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Logical Reasoning is something you have as an innate quality or something that you can develop. In the process of logical reasoning you use many tools. Some of them are arguments, statements, and axioms. You use logical reasoning to test whether something is true or false. There are various types of logical reasoning. They are namely deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning.

• Deductive reasoning
• Major premise: All dogs are animals
• Minor premise: Terry is a dog
• Conclusion: Terry is an animal
• Deductive reasoning
• Deductive reasoning uses the concept of premises. It uses existing information, rearranges this information, and draws a conclusion.

Inductive reasoning

This type of reasoning uses generalizations. Therefore inductive reasoning is risky. It is like hypothesizing that “all swans are white”. Inductive reasoning does not draw conclusions on meticulous observational results. Rather, it uses generalization results to arrive at the conclusion. So in this example, if a black swan is spotted, this type of reasoning becomes incorrect. However, inductive reasoning is popular and is widely used in physics and philosophy.

Abductive reasoning

Abductive reasoning has similarities with inductive reasoning. An example is as below. Major premise: The bucket is filled with nylon clothes Minor premise: I am holding a nylon cloth in my hand Conclusion: The nylon cloth was taken out of the bucket

Abductive reasoning concludes based on the most plausible probability. Scientists and researchers use this type of reasoning to draw conclusions based on probabilities.

Formal reasoning

It is a type of deductive reasoning. It uses existing information, rearranges it, and arrives at conclusions. No new information is generated.

Informal reasoning

Has all the principles and practices of formal reasoning. Additionally, it uses probabilities and truth analysis to arrive at conclusions.

Logical reasoning is universal

Logical reasoning is often one of the sections in aptitude tests. It is a universal skill. Every job and profession makes use of the theories, principles, and practices of logical reasoning. Good logical reasoning skills are in high demand today. Everyone uses logical reasoning sub-consciously. Learning it and defining it in your everyday work increases your efficiency. You are able to understand information better. Your analytical skills improve. You are able to question and reason information.

Logical reasoning in scientific research

Observation

The initial foundation of logical reasoning is observation. Observing natural phenomenon is the first step towards understanding and hypothesizing.

Theories

Scientists use the principles of logical reasoning to arrive at reasons towards a possible phenomenon. Scientific research inculcates various logical reasoning techniques. Theories are formed out of these computations. Theories are further divided into hypothetical inferences and problems.

Predictions

Logical reasoning helps researchers predict the outcomes of their scientific experiments. Scientists need to test their theories and hypothetical inferences. Prediction-testing is an important constituent of any scientific experiment. Logical reasoning techniques are used extensively in this process.

Data

Logical reasoning in scientific analysis generates test data. This data is used to consolidate the prediction process.

Conclusion

Logical reasoning is the key to scientific experiments and hence enables scientific breakthroughs. Without logical reasoning, scientific analysis may not lead to discovery.

There was a time when pursuing law in India was considered the last resort. But with the rising number of cases and the dearth of finding good legal representation, law has become one of the most premier education courses in the country. The black coat, like the white coat for doctors, sends a sense of pride and passion in today’s youngsters. And with the need for good legal advice and representation, the profession is now rooting forward, with thousands of students pursuing law every year. With the advent of CLAT i.e. the Common Law Admission Test there has been a considerate growth in the field of Law in India, particularly because only the best with potential for the field are undertaken in various law programs throughout the country. CLAT is a centralized test for seeking admission in the protuberant National Law Universities in India. The test can be applied for after Higher Secondary or 12th examination for admission in various undergraduate programs in Law or after Graduation in Law to pursue a postgraduate Law course offered by these National Law Universities. The National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU), first conducted this test on 11th May 2008 with 1037 seats to be filled in the seven law schools across the country. Seven more law schools have been added to this list.

Examination Pattern

1. For Undergraduate Courses:

Examination comprises 200 multiple choice questions required to be answered in a period of 120 minutes. Questions are further divided into-

• English including Comprehension 40 Marks
• General Knowledge/ Current Affairs 50 Marks
• Elementary Mathematics 20 Marks
• Legal Aptitude 50 Marks
• Logical Reasoning 40 Marks

Ideally, English and GK should not take more than 20 minutes, while Mathematics questions must be solved in a time span of 12-15 minutes. Rest of the sections can be completed in 70 minutes. For legal aptitude, give at least 40 minutes. Remember, revision is the key.

2. For Postgraduate Courses:

For seeking admission in postgraduate courses, aspiring students shall attempt the 150 marks test required to be finished in 2 hours. The pattern is as follows:

• 100 Marks (4 questions of 25 marks each) Long Essay Type Descriptive Questions (Covering Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence)
• 50 Marks (50 questions of 1 mark each) Multiple-Choice Questions (Covering all compulsory law subjects prescribed by the BCI for the Under-Graduate Course except Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence)

 In case of a tiebreaker the one having scored higher marks in the Long Essay Type Descriptive Questions Section would be selected.

