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Critical Thinking Practice

Updated: Jan 16, 2025

This critical thinking practice test is a free, quick exercise that tests your ability to think critically and analytically and draw logical, objective conclusions from written information. The practice test includes 10 questions that measure different aspects, like interference, interpretation, recognizing assumptions, and more.

Critical Thinking Practice Instructions

Click the “Go to the test” button or scroll below to begin.

Each question provides one or more pieces of writing, followed by a related multiple-choice question. Your task is to carefully read the text and figure out which of the given options is the correct answer.

Pay careful attention to the details and ensure you do not miss important information. There's no time limit for this practice test.

Question 1. Below is a statement that is followed by an argument. You should consider this argument to be true. It is then up to you to determine whether the argument is strong or weak. Do not let your personal opinion about the statement play a role in your evaluation of the argument.
01:00
Statement: It would be good if people would eat vegetarian more often.
Argument: No, because dairy also requires animals to be kept that will have to be eaten again later.

Is this a strong or weak argument?
a. Strong argument
b. Weak argument
Question 2. Below is a statement that is followed by an argument. You should consider this argument to be true. It is then up to you to determine whether the argument is strong or weak. Do not let your personal opinion about the statement play a role in your evaluation of the argument.
01:00
Statement: Germany should no longer use the euro as its currency
Argument: No, because that means that the 10 billion Deutschmark that the introduction of the euro has cost is money thrown away.

Is this a strong or weak argument?
a. Strong argument
b. Weak argument
Question 3.
01:00
Overfishing is the phenomenon that too much fish is caught in a certain area, which leads to the disappearance of the fish species in that area. This trend can only be reversed by means of catch reduction measures. These must therefore be introduced and enforced.

Assumption: The disappearance of fish species in areas of the oceans is undesirable.

Is the assumption made from the text?
a. Assumption is made
b. Assumption is not made
Question 4.
01:00
Overfishing is the phenomenon that too much fish is caught in a certain area, which leads to the disappearance of the fish species in that area. This trend can only be reversed by means of catch reduction measures. These must therefore be introduced and enforced.

Assumption: The disappearance of fish species in areas of the oceans is undesirable.

Is the assumption made from the text?
a. Assumption is made
b. Assumption is not made
Question 5.
01:00
Assume only the following statements and consider them as facts:

1. All reptiles lay eggs
2. All reptiles are vertebrates
3. All snakes are reptiles
4. All vertebrates have brains
5. Some reptiles hatch their eggs themselves
6. Most reptiles have two lungs
7. Many snakes only have one lung
8. Cobras are poisonous snakes
9. All reptiles are animals

Conclusion: Some snakes hatch their eggs themselves.

Does the conclusion follow the statements?
a. Conclusion follows
b. Conclusion does not follow
Question 6. Continue with the statements from question 5
01:00
Conclusion: Some animals that lay eggs only have one lung.

Does the conclusion follow the statements?
a. Conclusion follows
b. Conclusion does not follow
Question 7.
01:00
In the famous 1971 Stanford experiment, 24 normal, healthy male students were randomly assigned as 'guards' (12) or 'prisoners' (12). The guards were given a uniform and instructed to keep order, but not to use force. The prisoners were given prison uniforms. Soon after the start of the experiment, the guards made up all kinds of sentences for the prisoners. Insurgents were shot down with a fire extinguisher and public undressing or solitary confinement was also a punishment. The aggression of the guards became stronger as the experiment progressed. At one point, the abuses took place at night, because the guards thought that the researchers were not watching. It turned out that some guards also had fun treating the prisoners very cruelly. For example, prisoners got a bag over their heads and were chained to their ankles. Originally, the experiment would last 14 days. However, after six days the experiment was stopped.

Conclusion: The students who took part in the research did not expect to react the way they did in such a situation.

To what extent is this conclusion true, based on the given text?
a. True
b. Probably true
c. More information required
d. Probably false
e. False
Question 8. Continue with the text from 'Stanford experiment' in question 7
01:00
Conclusion: The results of the experiment support the claim that every young man (or at least some young men) is capable of turning into a sadist fairly quickly.

To what extent is this conclusion true, based on the given text?
a. True
b. Probably true
c. More information required
d. Probably false
e. False
Question 9.
01:00
There is an official protocol for the use of the Dutch flag. This protocol applies to government agencies. Citizens and companies are expected to follow this protocol, but they are not obliged to do so.
- A flag is a tribute to the nation and should therefore not be hung outside at night. Hoisting the flag therefore happens at sunrise, bringing it down at sunset. Only when a country flag is illuminated by spotlights on both sides, it may remain hanging after sunset. There is a simple rule of thumb for the time of bringing down the flag. This is the moment when there is no longer any visible difference between the individual colors of the flag.
- A flag may not touch the ground.
- On the Dutch flag, unless entitled to do so, no decorations or other additions should be made. Also the use of a flag purely for decoration should be avoided. However, flag cloth may be used for decoration - for example in the form of drapes.
- The orange pennant is only used on birthdays of members of the Royal House and on King's Day. The orange pennant should be as long or slightly longer than the diagonal of the flag.

Conclusion: One can assume that no Dutch flag will fly at government buildings at night, unless it is illuminated by spotlights on both sides.

