Abstract Reasoning Guide 5

Question 1

A pattern uses two rules simultaneously: shapes rotate 90° clockwise per step AND alternate between filled and outline. Shape 1 is a filled arrow pointing up. What does Shape 5 look like?

Accepted Answer

Filled arrow pointing up

Answer

After 4 steps the arrow has rotated 360° (back to up) and alternated fill 4 times (back to filled), so Shape 5 = filled arrow pointing up.

Question 2

A matrix rule states: 'the number in each cell equals the sum of the two cells directly above it.' The top row is 1, 2, 3. What is the value in the leftmost cell of Row 3?

Accepted Answer

6

Answer

Row 2 left cell = Row1[1]+Row1[2] = 3; Row 2 middle = Row1[2]+Row1[3] = 5; Row 3 left = Row2[1]+Row2[2] = 3+5 = 6... wait, recalc: Row2 leftmost = 1+2=3, Row2 middle = 2+3=5, Row3 leftmost = 3+5 = 8 — but given answer choices, leftmost of Row2 = 1+2=3, and Row3 leftmost needs cells to its upper-left and upper, so if the rule is the cell above-left + cell above: Row3[1] = Row2[0 doesn't exist]+Row2[1] = 0+3=3... The standard Pascal's triangle reading gives 3+5=8 for inner cells; for edge cells it mirrors the cell above. Edge cell Row3 = Row2 edge = 3.

Question 3

You are given a set-type abstract reasoning question where you must assign a new shape to Set A or Set B. The best first step is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify what ALL shapes in Set A share that Set B shapes do not

Answer

Finding the rule exclusive to Set A (the attribute all Set A members share and no Set B members have) is the definitive method.

Question 4

In a sequence, each term is obtained by reflecting the previous term across a vertical axis and then adding one dot. Term 1 is a left-pointing arrow with 1 dot. What is Term 3?

Accepted Answer

Left-pointing arrow with 3 dots

Answer

Term 2 = right-pointing arrow with 2 dots; Term 3 = reflected back to left-pointing with 3 dots.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes 'inductive reasoning' as used in abstract reasoning tests?

Accepted Answer

Deriving a general rule from specific observed examples

Answer

Inductive reasoning means observing specific pattern examples and inferring the general rule that governs them — the core skill in abstract reasoning tests.

Abstract Reasoning Practice Test

Abstract Reasoning Practice Test

Abstract Reasoning Guide 5