Admission Criteria

1. For Undergraduate Courses:

The admission allocation to any of the NLU’s is based on merit-cum-preference. Each student is provided with a preference list for institutes s/he seeks for admission. Finally on the basis of the rank obtained in the CLAT test, colleges are allocated in accordance to preferences of the students. Initial allotment list comes with a list of waitlisted candidates with students (selected and waitlisted) asked to deposit a refundable security amount of Rs.50, 000/- with the CLAT office to ensure reservation of their seats in the allotted universities. In case of admission confirmation, fee shall be submitted in respective institution.

2. For Postgraduate Courses:

 The process is similar to graduate courses but centralized and conducted from the CLAT Office at Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (Chhattisgarh).

Scoring and Negative Marking

On an average, a student seeking admission must secure a score of 150-155 by answering 85-90% correct answers of 160-180 questions. For this, one needs to practice well and learn time management.

The scoring also includes negative marking i.e. wherein 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.

Eligibility Criteria

1. For Undergraduate Courses:

• Candidates must have passed higher secondary or an equivalent course from recognized board.
• Minimum requirement of 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST)
• Should be below 20 years of age at time of applying for the exam (22 yr. for SC/ST)
• Candidates awaiting their Higher Secondary results can also apply for the examination, but their admission would be guaranteed only after results.

2. For Postgraduate Courses:

• The candidate must have obtained a LL. B/B. L. Degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized University.
• At least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST)
• Candidates awaiting their University results can also apply for the examination, but admission is guaranteed only after results.
• Candidates having passed with a compartment in any subject are allowed to appear for the examination under the condition that they will have to clear those subjects with 55/50% marks either at the time of their admission or within the timeline allocated by the university.

Important Dates

• Date for the Commencement of Sale of Application Forms – 15th January 2013 (Tuesday)
• Last Date for submission of filled-in Application Forms – 30th March 2013 (Saturday) by 5:00 p.m.
• Date of Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) – 2013 12th May 2013 (Sunday)
• Date of Declaration of Results – 31st May 2013 (Friday)
• Issue of First Provisional Allotment List along with Waiting List – 2nd June 2013 (Sunday)

> Issue of Revised First Provisional Allotment List – 11th   June 2013 (Tuesday)

• Last Date for Fee-deposit with CLAT Office by the candidates of the First Provisional Allotment List and Waiting List to reserve their seats in respective Universities – 7th June 2013 (Friday) by 4:00 p.m.

> Last Date for Fee-deposit with CLAT Office by the Candidates of the Revised First Provisional Allotment List to reserve their seats – 14th June 2013 (Friday) by 4:00 p.m.

• Issue of Second Provisional Allotment List – 11th June 2013 (Tuesday)

> Issue of Second Provisional Allotment List -16th June 2013 (Sunday)

• Issue of Third Provisional Allotment List – 16th June 2013 (Sunday)

>  Issue of Third Provisional Allotment List & Waiting List – 20th June 2013 (Thursday)

• Issue of Fourth Provisional Allotment List (if any) – 20th June 2013 (Thursday)
• Completion of admission formalities at University – 24 – 27th June 2013 (Monday – Thursday)
• Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature for Admission from CLAT Office – 27th June 2013 (Thursday) by 4:00 p.m.
• Closure of Admission Process by CLAT Office – 29th June 2013 (Saturday)

Institutions

The list of participating National Law Universities in order of their establishments is as follows:

1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
2. National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad
3. National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL)
10. Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
11. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
12. National Law University, Odisha (NLUO)
13. National University of Study 6 Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
14. National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)

Career

Career options for law students are ample- including practicing in courts or working for business houses, law firms and consultancies. Since CLAT undertakes only the best, hence the demand for students who have been selected through CLAT has risen in the past few years. Apart from regular careers, law students can opt for careers like Corporate Counselors, Civil/Judicial Services, NGO’s, Academics, Journalism and Entrepreneurship. Law as a field of study has reoriented itself with making lawyers more objects oriented, vibrant, confident, aware and competitive.

Syllabus

1. For Undergraduate Courses:

• English Including Comprehension: With the help of comprehension passages and grammar sections, the candidate’s command on English will be judged. The grammar section will consist of basic grammar based questions such as filling the blanks, correction of incorrect etc.
• General Knowledge and Currents Affairs: Question of current affairs and static general knowledge will judge general awareness of the candidate.
• Mathematics: The section is based on elementary mathematics till class 10th level.
• Legal Aptitude: This section is completely based on the candidate’s way of approaching and dealing with a situation. It comprises several legal principles and a set of related facts, using which the candidate has to derive the most reasonable conclusion. It judges the interest of the candidate towards research, study of law and problem solving ability.
• Logical Reasoning: This section comprises logical reasoning questions, syllogisms, logical sequences, analogies, etc. determining the ability of the candidate to identify logical links, patterns and rectify arguments.

