Syllogisms are reasoning exercises in which you must determine which conclusion logically follows from two premises. A syllogism tests your ability to reason logically and make connections.
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Syllogisms - 1
9 questions · 5 min
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What are syllogisms?
A syllogism consists of two statements and a conclusion. You judge whether the conclusion follows logically from the statements, even when they sound odd. Syllogisms measure logical reasoning and appear in tests from LTP, HFM and GITP, among others.
The trap is your own knowledge. 'All cats can fly' is nonsense, but in the test it is true. You may only use what is written.
Also called logical reasoning or deductive reasoning.
How to solve a syllogism
- Ignore what you know; only the two statements count.
- Draw the groups as circles. 'All A are B' is circle A inside circle B. 'Some' means the circles overlap. 'No' means they do not touch.
- A conclusion only follows if it holds in every possible drawing. If you can make one drawing where it fails, it does not follow.
- Be careful with 'some … some': almost nothing follows from that.
Worked examples
All dogs are mammals. All mammals are vertebrates. Does it follow that 'All dogs are vertebrates'?
Show answer
Yes, it follows
Dogs sit inside mammals, and mammals inside vertebrates.
All managers are supervisors. Some supervisors are coaches. Does it follow that 'Some managers are coaches'?
Show answer
No, it does not follow
The coaches could all be supervisors who are not managers.
No fish are birds. Some animals are fish. Does it follow that 'Some animals are not birds'?
Show answer
Yes, it follows
The animals that are fish cannot be birds.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a syllogism?
A syllogism is an argument with two statements (premises) and a conclusion. In a test you judge whether the conclusion definitely follows from the premises.
Why do people get syllogisms wrong?
Because they go by what they know or what sounds logical. A conclusion can be true in real life and still not follow from the statements.
Can I practise syllogisms for free?
Yes, on this page you practise syllogisms for free with an explanation for every answer. You don't need an account. The practice pack adds more questions and a full mock test.