Abstract Reasoning Question Types - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering Abstract Reasoning patterns, analogies, and problem-solving strategies before the UPCAT and other college entrance tests.
3-Step Problem Solving Method
Important facts
- Never guess immediately - always use the systematic 3-step approach
- Focus on one building block at a time during inventory
- The first rule you find often leads to discovering other rules
- You may not need all rules - eliminate after each discovered rule
- Transformations include rotation, reflection, size changes, and position shifts
Key definitions
Inventory
Example
Count triangles, circles, shaded areas, and their positions before finding patterns
Systematic identification of all building blocks in abstract figures (shapes, colors, numbers, orientations)
Rule-Finding
Example
Large shape sides equals number of small shapes in each figure
Identifying transformations and relationships between building blocks across figures
Elimination
Example
Use each rule to cross out options until only one remains
Applying discovered rules to systematically eliminate wrong answer choices
Visual Pattern Types
Common values
Value
90° increments
Symbol
↻
Quantity
Standard Rotation
Value
Clockwise direction
Symbol
→
Quantity
Common Movement
Important facts
- Lines can fall progressively (becoming more horizontal each step)
- Multiple independent elements can operate simultaneously
- Dots and shapes often follow circular or linear paths
- Shading patterns frequently alternate based on position rules
- Elements can move in opposite directions within same figure
Key definitions
Progressive Movement
Example
Black dot moves clockwise around square corners: upper-left → upper-right → lower-right → lower-left
Objects move in consistent directions across figures (clockwise, linear, diagonal)
Alternating Properties
Example
Shapes alternate between shaded/unshaded or horizontal/vertical orientations
Elements switch between two states in regular patterns
Rotation Patterns
Example
Line rotates 90° counterclockwise each time or horseshoe rotates 90° counterclockwise
Objects rotate by fixed angles (90°, 180°, 270°) in each step
Diagrams to know
- Clockwise movement around square corners
- Alternating diagonal orientations
- Progressive line falling patterns
- Multi-element independent movements
Word Analogies
Important facts
- Always identify the relationship type before looking at answer choices
- Common relationships: part-to-whole, cause-effect, synonym-antonym
- Tool-to-user and function-to-purpose are frequent relationship types
- Location relationships connect objects to their typical places
- Degree relationships show intensity differences (hot-warm, large-huge)
Key definitions
Category Relationship
Example
Oxygen : Gas (oxygen is a type of gas)
First word belongs to category described by second word
Measurement Relationship
Example
Distance : Mile (distance is measured in miles)
First word is measured using unit in second word
Professional Relationship
Example
Heart : Cardiologist (cardiologist specializes in hearts)
Second word describes specialist who deals with first word
Letter Analogies
Common values
Value
A, E, I, O, U
Symbol
V
Quantity
Vowels
Value
A=1, B=2...Z=26
Symbol
#
Quantity
Alphabet Positions
Important facts
- Count positions from start of alphabet (A=1, B=2, C=3...)
- Look for skipping patterns between consecutive letters
- Vowels are A,E,I,O,U - all others are consonants
- Mirror patterns and reversals are common transformations
- Position shifts (moving letters forward/backward) create patterns
Key definitions
Alphabetical Order
Example
CD:FG :: PQ:UV (skip one letter between pairs)
Letters follow natural sequence patterns in the alphabet
Vowel-Consonant Pattern
Example
ATL:EVX :: IPR:ORS (first letters are consecutive vowels A,E then I,O)
Letters alternate between vowels and consonants or group by type
Reversal Pattern
Example
LAIN:NAIL :: EVOL:LOVE (reverse letter order)
First term becomes second term when letters are reversed
Number Analogies
Important facts
- Always check for basic arithmetic operations first (+, -, ×, ÷)
- Look for digit manipulation (sum, product, reversal)
- Square and cube relationships are common
- Prime number patterns occasionally appear
- Remainder patterns when dividing by small numbers
Key definitions
Even-Odd Pattern
Example
84:51 :: 72:37 (first numbers even, second numbers odd)
Numbers alternate between even and odd properties
Digit Sum
Example
234:9 :: 136:10 (2+3+4=9 and 1+3+6=10)
Sum of individual digits creates the relationship
Multiplication Pattern
Example
3:21 :: 5:35 (multiply by 7: 3×7=21 and 5×7=35)
Second number is first number multiplied by constant
Mixed Analogies
Common values
Value
A=1, B=2, C=3...Z=26
Symbol
L→#
Quantity
Letter Values
Important facts
- Convert letters to numbers using A=1, B=2, C=3 system
- May involve combining letter positions into multi-digit numbers
- Can include mathematical operations on letter positions
- Sometimes involves ASCII values or other coding systems
Key definitions
Letter-Number Mapping
Example
AB:12 :: CD:34 (A=1,B=2 gives 12; C=3,D=4 gives 34)
Letters correspond to their alphabetical position numbers
Must remember
- Always use the 3-step method: Inventory → Rule-Finding → Elimination
- Never guess immediately - systematic approach saves time
- One building block at a time during inventory phase
- Clockwise movement: upper-left → upper-right → lower-right → lower-left
- Standard rotations are 90°, 180°, 270° increments
- Letter positions: A=1, B=2, C=3...Z=26 for mixed analogies
- Common word relationships: category, measurement, professional, part-whole
- Alternating patterns often involve two-state cycles
- Multiple independent elements can move simultaneously
- Eliminate answer choices after discovering each rule
Last minute tips
- If stuck on visual patterns, focus on just one shape/element and ignore the rest temporarily
- For analogies, say the relationship out loud: 'A is to B as C is to what?'
- When time is short, look for the most obvious transformation first (rotation, reflection, movement)
- In letter analogies, immediately check if it's simple alphabetical progression or reversal
- For number analogies, always try multiplication by small numbers (2,3,4,5,7) before complex operations
Comparison tables
Common Abstract Reasoning Question Types
| Question Type | Key Strategy | Common Patterns | Time-Saving Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Series | Track one element at a time | Rotation, movement, alternation | Eliminate after each rule |
| Word Analogies | Identify relationship first | Category, measurement, professional | Think of obvious connection first |
| Letter Analogies | Check alphabetical positions | Skip patterns, reversals | Convert to numbers when stuck |
| Number Analogies | Try basic operations | Multiplication, digit sum | Start with simple math |
Pattern Movement Types
| Movement Type | Description | Example | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clockwise | Circular motion following clock direction | Dot moves around square corners | Return to starting position |
| Linear | Straight line movement | Object slides left to right | Boundary limits |
| Alternating | Switches between two positions/states | Top-bottom-top pattern | Two-state cycle |
| Rotating | Object spins around its center | Shape rotates 90° each step | Multiple of standard angles |
Diagrams
Abstract Reasoning Question Types Overview
Comprehensive overview of all abstract reasoning question types and the systematic approach to solving them
3-Step Problem Solving Process
Step-by-step flowchart showing the systematic approach to solving abstract reasoning problems efficiently
Common Pattern States and Transitions
State diagram showing how elements commonly transition between different states in abstract reasoning patterns