NNAT3 Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A piece is cut from the bottom-left corner of a square. Which shape best describes what remains?

Pentagon (Correct answer)
Triangle
Square
Hexagon

Correct answer: Pentagon

Removing one corner from a square leaves a shape with 5 sides — a pentagon.

Question 2: In a 3x3 Serial Reasoning matrix, all shapes in the top row are circles, all in the middle row are squares, and all in the bottom row are triangles. The shapes also grow larger left to right. The missing cell is bottom-right. What belongs there?

A medium square
A large circle
A small triangle
A large triangle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A large triangle

Row rule = triangle; column rule = largest size; so a large triangle fits.

Question 3: Three small stars arranged in a row is to two small stars arranged in a row as three large stars in a row is to:

Two small stars in a column
Two large stars in a row (Correct answer)
One large star
Three large stars in a column

Correct answer: Two large stars in a row

The count decreases by one while size and arrangement stay the same.

Question 4: A sequence where each shape has one more side than the previous (triangle, square, pentagon) is to a sequence starting with a different shape as a sequence (square, pentagon, hexagon) is to:

Triangle, square, pentagon
Hexagon, pentagon, square
Circle, triangle, square
Pentagon, hexagon, heptagon (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pentagon, hexagon, heptagon

The pattern of adding one side per step continues, so the next sequence starts one step later.

Question 5: A grid shows a 3×3 pattern of dots. Which arrangement has rotational symmetry of order 4?

One dot at each corner
Dots only along the top row
Dots only in the middle column
A single dot in the center (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A single dot in the center

A single dot at the center looks identical after any rotation, giving it order-4 rotational symmetry.

Question 6: A matrix has three rows. Each row's shapes increase in number: row 1 has 1 star, row 2 has 2 stars, row 3 has ___.

4 stars
1 star
2 stars
3 stars (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3 stars

Each row adds one star, so row 3 contains 3 stars.

Question 7: How does the NNAT3 administration format differ from many other standardized tests?

It requires individual one-on-one administration only
It is always given as a take-home assessment
It is exclusively computer-adaptive
It can be administered online or with paper-and-pencil answer sheets (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It can be administered online or with paper-and-pencil answer sheets

The NNAT3 offers both online (digital) and traditional paper-and-pencil formats, giving schools flexibility in administration.

Question 8: How should you manage time during a timed test?

Only work on hard questions
Divide total time by questions and pace yourself, spending less on easy ones (Correct answer)
Spend equal time on every question
Rush through the entire test

Correct answer: Divide total time by questions and pace yourself, spending less on easy ones

Calculate time per question, spend less on easy questions to bank time for harder ones, and check your pace periodically.

Question 9: A bold outlined shape is to a thin outlined shape as a large bold outlined square is to:

A large filled square
A large bold outlined circle
A large thin outlined square (Correct answer)
A small bold outlined square

Correct answer: A large thin outlined square

The outline changes from bold to thin while size and shape stay constant.

Question 10: Which statistic describes the percentage of students in the normative sample who scored at or below a given raw score?

Percentile rank (Correct answer)
Normal Curve Equivalent
Standard score
Stanine

Correct answer: Percentile rank

A percentile rank indicates what percentage of same-age peers in the norm group scored at or below that student's score.

Question 11: A row pattern shows: 1 dot, 3 dots, 5 dots, ___. How many dots come next?

4 dots
8 dots
6 dots
7 dots (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 7 dots

The sequence increases by 2 each time (odd numbers), so after 5 comes 7.

Question 12: Each figure in a series contains one more internal segment than the last: 0 segments, 1 segment, 2 segments, 3 segments, ___. What is the fifth figure?

5 segments
6 segments
3 segments
4 segments (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4 segments

One segment is added per step, so the fifth figure has 4 segments.

Question 13: The NNAT3 is published by which company?

McGraw-Hill
Renaissance Learning
Riverside Insights (Correct answer)
Pearson Education

Correct answer: Riverside Insights

The NNAT3 is published by Pearson and distributed through Riverside Insights, its assessment division.

Question 14: In a 3×3 grid, each row contains a large, medium, and small circle. The first row has large-medium-small, the second has medium-small-large. What order does the third row follow?

Small-large-medium (Correct answer)
Large-small-medium
Medium-large-small
Small-medium-large

Correct answer: Small-large-medium

Each size shifts one position to the left each row, so the third row is small-large-medium.

