Logical Reasoning Test to evaluate the logical thinking abilities of candidates

The Mercer Logical Reasoning Assessment measures the test takers' ability across various critical roles at all job levels, including individual contributors to mid and senior management roles across industries. This test can assess employees' potential beyond their educational background and professional experience. Designed by experts, this pre-employment test examines candidates' ability to examine information rationally and derive logical conclusions. 

By integrating this test within a broader suite of aptitude tests, employers can gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's mental agility and problem-solving potential. This holistic approach supports better hiring decisions and targeted talent development aligned with organizational goals.

What are logical reasoning tests?

Logical reasoning is the ability of a candidate to analyze information from different viewpoints by breaking it into simple components and structuring the information in a logical order for solutions. Companies value employees who demonstrate exceptional logical thinking skills because their decision-making is not based on emotions but on factual data. Mercer’s Logical Reasoning Test assesses a test taker's ability to think, analyze, and derive logical conclusions.

Why do employers use logical reasoning tests?

Employers use this Logical Thinking Test in recruitment to identify suitable hires. The test also assists in learning, developing, and understanding the current proficiency level of an employee, as well as training and developing employee skills effectively. Employers use such tests to identify a healthy pipeline of future leaders and to fast-track high-potential employees, thereby retaining them through succession planning.

What is the Mercer Logical Reasoning Test format?

This Logical Reasoning Test consists of questions on analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and deductive skills in formats, such as puzzles, arrangements, and deductions. The test comprises a text outlining the question's premise, followed by three or four answer options. The candidate must identify which answer is correct from the given options.

What is inside this Logical Reasoning Test?

This test includes twenty questions to be completed in thirty minutes. Moreover, the candidate's skills are assessed at three levels - easy, medium, and difficult. The online aptitude test is developed as per the guidelines prescribed by Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing developed jointly by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education (1999), EFPA test review model, Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (EEOC, 1978), the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's Principles for the Validation and Use of Personnel Selection Procedures (SIOP, 2003).

What skills does the Logical Reasoning Test cover?

Mercer’s Logical Reasoning Test measures the candidate's ability to analyze the given information from various perspectives by simplifying it into components, organizing it logically, and exploring the relationship between diverse information points to reach a solution.

What roles can you assess for using the Logical Reasoning Test?

• Financial analyst  
• Project manager     
• Sales manager

Sample logical reasoning questions with answers

1. Mara runs faster than Gail. Lily runs faster than Mara. Gail runs faster than Lily.  

Is the third statement true or false if the first two statements are true?  

Answer: It is clear from the first two statements that Lily runs fastest. Therefore, the third statement is false. 

2. Statement: "You are now appointed as a campaign manager with a probation of one year, and the performance will be reviewed at the end of the period for confirmation". - This is a line in an appointment letter.  

Assumptions:  

a. The employee's performance is not known at the time of the appointment offer.  

b. Generally, an individual tries to prove his worth during probation.  

Which of the assumptions is implicit in the statements above? 

Answer: Both points a. and b. are implicit. The individual's performance must be tested over time, as the statement mentions. So, point a. is implicit. The statement mentions that the employee's worth shall be reviewed (during the probation period) before confirmation. So, point b. is also implicit. 

3. You do not need to commute to a health club as a fitness walker. Your neighborhood can be the health club. You don't need fancy equipment for a good workout, either. All you need is a good pair of shoes.  

The above paragraph supports which of the following statements:  

a. Walking is a better form of exercise than lifting weights.  

b. Fitness walking is a convenient and valuable exercise.  

c. Membership in a health club is not a good choice.  

d. Walking outdoors is a better workout than indoors.  

e. Poorly designed athletic shoes can cause significant foot injuries.  

Answer: The correct answer is b. By establishing that fitness walking does not need a commute to a fitness club, the author implies the convenience of this type of exercise. The paragraph also states that walking for fitness yields a good workout. 

4. Which of the following is the same as Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar?  

a. Pakistan  

b. Thailand  

c. Malaysia  

d. Indonesia  

Answer: Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Pakistan are the countries that touch their boundaries with India. Hence, option a. is the correct answer.  

5. Which of the following is the same as New Delhi, Tokyo, and Dhaka?  

a. Sri Lanka  

b. Pakistan  

c. Bhutan  

d. Kathmandu 

Answer: The correct answer is d. New Delhi, Tokyo, Dhaka and Kathmandu are the capitals of different countries. Hence, option d. is the correct answer.  

6. Daniel is planning a team-building activity for his colleagues. Which of the following activities is most appropriate?  

a. Escape room game where players solve riddles to get out of a locked room before time runs out.  

b. Paintball, where players eliminate opponents by targeting them with paint pellets.  

c. Scavenger hunt where players follow clues to find hidden items or locations.  

d. Laser tag, where players shoot each other with laser guns and get points.  

Answer: A suitable team-building activity would be scavenger hunt (c), where players follow clues to find hidden items or locations.  

7. Statement: Putting the child in school at 3.5 years is desirable.  

Assumptions:  

I. They are ready to learn at this age.  

II. The schools do not admit children after four years of age.  

a. Only assumption I is implicit  

b. Only assumption II is implicit  

c. Either I or II is implicit  

d. Neither I nor II is implicit  

e. Both I and II are implicit  

Answer: The correct answer is a. Only assumption I is implicit.  

8. Which of the following courses of action are justified for the following statement:  

Statement: Private airlines have raised fares by almost 50%.  

The course of Action 1: People should be asked to travel only by buses and trains, which have lower fares.  

The course of Action 2: Airfares should be regulated by the controlling authority.  

Answer: Course of action 1 is not feasible because some people may have to reach someplace urgently. Travelling by bus/train takes longer than flying. Course of action 2 is justified as the airfares should not be increased over a specific limit and restrict the airline companies from exploiting the passengers.  

9. Statements: According to a survey of a hundred people, 70% prefer tea over coffee.  

Conclusions: I) The number of people preferring tea is 30.  

II) Coffee is not a popular pick among the surveyed population.  

a. Only conclusion I follow.  

b. Only conclusion II follows.  

c. Both I and II follow.  

Answer: Only conclusion II follows.  

10. Statements: No reptiles are mammals. Some mammals are primates.  

Conclusions:  

Some reptiles are not primates.      

Some mammals are reptiles.   

Answer: The answer is none. The first conclusion cannot be logically deduced because the premises state that no reptiles are mammals, but they need to provide information about the relationship between reptiles and primates. The second conclusion cannot be deduced either because the premises establish that some mammals are primates, but they must provide information about reptiles.