Test-Taking Strategies Flashcards

For a Reasoning by Analogy question on the NNAT, what is the most important thing to identify first?

Answer: The specific transformation—such as rotation, reflection, or size change—that links the first pair of shapes

Identifying the transformation rule from the first pair lets you apply it correctly to find the missing shape.

Which mental strategy is most useful for solving Spatial Visualization questions on the NNAT?

Answer: Mentally rotating or flipping shapes to test how they would fit the pattern

Mentally transforming shapes through rotation or reflection is the core skill tested in Spatial Visualization questions.

If shapes in an NNAT pattern move diagonally across the matrix with each step, what should you track?

Answer: The direction and step size of movement to predict where the shape lands in the missing cell

Tracking the movement direction and number of cells per step lets you accurately predict the missing position.

What does the strategy called 'chunking' mean when applied to complex NNAT patterns?

Answer: Breaking a complex pattern into separate attributes—shape, color, size, position—and analyzing each one individually

Breaking a complex pattern into individual attributes makes it easier to identify the specific rule governing each one.

In a 3×3 NNAT matrix with one missing cell, where should you focus first to discover the pattern rule?

Answer: At the complete rows and columns—those without missing cells—to understand the full rule before focusing on the blank cell

Complete rows and columns contain the uninterrupted pattern rule, which you then apply to determine what belongs in the missing cell.

How can you use the answer choices strategically when you cannot immediately identify the NNAT pattern rule?

Answer: Substitute each answer choice back into the matrix and check which one makes the pattern consistent throughout

Back-solving by testing each answer against the pattern can reveal the correct answer even when the forward rule is not obvious.

When an NNAT pattern involves both shape changes and shading changes simultaneously, which approach is most efficient?

Answer: Solve the shape rule first to narrow down answer choices, then confirm with the shading rule

Applying one rule at a time—starting with shape—narrows the options, and then verifying with the second rule (shading) confirms the correct answer.