Inference-based questions in CET, SNAP, NMAT, and other MBA entrance exams test your ability to identify conclusions that logically follow from a given statement without making assumptions. The key is to rely only on the information provided, avoid personal knowledge, and distinguish valid inferences from unsupported conclusions or extreme statements.
Inference Based Type I
II. We are different from computers.
Detailed Solution:
The statement highlights the difference in the functionality of humans and computers but there is no comparison made. It does not imply that humans are inferior and computers are advanced. Therefore, inference I does not follow.
But it can be inferred from the statement that Humans function in a manner different from that of computers. Therefore, inference II follows. Hence, Only inference II follows.
II. High speed increases the risk of accident.
Detailed Solution:
The given statement mentions that National Expressway-A is the widest expressway and is used by few people. When people find an empty and wide road, they tend to drive at high speed, which leads to accidents. Now, let’s evaluate the given inferences:
I. All accidents happen due to over speeding: This inference is not necessarily true. While it is mentioned in the statement that driving at high speed can lead to accidents, it doesn’t mean that all accidents happen due to over speeding.
II. High speed increases the risk of accident: This inference is true. It is mentioned in the statement that driving at high speed on a wide and empty road leads to accidents, which implies that high speed increases the risk of an accident.
Hence, only inference II follows from the given statement.
II. Inflation in the international market is influencing the rising fuel prices.
Detailed Solution:
To answer the question, we examine if each inference can be directly drawn from the statement about rising fuel prices in India:
Inference I: This suggests that the tax rates by central and state governments have remained the same. While it’s possible, the statement about the rising fuel prices doesn’t specifically attribute the rise to taxation policies, nor does it imply that taxes have remained unchanged. It’s an assumption without direct support from the statement.
Inference II: This suggests that international market inflation affects fuel prices, which is a common and plausible reason for changes in fuel prices, given that they often correlate with international oil market trends. However, the original statement does not specifically mention international market conditions affecting the prices. It’s again an assumption, though somewhat reasonable.
Since neither inference can be directly concluded from the statement given. Hence, the correct answer is Neither inference I nor II.
II. The members of the commission should be severely punished.
Detailed Solution:
Inferences:
I. Another inquiry commission should be sent for proper investigations – False (Because the statement only mentions that the inhabitants have alleged that the report is fabricated. It does not necessarily imply that another inquiry commission should be appointed.)
II. The members of the commission should be severely punished – False (Because the allegation made by the inhabitants has not been established as true. Therefore, punishment cannot be inferred from the statement.)
So, neither Inference I nor Inference II follows.
II: Spirituality can help bring peace of mind in an individual.
Detailed Solution:
The statement says that Spirituality helps you lead a blissful life. But it does not claim that Spirituality is the only way you can lead a blissful life. Therefore, Inference I does not follow.
Peace of mind is necessary to lead a blissful life and hence Inference II is a valid inference. Hence Inference II follows.
II: The exam must be cancelled immediately.
Detailed Solution:
The statement says that the question paper of a pan-India Computer Based Test which was conducted recently had been leaked prior to the exam. As a serious fraud that can have profound implications, the incident needs to be investigated. But we are not sure yet as to who was responsible for the same. Therefore, Inference I does not follow.
Cancelling the exam immediately before an enquiry is conducted is an extreme measure and needs to be avoided. Therefore, Inference II does not follow. Thus, none of the inferences follows.
II. Excessive use of pesticides in agricultural production can have a bad effect on water.
Detailed Solution:
Inference I states that excessive use of pesticides in agricultural production is not good for people. This can be inferred from the statement, which clearly states that extensive use of pesticides can contaminate soil, water, crops and can pose a threat to human beings.
Inference II states that excessive use of pesticides in agricultural production can have a bad effect on water. This can also be inferred from the statement, which clearly states that extensive use of pesticides can contaminate soil and water, and can enter the food chain, posing a threat to human beings.
Therefore, both inferences I and II follow from the given statement.
II: Gunjan has done a couple of Hollywood movies.
Detailed Solution:
The statement given above is not sufficient for us to infer the profession of Gunjan’s parents. Just because she is a brilliant actress, it is not necessary for her parents to be in the same profession. Therefore, inference I does not follow.
Similarly, working in Hollywood movies is not a parameter to judge whether Gunjan is a brilliant actress or not. Therefore, inference II does not follow.
Hence, None of the inference follows.
Inference Based Questions
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
Rationale: The passage states that businesses with conservative financial strategies have a higher long-term survival rate. This implies that high-risk businesses are more likely to fail in the long run.
Which of the following must be true?
Rationale: The passage states that cognitive improvements were only observed after six months of consistent exercise, meaning short-term exercise does not produce significant effects.
Which of the following must be true based on the passage?
Rationale: If the number of electric cars has doubled but gasoline consumption remained constant, some people must still be using gasoline-powered cars despite owning electric vehicles.
Which of the following can be logically inferred from this study?
Rationale: The study shows a higher likelihood of heart disease among those who eat processed foods. It does not prove causation, only correlation.
Which of the following can be inferred?
Rationale: If housing prices increased while sales decreased, it suggests that fewer people can afford homes at higher prices.
Which of the following must be true?
Rationale: Since air pollution increased despite efforts to promote green transportation, it suggests that other factors (factories, construction, etc.) contribute to pollution.
Which of the following can be inferred from this information?
Rationale: The survey results show a difference in opinions between employees and managers regarding productivity.
Which of the following can be inferred?
Rationale: The passage states that some patients experienced severe side effects, meaning the drug is not universally safe and may cause negative effects.
Which of the following must be true?
Rationale: The passage shows that both sleep and study time matter—students who studied too little performed poorly, even with enough sleep. This implies sleep alone is insufficient.
