IPMAT Logical Reasoning 2027 — Coding-Decoding, Series, Syllogisms, Blood Relations and 40 Practice MCQs

Last Updated: May 2026

IPMAT Logical Reasoning 2027 is the make-or-break section for IIM Indore (and Rohtak) aspirants. The IPMAT 2026 paper had a 25-question Logical Reasoning component (40 marks) where the cut-off for the General category landed at 13.5 attempts with 78% accuracy — a section where preparation directly converts to score, unlike the more variable Quant section. This guide gives you the four highest-yield LR topics — Coding-Decoding, Number/Letter Series, Syllogisms, and Blood Relations — with complete strategy, shortcuts, and 40 freshly-built practice MCQs at the end. Use it as a single-sitting practice block; you should finish all 40 in under 50 minutes if you are exam-ready.

Why Logical Reasoning Decides IPMAT 2027

IPMAT (IIM Indore) has three sections: Quantitative Aptitude (Multiple Choice), Quantitative Aptitude (Short Answer), and Verbal Ability. The Logical Reasoning component sits inside the QA-MCQ section in the 2025 onward pattern and accounts for roughly 25–30% of the QA-MCQ marks. For IIM Rohtak’s IPM, LR is a separately weighted section. Either way: LR is the most algorithmic section of the entire paper. Unlike Quant where a single tough Permutation question can destroy 4 minutes, LR rewards practice volume — the same six question archetypes (Series, Coding, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Seating Arrangement) repeat year after year with 80% pattern overlap.

Want the full preparation arc? Start here: IPMAT 2027 Foundation Courses · IPMAT 2027 syllabus + pattern · Free IPMAT mock tests and section drills · IPMAT 2027 FAQ.

1. Coding-Decoding — The 40-Second Skill

Coding-Decoding asks you to apply a hidden rule (alphabet shift, position swap, vowel substitution, ASCII offset) to a given word and decode/encode another. IPMAT favours letter-shift coding (e.g., A→C, B→D — shift +2) and positional reversals (1st↔last, 2nd↔second-last). Master these two and you cover 70% of the question bank.

The 4-step decoder routine

1. Write the original word and the coded word in two parallel rows, letter-by-letter.
2. For each letter, compute the alphabet position difference (use A=1, B=2, …, Z=26).
3. If all differences are equal → simple Caesar shift. If alternating → odd/even rule. If reversed → mirror coding.
4. Apply the same rule to the target word.

Example

If BREAD is coded as EUHDG, decode CHEESE. Difference: B→E (+3), R→U (+3), E→H (+3), A→D (+3), D→G (+3). All +3. So CHEESE → FKHHVH.

2. Number and Letter Series — Always 3-4 Questions

Series questions test pattern recognition. The IPMAT-tested patterns are: arithmetic difference (constant or progressive), geometric ratio, alternating series, square/cube series, prime sequences, Fibonacci-style, and letter position series. Always check the difference of differences first — it cracks 60% of series.

Reference table — common IPMAT series patterns

3. Syllogisms — The Venn Diagram Approach

Syllogisms give you two or more premises (“All A are B”, “Some B are C”) and ask which conclusions definitely follow. The single most reliable method is to draw the minimum-overlap Venn diagram for each premise and then test each conclusion against the diagram.

Memorise these 4 valid forms:

1. All A are B + All B are C ⇒ All A are C (universal affirmative chain).
2. All A are B + No B are C ⇒ No A are C.
3. Some A are B + All B are C ⇒ Some A are C.
4. No A are B ⇒ No B are A (conversion of universal negative is valid).

Watch for traps: “Some A are B” does NOT imply “Some A are not B”; “All A are B” does NOT imply “All B are A”.

4. Blood Relations — The Family Tree Method

For every blood-relations question, draw a tree with three rules:

• Triangle (△) for male, circle (○) for female.
• Horizontal lines for spouses, vertical lines for parent-child.
• Trace the relation step-by-step, writing each link on the line.

Trick phrases to watch: “only daughter of my mother” = the speaker herself; “father’s sister” = aunt; “mother’s brother’s son” = maternal cousin (specifically, mama ka beta in Indian context — note this often appears in IPMAT).

Time-Boxing Strategy

For the 25-question LR-heavy block in IPMAT QA-MCQ, allocate as follows: 30 seconds per Coding question, 45 seconds per Series, 60 seconds per Syllogism (drawing Venn takes time), 50 seconds per Blood Relations. If a question takes longer than 90 seconds, mark it for review and move on. The opportunity cost of finishing the section is always higher than fighting a single brutal question.

40 Practice MCQs — IPMAT 2027 Logical Reasoning Drill

Set a timer for 50 minutes. Answers + explanations at the end. Aim for 32+ correct.

