Master Inference Questions
Distinguish must-be-true from inference, spot extreme language traps, and apply the half-step forward rule. Your path to 90%+ accuracy starts here.
📚 Inference Question Flashcards
Master must-be-true logic and inference strategies
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🎯 Test Your Inference Skills
5 CAT-style questions with detailed explanations
🎉 Test Complete!
Urban gardens have become increasingly popular in metropolitan areas over the past decade. These gardens, typically established on vacant lots or rooftops, provide fresh produce to local residents who might otherwise lack access to affordable vegetables. Studies conducted in three major cities show that neighborhoods with community gardens report 15% lower rates of diet-related health issues compared to similar neighborhoods without such facilities. The gardens also serve social functions, creating spaces where neighbors interact and share gardening knowledge. However, the long-term sustainability of these projects depends heavily on continued funding and volunteer participation, both of which fluctuate significantly.
Based on the passage, which of the following must be true?
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage explicitly states that neighborhoods with community gardens report 15% lower rates of diet-related health issues compared to similar neighborhoods without them. This directly supports option B, which carefully states that gardens have “contributed to improved health outcomes in some urban neighborhoods.”
Option A – Future Prediction Trap: The passage mentions growth over the “past decade” but makes no guarantees about future expansion.
Option C – Scope Distortion Trap: The passage says gardens provide produce to residents who “might otherwise lack access,” but never claims all neighborhoods without gardens have poor access.
Option D – Extreme Language Trap: “Most effective” is too strong. The passage reports positive outcomes but never compares to other solutions.
The development of quantum computing represents a significant shift from classical computing architectures. Unlike classical computers that process information in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use quantum bits or “qubits” that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This property, called superposition, allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical machines. However, quantum computers are not universal replacements for classical systems. They excel at specific tasks such as cryptographic analysis, molecular modeling, and optimization problems, but perform poorly at routine operations like word processing or web browsing. Current quantum computers also require extremely cold operating temperatures—near absolute zero—making them impractical for widespread consumer use. For the foreseeable future, quantum and classical computers will likely serve complementary rather than competing roles.
Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The author explicitly states that quantum computers “perform poorly at routine operations like word processing or web browsing” and require impractical operating temperatures for consumer use. The passage concludes that quantum and classical computers will serve “complementary rather than competing roles.” This supports the inference that the author views quantum computing as having limitations for everyday tasks.
Option A – Future Overreach Trap: The passage says quantum and classical computers will serve “complementary” roles, directly contradicting the claim that quantum will “replace all” classical systems.
Option C – Conditional Misreading Trap: While cold temperatures are mentioned as a limitation, the passage never suggests room-temperature operation would make classical computers obsolete.
Option D – Opposite Trap: The passage explicitly states quantum computers excel at “specific tasks” but “perform poorly” at routine operations, contradicting “for all types of calculations.”
Contemporary debates about artificial intelligence often focus on technical capabilities while overlooking deeper philosophical questions about consciousness and agency. When we ask whether AI systems can “understand” language or “make decisions,” we’re importing terms developed to describe human cognition into a fundamentally different context. Human understanding emerges from embodied experience—our concepts of “hot” or “fast” connect to physical sensations and spatial movement. AI systems process statistical patterns in data without any connection to physical experience. This doesn’t make AI less capable at specific tasks, but it does suggest that terms like “understanding” or “thinking” may not accurately describe what these systems do. The real question isn’t whether AI can think like humans, but whether we’re conflating functional similarity with cognitive equivalence. Our tendency to anthropomorphize sophisticated tools may prevent us from recognizing genuinely novel forms of intelligence.
The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The author argues that we’re “importing terms developed to describe human cognition into a fundamentally different context” and that our “tendency to anthropomorphize sophisticated tools may prevent us from recognizing genuinely novel forms of intelligence.” Option B captures this concern that using human cognitive language may obscure how AI actually works.
Option A – Extreme Conclusion Trap: While the author discusses differences between human embodied experience and AI’s pattern processing, they never claim AI “will never achieve true understanding.” The passage questions whether “understanding” is the right term.
Option C – Opposite Stance Trap: The passage opens by saying technical debates “overlook deeper philosophical questions,” suggesting the author values philosophical discussion.
