Verbal reasoning is understanding and reasoning using concepts framed in words. It aims at evaluating ability to think constructively, rather than at simple fluency or vocabulary recognition. Verbal reasoning tests Verbal reasoning tests of intelligence provide an assessment of an individual's ability to think, reason and solve problems in different ways. For this reason, verbal reasoning tests are often used as entrance examinations by schools, colleges and universities to select the most able applicants. Additionally, such tests are also used by a growing number of employers as part of the selection/recruitment process. WAIS-III The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III (WAIS-III) divides Verbal IQ (VIQ) into two categories: Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) – vocabulary, similarities, information, and comprehension. Working Memory Index (WMI) – arithmetic, digit span, and letter-number sequencing. LSAT The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a classic measure that evaluates the verbal reasoning ability of participants who are applying to a graduate law school. The multiple choice sections are broken up into three parts: Reading Comprehension – ability to understand complex language material like paragraphs or passages and able to answer questions regarding them. Analytical reasoning – ability to understand relationships in language material like statements or passages and being able to draw reasonable conclusions from them. Logical reasoning – Using critical thinking to assess and complete an argument given on the test. Verbal reasoning in recruitment Large graduate training schemes are increasingly using verbal reasoning tests (verbals) to distinguish between applicants. The types of verbals candidates face in these assessments are typically looking to assess understanding and comprehension skills. Verbal reasoning tests are often used during recruitment for positions in many industries, such as banking, finance, management consulting, mining and accounting. The tests are used as an efficient way to short list candidates for later stages of the recruitment process, such as interview. When used in recruitment, the tests normally include a series of text passages regarding a random topic. Then there will be a series of statements regarding the passages. The candidate must then determine if the statement is true, false or they can not tell (it is ambiguous). The candidate is not expected to know anything about the topics, and the answer is to be based purely on the information in the passage. Concepts This section of the article briefly elucidates the general elements relating to verbal reasoning in order of increasing complexity. Vocabulary and grammar