Section A: Coding-Decoding (Q1–Q10)

1. If MOTHER = KMRFCP, FATHER = ?
   (a) DYRFCP   (b) DYRGCP   (c) DYRFCQ   (d) DYREDP
2. If APPLE = BQQMF, MANGO = ?
   (a) NBOHP   (b) NBPHP   (c) NCOHP   (d) NBOIP
3. If COMPUTER = RFUVQNPC, MEDICINE = ?
   (a) EOJDJEFM   (b) EOJDJEFN   (c) MFEJDJOF   (d) NFEJDJOF
4. If LION is coded 12-15-15-14, then TIGER = ?
   (a) 20-9-7-5-18   (b) 20-8-7-5-18   (c) 19-9-7-5-18   (d) 20-9-7-6-18
5. If ‘water’ = ‘food’, ‘food’ = ‘tree’, ‘tree’ = ‘sky’, then we eat?
   (a) Water   (b) Tree   (c) Sky   (d) Food
6. If WORLD is coded YQTNF, then EARTH = ?
   (a) GCTVJ   (b) GCSVI   (c) GCTUJ   (d) FBSUI
7. If A=1, B=2, …, Z=26, then sum of CAT = ?
   (a) 24   (b) 23   (c) 22   (d) 25
8. If GREEN = 49 and BLUE = 40, RED = ?
   (a) 27   (b) 28   (c) 29   (d) 26
9. If ‘bat’ = ‘ball’, ‘ball’ = ‘wicket’, ‘wicket’ = ‘goal’, cricket is played with?
   (a) Wicket   (b) Goal   (c) Bat   (d) Ball
10. If ROAD = SPBE, then RAIL = ?
    (a) SBJM   (b) SBJN   (c) SBKM   (d) SCJM

Section B: Number & Letter Series (Q11–Q20)

11. 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?
    (a) 38   (b) 36   (c) 40   (d) 42
12. 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
    (a) 40   (b) 42   (c) 44   (d) 38
13. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ?
    (a) 49   (b) 64   (c) 48   (d) 50
14. 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, ?
    (a) 96   (b) 128   (c) 100   (d) 124
15. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ?
    (a) 21   (b) 18   (c) 22   (d) 20
16. A, C, F, J, O, ?
    (a) U   (b) T   (c) V   (d) S
17. B, E, I, N, T, ?
    (a) A   (b) Z   (c) Y   (d) X
18. 5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ?
    (a) 191   (b) 189   (c) 192   (d) 188
19. 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ?
    (a) 35   (b) 33   (c) 38   (d) 36
20. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, ?
    (a) 15   (b) 17   (c) 19   (d) 16

Section C: Syllogisms (Q21–Q30)

21. All apples are fruits. Some fruits are sweet. Conclusion: (i) All apples are sweet (ii) Some apples are sweet.
    (a) Only (i)   (b) Only (ii)   (c) Both   (d) Neither
22. No cat is a dog. All dogs are animals. Conclusion: (i) No cat is an animal (ii) Some animals are not cats.
    (a) Only (i)   (b) Only (ii)   (c) Both   (d) Neither
23. All books are pens. All pens are pencils. Conclusion: (i) All books are pencils (ii) Some pencils are books.
    (a) Only (i)   (b) Only (ii)   (c) Both follow   (d) Neither
24. Some doctors are engineers. All engineers are professionals. Conclusion: Some doctors are professionals.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Partially   (d) Cannot say
25. All flowers are red. Some red things are leaves. Conclusion: Some flowers are leaves.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Probably   (d) Always
26. No man is perfect. All teachers are men. Conclusion: No teacher is perfect.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Partially   (d) Cannot say
27. All squares are rectangles. All rectangles are quadrilaterals. Conclusion: All squares are quadrilaterals.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Sometimes   (d) Cannot say
28. Some students are toppers. All toppers are intelligent. Conclusion: (i) Some students are intelligent (ii) All intelligent are toppers.
    (a) Only (i)   (b) Only (ii)   (c) Both   (d) Neither
29. All metals conduct electricity. Copper is a metal. Conclusion: Copper conducts electricity.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Sometimes   (d) Cannot say
30. No bird is a fish. Some fish are mammals. Conclusion: No bird is a mammal.
    (a) Follows   (b) Does not follow   (c) Partially   (d) Cannot say

Section D: Blood Relations (Q31–Q40)

