It helps the brain and increases IQ. Some are hard and some are easy. Just the way exams or tests are supposed to be.
What are spatial reasoning tests?
Spatial reasoning is all about testing your ability to think about objects in both two and three dimensions, and to mentally manipulate these images into new forms.
You won’t have very long to answer each question, so being able to focus on the task at hand and mentally visualise the images you’re being asked about is a skill you’ll need to work on.
Employers tend to set these tests for roles where being able to visualise how things are put together is important - so it’s a test very often used in the technology industry.
It's often said that spatial awareness is something you’re naturally good at (or not!), but we know that people who practice spatial reasoning tests before the big day perform better.
Why do employers use spatial reasoning tests?
The financial industry is highly competitive and attracts incredibly competent people. As a result it can be hard to differentiate between candidates using interviews alone.
The spatial reasoning test offers employers a chance to assess how well applicants cope under considerable time pressure, and how adept they are at inductive reasoning.
This particular type of test is very similar to the IQ test, and will show the natural born problem solvers in a pool of people who,on paper, probably have similar levels of experience.
What is the spatial reasoning test format?
You’ll have to answer a series of questions related to different shapes and objects. The questions could vary from reconfiguring a shape into a different format, to finding its mirror image amongst a series of shapes that look similar.
You won’t have long to answer each question, so it’s important to get to grips with the question format and kinds of things you’ll be asked before taking the test.
What skills does spatial reasoning test?
The spatial reasoning test examines your spatial awareness. You won’t have much information to work from when you answer each question, so being able to look for patterns and sequences, to think outside the box and to successfully visualise shapes are all skills that will be under scrutiny.
It may seem like a challenge, but it’s worth remembering that the employer is being responsible by ensuring you have the skills needed to do the tech role you’ve applied for.
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Sample Spatial Reasoning Tests question Test your knowledge!
Score: /5
Imagine a ladder with evenly spaced rungs. If you look at the ladder sideways so that the rungs are horizontal lines, what happens to the visual spacing between the rungs as the ladder hypothetically extends further away?
- The spacing appears to increase.
- The spacing appears to stay the same.
- The spacing appears to decrease.
- The rungs begin to appear as a solid line.
Imagine folding a piece of paper that is printed with a pattern on one side only. After folding it into a specific shape and making a single cut, you unfold the paper. Describe the pattern observed if the original piece had a triangle at one corner.
- The pattern reveals a single triangle.
- There are multiple triangles symmetrically arranged.
- The cut has removed the triangle completely.
- The pattern forms a continuous line with no distinct shapes.
If you rotate a three-dimensional object with a distinct front, back, and sides clockwise 90 degrees along its vertical axis, which side of the object will now be facing the front?
- The original right side.
- The original left side.
- The original back side.
- The original front remains unchanged.
Consider two boxes placed next to each other. If one box is half the size of the other and you stack the smaller on top of the larger, what will be the ratio of the total height to the larger box's height?
- 1:1
- 1.5:1
- 2:1
- The ratio cannot be determined.
You have a cube with sides of length 'a'. If you attach another cube of the same size to one of the faces, what is the surface area of the new shape?
- 5a^2
- 6a^2
- 10a^2
- 12a^2
Techtest ensured I was proactive, rather than reactive, in my quest to level-up my technology aptitude skills.
Sam decided to use the Techtest library to help him pass a series of aptitude tests at the BBC
Spatial Reasoning Tests Tips
- Visualize Success
Seeing is achieving, especially when it comes to spatial reasoning! Before you dive into any test question, try picturing the shape or object in your mind as vividly as possible. Rotate it, flip it, transform it – all in your mind's eye. This mental gymnastics will help you slice through the questions like a knife through hot butter!
- Sketch It Out
Sometimes, the best way to tackle a complex spatial problem is to get it down on paper. Don't be afraid to draw quick sketches of the shapes or patterns you're working with. It’s kind of like giving your brain a high-five; it helps translate what you're visualizing mentally onto something you can see right in front of you, making it easier to manipulate and understand.
- Know Your Shapes
From cubes to cones, and tetrahedrons to toroids, familiarize yourself with various geometric figures. While Techtest won't expect you to be the next Euclid, knowing your shapes makes it a lot easier to maneuver through spatial reasoning questions. Think of it as learning the cast of a play before you watch it – everything makes more sense when you know who's who!
- Time Management
Rome wasn't built in a day, and spatial reasoning skills take time to develop. When taking practice exams, keep a steady pace and remember: it's not just about answering all the questions, it's about focusing on the ones you can solve first. Work through the easy wins quickly, and then circle back to the trickier problems. You'll maximize what you can tackle within the time limit without getting bogged down.
- Relax and Decompress
Ever notice how answers come to you when you’re relaxed? That's your brain telling you to chill out! Take deep breaths, and approach each problem with a calm mindset. If you get stumped, it's okay to take a short mental break. Sometimes stepping away from a problem for a moment can bring the solution into clearer focus when you return.
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Spatial Reasoning Tests FAQs
- How are spatial reasoning tests scored?
Your test is marked upon completion. Occasionally it will be compared to a normative group to help the employer to see a comparative picture of people’s strengths and weaknesses.
- What are spatial reasoning tests used for?
The spatial reasoning test is used by employers who want to hire for a specific role. People who do well at the test usually show they have an aptitude for logical thinking, mentally assembling and disassembling shapes and looking at things with a fresh perspective - these are all skills that are highly valued in the technology industry so it’s no surprise it’s one of the more popular aptitude tests.
- What do spatial reasoning tests involve?
The test involves answering questions on shapes and objects. You may have to work out a shape’s mirror image, how it appears in a different form or what it would look like from a different perspective.
- What do spatial reasoning tests measure?
The spatial reasoning test measures your spatial awareness. As well as this, it also gives the employer setting the test the chance to see how you cope under pressure, whether you’re able to think logically and creatively, and how well you can mentally disassemble and reassemble shapes.
- Where can I practice spatial reasoning tests?
At Techtest, we have lots of different spatial reasoning tests you can practice. The more you prepare, the better your chances are of succeeding.
- Which employers use spatial reasoning tests?
In the technology industry, the spatial reasoning test is really popular as it examines many of the skills needed day-to-day. It’s also used by employers across a range of different industries, who want to determine which candidates applying for a role have good spatial awareness.
Reviews
What our customers say about our Spatial Reasoning Tests
Toyosi Ogunade
Nigeria
April 11, 2023
Great practice tests to help increase skills