IQ and analytical reasoning tests evaluate your pattern recognition, mathematical logic, and critical thinking skills. Review these core concepts and solving techniques before taking your practice test.
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Word & Concept Analogies
Analogy questions test your ability to identify relationships between pairs of words or ideas and apply that same logic to another pair.
Common Relationship Types:
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Function/Purpose: Pen : Writing :: Fork : Eating
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Synonyms/Antonyms: Genuine : Authentic :: Transient : Temporary
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Part to Whole: Page : Book :: Nucleus : Atom
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Degree/Intensity: Warm : Hot :: Cool : Freezing
Pro Tip: Build a simple sentence using the first pair. For example: “A pen is used for writing.” Then apply the exact same sentence template to the second pair to find the correct answer.
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Number Series & Numerical Reasoning
Number series require you to identify the underlying mathematical rule governing a sequence of numbers.
Key Patterns to Look For:
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Arithmetic Progression: Constant addition or subtraction (e.g., 2, 5, 8, 11 -> +3 each step).
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Geometric Progression: Constant multiplication or division (e.g., 3, 9, 27, 81 -> x3 each step).
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Square & Cube Series: Sequences based on powers (e.g., 1, 4, 9, 16, 25… or 1^2, 2^2, 3^2…).
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Fibonacci Series: Each term is the sum of the preceding two (e.g., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…).
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Alternating Sequences: Two distinct patterns interwoven into a single line.
Pro Tip: First calculate the differences between adjacent numbers. If the first difference isn’t constant, find the difference of the differences (second-level difference).
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Alphabet & Coding-Decoding Series
Alphabet series test letter positioning, skipping intervals, or reverse alphabetical order.
Essential Solving Tricks:
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Memorize Position Numbers: Assign each letter its numerical position (A = 1, B = 2, … Z = 26).
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Use Benchmark Rules: Keep helpful memory aids like EJOTY (5, 10, 15, 20, 25) in mind to locate letters quickly.
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Look for Skipping Patterns: Identify how many letters are skipped between terms (e.g., A, C, E, G skips 1 letter each step).
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Reverse Coding: Pairs like A-Z, B-Y, C-X sum up to 27 in position numbers.
Pro Tip: Write down the numbers 1–26 above A–Z on rough paper before starting timed tests for rapid referencing.
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Shape & Spatial Reasoning
Non-verbal questions evaluate your ability to analyze visual patterns, spatial transformations, and geometric rotations.
Key Elements to Track:
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Rotation: Check if shapes rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise (e.g., 45°, 90°, or 180° turns).
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Movement & Position: Track individual dots, lines, or shading moving across corners or grid positions.
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Addition/Subtraction of Elements: Count sides, lines, or internal shapes increasing or decreasing systematically.
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Reflection & Mirror Images: Identify horizontal or vertical axis flips.
Pro Tip: Focus on one specific detail inside the shape (like a small arrow or shaded corner) and follow its movement across figures before looking at the shape as a whole.