Option D – Value Judgment Addition Trap: The author never claims human intelligence is “superior” to AI. They argue the two are fundamentally different and shouldn’t be conflated.
The gig economy’s rise has sparked intense debate about worker classification and labor protections. Companies like Uber and DoorDash classify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees, a distinction that affects access to benefits, minimum wage guarantees, and legal protections. Proponents argue this model provides flexibility that workers value and couldn’t exist under traditional employment structures. Critics counter that this “flexibility” often means unpredictable income and lack of safety nets, with the real beneficiaries being companies that avoid traditional employer obligations. Several court cases have challenged these classifications, with mixed results. What’s clear is that current labor law, developed for the industrial economy, struggles to accommodate work arrangements where individuals simultaneously serve multiple platforms, set their own hours, but operate within algorithmic management systems that control pricing and performance metrics.
Based on the passage, which of the following must be true?
✓ Correct! Option C is the answer.
Why C is correct: The passage explicitly states that “current labor law, developed for the industrial economy, struggles to accommodate work arrangements” characteristic of the gig economy. This directly supports option C’s claim that labor laws haven’t kept pace with new work arrangements.
Option A – Unsupported Generalization Trap: The passage says “proponents argue” that the model provides valued flexibility, but this is presented as one side’s claim, not verified fact about what “most” workers prefer.
Option B – Motive Assumption Trap: While the passage notes contractor classification means companies “avoid traditional employer obligations,” it never states this is the “primary” reason for the classification.
Option D – Future Prediction Trap: The passage mentions “several court cases with mixed results” but makes no claim about what will “eventually” happen.
The concept of “authenticity” in folk music has always been more constructed than purists acknowledge. When collectors like Alan Lomax recorded rural musicians in the 1930s and 40s, they sought what they considered “pure” traditional music untainted by commercial influences. Yet these same musicians had been exposed to radio broadcasts, traveling shows, and commercial recordings for decades. The songs Lomax preserved as “authentic” were often recent compositions or creative adaptations rather than ancient traditions passed down unchanged. More problematically, the search for authenticity imposed artificial boundaries on living musical traditions, discouraging the innovation and cross-pollination that had always characterized folk music. By freezing these traditions in an imagined “pure” state, collectors paradoxically undermined the very vitality they claimed to preserve. The irony is that the most “authentic” aspect of folk music—its constant evolution and adaptation—was precisely what authenticity seekers worked to suppress.
The author’s argument suggests which of the following?
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The author argues that folk music’s “most authentic aspect” was its “constant evolution and adaptation,” which authenticity seekers “worked to suppress.” The passage describes how collectors’ attempts to freeze traditions in a “pure state” undermined the music’s vitality. Option B captures this central paradox—that preservation efforts contradicted the adaptive nature they should have recognized.
Option A – Extreme Value Judgment Trap: While the author criticizes Lomax’s conception of authenticity, the passage never claims his work “had no value.” The critique is about conceptual problems with authenticity, not a wholesale dismissal of documentation efforts.
Option C – Overextension Trap: The author criticizes how preservation efforts imposed “artificial boundaries” and suppressed evolution, but never suggests documentation attempts should be abandoned entirely.
Option D – Time Comparison Addition Trap: The passage never compares modern folk musicians to 1930s-40s musicians in terms of authenticity. The author’s point is that the concept of “authenticity” itself is problematic.
💡 Master Inference Questions: Strategic Approach
Proven techniques to boost accuracy from 60% to 90%+ in 14 days
The Two-Question Framework
Before analyzing options, identify what type of inference question you’re facing. This determines your verification method.
Must-Be-True Questions: Look for explicit line evidence. The passage must 100% support the answer. Use the author agreement test: Would the author agree with this statement based solely on what’s written?
Inference Questions: Look for the half-step forward. What’s the next logical idea that extends the passage’s argument? Check tone first, then verify the inference stays within scope.
If the question asks “must be true” or “according to the passage” → Work backwards, find line evidence. If it asks “the author would most likely agree” or “can be inferred” → Identify tone first, then find the conservative extension.