Question 15: Two shapes side by side where the left is large and light and the right is small and dark is to two shapes where the left is small and dark and the right is large and light as:

The same pair reversed left to right (Correct answer)
Two identical shapes
Two shapes both small and dark
A single large light shape

Correct answer: The same pair reversed left to right

The relationship mirrors the pair — large/light on left swaps with small/dark on right.

Question 16: During online NNAT3 administration, what should the examiner do if the testing platform experiences a technical disruption mid-session?

Stop the session, document the issue, and contact the test coordinator for guidance (Correct answer)
Mark all incomplete students as absent and reschedule for another day
Restart the computers and have students begin from question one
Have students complete the remaining items on paper immediately

Correct answer: Stop the session, document the issue, and contact the test coordinator for guidance

Technical disruptions must be documented and escalated to the test coordinator, who determines the appropriate recovery procedure.

Question 17: A child taking the NNAT3 in a group setting becomes anxious seeing other students finish early. What preparation strategy addresses this?

Avoid all timed practice before the test
Include simulated group practice scenarios and teach the child to focus on their own pacing (Correct answer)
Encourage the child to work faster than comfortable
Practice only in complete silence with no time limits

Correct answer: Include simulated group practice scenarios and teach the child to focus on their own pacing

Simulated group conditions during preparation help desensitize students to social distractions and build internal pacing confidence.

Question 18: In a 3×3 matrix, shading moves one cell to the right each row: row 1 shades column 1, row 2 shades column 2. Which cell is shaded in row 3?

No cell
Column 3 (Correct answer)
Column 1
Column 2

Correct answer: Column 3

The shaded cell shifts one column to the right each row, landing on column 3 in row 3.

Question 19: Why is continuing education important in Analogies?

To network only
It is not important after certification
To stay current with evolving standards and practices (Correct answer)
Only for re-certification requirements

Correct answer: To stay current with evolving standards and practices

Continuing education keeps professionals updated with the latest developments, standards, and best practices in their field.

Question 20: A matrix follows this rule: the shape in each cell is determined by combining the shapes in the same row's first cell and same column's first cell. If row 3 starts with a triangle and column 2 starts with a square, what shape is at row 3, column 2?

A triangle
A circle
A triangle inside a square (Correct answer)
A square inside a triangle

Correct answer: A triangle inside a square

The combination rule places the row shape inside the column shape, yielding a triangle inside a square.

Question 21: In a figure matrix, the pattern across each row shows shapes getting smaller from left to right. The pattern down each column shows shapes rotating 90° clockwise. The top-right cell has a small upward-pointing arrow. What does the bottom-right cell show?

Small rightward arrow
Large leftward arrow
Small downward arrow (Correct answer)
Large upward arrow

Correct answer: Small downward arrow

The bottom-right cell follows the column rule (90° clockwise from the middle-right) and the row rule (small size), giving a small downward arrow.

Question 22: In a serial figure set, a square rotates 45° clockwise each step. After four steps starting from upright, what does the figure look like?

Diamond (45° tilt)
Upright square tilted 90°
Inverted square
Upright square (back to start) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Upright square (back to start)

Four rotations of 45° = 180°... wait — 4 × 45° = 180°, giving an upside-down square which looks like an upright square.

Question 23: A large dark square is to a small dark square as a large white circle is to:

A small white circle (Correct answer)
A large white triangle
A small dark circle
A large dark circle

Correct answer: A small white circle

The relationship reduces size while keeping shape and shading the same, so a large white circle becomes a small white circle.

Question 24: Which NNAT3 score is most appropriate to use when comparing a student to peers nationally?

Naglieri Ability Index (NAI) (Correct answer)
Scaled score
Raw score
Number of correct responses

Correct answer: Naglieri Ability Index (NAI)

The NAI is a normalized standard score (mean=100, SD=15) that allows direct national comparison across age groups.

Question 25: In Reasoning by Analogy items on the NNAT3, the relationship shown in the top row must be applied to the:

Top-right cell
Bottom-left cell
Bottom-right cell (the missing cell) (Correct answer)
Middle cell

Correct answer: Bottom-right cell (the missing cell)

The matrix format shows a complete relationship in the top row; the student must find the answer that maintains that relationship in the bottom row's missing cell.

