) Cousin

Answer: A) Uncle

5. Syllogism

Syllogism questions give statements followed by conclusions. You must decide which conclusions logically follow without using real-world assumptions.

Question: All laptops are devices. Some devices are expensive.

Conclusions:
I. Some laptops are expensive.
II. Some expensive things are devices.

A) Only I follows
B) Only II follows
C) Both follow
D) Neither follows

Answer: B) Only II follows

6. Order and ranking

These questions involve finding a person’s position from top or bottom based on ranks and total number of people.

Question: Rohan is 8th from the top in a class of 30 students. What is his rank from the bottom?

A) 21
B) 22
C) 23
D) 24

Answer: C) 23

7. Direction sense

Direction sense questions test your ability to track movement and directions like north, south, east, and west to find final position.

Question: A man walks 20 m south, then turns right and walks 15 m. He then turns left and walks 10 m. In which direction is he now from the starting point?

A) South-East
B) South-West
C) North-East
D) North-West

Answer: A) South-East

8. Alphanumeric series

Alphanumeric series questions mix letters, numbers, and symbols to test observation skills and logical counting or pattern identification.

Question: How many symbols are there in the series which are immediately preceded by a number and followed by a vowel?

Series: 3 @ A 7 # E M 9 & I 4 $ O

A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four

Answer: B) Two (# and &)

9. Input-output

Input-output questions test how numbers or words change step by step based on a fixed rule applied in each stage.

Question: Input: 15 10 20 5
Step 1: Subtract 5 from each number
Step 2: Arrange the result in ascending order

What will be the final output?

A) 0 5 10 15
B) 5 10 15 20
C) 0 10 15 5
D) 10 15 5 0

Answer: A) 0 5 10 15

10. Statement and conclusions

These questions check whether conclusions logically follow from given statements without adding or assuming extra information.

Question: Statement: All books are papers.
Conclusion: Some papers are books.

A) True
B) False

Answer: A) True

Also read: Top Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Logical reasoning topics list based on where they are commonly asked

Logical reasoning covers a wide range of topics that you may come across in exams and interviews. This section groups all reasoning topics based on where they usually appear. It helps you see which topics are more common in exams, aptitude tests, and interviews so you can focus your preparation in the right direction.

A. Logical reasoning topics for competitive exams and government exams

These are common logical reasoning topics for competitive exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and state-level tests.

● Puzzles

● Seating arrangements

● Coding-decoding

● Blood relations

● Syllogism

● Order and ranking

● Directions

● Alphanumeric series

● Input-output

B. Logical reasoning topics for entrance and aptitude tests

These topics are often part of online aptitude rounds and entrance exams.

● Reasoning analogies

● Data sufficiency

● Cause and effect

● Decision making

● Deductive reasoning

● Statement and conclusions

● Statement and assumptions

● Artificial language

C. Logical reasoning topics for interviews and online assessments

Reasoning all topics for interviews are used to judge clarity of thought and problem-solving approach.

● Puzzles

● Logical sequences and pattern series

● Syllogism

● Coding-decoding

● Order and ranking

● Situation-based reasoning questions

How to solve logical reasoning questions?

Logical reasoning questions become manageable when you follow a clear step-by-step method instead of guessing.

● Read the question carefully once. Understand what is given and what is being asked. Do not rush to the options.

● Identify only the useful information. Many questions include extra details to confuse you. Ignore anything that does not affect the logic.

● Convert information into a simple form. Draw a rough diagram, table, line, or family tree for puzzles, seating, or blood relations. This saves time.

● Look for the logic or pattern. In series, coding, or puzzles, test the pattern on more than one step to confirm it.

● Check options using elimination. Remove options that clearly do not match the conditions. This narrows down the answer quickly.

● Avoid assumptions. Do not add information that is not mentioned in the question.

● Verify before finalising. Make sure your answer satisfies all conditions, not just one part.

● Manage time wisely. If a question takes too long, skip it and come back later.

● Practice and review mistakes. Always analyse wrong answers to understand where your logic failed.

You can also improve your preparation by practising free mock tests along with solving previous year questions and using online reasoning quizzes to prepare better for logical reasoning ability topics.

Also read: Managerial Round Interview Questions

FAQs

What is logical reasoning?

Logical reasoning is a skill that involves analyzing facts, identifying patterns, and drawing conclusions based on rules and structure. It helps evaluate how logically and systematically a person can think while solving problems in exams, interviews, and aptitude tests.

What is LR in aptitude?

LR in aptitude refers to the Logical Reasoning section of an aptitude test. It measures how effectively a candidate can interpret information, evaluate relationships, and solve structured problems under time pressure during exams or placement tests.

What are the topics of logical reasoning?

The main topics of logical reasoning include seating arrangement, puzzles, blood relations, coding-decoding, syllogism, direction sense, statement and conclusion, order and ranking, series, and data sufficiency. These topics are designed to test logical thinking and analytical ability.

What are the common logical reasoning and analytical ability topics?

Common logical reasoning and analytical ability topics include linear and circular seating arrangements, floor and box puzzles, statement and assumption questions, input-output, ranking, and case-based reasoning. These topics frequently appear in banking, SSC, MBA entrance exams, and placement tests.

How to prepare logical reasoning for upcoming competitive exams?

To prepare logical reasoning for competitive exams, begin with concept clarity, practice topic-wise exercises daily, attempt previous year papers, and solve timed mock tests. Regular revision and mistake analysis significantly improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.

What all topics do I need to prepare in logical reasoning for the upcoming interview?

For interviews, focus on puzzles, basic analytical reasoning, number and alphabet series, blood relations, and logical deduction questions. Interviewers often assess structured thinking and your ability to explain reasoning clearly while solving problems.

Where logical reasoning questions are asked?

Logical reasoning questions are used to test thinking and problem-solving ability across different exams and hiring stages. You will commonly find them in the following places:

● Government competitive exams: SSC, Banking, Railways, and UPSC CSAT include logical reasoning as a separate scoring section.

● Public sector and entrance exams: Aptitude tests are compulsory in entrance exams and mainly include Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning.

● Online aptitude tests: Companies use these tests during the initial screening process.

● Campus placement assessments: Logical reasoning is used to shortlist candidates for interviews.

● Job interviews: Reasoning questions help employers judge analytical and decision-making ability

Which exams include logical reasoning as one of the topics?

Logical reasoning is included as a core section in many government and competitive exams to test thinking and problem-solving ability. Here is the list of exams with logical reasoning as one of the topics:

• SSC CGL
• SSC CHSL
• SSC MTS
• SSC JE
• SSC CPO
• SSC GD Constable
• SBI PO
• SBI Clerk
• SBI SO
• IBPS PO
• IBPS Clerk
• IBPS SO
• IBPS RRB Officer Scale I
• IBPS RRB Office Assistant
• RBI Grade B
• RBI Assistant
• NABARD Grade A
• LIC AAO
• LIC ADO
• LIC Assistant
• RRB NTPC
• RRB Group D
• RRB JE
• RRB ALP
• UPSC CSAT