The goal for abstract reasoning is to uncover the pattern and then use that pattern to find out which multiple-choice option is correct.

There are three main rules to solving abstract reasoning – these are your critical test strategies.

1. Each abstract reasoning image is made up of parts.
2. Patterns can be within an image or within the sequence of images. A sequence is a series of images – examples of them are shown below.
3. Finally, look at commonality and isolation – we'll talk a little bit about this later but I'll touch back on it in other checkpoints as it's an area that is really engrained into the actual questions.

Let's look at the following images to illustrate these 3 main rules:

Pointillism Pumpkin by Samantha Geernaert

For the above, we've considered:

• The whole picture
• Individual parts (dots itself) – pattern exists in the colouring of the dots.

Now, for the next 2 examples, we will go through:

1. Made up of parts.
2. Patterns can be within an image or within the sequence of images.
3. Commonality and isolation.

Example 1

Example 2

Why is it important to know that the pattern can be within an image or within the sequence of images?

It gives you another way to see the pattern. For example, if in the exam you're not finding that there's a pattern within the series of images, you can then look in detail for the patterns within the image.

It's really important to use these strategies so that you can switch views where need be and quickly detect the pattern (whether in the image or within the sequence of images) as opposed to searching for a pattern that may not be there.

What’s common and what’s not

To detect patterns, you need to look at what's common in the visual images and what's different or changed. The parts that are different are usually different for a reason so this is the 'trigger' point that indicates there's a pattern there and you need to detect it. This commonality will be demonstrated in later checkpoints but it's good to have this in mind for now.

So, let's recap. The first rule is to look at parts of the image – remember the pumpkin?

The second rule is that we need to consider the patterns within the image and outside of the image within the sequence.

Finally, look at what repeating and common and then how things change. This is the trigger point which says 'hey – there's a pattern here'. These three critical test strategies should be ones you keep in mind always when approaching any abstract reasoning question.

Key Rules to remember

• Parts of the image – the changes are usually likely to occur there as opposed to the 'whole picture'.
• Consider patterns within the image and outside of the image within the sequence.
• Look at commonality and isolation to detect a pattern.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

Every question has two solutions videos after you complete the question. The first is a quick 60 second video that shows you how our expert answers the question quickly. The second video is a more in-depth 5-steps or less explainer video that shows you the steps to take to answer the question. It's really important that you review the second video because that's where you'll learn additional tips and tricks.

Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

Now, let’s get started on your practice questions.

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