Analytical Reasoning Questions: Guide with Answers & Tips

Analytical reasoning questions can be based on a variety of topics and themes. Knowing these common topics will help you prepare more effectively:

• Seating Arrangements: The process of arranging people or objects into specific patterns which include rows, circles and other shapes needs to follow set criteria.
• Grouping and Classification: The process of grouping items or people into distinct categories requires the application of particular rules which define their characteristics.
• Order and Ranking: The process of establishing order between two items requires the use of comparative statements to determine their relative position.
• Puzzles: Logical puzzles that require deducing relationships or arrangements from a set of clues.
• Blood Relations: Questions involving family relationships, such as finding connections between different family members.
• Direction Sense: Problems related to directions (north, south, east, west) and movement or positioning.
• Coding-Decoding: Interpreting or creating codes and patterns based on given rules.
• Syllogisms: Drawing logical conclusions from two or more statements.
• Cause and Effect: Identifying the cause or effect in a given scenario.
• Analogies: Finding relationships between pairs of items or concepts.

Familiarity with these topics will help you recognize question patterns and approach analytical reasoning problems with confidence.

What We Learned So Far:

• Familiarity with common topics helps you quickly recognize question patterns.
• Analytical reasoning covers both verbal and non-verbal logic problems.
• Practice in each topic builds overall confidence.

Analytical reasoning questions can be challenging, but the right approach makes them much easier to tackle. The following tips will help you solve problems more efficiently and improve your accuracy.

1. Read Carefully: Pay close attention to every detail in the question. Even small words or phrases can change the meaning and affect your answer.
2. Use Diagrams or Tables: The use of basic diagrams, tables and charts enables you to create better information structures that help you understand how different elements connect and identify repeating patterns.
3. Eliminate Wrong Options: The process starts with you eliminating all options that do not conform to the established requirements. The process helps narrow your choices while making it easier to find the correct answer.
4. Look for Keywords: The words "only", "must", "cannot", "either/or" and "unless" serve as essential terms. They often indicate important constraints or conditions.
5. Break Down Complex Information: The process begins with you dividing difficult tasks into smaller parts that you can handle effectively. You should approach each section through systematic progress, which helps you avoid misunderstandings.
6. Practice Regularly: Your practice sessions help you gain knowledge about various question styles, together with their associated logical structures. The practice sessions help you develop faster response times, together with more precise answers.
7. Review Your Mistakes: You should examine your completed solutions after practice sessions to identify your mistakes. The process of learning from your mistakes helps you develop your analytical reasoning abilities.

Quick Note: Building a habit of reviewing mistakes transforms errors into learning opportunities and boosts your analytical reasoning skills.

Practicing with a variety of analytical reasoning questions is one of the best ways to improve your logical thinking skills. Below are several questions, each followed by a solution and a brief explanation.

Question 1: Six friends—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are sitting in a row. P is not at either end. S is sitting to the left of T. Q and R are together. Who is sitting at the extreme ends if U is sitting next to P?

Solution:
Q and R

Explanation: Since P is not at either end and U is next to P, Q and R must occupy the extreme ends.

Question 2: A, B, C, D, and E are five objects placed in a line. D is to the immediate left of E and B is to the immediate right of C. If C is not at any end, who is in the middle?

Solution:
B

Explanation: C cannot be at the end, so the order is: A, C, B, D, E. Thus, B is in the middle.

Question 3: There are five people in a circle: John, Lisa, Mike, Nina, and Oscar. John is between Lisa and Nina. Mike is to the immediate right of Lisa. Who is between Mike and Nina?

Solution:
John

Explanation: Arranging the circle: Lisa, Mike, Oscar, Nina, John. John sits between Mike and Nina.

Question 4: There are four boxes—Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. The Red box is not next to the Blue box. The Yellow box is between the Green and Blue boxes. Which box is in the second position if the Blue box is last?

Solution:
Yellow

Explanation: If Blue is last, then Yellow must be second, following Green and before Blue. The sequence is: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue.

Question 5: Seven students are standing in a row: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. D is to the right of F. E is between A and G. B is at one end. Who is standing in the centre?

Solution:
E

Explanation: Arranging based on clues, E ends up in the center position.

Question 6: In a line-up of five persons - K, L, M, N, and O - L is not at either end. K is immediately left to M. N is at one end. Who is in the centre?

Solution:
M

Explanation: Since L is not at the end and K is to the left of M, possible order is N, K, M, L, O. M is in the center.

