Critical Reasoning Questions for Placement 2026 (with Answers)

Last Updated: March 2026

Critical Reasoning is one of the most challenging yet scoring sections in placement exams. Top companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY frequently test candidates on their ability to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate conclusions, and determine whether statements strengthen or weaken given arguments.

What is Critical Reasoning?

Critical Reasoning tests your ability to:

Analyze logical arguments
Identify underlying assumptions
Evaluate the validity of conclusions
Determine what strengthens or weakens an argument
Recognize logical fallacies and inconsistencies

Key Concepts Explained

1. Arguments

An argument consists of:

Premise(s): Evidence or supporting statements
Conclusion: The main claim being made
Assumption(s): Unstated premises that must be true for the argument to hold

2. Types of Questions

Question Type	Description	Approach
Identify Assumption	Find the unstated premise	Look for gaps between premise and conclusion
Strengthen	Find what supports the argument	Look for additional evidence or validation
Weaken	Find what undermines the argument	Look for counter-evidence or alternative explanations
Inference	Draw logical conclusions	Only use information given in the passage
Evaluate	Determine what would help assess the argument	Identify missing information needed
Paradox/Explain	Resolve apparent contradictions	Find the missing piece that explains both sides
Conclusion	Identify the main claim	Distinguish between evidence and claim

3. Common Logical Fallacies

Fallacy	Description	Example
Ad Hominem	Attacking the person instead of argument	"You can't trust his opinion; he's a student."
Circular Reasoning	Conclusion restated as premise	"X is true because X is true."
False Cause	Assuming causation from correlation	"After I wore red, I got selected. Red is lucky."
Hasty Generalization	Drawing broad conclusions from small samples	"I met two rude people from that city; everyone there is rude."
Either/Or Fallacy	Presenting only two options when more exist	"Either you support the policy or you hate progress."

30 Practice Questions with Detailed Answers

Question 1

Statement: All successful entrepreneurs take risks. Rahul takes risks. Therefore, Rahul is a successful entrepreneur.

The argument is flawed because: A) It assumes all risk-takers are successful entrepreneurs B) It doesn't define what success means C) It contradicts itself D) The conclusion doesn't follow from the premises

Question 2

Statement: The company's profits have increased by 50% after implementing the new marketing strategy. Therefore, the new marketing strategy is highly effective.

Which of the following, if true, would most WEAKEN the argument? A) The market size expanded by 60% during the same period B) Competitors also saw profit increases C) The marketing budget was tripled D) All of the above

Question 3

Statement: To improve employee productivity, we should install standing desks. Studies show that employees using standing desks report 15% higher energy levels.

The argument assumes which of the following? A) Higher energy levels lead to higher productivity B) Standing desks are affordable C) Employees will use the standing desks D) Energy levels are the only factor affecting productivity

Question 4

Statement: In a survey, 80% of doctors recommended Brand X pain reliever. Therefore, Brand X is the most effective pain reliever.

Which of the following most STRENGTHENS the argument? A) The survey included 10,000 doctors from various specialties B) Brand X is the cheapest option C) Doctors receive incentives from Brand X D) Brand X has been available for 50 years

Question 5

Statement: Every time the stock market rises, John's portfolio increases in value. John's portfolio increased today. Therefore, the stock market rose today.

This reasoning is: A) Valid - the conclusion necessarily follows B) Invalid - affirming the consequent C) Invalid - denying the antecedent D) Valid - modus ponens

Question 6

Statement: The city should invest in public transportation because it will reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Which of the following, if true, would most WEAKEN this argument? A) 90% of residents prefer driving their own cars B) The city already has excellent public transportation C) Public transportation projects typically take 10 years to complete D) Building public transportation will increase short-term pollution

Question 7

Statement: Students who attend tutoring sessions score higher on exams. Therefore, attending tutoring sessions causes higher exam scores.

Which of the following best describes the flaw? A) Correlation does not imply causation B) The sample size is not mentioned C) Tutoring might be too expensive D) Some students don't need tutoring

Question 8

Statement: If a student studies 6 hours daily, they will pass the exam. Priya passed the exam. Therefore, Priya studied 6 hours daily.

