Visual reasoning questions: How to solve? ( Part- 1)
January 7 | by NATA TRAINER | Posted in Drawing practice, NATA candidates
To solve visual reasoning questions, start by observing carefully. Identify patterns and relationships, and then apply solving techniques such as analyzing symmetry, comparing and contrasting, considering scale and proportion, and using analogies and metaphors. I strongly recommend learning these techniques under the guidance of an expert trainer. This helps facilitate interaction for brainstorming and exploring more from the same question pattern.
Visual reasoning questions can vary, and different categorizations may exist, but generally, they fall into several common types, especially in the context of NATA exams. Here are some categories of visual reasoning questions typically encountered in architecture entrance exams:
- Pattern Recognition:
Solution: Each arrow in this continuing series moves a few degrees in a clockwise direction. Think of these arrows as the big hand on a clock. The first arrow is at noon. The last arrow before the blank would be 12:40. Choice b, the correct answer, is at 12:45.
2. Analogies:
Solution: Scissors is to knife as pitcher is to watering can. This relationship is about function. The scissors and knife are both used for cutting. The pitcher and watering can are both used for watering.
3. Spatial Reasoning
Solution: The fig. (X) is similar to the Form II. So, when the sheet shown in fig. (X) is folded to form a cube then the two half-shaded faces lie opposite to each other, the face bearing a square lies opposite to one of the two blank faces and the face bearing a circle lies opposite to the other blank face. Therefore, the cubes shown in figures (2) and (3) which have the two half-shaded faces adjacent to each other, cannot be formed by folding the sheet shown in fig. (X). Also, though the cube shown in fig. (4) has faces that can appear adjacent to each other, but the cube formed by folding the sheet in fig. (X) cannot be rotated to form the cube in fig. (4). Hence, only the cube in fig. (1) can be formed.
4. Classification:
Choose the figure which is different from the rest.
Solution: Answer(B). All other figures can be rotated into each other.
5. Series Completion
Select a figure from amongst the Answer Figures which will continue the same series as established by the five Problem Figures.
Solution: Answer is (1). In one step, one half-leaf is lost from the CW-end and three half-leaves are added at the ACW-end. In the next step, one half-leaf is lost from the CW-end and two half-leaves are added at the ACW-end.
6. Rotation and Reflection:
Choose the correct water image of the given figure (X) from amongst the four alternatives.
Solution: Option 4.
Understand reflection, identify mirror line, break down figure, use symmetry, consider orientation, maintain distance, practice visualization, recognize patterns, check for reversals, avoid common mistakes, practice with previous questions.
7. Dot situation:
Select the figure which satisfies the same conditions of placement of the dots as in Figure-X
Solution: Option 2.
In fig. (X), one of the dots lies in the region common to the circle and the triangle only, another dot lies in the region common to the circle, the square and the triangle only and the third dot lies in the rectangle alone. In figures (1) and (4) there is no region common to the circle and the triangle only. In fig. (3) there is no region which lies in the rectangle alone. Only fig. (2) contains all the three types of regions.
These categories often overlap, and a single question may involve multiple types of Visual reasoning questions. The key is to analyze the visual information and apply logical thinking to arrive at a solution.
In this article, I’ve discussed a few models of visual reasoning questions that are most relevant to ask in the NATA exam 2024. In the next part, the same topic will be further explored with many more examples.
Part-2