2. For Postgraduate Courses:

• Long Essay Type Descriptive Questions based on Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence, to determine the theoretical knowledge  of the candidate and their ability to use them accordingly.
• Multiple-Choice Questions covering all compulsory law subjects prescribed by the BCI for the Under-Graduate Course except Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence to know whether the student has studied the subjects thoroughly and has complete command over them.

There isn’t denying about the fact that CLAT aims at judging legal caliber of the students along with their ingenuity in treating difficult Situations. The test is one of the most difficult exams in the country. As per the directives from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, (Government of India) and the University Grants Commission of India, CLAT exam is conducted every year in the month of May by each of the law colleges. 

Advertisement

As per the advertisement published on 1st January 2013 (Tuesday), the candidates fulfilling the mentioned eligibility criteria for common law admission test can apply online from 15th January 2013. According to the advertisement the last date for filling of the online application form was till 30th March 2013.

Admit Card

The Admit Card / Hall Ticket can be easily downloaded by visiting the official page of the CLAT exam i.e. www.clat.ac.in, where you just need to enter your registration number along with your date of birth and the CLAT Hall Ticket is generated for download.

Result

The results of the 2013 CAT exams will be announced on 31st May 13, 2013 (Friday). Following this the candidates will be able to download their scorecards from the CLAT’s official website. This scorecard is an important document required at the time of counseling and admission at the various IIMs.

There isn’t denying the fact that CLAT aims at judging the legal caliber of the students along with their ingenuity in treating difficult situations. The test is one of the most difficult exams in the country. As per the directives from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, (Government of India) and the University Grants Commission of India, CLAT exam is conducted every year in the month of May by each of the law colleges.

India’s post-recession resilience and rapid transformation from being an agriculture-based economy to a business oriented economy has inspired thousands of students to take up MBA programs at India’s leading business schools such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian School of Business (ISB). CAT or Common Admission Test is one of the largest and the most popular aptitude tests, in the country which is used as a criterion to shortlist applicants for admissions to the cream of premier business-schools of the country, the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management). This exam is one of the world’s most demanding entrance examinations for any prospective management student. CAT is a 155 min examination that requires a candidate to work at breakneck speed and those who cannot comply with this speed and efficiency get rejected. You can judge the seriousness or rather the toughness of the exam from the very fact that only 3 out of 100 students are selected through this entrance exam.

Examination Pattern

The CAT exam consists of two sections:

• Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
• Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning

A candidate is required to implement both the sections sequentially with separate time limits for each. 70 min are provided to candidates for attempting 30 questions within each section. Candidates will only be allowed to move from the first section to the other after the completion of 70 min given for the first one. After this shift, one wouldn’t be able to go back to the previous part. Students can review the answers anytime while attempting any section within the time limit allotted for that segment.

Before the commencement of the test a 15 tutorial would be provided to the candidates to make them aware of the procedures of the test. Students are advised to go through this tutorial very seriously as it helps in familiarizing one with the screens, layout, and navigation that applies to the test. At the exam venue, candidates would sit at an individual desk with a computer terminal. One is only allowed to make calculations and do rough work on the scratch sheets provided at the exam center. There are no breaks in between the test and the students are required to leave the scratch sheets behind after the completion of the examination.

Admission criteria

The admission criteria for the admission in the various IIMs are based on two stages of selection:

• CAT exam ranking
• Personalized selection procedure that varies from institute to institute

The second stage includes processes like Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). The evaluation parameters vary across the various IIMs and a student is selected based on their CAT ranking, performance at the second stage of the selection procedure, previous academic performances, relevant work experience and other similar inputs.

Scoring and negative marking

The scoring parameters of the CAT exam are based on a three step industry-standard psychometrically sound process, which is outlined as follows:

1. Calculation of raw score:

• +3 points for right answers
• -1 point for wrong answers
• 0 point for questions one did not answer

2. Equating the raw score

This is a statistical process that involves the adjusting of scores from 2 or more forms of selection so that the score can be used interchangeably. The industry standards for equating are based on the ones provided by the TS Standards for Quality and Fairness.

3. Scaling of the equated scores

So that the equated scores are appropriately interpreted, they are placed on a common scale or metric and the scaling is done using the linear transformation process.

Scaling Model

• Section Scores = 0 to 225
• Total Exam Score = 0 to 450

All candidates are presented with 3 scaled scores out of which one is an overall scaled score and the other two are the separate scaled scores for each section. The candidates are provided with percentile rankings for each of the individual sections as well as the overall exam score. Remember, a higher score in one section doesn’t ensure a high score in the other.