The 5-Trap Recognition System
After solving 20 inference questions, you’ll notice CAT reuses the same trap patterns. Train yourself to flag these in 5-10 seconds:
- Outside Scope (40% of wrong answers): Introduces information the passage never addressed. Apply the scope test immediately.
- Opposite Trap (25%): States the reverse of what the passage argues but uses similar vocabulary. Always check direction, not just topic.
- Extreme Language (20%): Words like “always,” “never,” “only,” “all.” Unless the passage uses these terms, eliminate.
- Partial Truth (10%): Half supported, half not. Verify the ENTIRE option, not just the recognizable part.
- Irrelevant Detail (5%): Mentions passage content but draws unsupported conclusions. Detail’s presence ≠ validation of claims about it.
After each question, write down trap types: “A—outside scope, C—extreme language, D—opposite.” Do this for 20 questions. Your brain will start auto-flagging patterns.
Work Backwards: The Line Evidence Method
For must-be-true questions, never read the passage first trying to remember everything. This wastes 20-30 seconds per question.
Efficient Process:
- Read the question stem to confirm it’s must-be-true
- Read all four options quickly (15-20 seconds)
- For each option, scan the passage for supporting lines
- Find evidence → Check for distortions → Apply author agreement test
- Select answer and move on
This backwards approach saves 15-20 seconds per question because you’re hunting for specific evidence instead of trying to hold the entire passage in memory.
Before selecting any answer, physically point to (or mentally note) the lines that support it. If you can’t cite specific lines, you’re likely choosing wrong. Build this habit over 20 practice questions.
Tone Matching for Inference Questions
Tone mismatches account for 30% of wrong answers in inference questions. Master this skill and boost accuracy by 20%.
The Strategy: Read just the first and last paragraphs. Identify the author’s attitude in 30 seconds: positive, negative, skeptical, critical, or neutral. Then eliminate any options that clash with that tone BEFORE analyzing content.
Examples:
- Author writes skeptically about AI → Eliminate optimistic options immediately
- Author is neutral and analytical → Eliminate emotional or extreme options
- Author criticizes a theory → Inference won’t suddenly support that theory
After tone-based elimination, you’re usually down to 2 options. Then apply the half-step rule: which option extends the argument conservatively without jumping three steps forward?
Tone-first strategy eliminates 1-2 options in 10 seconds, leaving you 60-70 seconds for deeper analysis of remaining options. This prevents overthinking and improves accuracy.
The Complete Guide: From Theory to Mastery
You’ve practiced the flashcards. You’ve tested yourself. Now understand why the strategies work—and how to distinguish must-be-true from inference with 95% accuracy.
Understanding RC Inference Questions in CAT Reading Comprehension
RC inference questions form the backbone of logical reasoning in CAT’s VARC section. These questions test whether you can extract what must be true from a passage versus what the author would most likely believe. The distinction matters because one wrong word can turn a correct answer into a trap.
Most test-takers treat inference and must-be-true questions as identical. They’re not. Must-be-true questions demand 100% logical guarantee from the passage. Inference questions ask for the next logical step the author would take. Miss this distinction, and you’ll pick answers that sound reasonable but fail the passage’s specific requirements.
The key challenge? CAT designs wrong answers to exploit exactly this confusion. An option might be true in real life but unsupported by the passage. Another might take the passage three steps forward when inference demands only half a step. Understanding these nuances separates 90th percentile scorers from the rest.
Pause & Reflect
Before reading further: Can you explain the difference between must-be-true and inference in one sentence?
If you struggled, you’re in good company. Must-be-true = 100% logically guaranteed, you can point to specific lines. Inference = the next logical step the author would take, staying within scope and tone.
This distinction determines your entire verification process. Must-be-true works backwards (find line evidence). Inference works forward (identify tone, then extend conservatively).
Different question types demand different verification methods. One size does NOT fit all.
What Makes a Statement “Must Be True”?
Must-be-true questions have one non-negotiable requirement: the answer must be 100% logically guaranteed by the passage. Not likely. Not probable. Guaranteed.
Here’s your primary test: Would the author agree with this statement based solely on what’s written? If you cannot point to specific lines that verify the claim, it’s not must-be-true. The passage must explicitly support it, even if that support comes from combining two separate points.