Which of the following can be inferred?
Rationale: Since premium sales increased after launching the cheaper version, it implies that the presence of the cheaper alternative may have driven some customers toward the premium model (likely via comparison).
How to tackle Inference based questions
For most CET aspirants, RC is a nightmare. “It takes too much time” “The answer choices are too close” and so on. So how does one attempt and more importantly crack Reading Comprehension?Firstly, RC has to be attempted, as it accounts for , almost a 1/3rd of VA section. Since you can’t do well in VA section without RC, the bottom line is, no RC No Tier1 Bschool.
A lot of RC questions in CAT are not based directly on the facts stated in the passage but require you to make some inferences. While you do learn through practice, it makes sense for you to go and study Critical Reasoning basics before attempting inference-based questions. This should help you get a sound understanding for the nature of arguments: Facts, Assumptions and how Conclusions and Inferences can be drawn.
LETS START WITH SOME BASIC STUFF:
INFERENCE: Process of using observation and background knowledge as well as other known premises to determine a conclusion that makes sense.
EXAMPLES:
1.Sally arrives at home at 4:30 and knows that her mother does not get off of work until 5. Sally also sees that the lights are off in their house. Sally can infer that her mother is not yet home.
2.Bob knows that Baltimore is known for its crabcakes and Bob is going to a seafood restaurant in Baltimore for dinner tonight. Bob can infer that the restaurant will likely serve crabcakes.
3.Sherry’s toddler is in bed upstairs. She hears a bang and crying. Sherry can infer that her toddler fell out of bed.
4.John hears a smoke alarm and smells burnt bacon. John can infer that his neighbor burnt her breakfast.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR INFERENCE QUESTIONS:
1.Don’t jump into the Assumption Hunt. These questions usually don’t carry much in the way of glaring assumptions. Instead, these questions generally test your ability to derive a conclusion from stated premises.
2.Knock out answers with extreme wording. Inference answers typically do not use only, always, never, best or any strong words that leave little wiggle room. The right answers on Inference questions will generally use more qualifiers and less extreme language.
3.Try to fully understand what the passage’s point is and the exact reasoning so that if the question asks you to extend that reasoning, you are able to accurately do so.
4.Use the process of elimination. Inference questions typically have two or three good answers. The best way to tackle these questions is to gradually eliminate the possible answers until you have one or two and then choose the last one by scope.
SAMPLE QUESTION:
Although Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors, who are now unfairly neglected by historians. Furthermore, Locke never wrote a truly great book; his most widely known works are muddy in style, awkwardly constructed, and often self-contradictory.
With which of the following would the author most likely agree?
a)Locke made use of ideas without acknowledging his predecessors as the sources of those ideas.
b)Current historians are re-evaluating the work of Locke in the light of present-day knowledge.
c)Locke’s contributions to the development of European thought have been greatly exaggerated.
d)Historians should reexamine Locke’s place in European intellectual history.
e)Although Locke’s ideas were important, his way of expressing them in writing was sadly inadequate.
Explanation: The author makes two assertions about Locke: that his ideas were not original and that his books were not very good. On the basis of these assertions, the author concludes that Locke’s reputation as an intellectual giant is undeserved. Choice (C) accurately summarizes this conclusion.
a)focuses on a subsidiary point, not the main idea; moreover, it makes an assumption unsupported by the passage namely, that Locke did not acknowledge the sources of his ideas.
b)Is wrong because although the passage clearly indicates that the author is “re-evaluating” Locke’s work, it does not suggest that “current historians” in general are doing so.
c)This choice best expresses the point, that Locke’s contributions were not original.
d)Is tricky because it is a good answer, but it is not the best answer. (D) implies that the author recommends that other historians re-examine Locke. Since no recommendation exists in the argument, Choice (C) is the only option.
e)Not addressed.
PRACTICE AND TEST-
An Ideal plan would involve working on the basics: Understanding passage structure, summary exercises and critical reasoning for 4-6 weeks. After that start RC specific tests, followed by some Tests.
CAT and XAT papers from earlier years would make excellent practice tests as they contain high quality RC questions.
However, one thing does remain the same — this part of the paper is crucial! If you mess up RC, it will be difficult to clear the sectional cut-off for English in CAT.
SO KEEP PRACTICING…HAPPY LEARNINGS
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Inference-based questions are among the most frequently asked topics in the Critical Reasoning section of MBA entrance exams like CET, SNAP, and NMAT. These questions assess a candidate’s logical thinking rather than factual knowledge. The objective is to determine which conclusion can reasonably be drawn from the given statement.
The golden rule of inference questions is simple: use only the information given in the statement. Do not add your own opinions, assumptions, or external knowledge. Every correct inference must be directly or logically supported by the facts provided.
A common trap is the use of extreme words such as “all,” “always,” “never,” “must,” and “only.” Unless the statement explicitly supports such claims, they should not be inferred. For example, if a statement says that high speed increases the risk of accidents, it does not mean that every accident is caused by over-speeding.
Another important concept is distinguishing between facts and explanations. If a statement mentions rising fuel prices, you cannot infer that taxes or international inflation are responsible unless the statement specifically says so. Similarly, allegations, opinions, or complaints should not be treated as established facts.
Inference questions often involve everyday situations, social issues, science, education, business, technology, and public policy. The correct answer is the one that follows naturally from the statement without stretching its meaning.
To master these questions, practice identifying keywords, avoid emotional reasoning, and eliminate options that introduce new information. Read every statement carefully and ask yourself, “Is this conclusion definitely supported, or am I assuming something?” With regular practice, inference-based questions become one of the easiest scoring areas in Critical Reasoning for CET, SNAP, and NMAT.
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