Critical Reasoning questions are drawn from a variety of general sources. The contexts in which questions are set include general interest, science and social science, with materials presented in a variety of text, diagrammatic, graphical and tabular formats. Some questions may require basic mathematical skills. The emphasis is on the application of skills in reasoning and problem solving.

Skills tested include the ability to work with and analyse stimulus material; pose and test hypotheses; interpret and extract information; identify and evaluate evidence and lines of reasoning; identify a problem; analyse it to clarify key information; transform information into forms that can be applied to enhance problem solution, and identify, generate and evaluate possible solutions.