Verbal Reasoning Examples
Verbal reasoning tests measure your ability to read a short passage and evaluate statements based only on what is written — not what you already know. Here are the key question types, worked examples and strategies to improve your score.
What is verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning tests present a short passage of text followed by one or more statements. Your task is to decide whether each statement is True, False or Cannot Say based solely on the information in the passage — not based on general knowledge or personal opinion.
EPSO verbal reasoning tests include 20 questions with a 35-minute time limit — approximately 105 seconds per question. Passages are typically 80-150 words long and cover business, policy or general professional topics.
Understanding True, False and Cannot Say
The most important skill in verbal reasoning is knowing when to use each answer option. Many candidates confuse False and Cannot Say, which are fundamentally different.
The statement is directly supported by the passage. The information in the passage confirms that the statement is correct. It does not need to be word-for-word — a valid paraphrase counts as True.
The passage contains information that directly contradicts the statement. False means the passage actively disproves it — not just that the passage does not mention it.
There is not enough information in the passage to confirm or deny the statement. The passage neither supports nor contradicts it. This is the most misused option — if the passage is simply silent on the topic, the answer is Cannot Say, not False.
Worked example
Read the passage below and evaluate each statement using only the information provided.
1. The programme is available in all EU member states.
2. Adults over 30 can participate in the training free of charge.
3. The programme has already trained 200,000 adults as of 2025.
4. Organisations must obtain accreditation to deliver the training.
The most common mistakes in verbal reasoning
Verbal reasoning tests assess what the passage says — not what you know about the topic. Even if a statement is factually true in the real world, if the passage does not confirm it, the answer is Cannot Say.
False means the passage actively contradicts the statement. If the passage simply does not mention something, the answer is Cannot Say — not False.
Key qualifiers like "some", "all", "most", "never" and "only" completely change the meaning of a statement. Missing one word can lead to a wrong answer on an otherwise straightforward question.
In EPSO verbal tests, some passages are harder than others. If you cannot determine the answer after reading the passage twice, make your best guess and move on.
How to approach verbal reasoning questions
- Read the passage once without looking at the statements. Get a general understanding of the topic, structure and key facts before reading what you are asked to evaluate.
- Read each statement carefully. Pay attention to every word — especially quantifiers like "all", "some", "never", "always", "only" and "most". These are often the key to the correct answer.
- Find the relevant sentence in the passage. Go back to the passage and locate the specific sentence that relates to the statement. Do not rely on memory.
- Apply the True / False / Cannot Say rule strictly. Ask yourself: does the passage confirm this? Does it contradict it? Or is it simply silent on the matter?
- Never bring in outside knowledge. Even if you know the topic well, your answer must be based entirely on what the passage says. Treat each passage as a self-contained world.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in an EPSO verbal reasoning test?
EPSO verbal reasoning tests typically include 20 questions with a 35-minute time limit — approximately 105 seconds per question.
Is verbal reasoning the same as reading comprehension?
They are closely related but not identical. Reading comprehension tests often ask you to summarise or interpret a text freely. Verbal reasoning tests require a strict True / False / Cannot Say judgement based only on the passage — no interpretation or inference beyond what is stated.
Can non-native English speakers do well on verbal reasoning tests?
Yes. The passages used in EPSO verbal tests are written in formal, clear English. The key skill is careful reading and logical evaluation — not advanced vocabulary or literary analysis. Regular practice with the True / False / Cannot Say format helps non-native speakers significantly.
What is the pass mark for EPSO verbal reasoning?
EPSO does not publish exact pass marks, but candidates typically need to score 50-60% or higher to advance in the pre-selection stage. Given 20 questions, aiming for 12-14 correct is a reasonable target.
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