Deduction vs interpretation

Both ask whether a conclusion follows. They use different standards.

Deduction	Must be true if the premises are true
Interpretation	Supported beyond reasonable doubt
Both answer	Follows or does not follow

Switching between them

Deduction comes straight before interpretation in the test. Carry the strict rule of deduction into interpretation and you will reject conclusions the evidence plainly supports. Carry interpretation's looser rule back into deduction and you will accept conclusions that are only likely.

Try 6 questions

Ms Khan will approve the budget only if the marketing plan is finished.

The marketing plan is finished.

Question 1

Proposed conclusionMs Khan will approve the budget.

Question 2

Proposed conclusionIf Ms Khan approves the budget, the marketing plan is finished.

Question 3

Proposed conclusionIf the marketing plan were not finished, Ms Khan would not approve the budget.

In the two years after Fernhill Primary started a daily reading hour, the share of its pupils reaching the expected standard in reading rose from 61% to 74%. Over the same two years, the share across all schools in the county rose from 63% to 65%.

Fernhill made no other changes to its teaching during that time.

Question 4

Proposed conclusionFernhill's reading results improved by more than the county's over the two years.

Question 5

Proposed conclusionA daily reading hour will raise reading results in any school that adopts it.

Question 6

Proposed conclusionAfter two years, every pupil at Fernhill reached the expected standard in reading.

Next step

Start the deduction lesson Sit a full practice test

Questions people ask

Which standard is stricter?

Deduction. A deduction conclusion must be impossible to deny if the premises hold; an interpretation conclusion needs only to be beyond reasonable doubt.