The "Who is Correct?" Logic Trap: Mastering Dual-Statement Questions in Thinking Skills — Selective online tests: preparation tips

In the Thinking Skills section of the 2026 NSW Selective High School Placement Test, there is a very specific type of logic puzzle that consistently catches students off guard. It involves a set of rules, followed by two characters (let's call them Alice and Bob) who each make a claim about those rules.

The question simply asks: "Who is correct?" The options are always the same:

A) Alice only

B) Bob only

C) Both Alice and Bob

D) Neither Alice nor Bob

Because the 2026 test is completely computer-based (CBT), students can no longer physically cover up one half of the page with their hand to focus. They look at the screen, read two conflicting opinions, and quickly become overwhelmed. To score in the top band, your child needs to treat this not as a single question, but as two separate true/false quizzes.

Here is the ultimate strategy for evaluating dual-statement questions, followed by three practice examples.

The 3-step strategy for "Who is correct?" questions

To solve these accurately under the strict 60-second time limit, students must learn to act like a referee, applying the rules strictly and without emotion.

1. The "isolate and ignore" method

The biggest mistake students make is letting Person A's statement influence how they read Person B's statement. You must evaluate them in a vacuum.

Action — Read the rules. Read Alice's statement. Decide if she is right or wrong. Then, completely forget what Alice said, read Bob's statement, and decide if he is right or wrong based only on the original rules.

2. Beware "backward logic" (the reversal trap)

This is the most common trick in the Cambridge-style 2026 test.

The rule — "If it rains, football practice is cancelled."

The trap — Bob says, "Football practice is cancelled, so it must be raining."

The reality — Bob is wrong. Football could be cancelled because the coach is sick, or because the field is being repaired. You cannot read a rule backward!

3. Spot the "absolute" words

In logic, words like must, always, cannot, and all are incredibly dangerous. If a rule says "Most dogs like bones," and Alice says "My dog must like bones," Alice is wrong. Most leaves room for exceptions; must does not.

Practice Question 1: The "backward logic" trap

The rules — To be selected for the school's Senior Debating Team, a student must be in Year 6 and must have won at least three junior debates.

The statements

Chloe says: "I am in Year 6 and I have won four junior debates, so I will definitely be selected for the Senior Debating Team."

Liam says: "I am in Year 5, so there is no way I can be selected for the Senior Debating Team."

Question — Who is correct? A) Chloe only B) Liam only C) Both Chloe and Liam D) Neither Chloe nor Liam

The answer and explanation

Correct answer: B (Liam only)

Evaluating Chloe (wrong) — Chloe has fallen for the backward logic trap. The rules state the minimum requirements to qualify for selection, but they do not guarantee that everyone who qualifies will automatically make the team (there might only be three spots on the team, and ten kids who qualify). Therefore, her saying she will definitely be selected is incorrect.

Evaluating Liam (right) — The rule clearly states a student must be in Year 6. Liam is in Year 5. Therefore, he absolutely cannot be selected. His logic is flawless.

Practice Question 2: The "absolute word" trap

The rules — All students who travel to school by bus arrive at the front gate. Some students who ride bicycles also arrive at the front gate, while the rest arrive at the back gate. No students who walk to school use the back gate.

The statements

Sarah says: "If I see a student arriving at the back gate, they must have ridden a bicycle."

Tom says: "If I see a student walking to school, they must arrive at the front gate."

Question — Who is correct? A) Sarah only B) Tom only C) Both Sarah and Tom D) Neither Sarah nor Tom

The answer and explanation

Correct answer: C (both Sarah and Tom)

Evaluating Sarah (right) — Let's look at the back gate. Bus students use the front. Walkers never use the back gate. Therefore, the only group left that can possibly use the back gate are the bicycle riders. Sarah is correct.

Evaluating Tom (right) — The rules state that no walkers use the back gate. If a school only has a front gate and a back gate (as implied by the closed system of the logic puzzle), and walkers cannot use the back, they must use the front. Tom is also correct.

Practice Question 3: The "overlapping categories" trap

The rules — In a local council election, anyone who voted for the Green Party strongly supports building a new park. Most people who voted for the Blue Party want lower taxes. However, anyone who wants lower taxes strongly opposes building a new park.

The statements

Mia says: "It is impossible for someone to have voted for the Blue Party and also support building a new park."

Leo says: "Anyone who voted for the Green Party opposes lower taxes."

Question — Who is correct? A) Mia only B) Leo only C) Both Mia and Leo D) Neither Mia nor Leo

The answer and explanation

Correct answer: B (Leo only)

Evaluating Mia (wrong) — Mia missed a crucial word: most. The rule says most Blue Party voters want lower taxes (and therefore oppose the park). But most means there is a small percentage of Blue Party voters who don't want lower taxes, meaning they could potentially support the park. Mia's use of the word impossible makes her wrong.

Evaluating Leo (right) — Let's follow the chain of logic. Green Party voters support the park. The rules state that anyone who wants lower taxes opposes the park. Since Green voters support the park, they cannot possibly be the people who want lower taxes. Therefore, they must oppose lower taxes. Leo's chain of logic is sound.

The final takeaway for 2026

When practising these at home, force your child to cover up the second statement with a piece of scrap paper (their rough-working paper in the actual CBT exam) while they evaluate the first one. By treating it as two separate, isolated judgements, they remove the confusion and turn a complex puzzle into a simple application of rules.

Dual-statement panic fades when each line is judged alone. Rehearse GoTestPrep Thinking Skills "who is correct" style items with that scrap-paper habit until case-splitting feels like muscle memory, not mental juggling.