Free GCAT Reasoning Questions & Answers
Numerical Reasoning: Percentages and Word Problems.
Percentage problems can take the form of word problems and are usually structured in the following way: "(this) is (a percentage) of (that)", which translates to = (to a decimal) × (that)".
If there are 32 students in the classroom and 12.5% of them own at least one pet, how many students do not own any pets?
The correct answer is 28. It helps to memorize the most common fractions that represent each type of percentages/decimals. For example: 1\4 = 0.25 = 25% 1\8 = 0.125 = 12.5% If there are 32 students in the class and only 12.5% of them own at least one pet then all that is left is to divide 32\8 to know that 4 students own a pet and 28 do not.
Abstract Reasoning - the numbers in the figures below have the same mathematical relationship to one another.
What number should replace the question mark in the figure below?
The correct answer is: 2. When solving this type of question it is important to understand the pattern that the three circles exhibit and the numerical relationship between them. Focus on the quarter that the question mark appears in and check to see if there is a common relationship that repeats itself between that quarter and the other quarters of each of the circles. In this example, the circles share the following pattern: (Top cell) minus (Diagonal-bottom-cell) = 1. e.g. left circle: 6 (top-left) – 5 (bottom-right) = 1, 9 (top-right) – 8 (bottom-left) = 1; right circle: 0 (top-left) – (-1) (bottom-right) = 1. According to the reasoning above the (top-left) cell – (bottom-right) cell = 1. Therefore, the (bottom-right) cell = 2.
Numerical reasoning - Word Problems In a popular music station, songs are played fully and uninterrupted (i.e., no commercial breaks). The popular music broadcast "Hits All Around Us" lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes, in which two-song lengths are played – songs that last 3 minutes and songs that last 6 minutes. How many songs will be played during the broadcast?
Two hours and 15 minutes are 135 minutes in total. The most songs that can be played are 45 (45 songs X 3 minutes each = 135 minutes). The last songs that can be played are 23 (22 songs X 6 minutes each + 1 song X 3 minutes = 132 + 3 = 135)
Deductive Reasoning - These cognitive test questions measure your ability to analyze sentences and reach a logical conclusion. Some of the questions are numerical, and some are verbal, and the conclusion is generally reached by applying general rules.
If the first two statements are true, is the final statement true?
Most snakes are green.
Most snakes are quick.
At least one snake is both green and quick.
The correct answer is A - Yes. The way to solve this type of question is to examine the ratios and see if there could be an overlap between the two groups - if most of the snakes are green and most of the snakes are quick, we can deduce that there has to be at least one green snake that is also quick. This happens because the subgroups of "green" and "quick" each constitute more than 50% of the entire snake population (most of the snakes means more than 50%) and consequently must overlap.
Numerical Reasoning: Word Problems Shelley has 7 dresses, 8 pairs of shoes, and 7 necklaces. If she wears one combination of clothes per day. How many days can she go without wearing the same outfit?
The answer is 392. This is a classic combinations question. In order to solve the problem, you must figure the correct number of choices in each category. We have 3 categories: Dresses= a choice between 7 options. Shoes = a choice between 8 options. Necklaces = a choice between 7 options. The overall number of combinations equals to a multiplication of the number of options within each category: 7*7*8=392
Verbal Reasoning: Vocabulary Clout most closely means -
The correct answer is prestige. The word clout has two meanings: (1) A heavy blow, especially with the hand (2) The power to influence, usually regarding politics or business. Prestige is close in meaning to the second definition of clout and is therefore the correct answer.
2. Number Series: identify the hidden pattern in the series of numbers below, and use it to predict the next / missing number: 8 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 17 | ?
The answer is: 25. Answer explanation: This series is a variation of the famous Fibonacci sequence: each term equals the sum of the two previous terms minus 2.
Logical Reasoning - Syllogisms are a type of deductive reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two premises provided to you in the question. Assume the first two statements are true: All athletes are hard workers. Alice is not an athlete. Alice is not a hard worker. Is the final statement:
You can deduce from the first statement that all athletes are hard workers, but you do not have any information about non-athletes. Therefore, according to the second statement, you cannot conclude anything regarding Alice, who is not an athlete. The final statement is uncertain.
Verbal Analogy: find the relationship between the pair of words below, and identify the most similar relationship in the answer options.
The answer is C. REPLETE means “full with,” and FAMISHED means “very hungry.” If a person is FAMISHED, they are not REPLETE with food. In a specific context, these two adjectives directly contradict one another. If something is BLATANT it is very obvious, while if something is MASKED it is hidden. If something is MASKED, it is not BLATANT – these two words also directly contradict each other, and is, therefore, the correct answer. Incorrect Answers A – SHROUD means “to cover,” and HASTEN means “to do something quickly.” These two words do not have a strong relationship. B – PLAUSIBLE means “reasonable,” and PLACATE means “try to please.” These two words do not have a strong relationship. D – COMMENCE means to begin, and a person GRADUATEs upon completing a course of study. Often, GRADUATION ceremonies are referred to as COMMENCEment ceremonies. These two words are related but do not contradict one another. E – A person who is DEPRESSED may not be SUCCESSFUL, but these two words do not directly contradict each other.
Verbal Reasoning: Synonym / Antonym IMPERIOUS is the opposite of:
The correct answer is subservient. Imperious means "domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing," so the antonym is subservient. Arrogant is a similar word but not a synonym. Quiet, stormy, and gloomy are not related. Therefore, the correct answer is subservient.
Abstract Reasoning - Spatial Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark (?) to complete the pattern?
The arrows move 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the colors change between black, grey and white in cycles of three. Based on the progression of the arrows, the following arrow in the series must be gray and pointing downwards.