Lesson · R.3.1

Making logical inferences

Learn how the HESI A2 Reading subtest tests inference questions, the two-part test that separates a supported inference from a guess, and how to practise on a short clinical passage.

ObjectiveR.3.1Read3 minExam weightReasoning and Integration ≈ 32% of Reading

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What you will be able to do

Define an inference and explain how it differs from a stated fact.
Apply a two-part test to check whether an inference is actually supported by the passage.
Spot the two most common inference traps: over-reach and outside knowledge.

What the lesson concludes

An inference is a conclusion the passage supports but never states outright.
A correct inference must be traceable back to specific words or details in the text.
If an answer needs information from outside the passage, it is not a valid inference.
Inference questions often use words like suggests, implies, or most likely.
Read the relevant lines twice before choosing: the clue is usually in the detail, not the summary.