Use the changes between numbers to predict what comes next. OLSAT 8 includes different task families at different levels, so confirm your student’s actual level before concentrating on one type.
Try an original example
Question: What follows 4, 7, 10, 13?
Answer and reasoning: 16. Each number increases by three.
How to think it through
- Describe what you see or hear without looking at the choices first.
- Name a possible relationship or rule.
- Test the rule against every part of the example.
- Choose the answer that follows the rule exactly.
A common mistake
Test the rule at every step; one matching pair is not enough.
These exercises are original learning materials, not official or recalled OLSAT items. For a mixed set, try the free practice test.
Source: Pearson OLSAT 8 product overview and Pearson OLSAT 8 scope-and-sequence brochure. OLSAT.net is an independent educational resource; examples here are original and are not official test questions.
Find a rule that fits the whole series
Pearson lists Number Series at OLSAT 8 Levels D–G. Some learning examples use a constant step; others alternate two operations or change the amount added. Avoid choosing a rule from only the final pair. Compare every adjacent pair and test whether the same description works throughout.
Original learning example
4, 7, 10, 13, ? Choices: 14, 15, 16, 17. The answer is 16. Each number is three more than the previous one: 4+3=7, 7+3=10, 10+3=13, and 13+3=16.
When the first idea fails
Write the differences between terms. If they are not all equal, look for an alternating step or another consistent pattern and verify it against the full sequence. One short practice set cannot estimate an official score; use it to identify which reasoning move needs more explanation. See the quantitative guide for related number tasks.
Assessment source: Pearson OLSAT 8 scope and sequence. Examples and illustrations on this page are independently created by OLSAT.net, not publisher items. Your school can confirm its actual level and administration plan.