Ecole nationale dadministration -ENA French National School of Administration

Preparation for European Institutions Open Competitions

The Abstract Reasoning Test

The Abstract Reasoning Test Assessed Competencies Assessing the ability to think flexibly and resolve new problems. Assessing candidates'ability to draw inferences and understand the relationship between various concepts.

The Abstract Reasoning Test

Symbols or shapes Linear or planar geometric analogies No spatial (3 dimensional) geometric reasoning No word, no number Possibility to appeal to number in the form of pictorial representation

The Abstract Reasoning Test

Multiple-choice questions

Only one correct answer among 4 to 6 proposals

Approximate duration: 20 minutes

The Abstract Reasoning Test Classic Questions Which figure completes the series ?

What is the odd one out ?

Which figure completes the statement :

A is to B as C is to D ?

The Abstract Reasoning Test Classic Questions

Which figure completes the series ?

Rponse : D

The Abstract Reasoning Test Classic Questions What is the odd one out ?

Rponse : D

The Abstract Reasoning Test Classic Questions

Which figure completes the statement :

A is to B as C is to D ?

Rponse : C

Some advice on methodology

Objective : to identify the rule Method:

Observe
Identify the rule Foresee the next result

General advices Similarly to all other logic tests : Read the instructions carefully Remain focused

Manage your time

A key word : Training!

Identify the characteristics

of the diagrams

Identify the elements of the diagrams

Number of elements Shapes: circle, squares, etc. Colours of the shapes and/or alternation of colours Relative dimension : big square , small square ,etc. Meaningful symbols: arrows,etc.

Direction of the movement : left to right, bottom-up, etc.

Identify specific structures of the diagrams

Series of diagrams Matrices : logical link between rows or colonnes of symbols Analogy (A is to B as C is to D)

Identify the evolution of the elements of the diagrams

Identical elements in every diagram

Rponse : C

Identify the evolution of the elements of the diagrams

Progression : addition or removal of some elements from one diagram to the next.

Rponse : C

Some frequent rules

Some frequent rules

Rotations Rotation of one or several elements from one diagram to another Rotation of the same diagram Important : Pay attention to the direction

Clock-wise
Or anti clock-wise

Some frequent rules

Rotations Rotation of one or several elements from one diagram to another

Rponse : C

Some frequent rules

Rotations Rotation of the same diagram.

Rponse : D

Some frequent rules

Symmetry Symmetry to an axis Symmetry to a point

Some frequent rules Dominos

Ascending sequences or descending sequences of the dominos
For the top-halves, bottom-halves of the dominos.... :

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, blank, 1, 2.... 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blank, 6, 5, 4, 3.. Cross-referenced series Sums, substraction, products of dominos,etc

Some frequent rules Dominos

Ascending sequences or descending sequences of the dominos

Rponse : C

Some frequent rules Dominos

Cross-referenced series

Rponse : C

Some frequent rules Dominos

Observe the domino as a whole Observe the top-half or the bottom-half of the domino

Some frequent rules Series of diagrams

Linear series : diagram 1 (D1) is linked to D2, D2
is linked to D3, etc ...

Rponse : B

Example, source EPSO

Some frequent rules Series of diagrams

Alternation: diagramme 1 (D1) is linked to D3, D2 is linked to D4, etc ... Example, source EPSO :

Rponse : C

Some frequent rules Series of diagrams

Sequences: D1, D2 et D3 are in a sequence which is repeated in D4, D5 and D6. Example, source EPSO :

Rponse : D

Abstract reasoning : example of on-line test

Resources

Documents provided during the training www.psychometric-success.com: Abstract reasoning for all levels Tests de logique aux concours des coles de commerce.
Sabine Duhamel,Marie-Lorne Ginis, Grard Roudaut, William Seck, Hubert Silly.Studyrama 2009.

Thank you for your attention

Anne-Catherine Gutknecht Preparation for European institutions open competitions Mail: anne-catherine.gutknecht@ena.fr https://www.facebook.com/Prepa.concours.UE