Banking Notes / Reasoning & Puzzles / Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of 24

Statement & Inference

Classifying inferences as definitely true, probably true, or probably false — the finer-grained cousin of Statement & Conclusion.

📖 ~7 min read 🧩 Banking Reasoning & Puzzles

Introduction

An inference is a judgment drawn from a given passage or statement, similar to a conclusion — but Statement & Inference questions often ask you to rate the inference on a scale (definitely true, probably true, data inadequate, probably false, definitely false) rather than a simple yes/no.

The Inference Scale

RatingMeaning
Definitely TrueDirectly and unambiguously supported by the passage
Probably TrueLikely true based on the passage, though not explicitly stated
Data InadequateNot enough information in the passage to judge either way
Probably FalseLikely false based on the passage's tone/facts, though not explicitly denied
Definitely FalseDirectly contradicts a fact stated in the passage
Q. Passage: "The bank reported a 12% rise in digital transactions this quarter, driven largely by increased UPI adoption among customers under 35."
Inference: Most of the bank's customers are under the age of 35.
The passage says UPI adoption growth was driven "largely" by under-35 customers — but this doesn't state or imply that under-35 customers form the majority of ALL the bank's customers, only that they drove this specific growth. Answer: Data Inadequate (the passage doesn't give the overall customer age distribution).
⚠️ Key Insight: Don't rate an inference "Definitely False" just because the passage doesn't mention it — that situation is "Data Inadequate." Reserve "Definitely False" only for a direct contradiction of a stated fact.
💡 Exam Tip: Statement & Inference questions reward reading the passage's exact wording closely — words like "largely," "mainly," or "some" narrow the scope of what can be inferred, and are the key to avoiding overreach.
✅ Practice Focus: Applying the 5-point inference scale accurately · Distinguishing "Data Inadequate" from "Probably False" · Reading qualifying words (mainly, largely, some) precisely.

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