Key Test: Can you locate the exact lines that make this statement true? If not, eliminate it immediately.
Watch for extreme language. Words like “always,” “never,” “only,” “all,” or “impossible” rarely appear in correct answers unless the passage itself uses such terms. Must-be-true answers are precise, not sweeping. They match the passage’s scope exactly.
Check for distortions. If the passage says “A leads to B,” an option claiming “A leads to C” is wrong even if B and C seem related. The passage didn’t establish that relationship. Don’t assume connections the author didn’t make.
Example:
Passage: “The new policy reduced urban pollution by 30% in six months.”
Must-be-true: “Urban pollution decreased after the policy’s implementation.”
NOT must-be-true: “The policy will continue reducing pollution.” (Future claim, not guaranteed)
Test Your Understanding
Quick check: If a passage says “Most economists support the theory,” can you infer “All economists recognize the theory’s validity”?
No! This is the extreme language trap in action.
“Most economists” ≠ “All economists.” The passage qualified its claim with “most.” The option removed that qualifier and claimed “all.” This is scope distortion—making absolute what the passage kept conditional.
Any option that removes qualifiers (“some,” “many,” “most”) or adds absolutes (“all,” “none,” “always”) is suspect. Verify the passage uses those same terms.
The Half-Step Forward Rule for Inference Questions
RC inference questions operate differently. They ask: What would the author most likely believe? What’s the next logical idea that extends the passage’s argument?
Think half a step forward, not three steps. The correct inference stays tightly connected to what’s written. It might combine ideas from paragraphs 2 and 4, but it won’t introduce concepts the passage never touched. It extends the author’s thinking without jumping to new territory.
Tone consistency is critical. If the author writes skeptically about a technology, the correct inference won’t suddenly be optimistic. Identify the author’s attitude first—positive, negative, skeptical, critical, neutral—then eliminate options that clash with that tone.
Pro Tip: Inference answers feel like the sentence that should come next if the passage continued for one more line.
Inferences can synthesize information from multiple parts of the passage. That’s normal. But they stay within the passage’s scope and timeframe. No scope shifts. No time shifts. If the passage discusses 19th-century literature, the inference won’t jump to modern publishing.
What the passage implies matters more than what’s likely in real life. You’re inferring what this author, given this argument, would believe. Not what’s generally true. Not what experts think. What this specific passage supports.
Strategy in Action
Imagine a passage criticizes AI’s limitations in understanding context. The author is skeptical but analytical. Which inference is correct?
Correct: “Current AI systems face challenges that require addressing before widespread deployment.”
Wrong: “AI will revolutionize all industries within the next decade.”
Why? The first matches the skeptical-but-analytical tone. It extends the critique conservatively. The second contradicts the skepticism entirely—it’s optimistic where the author was cautious.
Eliminate options that clash with author’s attitude BEFORE analyzing content. This cuts your decision time by 30%.
Common Traps in RC Inference Questions
Five traps appear repeatedly in RC inference questions. Learn to spot them in seconds.
Outside Scope Trap: The option introduces information the passage never addressed. It might be factually correct, but if the passage didn’t cover it, it’s wrong. Classic example: passage about urban farming, option about industrial agriculture. Related topics, but scope has shifted.
Opposite Trap: The option states the reverse of what the passage argues. Sounds obvious, but CAT makes it subtle. The passage criticizes a theory’s limitations; the option says the theory has been validated. Test-takers miss the reversal because both use similar vocabulary.
Extreme Language Trap: Words like “only,” “always,” “never,” “all,” “none,” or “impossible” should trigger immediate skepticism. Unless the passage itself uses such definitive language, these options overreach what can be properly inferred.
Example of Extreme Trap:
Passage: “Most historians agree the event was significant.”
Extreme Trap: “All historians recognize the event’s importance.” (Changes “most” to “all”)
Partial Truth Trap: Half the option is supported by the passage, half isn’t. Test-takers see the supported half and select it without checking the full statement. Always verify the entire option, not just the recognizable part.
Irrelevant Detail Trap: The option mentions something from the passage but draws a conclusion the passage doesn’t support. Just because Detail X appears in the passage doesn’t mean Claim Y about Detail X is correct.
