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Non-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoning

Spatial reasoning covers embedded shapes, 3D views and how shapes fit together. It needs you to hold a picture in your head and check it piece by piece.

What is tested

  • Finding a shape hidden in a larger figure
  • 3D building blocks and plan views
  • Which shape fits together

Worked example

Which shape is NOT part of a figure made from a triangle, a square and a pentagon? (circle / triangle / square / pentagon)

  1. The figure contains a triangle, square and pentagon.
  2. A circle is not among them.

Answer: circle

Exam-day checklist

  • Trace the outline of each candidate shape.
  • Rotate the shape mentally.
  • Count the sides of each.
  • Eliminate options that do not fit.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the shape must appear in the same orientation.
  • Missing a shape partly hidden by another.
  • Forgetting shapes can overlap.

Try it yourself

1. The figure is made from a square and a triangle. Which shape is NOT in it? (square / triangle / circle)

Show answer

circle

Only a square and a triangle are drawn.

2. How many faces does a cube have? (The picture shows three of them.)

Show answer

6

Top, bottom and four sides.

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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