Abstract Reasoning Flashcards

In UCAT abstract reasoning, which strategy is most useful for quickly identifying Set A vs Set B rules?

Answer: Check number, size, orientation, and shading of shapes systematically

The NOSE mnemonic — Number, Orientation, Size, shading/colour (and Extras like position) — is a systematic approach to identifying the defining rule quickly.

A figure has 4 triangles arranged around a central square, pointing outward. After rotating 90° clockwise, the triangles point:

Answer: In the same outward directions but rotated 90° overall

The entire figure rotates 90° clockwise. The triangles still point outward but their absolute directions have changed — they now point in positions rotated 90° from their original orientations.

In a series, odd-numbered figures are mirror images of even-numbered figures. Figure 5 is:

Answer: The mirror of Figure 1

Odd figures are mirror images of even figures. Figure 5 (odd) is the mirror image of its adjacent even figure. Since Figure 1 is odd, Figure 5 mirrors even figures — but per the rule: odd = mirror of even. Figure 5 is a mirror of Figure 4 (or Figure 2), not identical to Figure 1.

A pattern uses two rules simultaneously: (1) shapes get larger moving right; (2) shapes get darker moving down. The bottom-right cell would be:

Answer: Largest and darkest

Moving right maximises size; moving down maximises darkness. The bottom-right corner is the extreme of both rules.

In a series of figures, a small circle appears in the top-left in figure 1, top-right in figure 2, bottom-right in figure 3. Where is it in figure 4?

Answer: Bottom-left

The circle moves clockwise around the four corners: top-left → top-right → bottom-right → bottom-left.

A type 2 pattern uses shapes that all share ONE of the following: all same colour, all same size, or all same shape. A set with a large black circle, small black square, medium black triangle satisfies:

Answer: Same colour rule

All three shapes are black, satisfying the 'all same colour' criterion even though size and shape vary.