Are You Overthinking Verbal Reasoning?

You read the passage, you read the statement, and then your brain starts second-guessing. You know something about this topic from the news. The statement feels true even if the passage does not quite say it. Do you mark it true, or reach for “cannot say”?

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Verbal reasoning overthinking is the most common trap in the publicjobs.ie assessment, and it costs marks that are otherwise straightforward to get.

Why does overthinking happen on PAS-style passages?

The passages in the publicjobs verbal reasoning test are short, business-oriented or general-topic extracts, followed by statements you need to classify as true, false, or cannot say - based only on what the passage says.

That last part is the whole game.

The problem is that your brain does not naturally work that way. You have opinions, background knowledge, and a lifetime of reading context into things. The verbal test asks you to switch all of that off for about 30 seconds per question.

The first time I sat the assessment I was convinced I was doing fine on verbal. It felt straightforward compared to numerical. What I did not realise until I started practising properly was how often I was letting outside knowledge creep in. A statement would be broadly in line with something I already knew, so I marked it true, even when the passage never actually said it.

That is the trap. The passage is the only source. If it is not explicitly there, it did not happen.

What is the difference between “false” and “cannot say”?

This is the question that trips most people up, and it is worth being clear on it before you sit the test.

False means the passage directly contradicts the statement. Something in the text rules it out.

Cannot say means the passage neither confirms nor contradicts the statement. The information simply is not there.

The confusion happens at the edges. A statement might be highly plausible, or something you know to be true in the real world, but if the passage does not support it, the answer is “cannot say” - not “true.”

Similarly, a statement might feel wrong to you, but if the passage does not actively contradict it, “false” is not the right answer either.

The rule is literal: answer only from the text in front of you. General knowledge, opinions, and instinct are not evidence in this test.

Should I read the passage first or the statement first?

Candidates on boards.ie go back and forth on this, and you will get different answers. Try both in practice and see what works for you.

One approach: read the passage once carefully, then go through the statements. The other: read the statement first so you know what you are looking for, then scan the passage. The second can be faster but risks tunnel vision if you are not careful.

What matters more than order is discipline. Your job is to find specific support for or against the statement - not to form a general impression and go with your gut.

Under the EO verbal test’s time pressure (approximately 59 questions in 35 minutes), there is no room for long deliberation on any single question. If you have read carefully and the passage does not clearly support or contradict the statement, “cannot say” is your answer. Move on.

The specific discipline of staying with “cannot say” under the clock is covered in detail at “Cannot Say” Is Ruining Your Verbal Reasoning Score.

Does verbal reasoning actually count toward your order of merit?

This matters because candidates sometimes treat verbal as a hurdle to clear rather than a score to maximise.

Your scores at the assessment stage determine your order of merit position relative to everyone else in the competition. The better you score, the higher you rank.

For the EO competition specifically, candidate reports on boards.ie suggest that verbal reasoning and situational judgement both contribute to the order of merit, while numerical may operate differently at that grade. That is not confirmed by publicjobs.ie directly, and competition structure can vary, so check the Competition Information Booklet for your specific role.

The general principle: verbal is not just a tick-box. Under-preparing because it feels easier than numerical or the SJT is a real risk. The difficulty on verbal does not come from complex questions - it comes from speed and the discipline of not overthinking. Both improve with practice.

A quick rule for the “cannot say” trap

When you are stuck between “true” and “cannot say,” ask yourself one question: does the passage say this, or do I just know it?

If the answer is “I just know it,” that is “cannot say.”

If the answer is “the passage says exactly this,” that is “true.”

If the answer is “the passage says the opposite,” that is “false.”

That is it. Genuinely. The questions are not designed to be philosophically tricky. They are designed to see whether you can stick to the text under time pressure. Most candidates who score well on verbal will tell you the same thing: leave your own opinions out of it. Just go by the text.

For a deeper look at how PAS-style verbal reasoning fits into the full assessment picture - format, timing, and how it feeds into the order of merit - the publicjobs verbal reasoning test guide covers all of it.

FAQ

Can I use general knowledge to answer publicjobs verbal reasoning questions?

No. The verbal reasoning test asks you to base every answer strictly on the passage you are given. If a statement is true in real life but the passage does not say so, the correct answer is “cannot say,” not “true.” Outside knowledge is not evidence.

How do I know when to pick “cannot say” versus “false”?

“False” means the passage directly contradicts the statement. “Cannot say” means the passage does not address the statement at all - it neither confirms nor rules it out. When in doubt, ask: does the passage actually say anything about this? If not, that is “cannot say.”

Is verbal reasoning the same for Clerical Officer and Executive Officer?

Both grades use a true/false/cannot say verbal reasoning format, but the tests differ in length and timing. The EO version is longer and faster-paced - candidate reports and prep resources cite approximately 59 questions in 35 minutes, while CO-level tests are reported as shorter. Always check the Competition Information Booklet for your specific competition, as formats can vary.

Are there practice tests on publicjobs.ie for verbal reasoning?

Yes. publicjobs.ie has a self-assessment section with verbal reasoning practice, including passages with feedback on your answers. That version is untimed and shorter than the live test. It is a useful starting point, but you also need timed practice to build the pace the real test demands.

Try it under timed conditions

The best way to stop overthinking is to practise the discipline until it becomes automatic. That means timed repetitions, not just reading about the technique.

PublicServicePathway’s free taster gives you a feel for the PAS-style format - including verbal reasoning passages designed around the Irish assessment model, not repurposed UK content. No card needed to start.

Try the free taster tonight and see whether your instinct to overthink shows up when the clock is running. Most candidates find it does. The good news is it is fixable.

Am I Reading Too Much Into Verbal Reasoning Passages?