11 logical reasoning examples to test candidates with

What is logical reasoning? 

Logical reasoning is the ability to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions based on facts and evidence. 

These core skills help people break down arguments into premises and conclusions, making it easier to spot flaws, gaps in logic, or logical fallacies.

Logical reasoning can follow formal logic, which uses set rules to test if an argument holds up, but it also includes informal logic – the kind we use in everyday decision-making, where things aren’t always so black and white.

Let’s look at 11 logical reasoning problems and answers broken down by category. 

Logic puzzles and estimation questions 

These questions require candidates to: 

• Estimate values based on incomplete information

• Use their non-verbal reasoning skills (visual or spatial skills) 

• Analyze scenarios using logic and math skills

• Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps

• Explain their reasoning clearly to show how they reached their conclusion 

1. Brick wall problem

Question: You need to build a 100-foot-long wall using bricks that are 1.5 feet long. After every 10 bricks, you must leave a two-foot expansion gap. How many bricks are needed to complete the wall?

Example answer: First, without gaps, calculate how many bricks fit: 100 ÷ 1.5 = about 66.7, or 66 bricks. But with a two-foot gap for every 10 bricks, each set of 10 bricks plus a gap takes up (10 × 1.5) + 2 = 17 feet. 

Dividing 100 by 17 gives about five full sets (85 feet) with five gaps. That’s 50 bricks and five gaps. The remaining 15 feet can fit another 10 bricks without needing a gap. So, the total is 60 bricks.

2. Light bulb switch puzzle

Question: You’re in a room with three light switches, each controlling one of three light bulbs in the next room. You can only enter the room once. How do you figure out which switch controls which bulb?

Example answer: Turn on the first switch and leave it on for five minutes. Then, turn it off and switch on the second one. Entering the room, the bulb that’s on is connected to the second switch. The warm bulb is from the first switch, and the cold bulb is from the third switch.

3. Cake cutting puzzle

Question: What is the minimum number of straight cuts needed to divide a round cake into eight equal pieces?

Example answer: Three cuts.

1. First, cut the cake vertically to create two halves.

2. Next, cut it horizontally to make four pieces.

3. Finally, slice through the middle horizontally (like slicing it in half across the layers) to double the pieces to eight.

Role-specific logical reasoning questions 

These examples are tailored for finance, IT, customer service, and management roles. They help you see how candidates think through job-related problems, analyze information, and make smart, practical decisions in real work situations.

4. Logical reasoning question for finance roles 

Question: A company’s revenue increased by 20% from Q1 to Q2, but profits only increased by 5%. What might this indicate about operational costs, and how would you investigate further?

Example answer: This likely means that operational costs have gone up, cutting into the profit margin. To figure out why, take a closer look at the company’s expense reports to see where costs have increased – like higher supply prices, more spending on labor, or bigger marketing budgets. 

Check if these were one-time costs or if they're likely to continue, and consider whether they were necessary or could have been avoided. Knowing where the money goes will help spot areas where changes can be made to improve profitability.

5. Logical reasoning question for IT roles 

Question: An application consistently fails during peak internet traffic hours but runs smoothly during off-peak times. What’s the first logical step in troubleshooting, and what other factors should be considered?

Example answer: The first step is to check if the servers can actually handle the traffic during peak hours and if the load is being spread out properly. 

Look for any bottlenecks in how traffic is managed. It’s also worth checking database queries and response times to see if they slow down when traffic is high. 

Don’t forget to consider other possible issues, like software limitations, bandwidth capacity, or even problems with third-party services connected to the application.

6. Logical reasoning question for customer service roles 

Question: A customer consistently reports issues following product updates. What is the logical step to improve their experience, and how would you prevent similar problems for other customers?

Example answer: Start by looking at how the customer uses the product to determine why updates are causing problems. Offer support that fits their needs, like one-on-one walkthroughs or simple, customized guides. 

To avoid similar issues in the future, think about setting up a beta testing group with customers who use the product in similar ways – this can help catch problems early. 

Also, make sure updates are clearly explained, including how they might change the way customers use the product. This approach helps fix the immediate issue and improves everyone's overall experience.

