Reasoning Ability Test to Build a High Performing Workforce

Types of Reasoning

The fact about reasoning ability is that it differs from one person to another based on various criteria. A person may use one or more types of reasoning to deduce the solution to a particular problem. The different ways of reasoning are:

Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning is used to identify patterns and come to a conclusion. In a reasoning ability test, a series of diagrams, letters or numbers are provided and candidates are asked to identify the pattern and find the answers. Inductive reasoning is generally used while predicting trends or patterns based on information. For example, a salesperson may focus on a particular pitch when he/she reasons out that it has brought in more customers. Similarly, a manager observes that deliverables due on Mondays are always delayed and plans a different schedule.

Logical Reasoning

This reasoning type involves the use of set steps or rules to come to a conclusion. Puzzles, coding decoding, blood relation, order and ranking require logical reasoning to find solutions. Logical reasoning is used during researching, planning and strategizing, analysing data, developing a process flow, setting up quality metrics, interviewing a candidate and other tasks in the workplace.

Abductive Reasoning

In this reasoning method, the person first makes an observation. Based on the observation, the possible causes or explanations are derived. For example, a manager observes that his team takes long breaks. On analysing, he finds that the team is going to the food court for coffee as the coffee machine in the office is broken. He then talks to the admin to repair the machine. He starts with observation and works back to the cause.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves looking at different perspectives of a situation, observing the situation and its effects and then coming up with a solution. Critical thinking is closely related to problem-solving and decision making. A financial planner uses critical thinking skills while assessing the budget and projecting the costs for the next financial year. A manager analysing client feedback to prepare quality metrics or process training program uses critical thinking skills.

Intuition

Intuition can be described as a subconscious decision. Though a lot of people say that there is no scientific basis for this kind of reasoning, it has been effectively used by leaders and scientists. Intuition, based on experience, is used in various situations to make decisions, solve problems, resolve conflicts or manage teams.

Applications of Reasoning Ability Tests

All job roles require reasoning skills.

• A tester uses reasoning skills to find why a program is not working on a particular platform
• An HR uses reasoning skills to find out the cause of dissent in a team
• A lead uses reasoning skills to allocate and prioritise work in the team
• A quality analyst uses these skills to find out the cause of the quality issues

So, for any type of job role, reasoning ability can help in performing better. That’s why it is suggested that recruiters use reasoning ability tests to filter out candidates and improve the quality of their hires. In the case of campus recruitments, the results of these assessment tests will also give recruiters a clear idea of where to place the candidates.

Reasoning ability assessment tests also aid in workforce development. These tests can be used to identify skill gaps so that the training or L&D department can come up with training programs to bridge the gap.