Symbolic and Abstract Reasoning
Find the one change in a figure series, read grids both ways, and crack letter codes, symbol operations, number rules and repeating patterns with a check at every step.
What it is
Symbolic and abstract reasoning items give you shapes, letters, numbers or symbols that follow a hidden rule. Your job is to find the rule and use it. Nothing needs to be memorized. Every answer comes from careful comparing and checking.
There are two families. Figure items show simple drawings: a series to continue, a 3 × 3 grid with one empty box, a set with one odd figure, or a pair of figures whose change you copy. Symbol items use letters and numbers: a secret letter code, a made-up operation sign, a number machine, or a repeating line of symbols.
Why it matters on the exam
These items appear in the Analytical part of the Professional exam. They look strange at first, so many examinees guess. With a fixed method, each one becomes a short, sure task.
The same habit helps at work. You spot what changed between two versions of a form, follow a coding scheme for files, or apply a stated procedure in the right order.
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
- Figure E
The rest of this lesson, and every other lesson, is part of ReviewTayo.
Read moreIn the full lesson
- How to recognize it on the test
- What to look for (7 checks)
- All 6 rules and tools
- 4 worked examples, every step explained
- 8 common mistakes and how to fix them
- 5 exam techniques
- Remember: 6 key points
- Practice questions with explanations, and your progress saved
More Analytical Ability lessons
ReviewTayo has 47 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.