Reasoning strategy checklist
Most avoidable points are lost to the same handful of process errors. This checklist collects the countermeasures in the order you'd actually use them.
How to use it
Read the setup section before starting any reasoning test, keep the per-question routine in mind for the first few items until it becomes automatic, and use the review section if time remains. The tactics table is worth reading once before a test that uses those item types.
Setup, before you start
| Check | Done |
|---|---|
| Rested, not testing late at night | ( ) |
| Quiet space, notifications off | ( ) |
| Paper and pen available if allowed | ( ) |
| Read the instructions twice | ( ) |
| Noted time limit and number of items | ( ) |
| Calculated average time per item | ( ) |
| Checked whether wrong answers are penalized | ( ) |
| Checked whether you can return to skipped items | ( ) |
Per-question routine
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Read the question fully before looking at the options |
| 2 | Identify what varies and what stays constant |
| 3 | Form the rule or relationship in words |
| 4 | Predict the answer before viewing options |
| 5 | Eliminate options that break any rule |
| 6 | Verify against every row, item or condition |
| 7 | Confirm you selected the option you intended |
Tactics by item type
| Item type | Tactic |
|---|---|
| Matrix | Check rows, columns and diagonals in a fixed order |
| Sequence | Write differences; test for alternation |
| Analogy | State the relationship as a sentence |
| Odd one out | Find the rule the others share, not the difference you notice first |
| Word problem | Write the relationship before calculating |
| Spatial | Track one distinctive feature through the transformation |
Time management
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Reached double the average time on an item | Flag, guess, move on |
| Half the time gone | Check you're at roughly half the items |
| Two options remain, no rule separates them | Guess and flag |
| Time nearly up | Answer all remaining items if no penalty |
Review, if time remains
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Flagged items | Reread the question; look for a missed feature |
| Changed answers | Change only with a specific reason |
| Blank items | Fill in if there's no penalty |
| Careless slips | Confirm selections match your working |
After the test
Record what went well and which error types appeared. Reviewing errors is where most improvement comes from, and it's more useful than a repeat test. Remember that score gains across attempts partly reflect familiarity rather than reasoning changes.
Checklist questions
What's the best strategy for reasoning tests?+−
Predict before looking at options, verify against all conditions and manage time with a skip rule.
Should I use paper during an online test?+−
If permitted, yes; writing reduces working memory load.
Does this checklist work for aptitude tests?+−
Yes, the same process points apply to most reasoning-based assessments.
How do I make this automatic?+−
Practice the routine on a few untimed sets before using it in a timed test.
Continue exploring
Explore IQ and reasoning explained
Return to the topic hub to browse all guides, questions, comparisons and reflection resources.
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IQ test reflection journal
A fill-in worksheet to capture what a reasoning test showed about how you work: conditions, task types, error patterns and one change to try.
Read guidePreparing for a formal cognitive assessment
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Read guideCompare related patterns
Explore where related experiences may overlap or differ.
IQ test vs aptitude test
Aptitude tests measure readiness for specific tasks or training; IQ tests estimate general reasoning. How they differ in purpose, content and use.
Read guideIQ vs EQ
Emotional intelligence and cognitive ability are different constructs with different evidence bases. What each measures, how EQ is assessed, what research supports.
Read guideTake the next step with structured self-reflection
Use the test as a starting point for noticing everyday patterns and deciding what you may want to explore further.
Sources and further reading
- PubMed Central: Should Intelligence Tests Be Speeded or Unspeeded? A Brief Review
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Kruger, Wirtz & Miller, 2005) / APA PsycNet: Counterfactual thinking and the first instinct fallacy
- Intelligence (Scharfen, Peters & Holling, 2018): Retest effects in cognitive ability tests: A meta-analysis
- Behavioral and Brain Sciences (Cowan, 2001) / PubMed: The magical number 4 in short-term memory: a reconsideration of mental storage capacity