Verbal reasoning
Encyclopedia
Verbal reasoning is understanding
and reasoning using concepts framed in words. It aims at evaluating ability to think constructively, rather than at simple fluency or vocabulary
recognition.
provide an assessment of an individual's ability to think, reason and solve problems in different ways.
Verbal reasoning tests are often used as entrance examinations by schools, colleges and universities to select the most able applicants. They are also used by a growing number of employers as part of the selection/recruitment
process.
Large graduate training schemes are increasingly using verbal reasoning tests (verbal's) to distinguish between applicants. The types of verbals candidates face in these assessments are typically looking to assess understanding and comprehension skills. As an applicant you will be presented with a short passage of text and will need to answer a True, False or Cannot Say response to each statement.
"When will Joe Bloggs retire?"
may expect the testee to respond with the answer "Joe Bloggs will retire at 65" based on the following two sentences (taken from a preceding paragraph - the format of most verbal reasoning tests):
"Joe Bloggs currently works as a civil servant"
and
"Those in the civil service generally retire at 65"
However, though the two sentences make it probable that Joe Bloggs will retire at 65, it is still a logical possibility
that he will continue to work beyond this point, or that he will retire early and live off savings. Additionally, a number of questions ask testees to decide what the central focus of the preceding paragraph is, however the options provided often afford more than one arguable response. As such, critics suggest that standard IQ tests; or numerical reasoning tests, are preferable due to their precision .
Verbal reasoning suits only certain types of people, and most say they are not intelligence tests, but mind-type tests.
Understanding
Understanding is a psychological process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to think about it and use concepts to deal adequately with that object....
and reasoning using concepts framed in words. It aims at evaluating ability to think constructively, rather than at simple fluency or vocabulary
Vocabulary
A person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
recognition.
Verbal reasoning intelligence tests
Verbal reasoning tests of intelligenceIntelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
provide an assessment of an individual's ability to think, reason and solve problems in different ways.
Verbal reasoning tests are often used as entrance examinations by schools, colleges and universities to select the most able applicants. They are also used by a growing number of employers as part of the selection/recruitment
Recruitment
Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a job. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies.The recruitment...
process.
Large graduate training schemes are increasingly using verbal reasoning tests (verbal's) to distinguish between applicants. The types of verbals candidates face in these assessments are typically looking to assess understanding and comprehension skills. As an applicant you will be presented with a short passage of text and will need to answer a True, False or Cannot Say response to each statement.
Criticism of verbal reasoning tests
Some have criticised verbal reasoning tests due to their lack of precision - many questions arguably having more than one answer. For example, a question which asks:"When will Joe Bloggs retire?"
may expect the testee to respond with the answer "Joe Bloggs will retire at 65" based on the following two sentences (taken from a preceding paragraph - the format of most verbal reasoning tests):
"Joe Bloggs currently works as a civil servant"
and
"Those in the civil service generally retire at 65"
However, though the two sentences make it probable that Joe Bloggs will retire at 65, it is still a logical possibility
Logical possibility
A logically possible proposition is one that can be asserted without implying a logical contradiction. This is to say that a proposition is logically possible if there is some coherent way for the world to be, under which the proposition would be true...
that he will continue to work beyond this point, or that he will retire early and live off savings. Additionally, a number of questions ask testees to decide what the central focus of the preceding paragraph is, however the options provided often afford more than one arguable response. As such, critics suggest that standard IQ tests; or numerical reasoning tests, are preferable due to their precision .
Verbal reasoning suits only certain types of people, and most say they are not intelligence tests, but mind-type tests.