7. Logical reasoning question for management roles 

Question: Two departments are consistently missing project deadlines due to resource conflicts. What is the logical approach to resolving this, and how would you make sure it doesn’t recur?

Example answer: Start by figuring out where the hold-ups are happening and which tasks or priorities are clashing. 

Get clear on which projects need to be tackled first and which can wait. Then, put together a resource management plan – whether that’s a shared project calendar, workload tracker, or task assignments by priority. 

This way, both teams know exactly what they’re responsible for and when. This helps prevent scheduling conflicts and keeps projects chugging along.

Regular check-ins can also help keep everyone on track and catch issues early. In the long run, think about cross-training team members or finding ways to make resources more flexible so that conflicts can be handled easily in the future.

Logical thinking questions for team-based environments 

These examples quiz your candidates on how they use logic to collaborate, solve problems, and adapt to new information. 

8. Navigating a disagreement

Question: Your team disagrees on the best approach to a project. How would you logically navigate the disagreement?

Example answer: Start by gathering facts and data to understand each option better – what are the potential outcomes, risks, and resources required for each approach? 

Then, encourage an open discussion where everyone can share their thoughts and concerns. The goal is to understand the reasoning behind each perspective, not just vote on ideas. 

If the team is still split, suggest running a small trial or pilot to test the most promising ideas. This way, you can make decisions based on real results rather than opinions, and the team feels heard and involved in the process.

9. Changing course 

Question: Mid-project, a new team member suggests an alternative method that could change how the team works. How do you decide whether to change course?

Example answer: First, take the time to understand the new suggestion and how it compares to the current plan. Ask questions like: What are the potential benefits? What risks or delays could it cause? Would it save time or lead to better results? 

Then, weigh how much work has already been done and whether the change would be worth it. Discuss it openly with the team to get their input – this helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned. If the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, and it won’t derail the project, it could be worth adjusting the approach.

Additional situational logic questions 

While logic puzzles and riddles are a helpful way to learn how your candidates think, it never hurts to stock up on extra situational questions. Keep these in your pocket for roles often requiring quick thinking and problem-solving under pressure. 

10. When to explain errors 

Question: You discover an error in a client report the day before the presentation. Do you alert the client and delay, or present with corrections after?

Example answer: First, take a step back and evaluate how serious the error is. Does it change any major insights or conclusions? If it’s a significant issue that could impact decisions, it’s better to be upfront – let the client know, explain the error, and suggest adjusting the timeline if necessary. 

Clients value honesty and accurate information. If it’s a minor issue that doesn’t affect the main takeaways, proceed with the presentation, but make a point to flag the error and explain how you plan to correct it. This way, you show accountability while keeping the project on track.

11. Product launch workload 

Question: A key team member falls ill right before a product launch. How do you prioritize tasks to stay on track?

Example answer: Start by figuring out which tasks are critical for the launch and which can wait. Focus on the essentials directly impacting the product going live, like final testing, packaging, or key client communications. 

Then, look at the team’s current capacity – who has the skills and bandwidth to take on extra tasks? If it’s still too much, consider short-term solutions like bringing in temporary help or outsourcing smaller tasks. It’s about keeping momentum while avoiding burnout for the rest of the team.

Next steps: Combine logical reasoning examples with skills tests

Asking logical reasoning questions is a good way to see candidates’ cognitive skills in action, but pairing them with skills tests gives you concrete data on their problem-solving and critical thinking and how they handle challenges at work.

​TestGorilla’s extensive test library is the perfect place to start. Kick off your assessment process with aptitude tests such as verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, numerical reasoning, and problem-solving that cover inference skills, data analysis, pattern recognition, weighing arguments, and more.

You can mix and match up to five tests for an in-depth assessment, plus you can customize questions to fit your unique business needs. 

Make the logical hire with TestGorilla 

Finding candidates with sharp logical reasoning can be the difference between smooth sailing and hitting every bump in the road. 

Logical reasoning examples should have a good mix of brain teasers and situational judgment scenarios to ensure your candidates are analytically minded and equipped for common challenges at work. 

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