Reality Check
Be honest: How often do you actively hunt for trap patterns versus just selecting what “sounds right”?
Most students rely on intuition. 99+ percentilers systematically eliminate.
When you train yourself to flag “outside scope,” “extreme language,” or “opposite” in 5 seconds, you’re not guessing—you’re pattern matching. These traps appear in 85% of wrong answers. Miss them, and you’re gambling.
The fix? After each question, classify why each wrong answer is wrong. Write it down. Do this for 20 questions. Your brain will start auto-flagging these patterns.
Your goal isn’t to find the right answer. It’s to eliminate 3 wrong answers systematically, leaving only 1 standing.
The Author Agreement Framework
For must-be-true questions, apply this three-step verification process every single time.
Step 1: Locate Line Evidence
Find the specific sentences that relate to the option. Can’t find them? The option is likely wrong. Must-be-true answers always have textual support you can point to.
Step 2: Check for Distortions
Does the option change any relationships the passage established? Does it generalize what the passage kept specific? Does it add qualifiers the passage didn’t use? Any alteration means it’s not must-be-true.
Step 3: Apply the Author Agreement Test
Would the author, based on what they wrote, agree with this statement? Not “could they agree” or “might they agree.” Would they agree based on the passage’s content?
Reality Check: If you’re choosing between two options and can’t decide, check which one requires less interpretation. Must-be-true answers need minimal inference.
Prefer precise options over broad ones. An option covering lines 15-20 of the passage is more defensible than one making claims about the passage’s overall thesis. Narrow beats wide for must-be-true questions.
Strategic Approach to Mastering Both Question Types
Start by identifying the question type. “Must be true according to the passage” demands different analysis than “The author would most likely agree.” The first wants guaranteed facts, the second wants logical extensions.
For must-be-true questions, work backwards. Read the options first, then scan the passage for supporting evidence. This is faster than reading the whole passage and trying to remember which lines matter. Find the evidence, verify it’s accurate, select the answer.
For inference questions, understand the author’s position first. What’s their main argument? What’s their tone? Then evaluate options against that baseline. Eliminate anything that contradicts the author’s stance or jumps too far from their reasoning.
Track time ruthlessly. If you spend 90 seconds on an inference question and still can’t decide between two options, pick the one that stays closest to the passage’s explicit content. Extreme inferences are usually wrong.
Time Breakdown:
Must-be-true: 60-75 seconds (faster because evidence is explicit)
Inference: 75-90 seconds (requires more synthesis and tone analysis)
Practice identifying trap patterns. After solving 20-30 inference questions, you’ll notice CAT reuses the same trap structures. Outside scope appears in 40% of wrong answers. Opposites in 25%. Extremes in 20%. Know the patterns, spot them faster.
Don’t second-guess line evidence. If the passage explicitly states X and an option says X, that’s must-be-true regardless of how simple it seems. Test-takers often overthink and reject correct answers because they feel “too obvious.” Trust the text.
Final Self-Assessment
After reading this entire guide, can you now execute the three-step verification process for must-be-true questions without looking back?
If you can recite it clearly, you’ve internalized the framework. If you’re fuzzy, that’s your signal to review.
The three steps are:
1. Locate line evidence (find specific support)
2. Check for distortions (verify relationships unchanged)
3. Apply author agreement test (would they agree based on what’s written?)
Apply this framework to the 5 practice questions above. Before checking explanations, write down which lines support your answer. This builds the verification habit.
Building Recognition Speed
The difference between 85th and 95th percentile in RC inference questions is recognition speed. Top scorers identify trap patterns in 5-10 seconds. They don’t waste time seriously considering outside-scope options.
Build this speed through deliberate practice. After each inference question, classify why each wrong answer is wrong. Write it down: “Option A—outside scope. Option C—extreme language. Option D—opposite trap.” This cataloging trains pattern recognition.
Review your mistakes by trap type, not by passage topic. If you keep falling for partial truth traps, that’s a systematic weakness. Solve 15 questions where you specifically hunt for partial truths. Your brain will start flagging them automatically.
