Guidance Verbal
This guidance includes a series of general guidelines on optimization of test results as well as rules and examples regarding the questions used in the tests. Since the questions used across the tests have significant variation in their presentation it is not possible to go into detail on all the permutations that exist. Many different colors, shapes and patterns are used to illustrate a single logic/rule, leading to many different individual questions in the same way as 2-addition table can be shown as 2-4-6-8 or 8-10-12-14. Regardless of the presentation the aim is for you to identify the logic of the elements of the question and use this to select the correct answer from the presented options. The evaluation of your cognitive ability is derived from your aptitude to identify the rule/logic and apply it to the solutions.
In general
- Answer as many questions as possible. Each answer will increase the probability of an increased score while questions that remain un-answered cannot impact the score.
- Do not get stopped by difficult questions. Spending a long time on a question reduces the time you have available for easier questions. If some questions cause extra difficulty, chose an answer quickly and move on to the next question.
- Do not skip questions. Always select an answer even if it is just a guess. Unless you are told otherwise, it is only correct answers that are used for evaluation and a correct guess is equal to a correct calculation.
- Read the entire question and answer only the question that is stated. Many questions can seem alike with small but significant variations, such as highest/lowest, true/false, same as/opposite of.
- Learn as many rules and logics as possible. This will make you faster at identifying which one to use on the question.
- Practice makes perfect so train as much as possible to master the words, arithmetic, logics and time pressure.
The tests contain three categories of questions; Numeric, Verbal and Abstract, i.e. numbers, words and shapes. Each of these has distinct characteristics and will be presented in individual tabs.
Verbal
Is made up of the sub-categories Analogies, Antonyms and Verbal Analysis with the purpose of identifying the size of the vocabulary and verbal cognitive ability.
Analogies (also called synonyms) contains these types of questions:
Grass is to Green as Ocean is to
and
Which of the following words is the same as Happy?
There are no logic rules as such. The solution is to know as many words and their meanings as possible.
Antonyms contains these types of questions:
Which of the following words does not fit with the rest? A) Black B) Orange C) Night D) White
and
Which of the following words is the opposite of Flat?
Again there is no logical way to identify the correct answer, it is necessary to know as many words and their meanings as possible.
Verbal Analysis contains several types of questions. There is the standard ”Yes/No/Cannot be determined” question and a range of variations where logical causality is identified and used to select the correct answer.
E.g.:
Based on these assumptions: Joe is the name of Roger's rabbit. Rabbits have soft fur. Is it true that Joe has soft fur? Yes/No/Cannot be determined
The determining factor is the fur of Joe as seen from the question at the end. What can be said in that regard based only on the information presented? Joe is a rabbit and rabbits have soft fur so the correct answer is “Yes”.
A Yes-answer requires that it is 100% yes and a No-answer requires that it is 100% no. Everything else is ”Cannot be determined”.
If the question is: Joe is the name of Roger's rabbit. Rabbits have soft fur. Is it true that Roger has soft fur?
Then the correct answer would be ”Cannot be determined” since we have no information of the fur of Roger from the question. He could also be a rabbit but we do not know and then cannot answer yes or no with certainty.
It is imperative for these questions to be able to identify the causality and logic and only use the information presented. The devil is in the detail and the information can include limitations and specifics that determine the correct answer.
E.g.:
A box has 7 red and 10 yellow balls. With your eyes closed you draw 3 balls. Are you holding at least one pair of matching balls?
The correct answer is ”Yes”, since 3 balls ensures that you will have at least two of identical color. But if you drew 2 balls from the box the correct answer would be ”Cannot be determined” since you could be holding 2 of identical color or one of each color. If you drew 1 ball the correct answer would be “No” since you are not holding a pair.
Pay attention to the sequence of answers that can change from question to question through the test and will not always be “Yes/No/Cannot be determined”. Notice also that the question only has 3 answer options which mean that the statistical chance of a correct answer is 33%. Compared to other questions with 4 answer options (25% statistical chance) this gives you a greater chance of guessing the answer successfully which makes it a valid strategy to make a quick guess on this type of questions if you need the time for other questions.
In other Verbal Analysis questions you have to identify a statement that answers the question presented from the information provided. Again it is the logical causality that has to be identified for the correct answer to be selected.
E.g.:
Jane and John jumps only when Peter claps his hands. Peter clapped his hands five times on Saturday.
Which of the following must be true?
A) John jumped only twice this week
B) Jane jumped less than twice on Saturday
C) Jane jumped at least four times this week
D) Jane jumped only twice on Saturday
C is the correct answer, as Jane could have jumped the five times Peter clapped this week and none of the other answer options can be true.
Using the exclusion method on the answer options can be an effective way to identify the correct answer. If three options are not correct the fourth have to be correct even if you have not verified the correctness.
As always it is important to be mindful of the connectivity and limitations inherent in the information in the question to be able to select the correct answer. The questions exist in endless variations and a lot of practice can be a good way to become fast and comfortable choosing the correct answers. Always use logic and the information provided as some questions play on our inclination to think we know things, e.g.:
Jessie's sister has three siblings. Their names are April, May and
A) June B) John C) Jessie D) Jane
A common initial reaction is to choose A since June belong in the sequence of April and May, but that is not correct. We are told to identify the siblings of Jessie’s sister and they are given to us in the question itself as Jessie, April and May and C) Jessie is the correct answer. We never know the name of the sister of Jessie, April and May but that is not information we need to be able to answer the question.