How to prepare for a timed reasoning test

You can't cram for a reasoning test, but you can make sure the score reflects you and not a bad night's sleep.

Reasoning tests are built so that studying for them helps very little. But a few simple things make sure your score reflects your reasoning, not your circumstances.

Before you start

Sleep. A tired brain reasons more slowly. Take the test rested.
Quiet. Phone on silent, door closed, notifications off. Twenty-five minutes is long enough to be interrupted.
A good screen. Figures are easier to compare on a laptop or tablet than on a small phone.

During the test

Read the examples. Each part starts with a short explanation. A minute spent there saves several later.
Keep moving. If an item doesn’t open up after a minute, pick your best guess and come back to it if there’s time. An unanswered question counts as wrong.
One property at a time. In a matrix, look at shape, then count, then fill. In a series, compare neighbours first.
Watch for mirrors. In the spatial part, the decoys are usually mirror images. Follow one distinctive corner.

Afterwards

Your second attempt will usually score a little higher: practice helps on any test. The first attempt is the more honest one.