This argument: A) Is logically valid B) Commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent C) Commits the fallacy of denying the antecedent D) Is an example of valid disjunctive syllogism

Question 9

Statement: Company A's revenue grew 200% in 5 years under CEO Smith. Therefore, CEO Smith is an excellent leader.

Which would most WEAKEN this conclusion? A) The entire industry grew 250% during the same period B) CEO Smith fired 40% of the workforce C) Company A acquired three competitors D) Both A and C

Question 10

Statement: All mammals are warm-blooded. All whales are mammals. Therefore, all whales are warm-blooded.

This is an example of: A) Valid categorical syllogism B) Invalid argument C) Inductive reasoning D) Argument by analogy

Question 11

Statement: The new software reduced processing time by 40%. Employee satisfaction also increased by 25%. Therefore, faster processing leads to happier employees.

Which of the following, if true, most STRENGTHENS the causal claim? A) Employee satisfaction surveys mentioned reduced frustration with slow systems B) The software was implemented 6 months ago C) Salaries were also increased during this period D) Processing errors decreased by 30%

Question 12

Statement: Politician X claims we need tax cuts because "every hardworking family deserves to keep more of their money."

Which fallacy is present? A) Appeal to emotion B) Circular reasoning C) False dichotomy D) No fallacy present

Question 13

Statement: Either we increase the budget by 20% or the project will fail. We cannot increase the budget. Therefore, the project will fail.

This argument: A) Is valid if the first premise is true B) Commits the either/or fallacy C) Both A and B D) Is logically sound

Question 14

Statement: Studies show that people who drink green tea live longer. Therefore, you should drink green tea to live longer.

The argument overlooks the possibility that: A) People who drink green tea might have healthier lifestyles overall B) Green tea might be expensive C) Some people don't like the taste D) Green tea has caffeine

Question 15

Statement: The crime rate in City X decreased after installing more streetlights. Therefore, increased lighting reduces crime.

Which of the following, if true, most WEAKENS this argument? A) The police force was also doubled during the same period B) Streetlights cost money to maintain C) Some crimes increased, while others decreased D) City X's population decreased

Question 16

Statement: All top-performing salespeople use our CRM software. Therefore, using our CRM software will make you a top performer.

This argument is flawed because: A) It confuses necessary and sufficient conditions B) The sample size is unclear C) CRM software might be expensive D) Not all salespeople need CRM

Question 17

Statement: If it rains, the match will be cancelled. It is not raining. Therefore, the match will not be cancelled.

This reasoning: A) Is valid B) Commits the fallacy of denying the antecedent C) Is an example of modus tollens D) Proves the match will happen

Question 18

Statement: Company Z's profits increased after hiring Consultant Y. Therefore, Consultant Y caused the profit increase.

The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it: A) Fails to consider alternative explanations B) Doesn't specify the magnitude of profit increase C) Doesn't mention Consultant Y's qualifications D) Ignores the possibility of coincidence

Question 19

Statement: Most Fortune 500 CEOs wake up before 6 AM. Therefore, waking up before 6 AM increases your chances of becoming a Fortune 500 CEO.

The argument assumes: A) Early rising causes CEO success, not that successful CEOs choose to wake early B) All CEOs wake up early C) Everyone should want to be a CEO D) Waking early is the only factor

Question 20

Statement: The vaccine is 95% effective. Therefore, if you get vaccinated, you have a 95% chance of not getting the disease.

Which of the following best describes the flaw? A) Misunderstanding of "effective" - it might mean symptom reduction, not prevention B) The vaccine might have side effects C) 5% of people still get the disease D) Effectiveness varies by population

Question 21

Statement: Employee retention at TechCorp is 95%, while at other companies it's 75%. TechCorp offers free lunch. Therefore, free lunch improves retention.

What would most STRENGTHEN this argument? A) Exit interviews at other companies frequently mention dissatisfaction with lunch options B) TechCorp also pays above-market salaries C) TechCorp's free lunch program started 2 years ago D) Employees at TechCorp are highly educated

Question 22

Statement: Banning plastic bags will reduce environmental pollution. Therefore, we should ban plastic bags immediately.

