In this format you read a passage and judge statements about it. The skill is to use only the text, and to separate "the text says the opposite" from "the text does not settle it".
True means the passage guarantees the statement. False means the passage guarantees the opposite. Cannot say means the passage supports neither, however plausible the statement sounds in real life. Most lost marks come from using outside knowledge or from treating a gap in the text as a contradiction.
| Answer | Use it when | Typical wording clue |
|---|---|---|
| True | The passage states it, or it follows with certainty from what is stated. | Restates or necessarily implies a fact in the text |
| False | The passage states the opposite, or the statement cannot be right given the passage. | Contradicts a number, a quantity word or a claim |
| Cannot say | The passage does not give enough to decide, even if you think you know. | Introduces a cause, a reason, a time or a group that the text never mentions |
A useful habit is to ask: "Could I underline the evidence?" If you can underline a sentence that settles the statement, answer True or False. If you cannot, the answer is Cannot say.
Beginners often reason that a statement "is not stated, so it must be false". That mixes up two different things. False is a claim about the world described in the passage: the passage rules the statement out. Cannot say is a claim about the passage itself: it is silent or incomplete on the point.
Compare "The cafe opens at nine" with a passage that says only that the cafe opens in the morning. The statement may be right, but the passage does not make it right, so the answer is Cannot say. It would be False only if the passage said the cafe opens at ten.
Each example below is original. Cover the explanation and decide before reading it.
Scoring is set by each provider. Each statement usually counts as one item. Some schemes do not deduct for a wrong answer, others may, and in time-limited tests unanswered items can hurt. Do not rely on a general rule. Read the instructions of the test you are taking.
One practical point holds almost everywhere: guessing blindly gives you roughly a one in three chance on each item, so a quick, evidence-based elimination is worth far more than a coin toss.
This format is part of verbal reasoning. Upload a screenshot of a practice passage and statement to ReasonEra, pick "Tutor Explanation", and read which sentence supports or rules out the statement. Try to say the answer aloud before opening it, then compare your reasoning rather than only the label.
The free verbal reasoning practice test has ten original timed questions with explanations. A free account includes 3 trials, and the 14-Day Pass costs 49 € for unlimited use for 14 days.
ReasonEra is designed for practice and learning, but many employers prohibit outside help during a live assessment, so ask the recruiter if anything is unclear.
It means the passage does not contain enough information to decide whether the statement is true or false. It is not the same as False, which means the passage contradicts the statement.
No, you should base your answer only on the passage, even if you know the topic well. Tests are written to see how you handle the given text.
Look for a sentence that contradicts the statement. If you find one, it is False, and if you find none and the passage is simply silent, it is Cannot say.
It depends on the test, since some score wrong answers the same as blanks and others may not. Check the instructions and, if guessing is allowed, make an evidence-based guess.
Work through timed passages, underline the evidence for each answer and review every error. A free verbal practice test and ReasonEra's explained answers can help with this.
Sign up, upload up to three questions, and see whether the explanations help you. A 14-Day Pass is available when you need more.
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Notes. The guide summarises widely published practice, but any employer may do things differently. If something here is out of date, email info@reasonera.com.