Struggling with UCAT preparation? In this post, we explain what abstract reasoning is and how to solve UCAT abstract reasoning problems.
The UCAT Abstract Reasoning section is fourth of the five subtests and tests your ability to identify patterns. You’ll be presented with a series of abstract shapes where you’ll need to identify patterns amongst other irrelevant material that may hinder your ability to answer correctly.
When doctors, dentists, and/or medical professionals consider a diagnosis, they may have to work with a set of symptoms and results which range in their reliability and relevancy. Medical professionals need to make decisions and judgements by identifying and selecting information to reach conclusions. Conducting data driven research will also require the skill of identifying patterns and in their results to produce their hypotheses.
The Abstract Reasoning subtest consists of 55 questions which must be completed in 13 minutes. Questions will require you to find general rules that apply to shape sets.
The flowchart below illustrates the different categories in the Abstract Reasoning Subtest:
In Abstract Reasoning, questions can be categorised into 4 different types:
Our UCAT Experts can help you ace UCAT. We’ll help you get exam-ready with our step-by-step approach to building your logical thinking abilities, critical thinking skills and moral and ethical standards. Learn more about Matrix UCAT Course.
In these type of questions you’ll be presented with two sets of shapes labelled either “Set A” and “Set B”. You’ll be shown a test shape and asked to decide whether the test shape belongs to Set A, Set B, or Neither.
Which set does this belong to?
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer
The pattern is in Set A. There are always 3 shapes in Set A, whereas in Set B there are only 2 shapes present in every box. There is no other pattern present. Thus, A is correct.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer
The pattern is in Set A. In Set A, there are always 3 shapes. Whereas, in Set B, there are only 2 shapes present in every box. There is no other pattern present. As there are 4 shapes present, this test shape doesn’t belong in either Set A or Set B.
Hence, C is correct.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer
The pattern is in Set A. There are always 3 shapes in Set A. Whereas, in Set B, there are only 2 shapes present in every box. There is no other pattern present.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer
The pattern is in Set A, there are always 3 shapes. Whereas, in Set B, there are only 2 shapes present in every box. There is no other pattern present.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer
The pattern is in Set A. There are always 3 shapes in Set A. Whereas, in Set B, there are only 2 shapes present in every box. There is no other pattern present.
B is correct
In these question types, you will be shown a series of shapes for which you’ll have to select the next sequential shape.
What figure completes the series?
Answer
The number of sides on the top shape increases by 1 each time. The number of sides on the bottom shape increases by 2 each time. Hence, the next shape will have 10 sides on the top and 11 at the bottom (C).
These questions involve a statement with a group of shapes. You’ll need to select a shape that completes the statement.
The number of shapes on the inside defines the number of sides of the outer shape. Hence, there are 3 shapes inside the pentagon so the outer shape is a triangle.
The outside shape moves inside of the new shape hence there will be pentagons in the inside (C)
In these questions, you’ll be shown two sets of shapes labelled either “Set A” and “Set B”. You’ll be asked to select one of four responses that belongs to either “Set A” and “Set B”.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer C
In Set A, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are shaded, as well as all other instances of that shape. In Set B, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are unshaded, as well as all other instances of that shape remain unshaded. All other shapes are shaded.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer A
In Set A, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are shaded, as well as all other instances of that shape. In Set B, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are unshaded, as well as all other instances of that shape remain unshaded. All other shapes are shaded.
TEST SHAPE
A. Set A
B. Set B
C. Neither
Answer C
In Set A, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are shaded, as well as all other instances of that shape. In Set B, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are unshaded, as well as all other instances of that shape remain unshaded. All other shapes are shaded.
TEST SHAPE
Set A
Set B
Neither
Answer B
In Set A, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are shaded, as well as all other instances of that shape. In Set B, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are unshaded, as well as all other instances of that shape remain unshaded. All other shapes are shaded.
TEST SHAPE
Set A
Set B
Neither
Answer A
In Set A, if two identical shapes are present on opposite ends of a line, they are shaded, as well as all other instances of that shape. In Set B, if two identical shapes are present
on opposite ends of a line, they are unshaded, as well as all other instances of that shape remain unshaded. All other shapes are shaded.
© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2022. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Our website uses cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Read our cookies statement.