Question 7: Four friends—P, Q, R, and S—are sitting in a circle facing the center. P is to the immediate right of Q. S is not next to P. Who is between Q and S?

Solution:
R

Explanation: Arranging the circle: Q, P, R, S. R is between Q and S.

Question 8: There are five houses in a row, each painted a different color: red, blue, green, yellow, and white. The green house is to the immediate left of the white house. The red house is at one end. Which color is the third house?

Solution:
Green

Explanation: Possible order: Red, blue, green, white, yellow. Green is third.

Question 9: Six books: A, B, C, D, E, and F, are kept on the shelf in some order. A is to the right of B but to the left of C. Book D is at one of the ends of the row. What book will be in the middle if Book F is at the other end?

Solution:
C

Explanation: Arranging: D, B, A, C, E, F. C is in the middle.

Question 10: There are three girls named Anna, Bella, and Clara. Anna is not at either end, and Clara is to the right of Anna. At which end is Bella?

Solution:
Bella

Explanation: Order: Bella, Anna, Clara.

Question 11: Seven students P, Q, R, S, T, U, and V are standing in a row. S is standing between P and Q. T is standing to the right of U. V is standing at one end. Who is standing next to T?

Solution:
U

Explanation: Arranging: V, P, S, Q, R, U, T. U is next to T.

Question 12: In a group of five people—A, B, C, D, and E—A is taller than B but shorter than C. D is shorter than B. Who is the shortest?

Solution:
D

Explanation: Order by height: D, B, A, C, E (if E’s height is not specified, D is the only one confirmed as shorter than B).

Question 13: Four friends—W, X, Y, Z—are standing in a row. X is not at either end. W is to the left of X. Z is to the right of Y. Who is at the right end?

Solution:
Z

Explanation: Arranging: W, X, Y, Z.

Question 14: Five cars—A, B, C, D, and E—are parked in a line. Car C is not next to D. Car B is between A and C. Which car is in the middle?

Solution:
B

Explanation: Order: A, B, C, E, D. B is in the middle.

Question 15:
Six people—M, N, O, P, Q, and R—are sitting around a table. N is to the immediate left of O. P is not next to Q. Who is opposite to R?

Solution:
O

Explanation:
Arranging the group, O is opposite R.

Question 16: Four children—A, B, C, and D—are standing in a line. B is not at either end. C is to the left of D. Who is at the right end if A is at the left end?

Solution:
D

Explanation:
Possible order: A, B, C, D. D is at the right end.

Question 17: Five friends—P, Q, R, S, and T—are sitting in a circle. Q is between P and S. T is to the immediate left of P. Who is to the immediate right of S?

Solution:
Q

Explanation: Arranging: P, Q, S, R, T. Q is to the immediate right of S.

Question 18: Six books—F, G, H, I, J, and K—are stacked one above the other. F is above G but below H. I is at the top. Which book is at the bottom if K is just above J?

Solution:
J

Explanation: I (top), H, F, G, K, J (bottom).

Question 19: Seven people—L, M, N, O, P, Q, and R—are standing in a queue. O is ahead of P but behind N. Q is at the front. Who is immediately behind N?

Solution:
O

Explanation: Order: Q, N, O, P, … O is immediately behind N.

Question 20: Three boxes—X, Y, and Z—are placed on a shelf. X is not next to Z. Y is to the left of X. Which box is in the middle?

Solution:
X

Explanation: Order: Y, X, Z. X is in the middle.

Question 21: Five participants—A, B, C, D, and E—ran a race. A finished before B but after C. D finished last. Who won the race?

Solution:
C

Explanation: Order: C, A, B, E, D. C finished first.

Question 22: Four people—J, K, L, and M—are sitting at a square table, one on each side. J is opposite M. K is to the right of J. Who is to the left of M?

Solution:
L

Explanation: J, K, M, L (clockwise). L is to the left of M.

Question 23: Six students—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are sitting in a row. S is not at any end. Q is to the left of S. U is to the right of T. Who is at the right end?

Solution:
U

Explanation: Possible order: P, Q, S, R, T, U. U is at the right end.

Question 24: Five animals—Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Bear, and Wolf—are in a line. Bear is not next to Tiger. Lion is at one end. Who is in the center if Elephant is between Bear and Wolf?

Solution:
Elephant

Explanation: Possible order: Lion, Tiger, Bear, Elephant, Wolf. Elephant is in the center.

