Let’s be honest: “Critical Thinking and Logic” sounds like a subject where you just sit around having opinions. Then you open the textbook and see Venn diagrams, truth tables, and Latin terms like Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc, and suddenly, it feels more like a math exam than a philosophy one.
Below is the exam paper download link
Past Paper On Critical Thinking And Logic For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
Logic is the “operating system” of the human mind. If you can master it, you don’t just pass an exam—you become immune to bad arguments and manipulative marketing. But before you get to that Zen-like state of perfect reasoning, you have to get past the finals.
The best way to stop your brain from freezing during the test? Past papers. They turn abstract “logic” into a predictable set of puzzles you can solve.
Why is a Logic past paper different from other subjects?
In history or biology, you can often “luck” your way through with a good memory. In Logic, you have to demonstrate a process. Examiners aren’t just looking for the right answer; they want to see the “proof.” A past paper shows you the specific notation they prefer and how they trick you with “distractor” options in multiple-choice sections.
What are the “Danger Zones” in the syllabus?
Most students lose marks in three specific areas:
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Formal Fallacies: Misidentifying a flaw in an argument’s structure.
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Syllogisms: Failing to see if a conclusion actually follows the premises.
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Symbolic Logic: Getting lost in the “if-then” ($\rightarrow$) and “and/or” ($\land$ / $\lor$) symbols.
The Revision Workshop: Common Questions Answered
To help you shake off the rust, let’s look at some recurring themes you’ll find in the download below.
Q1: What is the difference between a Deductive and an Inductive argument?
This is the cornerstone of every logic paper.
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Deductive: If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. It’s “top-down” logic. (e.g., All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal).
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Inductive: The conclusion is likely based on the premises, but not guaranteed. It’s “bottom-up” logic. (e.g., Every crow I’ve seen is black; therefore, all crows are likely black).
Q2: How do I spot an “Ad Hominem” fallacy?
This is a favorite for examiners because it happens so often in real life. An Ad Hominem occurs when someone attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.
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Example: “You can’t trust Dr. Smith’s advice on heart health because he’s divorced.” (The divorce has nothing to do with his medical expertise).
Q3: What is a Truth Table actually for?
Think of a truth table as a “possibility map.” It allows you to look at every possible combination of “True” and “False” for a set of statements to see if the final conclusion holds water. It’s the ultimate tool for checking validity.
Level Up Your Revision: Download the Past Paper
Nothing beats the real thing. I’ve sourced a comprehensive “Critical Thinking and Logic” past paper that covers everything from Venn diagrams to informal fallacies.
[👉 Download: Critical Thinking and Logic Past Paper PDF] (Insert your link here)
How to use this paper to win:
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Map the Fallacies: Don’t just find the right answer. For the “identify the fallacy” questions, try to explain why the other options are wrong.
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Draw It Out: For syllogism questions, always draw Venn diagrams. Even if the exam doesn’t ask for them, they prevent your brain from making “common sense” errors.
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Check for Soundness: Remember, an argument can be Valid (the structure is right) but not Sound (the facts are wrong). Don’t let a “valid” structure trick you into thinking the conclusion is true if the premises are nonsense.
Final Thoughts
Logic is a muscle. The more you flex it by working through these old exam questions, the stronger it gets. Download the paper, grab a pencil, and start deconstructing those arguments. You’ve got the brainpower—now you just need the practice.
