What Is the OLSAT Test? A Parent Guide to the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT 8)

Focus: Pictures, listening, simple patterns

Following Directions 

Tip: Teach your child to pause and listen to the entire instruction before touching the answer. Kindergarteners often answer too quickly after hearing only half the direction. 

Aural Reasoning 

Tip: Encourage them to repeat the key part of the question quietly in their head. This builds working memory during spoken problems. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Have them use fingers or small visual objects when practicing. Concrete visuals strengthen abstract number logic at this age. 

Picture Classification 

Tip: Ask, “What is the same about three of these?” instead of “Which is different?” It’s often easier for young children to find similarity first. 

Picture Analogies 

Tip: Teach the phrase: “First picture changes like this…” Then apply the same change to the second pair. 

Picture Series 

Tip: Help them describe the pattern out loud: “Big, small, big, small…” Saying it reinforces pattern tracking. 

Figural Classification 

Tip: Encourage sorting by one feature at a time (color, shape, size) rather than trying to look at everything at once. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Teach them to look for movement (rotation, flip, add a piece) rather than guessing based on appearance. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Show them how to check both across AND down. Many children only look in one direction. 

Figural Series 

Tip: Cover the answer choices first and predict what comes next before looking at options.

Focus: Strengthening patterns + early logic 

Following Directions 

Tip: Practice multi-step directions at home (“Circle the square and then underline the triangle”). This builds sequencing stamina. 

Aural Reasoning 

Tip: Teach them to identify “clue words” like more, fewer, before, after. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Encourage drawing simple number sketches (dots, lines) instead of solving only mentally. 

Picture Classification 

Tip: Remind them that sometimes the difference is subtle (size or orientation), not just object type. 

Picture Analogies 

Tip: Ask, “What changed?” rather than “What fits?” This keeps reasoning structured. 

Figural Classification 

Tip: Eliminate choices that clearly don’t match before deciding on the best answer. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Have them compare only one part of the shape at a time instead of scanning the whole figure. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Teach them to look for repeating shapes or numbers rather than focusing on decoration details. 

Figural Series 

Tip: Count how many parts are added or removed each step — many patterns are numerical. 

Focus: Transitioning toward more abstract thinking 

Following Directions 

Tip: Underline key words in practice (first, last, only). This builds precision. 

Aural Reasoning 

Tip: Train them to visualize the story in their mind as they listen. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Look for relationships (doubling, adding 2 each time) instead of calculating randomly. 

Picture Classification 

Tip: Ask whether the rule applies to ALL three matching pictures. If not, rethink. 

Picture Analogies 

Tip: Break the analogy into two parts: object + action. 

Figural Classification 

Tip: Test the rule on each answer choice to confirm consistency. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Watch for flips (mirror images) — a common second-grade trap. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: If stuck, isolate just one row or one column to simplify. 

Figural Series 

Tip: Identify whether the change is in shape, number, rotation, or shading. 

Focus: Verbal + numeric reasoning emerges 

Antonyms 

Tip: Replace the word with a simple synonym first, then find the opposite of that synonym. 

Sentence Completion 

Tip: Cover the answer choices and think of your own word before looking. 

Sentence Arrangement 

Tip: Find the sentence that sounds like a clear beginning first. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Translate word problems into short number equations. 

Logical Selection 

Tip: Identify the rule that connects the first two items before checking options. 

Word/Letter Matrix 

Tip: Look for alphabetical movement (forward/backward in the alphabet). 

Verbal Analogies 

Tip: State the relationship in a full sentence: “A kitten is a baby cat.” 

Verbal Classification 

Tip: Identify the category before selecting the odd one out. 

Number Series 

Tip: Check for simple operations first (add/subtract) before testing complex ones. 

Numeric Inference 

Tip: Identify what changes between numbers — position often matters. 

Number Matrix 

Tip: Compare the top row to the bottom row for a repeating math pattern. 

Figural Classification 

Tip: Ignore color first; focus on structure. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Identify whether shapes are added, removed, or rotated. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Solve one missing piece at a time instead of trying to solve the entire grid. 

Figural Series 

Tip: Check if rotation increases by equal degrees each step.

Focus: Inference + abstract logic 

Antonyms 

Tip: Watch for words that are opposites in tone, not just dictionary opposites. 

Sentence Completion 

Tip: Check grammar agreement (tense, singular/plural). 

Sentence Arrangement 

Tip: Look for transition words (however, first, finally). 

Inference 

Tip: Only use information given — never assume extra details. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Identify the operation hidden inside the wording before calculating. 

Logical Selection 

Tip: Determine whether the relationship is functional (tool → use). 

Word/Letter Matrix 

Tip: Test whether letters shift by a consistent number of alphabet positions. 

Verbal Analogies 

Tip: Avoid surface similarities; focus on deeper relationships. 

Verbal Classification 

Tip: Ask if three items share a purpose or category. 

Number Series 

Tip: Look for alternating patterns (add 2, subtract 1). 

Numeric Inference 

Tip: Compare diagonal relationships if horizontal isn’t clear. 

Number Matrix 

Tip: Check multiplication patterns if addition doesn’t work. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Examine orientation — flips are common traps. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Solve simpler rows first to uncover the rule. 

Figural Series 

Tip: Identify whether elements are accumulating or cycling. 

Focus: Multi-step reasoning 

Antonyms 

Tip: Consider nuance — some answers are partial opposites, not true opposites. 

Sentence Completion 

Tip: Identify tone before choosing vocabulary. 

Sentence Arrangement 

Tip: Look for cause-and-effect sequencing. 

Inference 

Tip: Eliminate choices that go beyond the passage’s scope. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Break multi-step problems into smaller calculations. 

Logical Selection 

Tip: Identify whether the relationship is structural or conceptual. 

Word/Letter Matrix 

Tip: Check if rows use different operations than columns. 

Verbal Analogies 

Tip: Test the relationship both forward and backward. 

Verbal Classification 

Tip: Identify the most precise category possible. 

Number Series 

Tip: Look for squared or multiplied differences. 

Numeric Inference 

Tip: Compare ratios, not just differences. 

Number Matrix 

Tip: Try combining operations (add then multiply). 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Identify transformations in sequence. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Look for layered rules (shape + shading). 

Figural Series 

Tip: Determine if two patterns are happening simultaneously. 

Focus: Advanced abstraction 

Antonyms 

Tip: Watch for context-dependent meanings. 

Sentence Completion 

Tip: Evaluate logical consistency within the entire sentence. 

Sentence Arrangement 

Tip: Identify thesis and supporting logic. 

Inference 

Tip: Distinguish between implication and assumption. 

Arithmetic Reasoning 

Tip: Translate complex wording into algebraic relationships. 

Logical Selection 

Tip: Identify formal logical structures (if/then). 

Word/Letter Matrix 

Tip: Consider symbolic relationships beyond alphabetical order. 

Verbal Analogies 

Tip: Look for hierarchical or functional relationships. 

Verbal Classification 

Tip: Choose the category that is conceptually tightest. 

Number Series 

Tip: Test exponential growth patterns. 

Numeric Inference 

Tip: Analyze structural symmetry. 

Number Matrix 

Tip: Consider compound rules across rows and columns. 

Figural Analogies 

Tip: Track transformation sequences step by step. 

Pattern Matrix 

Tip: Identify dual-layer rules (shape transformation + numeric logic). 

Figural Series 

Tip: Determine if rotation and scaling occur simultaneously.