Kyvernitikos
Section B — Deductive

Deductive Ability: What Is Tested and How to Practise

Deductive Ability measures your logical discipline: what necessarily follows from given statements, which rule governs a series, which arrangement satisfies all the constraints. In scales A2-A5-A7 it is a standalone part; in A8 and A9–A11 it combines with abstract and quantitative thinking in the second part.

It is the section where familiarity pays off most directly: the reasoning types repeat, and recognising them instantly buys precious time.

What the section measures

  • Syllogisms: what conclusion does (or does not) follow from “all/none/some” premises.
  • Logical series: letters or numbers following a rule.
  • Arrangements and matching: people, positions or properties under constraints.
  • Conditional reasoning: “if… then…” and the valid forms of inference.

Exam-day strategy

  • In syllogisms, “some” never means “all” — and reversing “if… then…” is the most common error.
  • Name the series' rule before looking at the options: “+2 alphabet positions”, “alternating +3/−1”.
  • In arrangements, sketch a line or grid — don't solve “in your head”.
  • If stuck, work the options backwards: which one violates a constraint?

Sample questions with solutions

1. “No A is B. All C are B.” What follows with certainty?

  1. A.No C is A
  2. B.Some C are A
  3. C.All A are C
  4. D.No conclusion follows
Show solution

Correct answer: A. No C is A — The C's lie entirely inside the B's, and the B's share no element with the A's. Therefore no C can be an A.

2. Which letter continues the series: A, C, E, G, ___?

  1. A.H
  2. B.I
  3. C.J
  4. D.K
Show solution

Correct answer: B. I — The letters occupy positions 1, 3, 5, 7 of the alphabet (A, C, E, G) — the rule is “+2 positions”. Next is position 9, the letter I.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between deductive and abstract ability?

In exam practice, deductive works with statements and rules in verbal/numerical form (syllogisms, series), while abstract works with visual patterns in shapes and symbols. The official syllabus often names them together (“abstract/deductive”).

Do I need formal logic?

No — you need the 3–4 basic valid inference patterns and their classic fallacies, which a few dozen practice questions with worked solutions will cement.

How fast can I improve in Deductive?

It usually has the steepest improvement curve: once you recognise the recurring types, your time per question drops dramatically.

Practise Deductive Ability

Syllogisms, series and logic puzzles with a full explanation for every answer — start free.

Start free

See also