Question 25: Four sisters—Anna, Bella, Clara, and Diana—are sitting in a row. Bella is between Anna and Clara. Diana is not at either end. Who is at the left end?

Solution:
Anna

Explanation: Order: Anna, Bella, Clara, Diana. Anna is at the left end.

Question 26: Five people—A, B, C, D, and E—are seated in a row. B is to the immediate left of D. E is at one end. Who is in the center if C is to the right of B?

Solution:
D

Explanation: Possible order: E, A, B, D, C. D is in the center.

Question 27: Six boxes—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are stacked one above the other. S is below Q but above T. U is at the bottom. Which box is at the top if P is above Q?

Solution:
P

Explanation: Order: P (top), Q, S, T, R, U (bottom). P is at the top.

Question 28: Four friends—M, N, O, and P—are sitting in a circle facing the center. N is to the immediate left of O. P is not next to M. Who is between M and N?

Solution:
O

Explanation: Arranging: M, O, N, P. O is between M and N.

Question 29: Seven students—A, B, C, D, E, F, and G—are standing in a queue. C is ahead of F but behind B. D is at the end. Who is immediately ahead of F?

Solution:
C

Explanation: Order: B, C, F, … D (end). C is immediately ahead of F.

Question 30: Five cars—V, W, X, Y, and Z—are parked in a line. W is between X and Z. V is not next to Y. Which car is in the middle?

Solution:
W

Explanation: Possible order: V, X, W, Z, Y. W is in the middle.

Question 31: Three boxes—A, B, and C—are placed on a table. A is not next to C. B is to the right of A. Which box is in the center?

Solution:
B

Explanation: Order: A, B, C. B is in the center.

Question 32: Six people—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are sitting in a row. T is to the immediate right of Q. S is not at any end. Who is at the left end if U is at the right end?

Solution:
P

Explanation: Order: P, Q, T, R, S, U. P is at the left end.

Question 33: Four animals—Dog, Cat, Rabbit, and Fox—are sitting in a row. Rabbit is not at either end. Cat is to the left of Rabbit. Who is at the right end if Fox is at the left end?

Solution:
Dog

Explanation:
Order: Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Dog. Dog is at the right end.

Question 34:
Five friends—L, M, N, O, and P—are standing in a circle. N is between M and O. L is not next to N. Who is to the immediate left of P?

Solution:
O

Explanation: Arranging: M, N, O, P, L. O is to the immediate left of P.

Question 35: Six books—A, B, C, D, E, and F—are arranged on a shelf. D is between B and F. A is not at any end. Which book is at the left end if C is at the right end?

Solution:
B

Explanation: Order: B, D, F, A, E, C. B is at the left end.

Question 36: Five people—Q, R, S, T, and U—are standing in a row. S is not at either end. Q is to the immediate left of S. Who is at the right end if R is at the left end?

Solution:
U

Explanation: Order: R, Q, S, T, U. U is at the right end.

Question 37: Four boxes—M, N, O, and P—are placed in a stack. O is below N and above M. P is at the bottom. Which box is at the top?

Solution:
N

Explanation: Order: N (top), O, M, P (bottom).

Question 38: Six friends—A, B, C, D, E, and F—are sitting in a circle. C is between B and D. F is to the immediate right of E. Who is to the immediate left of A?

Solution:
F

Explanation: Arranging: A, F, E, B, C, D. F is to the immediate left of A.

Question 39: Five animals—Cat, Dog, Fox, Lion, and Wolf—are in a row. Dog is not next to Fox. Cat is at one end. Who is in the center if Lion is between Fox and Wolf?

Solution:
Lion

Explanation: Order: Cat, Dog, Fox, Lion, Wolf. Lion is in the center.

Question 40: Seven students—G, H, I, J, K, L, and M—are standing in a queue. I is ahead of J but behind H. K is at the front. Who is immediately behind H?

Solution:
I

Explanation: Order: K, H, I, J, L, M, G. I is immediately behind H.

Question 41: Four friends—A, B, C, and D—are sitting in a circle. B is between A and C. D is not next to B. Who is to the immediate right of A?

Solution:
B

Explanation: Arranging: A, B, C, D. B is to the immediate right of A.

Question 42: Six books—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are stacked. Q is above S but below R. U is at the bottom. Which book is at the top if P is above R?

Solution:
P

Explanation: Order: P (top), R, Q, S, T, U (bottom).

Question 43: Five people—E, F, G, H, and I—are seated in a row. F is to the immediate right of G. I is at one end. Who is in the center if H is to the left of F?