Question 26: A matrix row shows three shapes that share the same outline but differ in fill: solid, striped, and empty. What rule applies to all rows?

Every row contains exactly one solid, one striped, and one empty version of the same shape (Correct answer)
The fill darkens left to right
Fills are random per row
Only two fill types appear per row

Correct answer: Every row contains exactly one solid, one striped, and one empty version of the same shape

Each row uses all three fill styles exactly once for the same base shape.

Question 27: Which study approach is most effective for Analogies material?

Studying for very long sessions without breaks
Highlighting all text
Active recall with practice questions (Correct answer)
Passive re-reading of notes

Correct answer: Active recall with practice questions

Active recall through practice questions is the most effective study method, as it strengthens memory retrieval pathways.

Question 28: A design shows a hexagon divided into 6 identical equilateral triangles. If 3 alternate triangles are shaded, what fraction of the hexagon is shaded?

3/4
1/3
1/2 (Correct answer)
2/3

Correct answer: 1/2

3 out of 6 equal parts are shaded, which equals 1/2.

Question 29: What age range does the NNAT3 accommodate?

Preschool to kindergarten
Adults preparing for advanced degrees
Kindergarten to 12th grade (Correct answer)
High school only

Correct answer: Kindergarten to 12th grade

The NNAT3 is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to measure cognitive abilities across a broad educational spectrum. It offers different levels tailored for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This wide age range ensures that the test can provide age-appropriate questions and normative data for accurate evaluation throughout a student's academic journey.

Question 30: In a pattern, each row of tiles has 2 more tiles than the row above. Row 1 has 3 tiles. How many tiles are in Row 4?

8
11
7
9 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 9

Row 1=3, Row 2=5, Row 3=7, Row 4=9.

Question 31: A rectangle is rotated 180° about its center. Which statement is true?

Its area doubles
It looks the same (Correct answer)
It becomes a square
It looks different

Correct answer: It looks the same

A rectangle has 180° rotational symmetry, so it looks the same after a half-turn.

Question 32: In NNAT3 standardization, Figure Classification items are calibrated so that which population serves as the norm group?

Only students who tested above the 90th percentile on prior intelligence tests
Students exclusively from suburban school districts in the Northeastern U.S.
A self-selected group of gifted education program applicants
A nationally representative sample of U.S. students matched on age, grade, gender, race/ethnicity, and region (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A nationally representative sample of U.S. students matched on age, grade, gender, race/ethnicity, and region

NNAT3 norms are based on a nationally representative standardization sample, ensuring scores are meaningful comparisons across the full diversity of U.S. students.

Question 33: What strategy is most effective when approaching a difficult Figure Classification item on the NNAT3?

Choose the smallest figure as the answer, since small figures are usually odd ones out
Select the answer that looks most visually appealing
Systematically compare one attribute at a time (shape, then size, then shading) until the grouping rule becomes clear (Correct answer)
Skip the item entirely and return to it only if time allows

Correct answer: Systematically compare one attribute at a time (shape, then size, then shading) until the grouping rule becomes clear

Isolating one attribute at a time (systematic elimination) prevents cognitive overload and helps students identify the true classification rule even in complex items.

Question 34: A 2×2 grid where shapes in diagonal cells match (both circles) and off-diagonal cells match (both squares) is to a grid rotated 90° as:

A grid with all circles
A grid where circles and squares swap diagonals (Correct answer)
The same grid unchanged
A grid where all cells are squares

Correct answer: A grid where circles and squares swap diagonals

Rotating 90° swaps which diagonal holds which shape type.

Question 35: How does the NNAT3 handle the transition between levels to ensure appropriate item difficulty?

All students take the same level regardless of age
Levels are assigned based on the student's current grade or age (Correct answer)
Teachers choose the level based on IQ scores
Students self-select their difficulty level

Correct answer: Levels are assigned based on the student's current grade or age

Examiners assign a level based on the student's grade or age, ensuring items are at an appropriate difficulty range for each test-taker.

Question 36: A flat net is folded into a 3-D shape. The net has 6 identical squares arranged in a cross shape. What solid does it form?

Triangular prism
Cube (Correct answer)
Rectangular prism
Pyramid

Correct answer: Cube

A cross-shaped net of 6 equal squares folds into a cube.

Question 37: A pattern grid shows that shapes in the top row are all white, shapes in the middle row are all striped, and shapes in the bottom row are all black. A new column is added. What fill does the shape in the middle row have?

