Choose a reasoning skill to explore an original example, a worked answer, and a strategy you can discuss together. Question types vary by OLSAT level; use your school’s assigned level when choosing practice.

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Picture and figure reasoning

Picture classificationFind the picture that does not share the group’s rule.Picture analogiesApply a picture relationship to a new pair.Picture seriesFollow a repeating picture sequence.Figural classificationCompare count, shape, shading, and arrangement.Figural analogiesRepeat the same change with a new figure.Pattern matrixUse a row or column rule to fill a missing cell.Figural seriesCheck the rule throughout a sequence of figures.

Verbal reasoning

Verbal comprehensionPractice careful listening and understanding language.Verbal reasoningFind relationships and reason from the information given.Verbal analogiesMatch the relationship between two word pairs.

Quantitative reasoning

Number seriesFind a consistent rule between numbers.Numeric inferenceWork out the rule connecting number statements.Number matrixApply a number relationship across a grid.

Make each example a conversation

  1. Read the directions and describe the information shown.
  2. Ask your child to explain the relationship before choosing.
  3. Open the explanation and compare the reasoning.
  4. Return to an unfamiliar skill in a short, relaxed session.

See the visual guide

Open the infographic page for a full text explanation, sources, and a downloadable image.

Three OLSAT reasoning families: verbal uses words and meanings; nonverbal uses pictures and figures; quantitative uses numbers and relationships.
The three broad reasoning families. Specific question types vary by OLSAT level.

Read OLSAT Question Types Infographic: Verbal, Nonverbal, Quantitative and transcript

Assessment reference: Pearson OLSAT 8 scope and sequence. These lessons are independently created and are not official test items.

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