Topics / Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning: analogies
A picture analogy shows a change from A to B, then asks you to apply the same change to C. Describe the change in words first.
What is tested
- Size, shading and rotation changes
- Position changes
- Combined changes
Worked example
A small white square becomes a large white square. A small black circle becomes ___?
- The change is: it becomes larger, same colour.
- So a small black circle becomes a large black circle.
Answer: a large black circle
Exam-day checklist
- Describe the change from A to B in words.
- Apply exactly the same change to C.
- Check each option for size, shading, direction.
- Eliminate wrong ones.
Common mistakes
- Applying a change that is not in the example.
- Missing a second change.
- Ignoring a shading change.
Try it yourself
1. A white triangle becomes a black triangle. A white circle becomes ___?
Show answer
a black circle
The change is white to black.
2. A quarter turn clockwise turns an up arrow into a right arrow. A down arrow becomes ___?
Show answer
an arrow pointing left
Down turns clockwise to left.
Practise non-verbal reasoning: analogies with school-style questions
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