OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Section Online Preparation, Sample Questions and Tips – 2025
What Is the OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Section?
Figural Reasoning is one subcategory included in the OLSAT’s Nonverbal Section. The OLSAT tests always include a Verbal Section and a Nonverbal Section that are further divided into subcategories. Figural Reasoning is one of the three subcategories in the Nonverbal Section. After the completion of the OLSAT exam, the correct answers from every subcategory will be tallied together and used to determine a composite score, which is used by many schools as a tool for identifying gifted and talented children.
Figural Reasoning questions assess student’s ability for identifying relationships between geometric figures and shapes, understanding pattern progression, comparing different figure sets, and manipulating objects through spatial context. It is important to note that the Nonverbal Section does not make use of words, which allows students from all backgrounds to have a better chance of scoring well on this exam. The OLSAT exam includes a set time limit for every level, which parents should be aware of and should help their child prepare for.
What Are the OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Sections?
The Figural Reasoning subcategory on the OLSAT exam is split into four separate subsections. Each Figural Reasoning subsection will consist of figural classification, figural analogy, pattern matrix, and figural series questions. Children may not need to complete each individual subsection in the Figural Reasoning subcategory. The amount of questions and subsections that a child is required to complete will depend on the OLSAT Level that they are taking, which is determined by age. Figural Reasoning includes questions that can be found on all OLSAT Levels A – G.
| Subsection Type | OLSAT Level | Subsection Description |
| Figural Classification | Level A – D | Figural Classification questions assess a child’s ability to identify a figure that is considered to be the “odd one out.” This is accomplished by searching through five figures, and choosing one figure that does not match the other four figures. |
| Figural Analogy | Level A – G | Figural Analogy questions assess a child’s ability to identify relationships among figures. A single figure will be presented to the students, followed by a group of five figures. Students will need to identify which figure from the group of five holds the same similarity with the original figure. |
| Pattern Matrix | Level A – G | Pattern Matrix questions assess a child’s ability to solve and complete a patterned matrix. Students will notice a 3×3 matrix divided into nine individual boxes. The matrix will have every box filled with a sequence or pattern, with the exception of one box which will be left intentionally blank. The matrix is solved by the students identifying the pattern that runs along the matrix and choosing an answer that best completes the matrix. |
| Figural Series | Level A – G | Figural Series includes questions that assess a child’s ability to predict or infer an outcome that follows a progression of geometric figures. Students will see four consecutive figures that follow a certain pattern. Students will complete the figural series by choosing a figure from the answer options that follows the same figural pattern. |
How to Read OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Section Score Report?
Following the completion of the entire OLSAT exam, the correct answers from every subcategory will be tallied together and used to determine the raw score. The raw score is displayed as the number of correct answers over the number of total possible answers. Following this, the raw score will be compared with students that are close in age. The result from this comparison is shown as the School Ability Index (SAI). This is a score with a highest possibility of 150, and is the representation of how well your child scored compared to other children. To make this score more understandable, it is further converted into a Percentile Rank, which is a percentage of how many children your child received a higher score than.
OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Section Tips
- Use practice exams to practice every section, including the Figural Reasoning section. Some students may feel tempted to only practice certain sections that they believe they struggle with. However, it is actually extremely important that all test sections are initially practiced equally. The questions on these types of aptitude tests are unlike questions asked on normal school tests. This means that children that typically score well on certain sections in school may actually struggle on the same section during an aptitude test.
- Some children may need their parents present during studying sessions. Children, especially those that are younger, may benefit from having their parents sit next to them during studying sessions. Parents can lead children that are easily distracted to pay closer attention to practice exams. Even if your child does not become easily distracted, they may need assistance understanding a question or its instructions. When your child first starts studying, make sure a parent is nearby in order to assist them if they run into any trouble.
How to Prepare for the OLSAT Figural Reasoning Test Section?
The OLSAT Figural Reasoning test section is one of three sections that encompasses the OLSAT Nonverbal Section. Figural Reasoning questions can have a varying level of difficulty that many children tend to struggle with. For this reason, it is imperative that parents develop a strong studying method that will help their child become familiar with the unfamiliar testing material. The easiest way to do this is to make use of practice exams, study guides, and example questions. These materials can be accessed online and can be used as many times as a parent feels necessary. Moreover, practice exams almost always include helpful explanations that will guide your child through answering tough questions. Practice exams and explanations are vital for children to score high on the OLSAT Figural Reasoning test section.
Free OLSAT Practice Questions
Based on your grade level select the relevant free practice materials:
| OLSAT Level | School Grade |
| Level A | Pre-K and Kindergarten |
| Level B | 1st Grade |
| Level C | 2nd Grade |
| Level D | 3rd Grade |
| Level E | 4th and 4th Grade |
| Level F | 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades |
| Level G | 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grades |