The argument overlooks that: A) Alternative bags might have larger environmental footprints B) Plastic bags are convenient C) Some businesses depend on plastic bags D) The ban might be unpopular

Question 23

Statement: The average test score in School A is higher than in School B. Therefore, School A provides better education.

This argument fails to consider that: A) School A might have wealthier students B) School B might have more diverse programs C) Test scores aren't everything D) All of the above

Question 24

Statement: Countries with higher chocolate consumption have more Nobel Prize winners. Therefore, eating chocolate makes you smarter.

This is an example of: A) Post hoc ergo propter hoc B) Cum hoc ergo propter hoc C) Ad hominem D) Straw man

Question 25

Statement: The new policy will work because the committee spent six months researching it.

The flaw in this reasoning is: A) Time spent doesn't guarantee quality or correctness B) The committee's qualifications aren't stated C) Research doesn't prove implementation success D) Both A and C

Question 26

Statement: 90% of lottery winners say they're happier after winning. Therefore, winning the lottery increases happiness.

This argument is flawed because: A) It doesn't account for lottery losers B) Winners might report happiness to justify their participation C) The baseline happiness of winners isn't known D) All of the above

Question 27

Statement: Online sales increased after the website redesign. The redesign was successful.

Which additional information would be most useful to EVALUATE the argument? A) Whether a major advertising campaign ran simultaneously B) The cost of the redesign C) User feedback on the new design D) The timeline of the redesign

Question 28

Statement: Every team that won the championship had a foreign coach. Therefore, to win the championship, we need to hire a foreign coach.

This argument ignores the possibility that: A) Foreign coaches might be attracted to already-strong teams B) Communication issues with foreign coaches exist C) Foreign coaches are expensive D) Domestic coaches are improving

Question 29

Statement: Students using Method X improved their scores by an average of 20 points. Therefore, Method X is effective for all students.

The argument fails to consider: A) Whether the improvement was sustained long-term B) Whether some students improved much more than others C) Whether all students improved D) All of the above

Question 30

Statement: The bridge construction project was completed on time and under budget. Therefore, the project manager did an excellent job.

Which of the following would most WEAKEN this conclusion? A) The project specifications were reduced by 40% during construction B) Three project managers were replaced during the project C) Construction workers worked double shifts throughout D) Both A and C

Tricks to Solve Critical Reasoning Quickly

1. Identify the Conclusion First

Always identify what the argument is trying to prove. This helps you understand what needs support or what can be attacked.

2. Look for Signal Words

Conclusion indicators: Therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently, it follows that
Premise indicators: Because, since, given that, as, for the reason that

3. The Negation Test for Assumptions

Negate each answer choice. If negating it destroys the argument, that's the assumption.

4. Be Wary of Extreme Language

Words like "all," "never," "always," "only," and "must" make statements easier to attack.

5. Strengthen/Weaken Strategy

Strengthen: Look for new information that supports the link between premise and conclusion
Weaken: Look for alternative explanations, reversed causation, or missing links

6. Inference Questions

Stick strictly to what's stated. The correct answer must be provable from the passage alone.

7. Elimination Method

Eliminate options that are irrelevant
Eliminate options that strengthen when you need to weaken (and vice versa)
Eliminate options that are too extreme

FAQs

Q1: How many critical reasoning questions appear in placement exams?

A: Typically 5-10 questions in exams like TCS NQT, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and AMCAT.

Q2: What is the difficulty level of critical reasoning questions?

A: Usually moderate to difficult. Questions test logical thinking rather than memorization.

Q3: How can I improve my critical reasoning score?

A: Practice identifying argument structures, study common fallacies, read editorials critically, and take timed practice tests.

Q4: Are critical reasoning questions different from verbal reasoning?

A: Yes. Critical reasoning focuses on analyzing arguments, while verbal reasoning includes broader topics like reading comprehension, sentence completion, and vocabulary.

Q5: Which companies ask the most critical reasoning questions?

A: Consulting firms (Deloitte, KPMG, EY, PwC) and product companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) tend to emphasize critical reasoning heavily.

Best of luck with your placement preparation! Practice consistently, and you'll master critical reasoning.