Preparation for European Institutions

Open Competitions


The Abstract Reasoning Test





Ecole nationale dadministration -ENA
French National School of Administration



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


The Abstract Reasoning Test


Multiple-choice questions

Only one correct answer among 4 to 6 proposals

Approximate duration: 20 minutes





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 ?





The Abstract Reasoning Test
Rponse : D
Classic Questions

What is the odd one out ?



The Abstract Reasoning Test
Rponse : D
Classic Questions
Which figure completes the statement :
A is to B as C is to D ?



The Abstract Reasoning Test
Rponse : C

Objective : to identify the rule

Method:
Observe
Identify the rule
Foresee the next result





Some advice on methodology


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



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 the elements 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 specific structures of the diagrams


Identical elements in every diagram








Identify the evolution of the elements
of the diagrams
Rponse : C


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








Identify the evolution of the elements
of the diagrams
Rponse : C

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







Some frequent rules
Rponse : C

Rotations
Rotation of the same diagram.







Some frequent rules
Rponse : D

Symmetry

Symmetry to an axis

Symmetry to a point





Some frequent rules

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





Some frequent rules
Dominos
Rponse : C

Cross-referenced series



Some frequent rules
Dominos
Rponse : C


Observe the domino as a whole

Observe the top-half or the bottom-half of the domino



Some frequent rules
Dominos

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










Some frequent rules
Series of diagrams
Rponse : B
Example, source EPSO

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









Some frequent rules
Series of diagrams
Rponse : C

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










Some frequent rules
Series of diagrams
Rponse : D
Abstract reasoning : example of on-line test

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.
Resources




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