Does the conclusion follow, based on the given text?
a. Conclusion follows
b. Conclusion does not follow
Question 10. Continue with the text from 'Dutch flag protocol' in question 9
01:00
Conclusion: If the protocol is followed, the orange pennant will always be longer than the horizontal bands/stripes of the flag.

Does the conclusion follow, based on the given text?
a. Conclusion follows
b. Conclusion does not follow

More About the Critical Thinking Practice Test

Unlike official critical thinking assessments, such as the Watson Glaser test, critical thinking practice tests are a handy tool to help you familiarize yourself with the typical question types that may appear on an actual test. These questions challenge you to analyze information, understand the context, and apply your critical thinking skills to draw logical conclusions and choose the most accurate response based on written content. 

Critical thinking is not only crucial for IQ tests but also for real-world problems and everyday life. Indeed, critical thinking assessments are crucial in the recruitment process for roles or positions that require good problem-solving and decision-making skills, such as engineers, lawyers, accountants, etc. 

Types of Critical Thinking Questions & Example Questions

Critical thinking tests often measure 5 sections or 5 question types assessing how well you reason analytically and logically. Here are brief explanations and corresponding examples to help you better understand each question type. However, it’s worth noting that some of these examples (and the above practice test) are simple and short and don't reflect the complexity of questions in official assessments. The questions in actual tests can be much longer and more complicated.

Evaluation of Arguments

This question, presenting a statement followed by an argument, assesses your ability to distinguish between strong, logically strong arguments and weak, irrelevant ones.

A strong argument should be significant and directly relevant to the question being asked. In contrast, a weak one may lack direct relevance, hold minimal importance, or mistakenly assume that correlation implies causation—a common logical error.

For this question, A is the correct answer. This means it’s a strong argument when stating that implementing “differential bonuses” brings about a negative effect in the working environment. Though the argument doesn’t exactly include the term “differential cash bonuses,” they’re still considered a part of the argument’s subject (different bonuses).

Assumptions

This type of question tests your ability to identify underlying assumptions in a given statement. 

Often, you will be presented with a statement and an accompanying assumption. Your task is to decide whether or not that assumption is justified based on the given statement.

With this type of critical thinking question, you are tested on your capability to evaluate information and avoid making or accepting assumptions that aren't necessarily true

Example Question:

"All successful businesses invest in marketing. Company X is a successful business. Therefore, Company X invests in marketing."

Assumption: The assumption is that investing in marketing is a necessary condition for business success.

Is the assumption made from the provided text? 

The correct answer here is Yes.

Deductions

Deduction questions assess your ability to draw logical conclusions based only on the given information, disregarding any prior knowledge you may have.

You will be presented with a passage of information and asked to determine whether a given conclusion logically follows from the details in the passage. This involves applying rules of logic, attention to detail, and precision to select the correct answer.

Example Question:

"All cats are mammals. Some mammals are nocturnal."

Conclusion: Therefore, some cats are nocturnal.

So, does the conclusion follow the provided statements?

Answer: For this deduction question, the conclusion does not follow, as the provided statement does not mention a direct connection between cats and nocturnal behavior.

Interpretation

With this critical thinking question, you are presented with a passage of information and a proposed conclusion. You need to treat the information as true, interpret it, and determine whether or not that proposed conclusion definitively and logically follows.

In this case, B is the correct choice. It may be possible that individuals with sleep apnea face a personal struggle due to difficulty accepting their condition. However, as the given passage does not explicitly provide a reason, this conclusion cannot be drawn with certainty.

Inferences

In this section, you'll need to draw conclusions based on the provided information on a scenario. Possible interferences will follow, and your task here is to determine to what extent they are true (false, probably false, true, probably true, or more information required) based on the information or data provided in the passage.

Example Question:

“A global study reveals changes in consumer behavior. 41% are looking for ways to save money. While consumers are largely brand-loyal, they seek the best prices. Only 12% have switched to cheaper brands, and 11% have opted for more expensive ones. Online shopping has significantly increased.”

Inferences: Not all consumer behavior is concerned with saving money.

For this proposed interference, the answer is True.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Critical Thinking a Skill?

Yes, critical thinking is a skill that goes beyond basic observation of facts and memorization. It involves the ability to analyze, understand, interpret, question, evaluate, and form judgments about the information you hear, read, say, or write. It can be improved or developed gradually through practice and is essential in problem-solving, decision-making, and academic performance.

Are Critical Thinking Skills Important for IQ Tests?

Yes. Critical thinking is important for performing well on IQ tests. Many IQ tests include sections measuring individuals’ ability to logically reason, analyze, and solve problems, which are components of critical thinking.

What Critical Reasoning Test Can I Be Likely to Take?

Common critical reasoning tests include the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, SHL Critical Reasoning Test, and GMAT Critical Reasoning section. These tests are popularly used in professional and academic settings to assess cognitive abilities.

In conclusion, critical thinking is a vital skill not only for excelling in IQ tests but also for achieving professional success and making effective decisions in everyday life. This critical thinking practice test helps you better understand various question types and how to approach them effectively. To further enhance other skills and abilities, such as numerical, logical, spatial, and verbal reasoning, explore other IQ practice tests and start sharpening them today.