Abstract Reasoning Aptitude tests will assess your ability to identify the relationships between a series of shapes, patterns or images. The test is a good indicator of strategic thinking, how quickly you pick up new concepts and how well you cope under pressure. As a result, it’s popular with a wide variety of employers.
What is an Abstract Reasoning?
Abstract reasoning, or abstract thinking, is the ability to understand and reason unfamiliar concepts in the absence of physical data, concrete phenomena, or specific instances. Abstract reasoning involves problem-solving, logical, and strategic thinking.
What is an Abstract Reasoning Test?
An abstract reasoning test is an assessment that uses shapes and patterns to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to spot logical series. For example, you might need to select which image completes a sequence, is missing from the overall picture, or doesn’t correlate to the other images shown.
The answers on an abstract reasoning test are usually multiple-choice, but don’t be fooled into thinking this makes the process easier — you need to work quickly and accurately to identify the rule governing the pattern and complete all of the questions on the test. And to make things even more challenging, you will normally have a minute or less to answer each question.
Abstract reasoning tests are common for research, software development and engineering roles.
Why Do Employers Use Abstract Tests?
- An abstract reasoning test signifies to an employer which candidates have the lateral thinking, problem solving and strategic thinking skills that are valuable in the workplace.
- Most commonly it’s used in industries such as technology and engineering, as it helps give employers a better understanding of which candidates have the sharp minds and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in such fields.
- Aptitude tests help exceptional candidates to stand out, and busy employers to quickly differentiate between applicants. This is why it’s so important to ensure you make time to practice tests and prepare if you’re about to take an abstract reasoning assessment — it will help you hone your skills and stand out against the competition.
- The abstract reasoning test is non-verbal and non-numerical; this means that what you’ll be presented with is shapes and patterns. The test questions will require you to identify the relationship between the images, or complete a sequence by determining what it is that connects the images.
The Best Way To Prepare For an Abstract Test?
Preparing for the abstract reasoning test is really important — particularly as the test may throw up challenges and problems you’ve not encountered before.
- First, we recommend finding out as much information as you can from the employer or recruiter who’s setting the test. Information such as the test publisher can help you get one step ahead of the rest.
- Practicing past tests is the best way you can familiarize yourself with the wording and format of the questions, the speed at which you’ll need to answer, and the skills you need to hone.
- We always recommend setting up a quiet working environment to take mock tests; one that’s free from distractions and noise. And it’s really important to time yourself — a significant part of the challenge is the speed at which you’ll need to answer every question.
- Once you’ve completed a mock test, it’s time to see how you did. Take confidence from your strengths and note down your weaker areas so you know where to focus your energies.
- Mock tests are the best way to prepare yourself for taking a real abstract reasoning test. But there are lots of other ways you can inject some variety into your preparation and ensure you’re working the areas of the brain you need to engage in the test.
- Try brain-training games, puzzles or shape-based challenges; anything that requires you to solve problems under pressure. Inductive reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning tests are also worth practicing, since the questions you’ll encounter on these tests are very similar.
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Requirement for Application
You will often encounter them where the job you are applying for involves:
- A high degree of problem-solving
- Dealing with complex data or concepts
- Developing strategies or policies
- Performing non-routine tasks where initiative is required
What to Expect on an Abstract Reasoning Test?
Abstract reasoning tests are designed to be challenging, to differentiate between candidates and to identify the maximum performance they are capable of. They usually have tight time scales and questions that rapidly increase in difficulty.
This means that you will need to identify more rules to solve the problems and that the complexity of these rules is likely to increase.
Abstract reasoning tests use diagrams, symbols or shapes instead of words or numbers. They involve identifying the underlying logic of a pattern and then determining the solution.
Questions tend to involve the repetition or change of the following:
- Shape
- Size
- Colour
- Pattern
Abstract reasoning questions use syols arranged in a straight line or a pattern. You are required to identify the missing symbol or the next in the sequence.
You can expect to be given slightly longer time for these questions than for verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning questions. Thirty minutes to complete 20 questions would be typical.
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