NPOST Logical Reasoning and Judgment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A series follows the pattern 2, 4, 8, 16, ... What is the next number?
- 32 (Correct answer)
- 24
- 20
- 18
Correct answer: 32
Each term doubles the previous, so 16 doubles to 32.
Question 2: Statement: 'If the door was locked, the intruder used a key.' The door was locked but no key was used. What does this reveal?
- The original statement is false or incomplete (Correct answer)
- The intruder is innocent
- No intrusion happened
- The door was actually open
Correct answer: The original statement is false or incomplete
A locked door with no key used contradicts the conditional, showing it is false or incomplete.
Question 3: You receive conflicting reports: Dispatcher says incident is at 5th Street; caller says 5th Avenue. Most logical first step?
- Confirm the exact location before responding (Correct answer)
- Respond only to 5th Street
- Respond only to 5th Avenue
- Cancel the response
Correct answer: Confirm the exact location before responding
Verifying the location prevents responding to the wrong place.
Question 4: Which conclusion is the strongest given: 'Every reported theft this month occurred at night'?
- Nighttime patrols may reduce reported thefts (Correct answer)
- Thefts never happen in daylight anywhere
- All thieves are nocturnal by nature
- Daytime is completely safe
Correct answer: Nighttime patrols may reduce reported thefts
A reasonable, limited inference is that increased night patrols could address the observed pattern.
Question 5: In a lineup, the witness is certain the suspect had a scar on the LEFT cheek. A mirror photo was used. Where is the scar in reality?
- The right cheek (Correct answer)
- The left cheek
- Both cheeks
- Neither cheek
Correct answer: The right cheek
A mirror image reverses left and right, so a left-cheek scar in the mirror is actually on the right.
Question 6: If no answer to a radio call could mean equipment failure OR officer in danger, the prudent assumption is:
- Treat it as a possible emergency and verify safety (Correct answer)
- Assume only equipment failure
- Ignore until the next shift
- Cancel the officer's assignment
Correct answer: Treat it as a possible emergency and verify safety
Erring toward officer safety addresses the higher-risk possibility first.
Question 7: Sequence of letters: A, C, E, G, ... What comes next?
- I (Correct answer)
- H
- J
- F
Correct answer: I
The pattern skips one letter each time, so after G comes I.
NPOST Logical Reasoning and Judgment 3
A series follows the pattern 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
What is the next number?