OLSAT Nonverbal Questions Explained

• Number of Questions on the OLSAT
  
• OLSAT Pictorial Reasoning
  
• OLSAT Figural Reasoning
  
• OLSAT Quantitative Reasoning
  
• OLSAT Question Types
  

Studying for the OLSAT can be overwhelming, partially due to its complex structure and numerous question types. We have included sample questions above to provide you with a better understanding of the different types of questions which appear on the OLSAT.

At every test level, the OLSAT is divided into two sections: Verbal and Nonverbal. Except for the OLSAT Level A test for pre-k, every test level has an equal amount of verbal and nonverbal questions. See the table below for an exact breakdown of the number of verbal and nonverbal questions on each test.

There are three subcategories within the nonverbal section of the OLSAT:

• Pictorial Reasoning
• Figural Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning

See the table below for a better understanding of how each section is separated into subcategories and question types.

The Pictorial Reasoning category has three question types: Picture Classification, Picture Analogies, and Picture Series. These questions assess a child's ability to reason with different pictures and illustrations, find relationships, similarities and differences among objects, and be able to understand and continue progressions.

Picture Classification questions measure the ability to identify the “odd one out.” Given five pictures, a child will have to identify which image does not belong in the group by recognizing a common theme or pattern present throughout the images.

Picture Analogies questions also test the ability to understand relationships between pictures. The objective is to identify which picture from a group of five is most similar to the original picture presented in the question. While Picture Classification items assess the ability to identify differences, Picture Analogy items assess the ability to identify similarities.

Picture Series questions assess the ability to understand patterns and progressions. Given a progression of images, a child will have to be able to identify a pattern and predict what picture comes next in the series.

The Figural Reasoning category has four question types: Figural Classification, Figural Analogies, Pattern Matrix, and Figural Series. These questions assess a child's ability to use geometric shapes and figures to infer relationships, understand and continue progressions, and compare and contrast different figures.

Figural Classification questions measure the ability to identify the “odd one out” in a group of five images. A child will have to identify which of the five images does not belong in the group by recognizing a common theme or pattern present throughout the images.

Figural Analogies questions assess the ability to understand relationships between figures. The objective is to identify which figure in a group of 5 is most similar to the original figure presented in the question. While Figural Classification assesses the ability to identify differences, Figural Analogy assesses the ability to identify similarities.

Pattern Matrix questions assess the ability to fill in the missing item in a matrix. Matrices are 3X3 grids (9 total boxes) which have sequences and patterns that run horizontally and vertically. Each matrix will have a blank square, which will have to be filled in with the correct figure to complete the pattern.

Figural Series questions assess the ability to predict the next step in a progression of geometric shapes. The question will consist of four consecutive shapes, ordered according to a certain pattern or theme, and the test taker will have to predict what the fifth shape in the sequence will be.

The Quantitative Reasoning category has three different question types: Number Series, Numeric Inference, and Number Matrix. These questions assess a child's ability to infer relationships with numbers, and deduce and use computational rules in context.

Number Series questions assess the ability to understand the pattern in a sequence of numbers or letters and the ability to fill in a missing item in the series.

Numeric Inference questions test the ability to understand relationships between numbers and number groupings.

Number Matrix questions assess the ability to fill in the missing number in a matrix made up of entirely of numbers. Matrices are 3X3 grids (9 total boxes) which have sequences and patterns that run horizontally and vertically. Each matrix will have a blank square, which will have to be filled in with the correct number to complete the pattern.

In total, the nonverbal section has 10 different question types. Refer to the gallery above for sample questions.

All Olsat question types are included in the OLSAT Test score.

Find out more about OLSAT Verbal Questions.

Use our free OLSAT sample questions to get familiar with the question types