Striped (Correct answer)
White
Black
Gray

Correct answer: Striped

The fill is determined by the row rule, so any shape in the middle row is striped.

Question 38: In a pattern, filled shapes appear every third position: _, _, filled, _, _, filled. What is in position 9?

Filled (Correct answer)
Half-filled
Striped
Unfilled

Correct answer: Filled

Position 9 is a multiple of 3, so it contains a filled shape.

Question 39: A matrix shows shapes growing by adding one side each step: triangle, square, pentagon, ___. What comes next?

Hexagon (Correct answer)
Circle
Octagon
Triangle

Correct answer: Hexagon

Each shape gains one side per step, so after a pentagon (5 sides) comes a hexagon (6 sides).

Question 40: Each figure in a series has one more side than the previous figure, starting with a triangle. What is the 5th figure?

Pentagon
Octagon
Heptagon (Correct answer)
Hexagon

Correct answer: Heptagon

Triangle (3), square (4), pentagon (5), hexagon (6), heptagon (7) — the 5th figure is a heptagon.

Question 41: An object viewed from the front looks like a circle. Viewed from the side it looks like a rectangle. What is the object?

Cube
Cone
Sphere
Cylinder (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cylinder

A cylinder appears as a circle from the top/bottom and as a rectangle from the side.

Question 42: In a Spatial Visualization item, a square piece of paper is folded diagonally once and then a hole is punched through both layers at the center of the fold. When unfolded, how many holes appear?

3
4
1
2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2

One punch through two folded layers creates two holes symmetrically placed when unfolded.

Question 43: A series shows shapes that flip horizontally each step. Step 1 has a right-pointing arrow; step 2 has a left-pointing arrow; step 3 has ___.

Right-pointing arrow (Correct answer)
Up-pointing arrow
Left-pointing arrow
Down-pointing arrow

Correct answer: Right-pointing arrow

The shape alternates between right and left with each horizontal flip, returning to right-pointing at step 3.

Question 44: A circle with a plus sign (+) inside is to a circle with an X inside as a square with a plus sign is to:

A square with a minus sign
A square with an X inside (Correct answer)
A circle with an X
A triangle with a plus sign

Correct answer: A square with an X inside

The symbol inside changes from + to X while the outer shape remains the same.

Question 45: A pattern of alternating black and white squares in a row of 4 starting with black is to the same row starting with white as a column of 4 starting with black is to:

A column of all black squares
A row starting with white
A column starting with white (Correct answer)
A row starting with black

Correct answer: A column starting with white

The starting color switches from black to white while the arrangement (column) stays the same.

Question 46: Why is reading the question carefully important?

To memorize the question
To waste time
It doesn't matter
To avoid misinterpreting what is being asked (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To avoid misinterpreting what is being asked

Many wrong answers result from misreading questions. Key words like 'NOT,' 'EXCEPT,' 'BEST,' or 'MOST' can completely change what's being asked.

Question 47: A pattern shows triangles rotating 90° clockwise each step. If the first triangle points up, which direction does the fourth triangle point?

Right
Up
Left
Down (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Down

After three 90° clockwise rotations (3×90°=270°), the triangle points down.

Question 48: What is the relationship between theory and practice in Spatial Reasoning?

Theory is unnecessary
They are completely separate
Practice is unnecessary if you know theory
Theory provides the foundation; practice applies it to real situations (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Theory provides the foundation; practice applies it to real situations

Theory provides the conceptual foundation and principles, while practice involves applying those concepts to real-world situations. Both are essential for competence.

Question 49: A student with an NNAT3 NAI of 125 is being evaluated for a gifted program requiring scores at or above the 95th percentile. Does this student qualify based on score alone?

Yes, because 125 exceeds the 95th percentile cutoff (Correct answer)
Yes, because any score above 100 meets the 95th percentile
No, because 125 is only the 75th percentile
No, because NAI scores cannot be compared to percentile cutoffs

Correct answer: Yes, because 125 exceeds the 95th percentile cutoff

An NAI of 125 corresponds to approximately the 95th percentile (1.67 SDs above mean), meeting a ≥95th percentile gifted threshold.

NNAT3 Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

The NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test – Third Edition) is a nonverbal assessment measuring general reasoning ability through pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, serial reasoning, and analogical reasoning tasks that are independent of language and cultural background.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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