For must-be-true questions, practice the line evidence drill. Before looking at explanations, write down which lines support the correct answer. If you can’t cite specific lines, you’ve likely chosen wrong. This drill builds the verification habit.
Ready to continue your RC mastery? Explore related question types and strategies in the deck series below.
Continue Your RC Mastery Journey
Explore related decks and resources:
- RC Deck 1: Main Idea Questions (Foundation)
- RC Deck 3: Tone & Attitude Questions (Next)
- Complete Deck Series Hub (All 30 Decks)
- 33-Module RC Series (Advanced)
- RC Terms Library (Reference)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RC inference questions answered
Inference and must-be-true questions typically account for 5-8 questions across the 24 RC questions in CAT VARC. This makes them the second most common question type after detail-based questions. The exact distribution varies by paper, but you’ll almost certainly encounter at least 2-3 inference questions in your RC passages.
These questions carry the same weight as other RC questions, but they often have lower accuracy rates because test-takers confuse inference with assumption or pick answers that seem “logical” but aren’t supported by the passage. The strategic implication: getting inference questions right can significantly differentiate your percentile since many candidates struggle with them.
Don’t skip these questions thinking they’re too difficult. With the right framework—distinguishing must-be-true from inference, checking tone consistency, avoiding extreme language—your accuracy can reach 80-85%. That’s better than most candidates achieve on “easier” question types.
Start by identifying whether the question asks for must-be-true or inference. Must-be-true questions demand 100% logical guarantee from the passage—you should be able to point to specific lines that verify the answer. Use the author agreement test: Would the author, based solely on what’s written, agree with this statement?
For inference questions, think half a step forward, not three steps. The correct answer represents what the author would most likely believe as the next logical extension of their argument. Check tone consistency first. If the author writes skeptically, eliminate optimistic options immediately. If they’re neutral and analytical, eliminate emotional or extreme options.
Must-be-true → Find line evidence → Verify no distortions → Select
Inference → Identify author’s tone → Check which option stays within scope → Verify it’s half-step forward, not three steps → Select
Work backwards on must-be-true questions. Read options first, then scan the passage for supporting evidence. This is faster than reading the full passage and trying to remember relevant sections. For inference questions, understand the author’s overall position first, then evaluate options against that baseline.
Time management matters. Must-be-true questions should take 60-75 seconds because you’re finding explicit evidence. Inference questions need 75-90 seconds because you’re synthesizing information and checking tone. If you hit 90 seconds without a clear answer, pick the option closest to what the passage explicitly states.
This is the single most common trap in RC inference questions. An option can be perfectly logical, even factually correct in real life, but still be wrong if the passage doesn’t support it. You’re not testing general knowledge. You’re testing what this specific passage, with this specific author, establishes.
Apply the scope test: Does this option introduce information the passage never addressed? If yes, it’s outside scope regardless of how reasonable it sounds. The passage might discuss urban pollution; the option discusses rural pollution. Related topics, but the scope has shifted. Eliminate it.
Remember that CAT deliberately includes options that are “true in the real world” precisely because test-takers confuse world knowledge with passage-based reasoning. Your job is to answer based on what the author wrote, not what you know independently.
The fix: Train yourself to ignore outside knowledge. When practicing, physically point to the lines that support your answer choice. If you can’t do this, you’re likely picking an outside-scope option. Build the habit of line evidence verification.
Must-be-true questions should take 60-75 seconds. These are actually faster than main idea or purpose questions because you’re looking for specific line evidence rather than understanding the passage’s overall argument. Scan the options, identify what each claims, locate the relevant passage section, verify the match, select and move on.
Inference questions need 75-90 seconds. You’re doing more work: identifying the author’s tone, synthesizing information from multiple parts, checking that the inference stays within scope, and verifying it extends the argument by only half a step. This extra analysis justifies the additional time.
Reading the question: 5-10 seconds
Analyzing options (must-be-true): 20-30 seconds
Locating evidence: 25-35 seconds
Verification: 10-15 seconds
Total: 60-75 seconds for must-be-true, 75-90 seconds for inference
If you’re spending 2 minutes on an inference question, you’re overthinking it. At 90 seconds without clarity, make your best guess based on this rule: Pick the option that requires the least additional inference. The answer closest to what the passage explicitly states is usually correct when you’re stuck between two options.
