Logical Reasoning Inference & Resolution: Proving What Follows and Fixing What Conflicts

Must Be True (MBT)

A question type that asks for a statement that logically follows from the stimulus; it must be true if the stimulus is true.

Most Strongly Supported (MSS)

A question type that asks for the answer that is best supported by the stimulus, even if not definitively proven.

Cannot Be True (CBT)

A question type that asks for the statement that is incompatible with the stimulus; it cannot be true if the stimulus is true.

Resolve the Paradox

A question type that presents seemingly contradictory statements; the goal is to find an answer that reconciles the two.

Core Logical Reasoning Skill

The ability to draw valid inferences from given information while avoiding assumptions.

Linking Opportunities

Combining statements to create inferences, such as connecting general rules with specific cases.

Quantifiers

Words like 'all,' 'some,' 'most,' and 'only' that affect the strength and scope of claims.

Inference Move

Basic reasoning steps used in logical deduction, such as conditional reasoning and quantifier interpretation.

Denial Test

A method to determine if a candidate answer could still be true if the stimulus is true.

Conditional Reasoning

Logic involving 'if-then' statements, including contrapositive inferences.

Causal Leaps

Incorrect assumptions made in reasoning that imply causation from mere correlation.

Support Relationship

The connection showing how an answer is backed by the evidence provided in the stimulus.

Different Groups / Selection Effect

A common resolution pattern where two facts apply to different subsets of a group.

Different Time Frames

A resolution pattern where one statement applies before and the other after a change.

Hidden Third Variable

An unseen factor that helps explain the apparent contradiction between two statements.

Rate vs Total

A distinction that can clarify paradoxes, involving comparison of rates (per unit) and totals (overall).

Contradiction Spotting

Identifying direct conflicts between statements to determine if an answer is CBT.

Chaining Conditionals

Linking multiple conditional statements to derive further implications.

Resolution Explanation

The reasoning that allows two seemingly contradictory statements to coexist.

Contrapositive

A valid inference derived from a conditional statement, switching and negating both terms.

Overstrength Language

Using terms like ‘all’ or ‘never’ that make a claim too strong beyond what the stimulus supports.

Comparative Support

Evaluating answers against each other to determine which has the strongest backing from the stimulus.

Misleading Comparisons

Incorrectly interpreting data due to failure to recognize differences in measures or definitions.

Expectation Effects

When expectations lead to perceptions that may contradict evidence, often seen in paradoxes.

Inference Types

Categories of inferences such as MBT, MSS, CBT, each representing different logical evaluation tasks.

Stimulus Analysis

The process of dissecting the stimulus to identify key statements and potential inferences.

Weaknesses in Reasoning

Common mistakes made in logical reasoning, like overgeneralization or misinterpretation.

Answer Choice Evaluation

The process of critically assessing each answer option against the stimulus and logical reasoning.

Logical Consistency

The required alignment between claims made in the stimulus and the correct answer choice.

Fact vs Conclusion

The distinction between what is stated (facts) and what is inferred or deduced (conclusions).