Section 1: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving

Introduction What is HPAT? Section 1: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving Section 2: Interpersonal Understanding Section 3: Non-Verbal Reasoning Maximising Your HPAT Score HPAT Results Preparing for HPAT Effectively Optimising Your HPAT Performance

What is Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving?

Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving seeks to test students' ability to process information and data, reach logical conclusions and solve problems.

Why is it important in medicine?

Problem-solving is central in any health professional’s work. The ability to understand information and data quickly to make a decision is also very important. Furthermore, all health professionals require the ability to logically sort through data and information. These are some of the skills tested in the Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving section of the HPAT.

What is the structure of the HPAT Section 1?

HPAT Section 1

42
Questions

60
Minutes

86 sec
Per Question

There are 42 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. This is an average of 86 seconds per question.

There are very few easy questions and many people find this section the hardest to finish.

What are the main types of HPAT Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving questions?

Questions in HPAT section 1 fall into the following categories:

Problem Solving
Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning

Example Question - Logical Reasoning and Problem SolvingView more questions
Section 1 Question 2 Recommended Time - 86 seconds Passage This unit focuses on two swinging objects: a wrecking ball on a crane and a ball in a child’s toy. These objects are shown below: Figures 1a and 2a demonstrate the starting positions of the two balls. This point is the first peak on the left. When the balls are released, they swing to the right, towards the point labelled 0 in the diagrams. The moment each ball reaches the point labelled 0 (point 0) is shown in figures 1b and 2b respectively. The balls will continue to swing towards the right, before reaching the first peak on the right (or the second peak overall), and then will start to swing back to the left again, before reaching the second peak on the left (or the third peak overall) before swinging back to the right. This process repeats itself, with each successive peak getting closer to point 0, until the balls eventually stop at point 0. The graph below shows the balls’ horizontal positions (in decimetres) relative to point 0 at a given time after the first time the balls pass point 0. Positions to the right of point 0 are positive, while positions to the left of point 0 are negative. Question Which of the following is true? The ball in the toy moves faster than the ball on the crane initially and continues to move for longer. The ball in the toy moves faster than the ball on the crane initially, but stops moving sooner. The ball on the crane moves faster than the ball in the toy initially and continues to move for longer. The ball on the crane moves faster than the ball in the toy initially, but stops moving sooner.

Example Question - Logical Reasoning and Problem SolvingView more questions

Section 1 Question 2

Recommended Time - 86 seconds

Passage

This unit focuses on two swinging objects: a wrecking ball on a crane and a ball in a child’s toy.

These objects are shown below:

Figures 1a and 2a demonstrate the starting positions of the two balls. This point is the first peak on the left. When the balls are released, they swing to the right, towards the point labelled 0 in the diagrams. The moment each ball reaches the point labelled 0 (point 0) is shown in figures 1b and 2b respectively. The balls will continue to swing towards the right, before reaching the first peak on the right (or the second peak overall), and then will start to swing back to the left again, before reaching the second peak on the left (or the third peak overall) before swinging back to the right. This process repeats itself, with each successive peak getting closer to point 0, until the balls eventually stop at point 0.

The graph below shows the balls’ horizontal positions (in decimetres) relative to point 0 at a given time after the first time the balls pass point 0. Positions to the right of point 0 are positive, while positions to the left of point 0 are negative.

Question

Which of the following is true?

The ball in the toy moves faster than the ball on the crane initially and continues to move for longer.
The ball in the toy moves faster than the ball on the crane initially, but stops moving sooner.
The ball on the crane moves faster than the ball in the toy initially and continues to move for longer.
The ball on the crane moves faster than the ball in the toy initially, but stops moving sooner.

What strategies can be used to solve Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving questions?

There are many strategies that can be used to approach section 1 questions. These include:

Reading the question stem first. This will help you focus on the relevant information in the passage.
Reading actively. This may involve underlining keywords and drawing diagrams. This will help you to understand the information the first time.
Making an educated guess for difficult questions. Some questions in this section are very difficult. It is important to guess, move on and not waste too much time on any one question.

There are many more strategies which can be used to solve questions quickly and accurately, which are discussed in detail in the MedEntry HPAT Course.