Don’t spend extra time hoping for certainty. In inference questions, 85% confidence is often as good as it gets. Trust your framework, make the call, move forward. Time saved here gives you buffer for genuinely difficult passages later.
They require different skills, not different difficulty levels. Main idea questions test your ability to identify the passage’s central argument and ignore distracting details. Inference questions test your ability to extend the author’s reasoning without jumping to conclusions the passage doesn’t support.
For many test-takers, inference questions are actually easier because they’re more mechanical. You’re checking specific criteria: Is this supported? Does it match the tone? Does it avoid extreme language? Is it within scope? These are concrete checks. Main idea questions require more holistic understanding of the passage’s purpose and structure.
However, inference questions have a higher trap rate. CAT knows test-takers will pick “logical-sounding” answers, so wrong options are carefully designed to seem reasonable. Main idea questions have more obviously wrong options (too narrow, too broad, wrong focus), making elimination easier once you understand the patterns.
Main idea → Requires big-picture thinking and scope matching
Inference → Requires precise logical reasoning and tone awareness
Neither is objectively easier; it depends on your natural strengths.
Track your accuracy rates by question type. If you’re at 70% on main idea but 55% on inference, that’s a systematic weakness requiring targeted practice. If it’s reversed, your inference skills are strong but you’re struggling with holistic comprehension. Train your weaker area specifically.
This distinction is crucial. An assumption is an unstated premise that must be true for the argument to work. An inference is a conclusion you can draw from what’s stated. Assumptions fill gaps in reasoning. Inferences extend reasoning.
Example: Passage says “Sales increased after the new marketing campaign.”
- Assumption: “The marketing campaign caused the sales increase” (unstated connection between the two events)
- Inference: “The company’s revenue likely improved” (logical next step from increased sales)
Passage: “The city implemented bike lanes and traffic decreased.”
Assumption: The bike lanes caused the traffic decrease (unstated causal link)
Inference: Some commuters may have switched to cycling (logical next step)
Assumptions are what the author must believe for their argument to hold together, even if they didn’t state it explicitly. Inferences are what logically follows from what the author did state. Test for assumptions with negation: if you negate the statement and the argument falls apart, it’s an assumption. Test for inferences with the half-step rule: does this naturally extend the author’s reasoning without jumping too far?
In CAT, most questions will clearly signal what they’re asking. “The author assumes” versus “It can be inferred” or “must be true according to the passage.” Read the question stem carefully because the verification process differs for each type.
Build pattern recognition for the five common traps: outside scope, opposites, extremes, partial truths, and irrelevant details. After solving each inference question, classify why each wrong answer is wrong. Write it down: “Option A—outside scope. Option C—extreme language.” This cataloging trains your brain to spot patterns faster.
Practice the line evidence drill for must-be-true questions. Before checking explanations, write down which specific lines support your answer choice. If you can’t cite lines, you’ve likely chosen wrong. This builds the habit of verification instead of relying on what “feels right.”
1. Solve 5 inference questions
2. Review all wrong answers and classify trap types
3. Note which trap type you fall for most often
4. Solve 10 more questions specifically hunting for that trap type
5. Reassess accuracy—you should see 10-15% improvement
For inference questions specifically, practice identifying author tone in 30 seconds or less. Read just the first and last paragraphs, identify if the author is positive/negative/skeptical/neutral, then eliminate options that clash with that tone. This single skill can boost your accuracy by 20% because tone mismatches account for roughly 30% of wrong answers in inference questions.
Review your mistakes by trap type, not by passage topic. If you consistently fall for partial truth traps, that’s systematic. Your brain isn’t checking the complete option, just the recognizable part. Do 15 practice questions where you deliberately verify every word of every option. The extra vigilance will become automatic.
Finally, time yourself strictly. Many test-takers improve accuracy by rushing less. If you’re spending 2+ minutes on inference questions because you’re stuck between two options, you’re overthinking. Train yourself to make the call at 90 seconds based on this tiebreaker: Pick the option requiring less inference, closer to explicit passage content.
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