Practice Abstract Reasoning Test 1

The answers are at the end of the test

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Introduction
The aptitudes and abilities measured by verbal and numeric reasoning tests are easily related
to real world tasks, as many jobs require skills with words and numbers. Abstract reasoning
tests on the other hand, seem to consist of patterns that have no immediate application to real
life. So, why are they often used in management assessment centres?
Firstly, experts have identified that individuals can have a lot of specific intelligence such as
numerical, spatial, mechanical or verbal but seem to have less general intelligence. Abstract
reasoning is aimed at finding out how much general intelligence you have, by seeing how well
you can work out the logic in patterns and then finding a solution.
Secondly, because they are visual, they dont depend on your level of education or the culture
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Secondly, because they are visual, they dont depend on your level of education or the culture
that you come from. In that sense they are thought to be fair for everybody.
Try the 5 questions we have here. They are all of a similar type, so the same principle applies
to them all.
The explanations are at the end of the test.
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Guidance:
Look at the test shape first. Can you see a pattern there? If you can, decide if Set
A or Set B fits the pattern. If one does, select it. If neither Set fits the pattern,
select Neither
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Guidance:
Look at the test shape first. Can you see a pattern there? If you can, decide if Set
A or Set B fits the pattern. If one does, select it. If neither Set fits the pattern,
select Neither
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Guidance:
Look at the test shape first. Can you see a pattern there? If you can, decide if Set
A or Set B fits the pattern. If one does, select it. If neither Set fits the pattern,
select Neither
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Guidance:
Look at the test shape first. Can you see a pattern there? If you can, decide if Set
A or Set B fits the pattern. If one does, select it. If neither Set fits the pattern,
select Neither
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Guidance:
Look at the test shape first. Can you see a pattern there? If you can, decide if Set
A or Set B fits the pattern. If one does, select it. If neither Set fits the pattern,
select Neither
Abstract Reasoning Answers and Explanations
1. (A)
This set is all about colours and sides. In Set A, the total number of sides on the white shapes
in each item is equal to the total number of sides on the black shapes. In Set B, the total
number of sides on the white shapes is twice the total number of sides on the black shapes.
The size, arrangement or type of shapes is irrelevant. Our first test shape includes white
shapes with a total of 8 sides, and black shapes with a total of 8 sides, so it fits into Set A.
2. (C)
This test shape includes a black hexagon and pentagon, with a total of 11 sides, and a white
diamond and triangle, with a total of 7 sides. Thus it fits into neither set, and the answer is
(C).
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(C).
3. (C)
Counting the sides here, we find a total of 8 sides on the black shapes and 4 sides on the
white shape. This test shape fits into neither set, so again the answer is (C).
4. (A)
This test shape contains two pentagons, one white, one black. As they have the same number
of sides, the answer is (A).
5. (B)
The final test shape in this set is the least like the rest of the lot, presenting two black
triangles and four white triangles. The black shapes have a total of 6 sides, and the white
shapes a total of 12 sides. Therefore this test shape fits into Set B.
What did you learn?
We hope that you enjoyed this practice test!
Some of the main lessons were:
1. Look for patterns in the Test Shape first. Count the number of items, the
number of colours, the number of sides, the sequence of colours, etc
2. Then, see if the sets fit the pattern
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2. Then, see if the sets fit the pattern
3. Practice makes perfect. Once you have experienced these type of
questions, they are no longer so difficult
Learned enough? Try Practice Abstract Reasoning Test 2 to develop your
skills.