The Identifying Assumptions and Conclusions part of the Civil Service Examination is widely regarded as one of the most challenging sections of the test. It measures your ability to think critically, evaluate arguments, and distinguish between what is stated, implied, and logically inferred.
In this section, you will be asked to read short statements or arguments and identify the assumption that supports the conclusion, or determine which conclusion logically follows from the given assumptions.
An assumption is an unstated premise — something that must be true for the argument or conclusion to make sense. A conclusion, on the other hand, is a judgment or decision reached based on one or more premises or assumptions.
In this practice test, you’ll encounter several short passages followed by multiple-choice questions. Click the START QUIZ button below to begin the test and evaluate your logical reasoning skills.
Understanding Assumptions and Conclusions
Assumptions are like the hidden links between evidence and conclusions. They are not directly stated in the passage but are necessary for the argument to hold true.
Example:
All government employees must wear IDs.
Liza is a government employee.
Conclusion: Liza must wear an ID.
Here, the assumption is that the rule applies to everyone without exception.
If that assumption is false, the conclusion might not hold.
Tips for Finding Assumptions and Conclusions
Understanding how to find assumptions and conclusions is key to mastering logical reasoning questions in the Civil Service Exam. Below are some detailed tips with short explanations and examples to help you recognize valid reasoning and eliminate wrong options.
1. Look for the Missing Link
An assumption is information not directly stated in the argument but must be true for the conclusion to make sense.
It’s the “bridge” that connects the given facts to the conclusion.
Example:
Statement: All teachers are hardworking.
Conclusion: Mr. Cruz is hardworking because he is a teacher.
Here, the assumption is that the general rule “all teachers are hardworking” truly applies to every teacher, including Mr. Cruz.
2. Check the Logical Connection
The conclusion must be based on the given premise(s) or assumptions. If the answer has no clear connection to what’s stated, it’s likely incorrect.
Tip: Rephrase the argument in your own words. Ask yourself, “Does this conclusion really follow from what’s said?”
3. Eliminate Off-Topic Answers
If a choice introduces a new or unrelated idea, eliminate it right away. Logical reasoning questions only test what is within the scope of the statement.
Example:
If the argument is about education reform, any choice discussing environmental issues is off-topic and should be ignored.
4. Avoid Overly Broad or Opposite Choices
Some wrong options are too general or contradict the original statement.
Always choose the answer that stays consistent with the main argument.
Example:
If the statement says, “Some employees prefer working remotely,”
then a conclusion saying “All employees dislike office work” is too broad and invalid.
5. Connect Evidence to Conclusion
The correct assumption must clearly link the evidence to the conclusion.
Ask: “What must be true for this conclusion to be valid?”
Try forming a sentence like: “If this assumption is false, will the argument still work?”
If the argument collapses, then that’s the key assumption.
6. Identify Cause-and-Effect Relationships
Many arguments rely on causality — one event leading to another.
Determine whether the conclusion truly results from the circumstances given in the assumption.
Example:
Statement: “People who sleep well perform better at work.”
Conclusion: “Lack of sleep causes poor job performance.”
Here, the assumption is that sleep directly affects work quality, not other factors.
7. Look for Clue Words
Words like therefore, because, hence, so, implies, and thus often signal a conclusion.
Statements before these words are usually assumptions or premises, while what follows is the conclusion.
8. Keep Reasoning Simple and Logical
Avoid overthinking or adding new information. Stick to what is logically necessary for the argument to hold true.
The correct answer should make the reasoning sound complete and coherent.
9. Practice Reading Between the Lines
These questions often test how well you can see the hidden meaning behind a statement.
Look for what the author implies but does not say outright — that’s usually the assumption.
Final Tip
When in doubt, reread the argument and ask yourself:
“If this assumption were false, would the conclusion still be valid?”
If the answer is no, you’ve found the right assumption.