How to Pass Diagrammatic Reasoning Tests: Essential Practice for Abstract, Input Type and Spatial Reasoning Tests

241 Pages·2008·5.6 MB·English

by  Mike Bryon

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HHOOWW TTOO PPAASSSS
DIAGRAMMATIC
REASONING TESTS
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LEFT BLANK
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Whilst the author has made every effort to ensure that the content of this book is
accurate, please note that occasional errors can occur in books of this kind. If you
suspect that an error has been made in any of the tests included in this book, please
inform the publisher at the address printed below so that it can be corrected at the next
reprint.
Publisher’s note
Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book
is accurate at the time of going to press, and the publishers and author cannot accept
responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. No responsibility for loss or
damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the
material in this publication can be accepted by the editor, the publisher or the author.
First published in Great Britain and the United States in 2008 by Kogan Page Limited
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or
review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication
may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the
prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction
in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning repro-
duction outside these terms should be sent to the publishers at the undermentioned
addresses:
120 Pentonville Road 525 South 4th Street, #241
London N1 9JN Philadelphia PA 19147
United Kingdom USA
www.koganpage.com
© Mike Bryon, 2008
The right of Mike Bryon to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by
him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
ISBN 978 0 7494 4971 1
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bryon, Mike.
How to pass diagrammatic reasoning tests : essential practice for abstract, input type and
spacial reasoning tests / Mike Bryon.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-7494-4971-1
1. Reasoning (Psychology)--Testing. I. Title.
BF442.B79 2008
153.4(cid:2)3--dc22
2008027145
Typeset by Saxon Graphics Ltd, Derby
Printed and bound in India by Replika Press Pvt Ltd
v
Contents
Acknowledgements vi
1 A unique source of essential practice 1
Start by getting test wise 2; Adopt a winning mindset
3; Devise and implement an unbeatable study plan 4;
What to expect on the day 7; Aim to make a really
good start and to keep going 9; Guessing can pay 9; If
you suffer a disability 9; How to use this book 10;
What to do if you fail 11
2 Abstract reasoning tests 13
Style one 14; Style two 20; Style three 33; Style four
45; Four mini-tests 59
3 Input-type diagrammatic reasoning tests 71
Type 1 72; Type 2 76; Type 3 83; Type 4 87; Twelve
mini-tests 95
4 Conceptual or spatial reasoning tests 134
Type 1 135; Type 2 141; Type 3 146; Type 4 152;
Type 5 158; Ten mini-tests 165
5 Answers and explanations 196
Chapter 2 Abstract reasoning 196; Chapter 3 Input-
type diagrammatic reasoning 212; Chapter 4
Conceptual/spatial reasoning 220
vi
Acknowledgements
I owe thanks to Anabel Gelhaar and Andrea Zigon for devising
and drawing the conceptual/spatial reasoning questions in
Chapter 4.
1
1
A unique source of
essential practice
Diagrammatic reasoning tests involve a series of pictorial or
diagrammatic questions with little or no resort to words or
numbers. Some require you to undertake highly complex trans-
formations or manipulations of awkward shapes all in your head
against a tight timescale (see Chapter 4). Others involve shapes or
letters that apply rules. You may have to reverse a sequence of
letters or shapes, or drop or add letters or shapes, and so on.
Again you must complete these tasks against a tight time
constraint (see Chapter 3). Another style of question requires you
to identify features in common to complete a series or choose an
answer that correctly completes a series of shapes from a number
of suggestions (see Chapter 2). You will not find another book
that provides practice for all three of these, the most common
types of diagrammatic reasoning tests.
If you have to pass a diagrammatic reasoning test or never
seem to do well in them, if you have been searching for a source of
practice or have found it hard to get sufficient practice material,
then this is the book for you. You can learn to master these
common assessments and become more confident and accurate in
every sort of diagrammatic reasoning test. This book provides
everything you need for a successful programme of revision or
review and for many candidates will mean the difference between
2 How to pass diagrammatic reasoning tests
pass and fail. It contains over 300 practice questions, with
answers and explanations and advice on how to show your true
potential. You will not find another book on this subject with so
many practice questions. Uniquely it also offers 26 timed mini-
tests so you can develop the all-important speed at answering
these questions and approach a real test with a new confidence.
Tests of diagrammatic reasoning feature in the recruitment
process for many positions, including for example professional
services, finance, accountancy, graduate traineeships, architecture,
engineering and even the UKCAT (the test you must pass in order
to win a place at medical school). Such a test is likely to be one of a
number of sub-tests that make up the assessment. Commonly the
assessment will include a test of verbal and numerical reasoning as
well as a test of diagrammatic reasoning. You take these sub-tests
one after the other, online at a computer or with paper and pen. It is
important that you realize that you are likely to be one of a large
number of candidates, and you must achieve a score better than the
majority in order to pass through to the next stage in the
recruitment process. You may also have to achieve a well-balanced
score across a number of sub-tests.
Doing well in these common assessments is largely down to
practice of the right sort, the right amount, at the right time.
Success in any psychometric test often requires hard work, time
and commitment. The choice is entirely yours. If you rise to the
challenge, your dream career could become a reality. The alter-
native is to risk failure.
Start by getting test wise
It is really important that you understand exactly what the test
you face involves. You will be astonished at how many people
attend a test not knowing what to expect. The first time they learn
of the type of questions involved is when the test administrator
describes them just before the test begins. Don’t make this
mistake. You need to know the nature of the challenge as soon as
possible.
A unique source of essential practice 3
The organization to which you have applied should have sent
you a description of the type of questions and the format with the
letter or e-mail of invitation. If they have not done this then have
a look on their website or contact them and ask them to describe
the test. Be sure to get details on:
(cid:2) how many sub-tests the test battery comprises;
(cid:2) what the title of each sub-test is;
(cid:2) what sort of question makes up a sub-test (you should be
provided with, or directed to, a description of each type of
question);
(cid:2) how many questions each sub-test includes;
(cid:2) how long you have to complete each sub-test;
(cid:2) whether it is multiple-choice or short-answer;
(cid:2) whether you complete it with pen and paper or at a computer
terminal;
(cid:2) if you face a numeracy test, whether or not a calculator is
allowed.
Adopt a winning mindset
It is common to experience feelings of irritation or resentment
about having to sit a test. It is crucial that you put these feeling
aside. They can be very counterproductive. Try not to wonder
about the validity of the test. What you think of it and its
predictive value is entirely irrelevant. You need to do well in this
test if you are to realize your goal. Focus on only that goal and for
a few weeks put all else aside. You really need to let your determi-
nation to do well take over your life for a while.
Some very clever and highly educated people do not do well at
these tests. In some cases their training and inclination do not
serve them well under the rather artificial conditions of a timed
test. This happens when, for example, the candidate thinks too
deeply about the question or studies the questions too carefully.
Some place too high an emphasis on accuracy at the expense of
speed. The outcome is that their test result does not reflect their