31. Pointing to a man, Sita said, “His mother is the only daughter of my mother.” How is the man related to Sita?
    (a) Brother   (b) Father   (c) Son   (d) Uncle
32. A is the brother of B. B is the sister of C. C is the father of D. How is A related to D?
    (a) Uncle   (b) Father   (c) Brother   (d) Son
33. P is Q’s father. Q is R’s mother. R is S’s sister. How is S related to P?
    (a) Grandson/Granddaughter   (b) Son   (c) Daughter   (d) Nephew
34. X said, “Y’s father is the brother of my father.” How is Y related to X?
    (a) Cousin   (b) Brother   (c) Uncle   (d) Niece
35. If A’s mother is B’s mother’s sister, how is A related to B?
    (a) Cousin   (b) Sibling   (c) Uncle   (d) Nephew
36. M is the wife of N. O is the son of N. P is the brother of M. How is P related to O?
    (a) Maternal uncle   (b) Father   (c) Paternal uncle   (d) Cousin
37. Looking at a portrait, a man said, “Her father is my father’s only son.” Who is in the portrait?
    (a) His daughter   (b) His sister   (c) His niece   (d) His mother
38. K is the son of L. L is the daughter of M. M is the husband of N. How is K related to N?
    (a) Grandson   (b) Son   (c) Nephew   (d) Brother
39. If A is the brother of B, B is the brother of C, and D is the father of A, how is C related to D?
    (a) Son   (b) Daughter   (c) Son or daughter   (d) Cannot determine
40. Pointing to a girl, Anil said, “She is the daughter of my mother’s only son.” How is the girl related to Anil?
    (a) Daughter   (b) Niece   (c) Sister   (d) Cousin

Answer Key & Quick Explanations

Coding: 1.(a) shift -2   2.(a) shift +1   3.(b) reverse + shift +1   4.(a) positional   5.(b) we eat food = tree   6.(a) shift +2   7.(a) 3+1+20=24   8.(a) sum positions G+R+E+E+N=49 ✓; R+E+D=27   9.(a) bat→ball→wicket; cricket plays with bat→ball→wicket   10.(a) shift +1.

Series: 11.(a) +3,+5,+7,+9,+11   12.(b) n(n+1)   13.(a) squares   14.(b) ×2   15.(a) Fibonacci   16.(a) +2,+3,+4,+5,+6   17.(a) +3,+4,+5,+6,+7 →T+7=A   18.(a) ×2+1   19.(a) -21,-19,-17,-15,-13   20.(b) primes.

Syllogisms: 21.(d) neither   22.(b) only (ii)   23.(c) both   24.(a) follows   25.(b) does not follow   26.(a) follows   27.(a) follows   28.(a) only (i)   29.(a) follows   30.(b) does not follow.

Blood Relations: 31.(c)   32.(a)   33.(a)   34.(a)   35.(a)   36.(a)   37.(a)   38.(a)   39.(c)   40.(b) niece (Anil’s mother’s only son = Anil; her father = Anil; she is daughter of Anil — but if “Anil” is asking about himself as father, the girl is his daughter. If we read it as third-person, Anil’s mother’s only son = Anil himself, so girl = his daughter. Most IPMAT keys mark this as (a) Daughter — note both readings; the strict logical answer is (a).)

Quick Diagnostic Quiz — 10 Mixed MCQs

Take the embedded 10-question quiz below to lock in concepts. Score 8/10 or above and you are exam-ready on these four topics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Logical Reasoning questions are asked in IPMAT 2027?

IIM Indore IPMAT typically embeds 6–8 LR questions inside the Quantitative Aptitude (MCQ) section, while IIM Rohtak IPM has a separate LR section of 25 questions. Across both, expect Coding-Decoding, Series, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, and Seating Arrangement to dominate.

What is the cut-off for IPMAT Logical Reasoning section in 2026?

IIM Indore does not publish a standalone LR cut-off (LR is bundled into QA-MCQ), but a sectional QA-MCQ cut-off of 22–24 marks (out of 80) was the General-category trigger in 2026. IIM Rohtak’s LR section cut-off was 14 marks (out of 40) for General.

Which book is best for IPMAT 2027 Logical Reasoning preparation?

Use R.S. Aggarwal’s “Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” for foundation and Arihant’s “IPMAT Solved Papers” for IPMAT-specific calibration. Supplement with our free IPMAT mock tests for timed practice.

How much time should I spend daily on LR preparation?

45–60 minutes daily is sufficient if you stay consistent for 4–6 months. Front-load with Coding and Series (easier wins) for the first month, add Syllogisms and Blood Relations in months 2–3, and integrate Seating + Direction Sense from month 4.

Are LR questions easier or harder in IPMAT compared to CAT?

IPMAT LR is markedly easier than CAT LR-DI. CAT focuses on caselet-based logic (5+ questions hinging on one complex setup), while IPMAT LR is mostly standalone-question format. If you can score 70%+ on CAT LR-DI, you should comfortably score 90%+ on IPMAT LR.

Closing Note

Logical Reasoning is the section where 4 weeks of focused practice can shift a 60-percentile score to 90-percentile. Treat the 40 MCQs above as your weekly diagnostic. If you got 32+ correct, you are on track. If 24–31, repeat the drill weekly. Below 24 — start with our IPMAT 2027 Foundation Course for a 12-week structured rebuild. For a free section drill every week, join our free resources hub and try the full IPMAT 2027 mock series.

Ready to transform your IPMAT 2027 score? Explore IPMAT Gurukul courses built around the exact pattern shown in this guide.