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must be a graduate with 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% in case of SC/ST/DA/PWD) or holds an equivalent qualification acknowledged by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s degree / equivalent qualification examination or those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. In such cases the candidate is required to submit a provisional certificate, latest by June 30, 2013 from the Principal/Registrar of his/her College/Institute (issued on or before June 30, 2013) stating that the candidate has completed all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of the issue of the certificate.

Reservation

• 15% – Scheduled Caste (SC)
• 7½% – Scheduled Tribe (ST)
• 27% – Other Backward Classes (OBC)
• 3% – Differently Able (DA)

Important Dates

• Registration Process: Details will be available from 5.00 PM on 3/8/2013
• Online Registration/Voucher Sale: 5th August 2013 to 24th September 2013
• Registration Open: 5th August 2013
• Registration Closed: 26th September 2013 
• CAT Test Dates: 16th October 2013 to 11th November 2013
• Results: 14th January 2014

Institutions

The list of participating National Law Universities in order of their establishments is as follows:

1. Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
2. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
3. Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
4. Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
5. Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
6. Indian Institute of Management, Indore
7. Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
8. Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak
9. Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
10. Indian Institute of Management, Raipur
11. Indian Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli
12. Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur
13. Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur

Careers

Before discussing the various career options that one can avail by cracking CAT exam, it is very important to know that whether you crack it or not, by the end you will have a wealth of information that can be put to practical usage in other areas of your studies and career.

Basically students aspiring to pursue MBA at India’s most reputed management colleges, undertake CAT. After the completion of MBA a thousand doors of opportunities open up for these management freshers with an amazing pay scale waiting to be grabbed by them. After MBA the management postgraduates become ready to be succumbed in various fields like banking, medicine, travel, entertainment, export etc. One can become an entrepreneur after studying in IIM.

Syllabus

1. Quantitative Ability Syllabus

• Number Systems
• LCM and HCF
• Percentages
• Profit, Loss and Discount
• Interest (Simple and Compound)
• Speed, Time and Distance
• Time and Work
• Averages
• Ratio and Proportion
• Linear Equations
• Quadratic Equations
• Complex Numbers
• Logarithm
• Progressions (Sequences & Series)
• Binomial Theorem
• Surds and Indices
• Inequalities
• Permutation and Combination
• Probability
• Functions
• Set Theory
• Mixtures and Alligations
• Geometry
• Co-ordinate Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Mensuration

2. Data Interpretation

• Tables
• Column Graphs
• Bar Graphs
• Line Charts
• Pie Chart
• Venn Diagrams
• Caselets

3. Logical Reasoning

• Number and Letter Series
• Calendars
• Clocks
• Cubes
• Venn Diagrams
• Binary Logic
• Seating Arrangement
• Logical Sequence
• Logical Matching
• Logical Connectives
• Syllogism
• Blood Relations

4. Verbal Ability Types of Questions

• Vocabulary Based (Synonyms Antonyms)
• English Usage or Grammar
• Sentence Correction
• Fill in the blanks
• Cloze Passage
• Analogies or Reverse Analogies
• Jumbled Paragraph
• Meaning-Usage Match
• Summary Questions
• Verbal Reasoning
• Facts / Inferences / Judgments
• Reading Comprehension

5. English Vocabulary

6. English Grammar

7. Verbal Reasoning

Having gone through all the above stated information one needs to think elaborately before applying for CAT exams, as it needs months of hard work and complete dedication to be able to compete in it. Do not be over confident while thinking that you can nail it with 100% accuracy, as it’s practically very tough. Grasp a firm hold on the subjects you think you are good at and then try to cover up the rest of the syllabus. Remember, 40-50 of accuracy in the CAT examination can get you through it.

Advertisement

This year, the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission in the postgraduate management programmes of the Indian Institutes of Management is going to be held from October 16 to November 11, 2013. Exam’s vouchers will be available at selected Axis Bank branches from July 29 to September 24, 2013 while the registration date is from July 29 to September 26, 2013. The elaborate advertisement is expected to come out in the month of July.

Admit Card

The Admit Card / Hall Ticket is generated automatically and sent to your email once you have completed the online registration process. This process consists of 2 steps, which are as follows:

• Fill-in, review, and submit your personal information. After this an automated confirmation email, containing your Application Summary, is sent to the email address provided by you.
• Schedule your test date, test time, and venue. After a 2nd automated confirmation email, containing your Admit Card/Hall Ticket is sent to the email address provided by you.

After having received your Admit Card, read it carefully and verify all the information. You should then print a copy of it, since it’s mandatory to carry a print out of your Admit Card to the test center. One wouldn’t be allowed to sit for the test without having his/her Admit Card.

Result

The results of the 2013 CAT exams will be out on 14th January 2014.