Logic
Logic questions ask what must follow from a set of statements. Track only what is given and avoid adding assumptions. Separate facts from possibilities: if a statement says that every blue card is large, it does not say that every large card is blue. Translate the wording into a small list or diagram, then test each answer against the complete set of conditions. The correct option is the one that must be true, not merely the one that could be true.
Pattern recognition
Pattern questions look for a repeatable transformation. Compare adjacent steps and ask whether the change is a movement, a count, an alternation, a rotation, or a combination of rules. Check the rule across the entire sequence. A rule that explains the first two transitions but fails on the last one is not a reliable rule. When symbols are involved, describe their position and orientation in words before looking at the choices.
Numerical reasoning
Numerical questions use arithmetic, ratios, averages, percentages, and simple equations. Estimate the likely size of the answer before calculating so that an accidental decimal or sign error is easier to spot. Keep units visible and write the relationship before substituting numbers. For a percentage, decide whether it is a part of a whole or a percentage-point change. For an average, remember that a total divided by a count is different from adding the values.
Spatial thinking
Spatial questions ask you to imagine rotation, symmetry, folding, or three-dimensional structure. Slow down and picture the transformation one step at a time. Pick a distinctive corner or mark and track where it moves. For rotations, keep the direction consistent; for reflections, remember that the order reverses. A quick sketch is often more reliable than holding every detail in working memory.
Analogy
Analogy questions compare relationships, not just words. First describe the relationship in the opening pair, then find the option that preserves it. “A is used to cut B” is more precise than simply saying the two words are related. Check grammar and direction: if the first relationship is an action performed by one object on another, the second pair should preserve that direction. The best strategy across all five categories is to make the rule explicit, test it, and reject answers that require an extra assumption.