Abstract Reasoning

Abstract reasoning tests are widely used within selection processes. They assess a candidate’s general intellect ability to reason logically. In this test, you need to show your ability to draw assumptions and conclusions based on information supplied in the form of symbols and/or matrices. 

In an abstract reasoning test, you will be asked to identify a missing item, diagram of figure that completes a certain pattern of logic, usually in the form of a matrix. 

Abstract reasoning tests have much in common with logical reasoning, diagrammatic reasoning, and inductive reasoning tests. All these tests are included in our All Test Package to help you ease worries and anxieties about the tests by familiarizing yourself with them. 

By clicking the image below, you can practice 8 free questions of our abstract reasoning practice tests:

Example Abstract Reasoning question, click here or on the picture for a free test. 

The right answer to the example question above is D.

From left to right, the arrow rotates each column 45 degrees clockwise.

Employers or recruiters may use abstract reasoning tests for any position in a company, as these types of tests are seen to be a good measure of general intelligence. It will give insight into a job candidates ability to perceive spatial relationshipsand work out co-relationships, without any prior knowledge of language or mathematics. 

Abstract reasoning tests are widely used because the ability to answer these type of questions is independent of educational experience and cultural background. This makes abstract reasoning question suitable to provide an objective indication of the intellectual potential of job candidates. 

Employers use the results of abstract reasoning tests to learn the extent to which you are capable of:

• Efficiently learning new skills and abilities;

• Quickly identifying patterns, logical rules, and trends in new data;

• Thinking strategically about problems and developments within a field of work related to the position you’re applying for;

• Analyzing new information, integrating this information into the overall picture and applying it to solve work-related problems.

Employers choose to use psychometric testing during their recruitment process to help give a better overall evaluation of candidate’s and their suitability for the job that they’re applying for. Psychometric testing could help to gauge the future performance of candidate's and also improve employee retention by making successful hiring decisions. 

Abstract reasoning tests are designed to be challenging and usually have tight timescales, and questions that increase in difficulty. More difficult means that you will need to identify more rules or patterns in order to solve the problem. This is done in order to differentiate between candidates and to identify the maximum performance they are capable of. 

There are several types of abstract reasoning tests out there, with different question types and formats. However, there are some general concepts which are common and it can be useful to familiarize yourself with these. Examples of these are:

• Different types of shapes and formats can occur, such as circles, triangles, and arrows. The total number of figures could be important in solving the problem.

• A shape/figure can rotate. This can be clockwise or counter-clockwise.

• Every shape or figure can move places in the grid. This can be a specific number of steps of a back-and-forth movement.

• Figures can change in size, shape or both.

• The filling of the figures can change. The total number of figures that have a specific filling can be of importance, but also the specific spot and the specific number of fillings.

• Note the connection between the different types of fillings and/or figures across different rows and/or columns.

Doing some research about the tests that you need to take is the most important step in preparation for any aptitude test. If you know what to expect you will increase your chances of performing well due to the fact that you’re familiar with the formats. Also, by practicing aptitude tests you will reveal your own strengths and weaknesses that you can work on in preparation for the actual assessment.  

These effective test-taking strategy tips and tricksare well worth remembering before you take the actual abstract reasoning tests:

• Practice makes perfect! You will see that through practice your performance will improve. Familiarizing yourself with psychometric tests is the first step to success. Through practice, you will get a clear picture of what these tests are, what they look like, what they measure, and what the testing conditions will be.

• Read the question and instructions properly. Even though this seems logical, often candidates miss out very important information. Multiple-choice tests use so-called ‘distractors’ as answer possibilities. These distractors are answers options which are deliberately similar to the right answer; in other words, the answer possibilities are designed to test if you read the question and provided information property.

• Don’t cheat. This is an important one. Many employers use verification tests to validate your previous results, to see if you have collaborated on your test. Large test publishers often use software that compares your response patterns and performance between the online test and the follow-up supervised test.

• Be prepared with a pen and a piece of paper when doing the online test.

• It can be useful to develop a (mental) checklist of strategies to solve the questions. Remember the list of possible rules discussed above. This can help you to work more methodically in the test. If needed, write the discovered rules down.

• Try to focus on one rule at a time.