Solution:
F

Explanation:
Order: I, H, G, F, E. F is in the center.

Question 44:
Three children—X, Y, and Z—are sitting on a bench. Y is not at either end. Z is to the right of Y. Who is at the left end?

Solution:
X

Explanation: Order: X, Y, Z. X is at the left end.

Question 45: Six students—A, B, C, D, E, and F—are sitting in a row. D is to the immediate left of E. F is not at any end. Who is at the right end if C is at the left end?

Solution:
E

Explanation: Order: C, A, B, F, D, E. E is at the right end.

Question 46: Four friends—J, K, L, and M—are sitting in a row. K is at one end. L is to the immediate right of J. M is not at any end. Who is at the left end?

Solution:
K

Explanation: Order: K, J, L, M. K is at the left end.

Question 47: Five books—A, B, C, D, and E—are placed on a shelf. E is to the immediate left of C. B is at one end. Who is in the center if D is to the right of E?

Solution:
C

Explanation: Order: B, A, E, C, D. C is in the center.

Question 48: Six students—P, Q, R, S, T, and U—are standing in a queue. Q is between P and R. S is not next to T. Who is standing next to U if U is at one end?

Solution:
T

Explanation: Possible order: U, T, S, P, Q, R. T is next to U.

Question 49: Three children—A, B, and C—are sitting on a bench. B is not at either end. A is to the left of B. Who is at the right end?

Solution:
C

Explanation: Order: A, B, C. C is at the right end.

Question 50: Five people—V, W, X, Y, and Z—are sitting in a circle. Z is between V and X. W is not next to Z. Who is to the immediate right of Y?

Solution:
V

Explanation: Arranging: Y, V, Z, X, W. V is to the immediate right of Y.

Consistent analytical reasoning practice is the key to improving your logical thinking and achieving exam success.

Analytical reasoning skills are essential for success in both academic and real-world situations. Here’s why they matter:

• Improved Decision-Making: Analytical reasoning enables you to dissect issues, evaluate various options, and make good judgments—whether you are deciding on your academic path, managing your finances, or contemplating your career choices.
• Stronger Problem-Solving Abilities: These skills allow you to approach challenges methodically, identify patterns, and find effective solutions to everyday issues and unexpected obstacles.
• Academic and Career Success: Many competitive exams and job assessments include analytical reasoning questions to test your logical thinking. Excelling in these areas can open doors to educational and professional opportunities.
• Better Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills are enhanced due to the analytical reasoning ability. Therefore, it helps in attaining proper conclusions and judgments.
• Adaptability: The ability to analyze new information and adapt one's thinking accordingly is very important during this changing world. It helps build confidence while adapting to new situations through the ability to solve new problems using analytical reasoning skills.

By developing analytical reasoning skills, not only can you achieve better results on tests and interviews, but you'll also possess a useful skill set for everyday life and be able to make better decisions as a result.

Practicing analytical reasoning questions regularly is key to improving your skills. Fortunately, there are many downloadable resources available to help you study offline:

• PDF Files: Many educational websites offer collections of analytical reasoning questions and answers in PDF files. These are perfect for printing or using on your device without an internet connection.
• Ebooks: There are many ebooks that cover a wide range of problems in analytical and non-verbal reasoning, along with their detailed solutions.
• Mock Tests and Testing Packets: Mock tests and testing packets are tests conducted under real exam conditions, enabling you to assess your performance and improve accordingly.
• Testbook App and Other Platforms: Apps like the Testbook app allow users to download question banks and quizzes anywhere and at any time.

Using these resources, you can build confidence and proficiency in analytical reasoning—whether you’re preparing for an exam or simply want to sharpen your logical thinking skills.

Analytical reasoning questions are designed to challenge your logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. By understanding the types of questions, practicing regularly, and applying strategic approaches, you can develop strong analytical skills that benefit you in exams and everyday life.

Why Analytical Reasoning Matters?

In all, analytical reasoning skills thus provide one with the edge of solving bigger problems, making informed decisions, and winning various competitive examinations. The development of analytical reasoning skills greatly enhances one's academic and professional success, and facing day-to-day challenges rationally and confidently.

Practical Advice for Learners

• Practice as many question types as possible regularly.
• Organize information visually with diagrams, tables, and charts.
• Review your mistakes and learn from detailed explanations.
• Engage in timed simulated tests that mimic exam conditions.
• Understand the logic, do not memorize the answers.
• Download and practice offline with PDF resources.