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SSC CGL Reasoning · Statement-Based Reasoning

Statement and Conclusions

A short statement and two conclusions or inferences: a conclusion follows only if the statement says it or plainly implies it, without adding anything new.

All Statement-Based Reasoning notes

Why this matters

Twenty-nine questions in the bank, all from the 2025 shifts, with 23 EASY and 6 MODERATE. The wrong conclusions are almost always ones that go further than the statement, so the skill is spotting the word or idea the statement never gave you.

Concept 1 of 2: What the statement does and does not say

Treat the statement as the only fact you know, even if real life suggests more. A conclusion follows if it restates the statement or is the plain meaning behind it. It fails if it needs a fact the statement never gave, claims more than the statement does, or says the opposite.

Definition

  • Follows: says the same thing in other words, or is the direct, obvious meaning (a closed library cannot be used).
  • Does not follow: adds a new fact, cause or forecast; goes from "some" or "most" to "all"; or contradicts the statement.
  • Warning words: all, only, never, always, must, will certainly. A conclusion with one of these usually claims more than the statement does.
  • Softer words: may, can, likely. A conclusion worded this way often follows when the statement points that way.
  • Fast route: test each conclusion with one question: "Could the statement be true and this conclusion false?" If yes, it does not follow.

Worked example

Statement: The museum is closed every Monday. Conclusions: I. The museum is open on Tuesday. II. Visitors cannot enter the museum on a Monday. Which conclusions follow?
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SSC CGL · 2025 · Tier I, 15 Sep 2025, Shift 2 · Q11Easy

Example 1 · Statement-Based Reasoning · Statement and Conclusions

Read the following statement carefully and identify the conclusion that follows. Statement: The school library is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Conclusions: I. Students can borrow books after 5 PM. II. The library is not accessible before 9 AM.

Using what you know instead of what is stated

A conclusion can be true in real life and still not follow. If the statement does not give it, it does not follow, however sensible it sounds.

Turning "affects" into "prevents"

"Noise affects children's concentration" does not mean children cannot study at all. A conclusion that turns a partial effect into a total one goes too far.
Drill 26 more on what the statement does and does not say

Concept 2 of 2: Applying a stated rule or criterion

Some questions give a set of rules, such as the conditions for a job, and a case. The answer is a check, condition by condition: the case passes only if it meets every one.

Definition

1. List the conditions one by one: marks, speed, certificate, age. 2. Check the case against each. A range such as "18 to 28 years" includes both ends. 3. The case is eligible only if every condition is met. If one fails, the answer names that condition.

  • Fast route: check the conditions in the order the options name them, and stop at the first that fails.

Worked example

Conditions: a graduate with at least 55% marks, aged 21 to 30, with a driving licence. Case: Meena is a graduate with 58% marks, aged 31, and has a licence. Is she eligible?
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SSC CGL · 2025 · Tier I, 22 Sep 2025, Shift 1 · Q16Easy

Example 2 · Statement-Based Reasoning · Statement and Conclusions

Eligibility Criteria: Should have passed 12th with minimum 60% marks. 40 WPM typing speed is a must. Should have completed certificate course in Typing or Data Entry. Age should be between 18 to 28 years only. Case: Raj has passed 12th with 65%, possesses a 38 WPM typing speed, and is a certified Data Entry professional. He is 24 years old.

Reading a range as excluding its ends

"Between 18 and 28 years" in these questions includes 18 and 28. A candidate exactly at an end meets the condition.

Stopping after the conditions that pass

A case that meets three conditions and misses the fourth is not eligible. Check every condition before you mark a case eligible.
Drill 1 more on applying a stated rule or criterion

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

Watch out for (4)

Test yourself on Statement-Based Reasoning

20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.

Take the Statement-Based Reasoning chapter testDrill all 29 questions