UCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips & Practices

The Abstract Reasoning section of the UCAT tests your pattern recognition skills under tough time constraints. Some units in this section will contain Set A and Set B questions that require test shapes to be matched with their correct set.

Pattern recognition is a critical analytical skill required of a doctor, who often must decide if a patient’s set of symptoms fit a particular “pattern” of disease from a selection of many similar disorders. These skills are frequently drawn upon and lucky for you, they can be learnt and developed. 

Having a plan for this section is essential. You’ll likely spend your time first working out the pattern in Set A and B and this is the approach we recommend you take first. Try not to look at the test shape first, as this will only distract you from solving the pattern. It may seem excruciatingly difficult to decipher the sequence but take your time and with practice you’ll unravel an increasingly greater percentage of these puzzles.

Through practice in a UCAT Preparation program, you will slowly develop an eye for the typical patterns that may appear. They may be the type of shapes that appear in each box, the proportion of colours, or the shapes that are coloured. Many variations exist and your task is to become adept at identifying them. Once you do, assigning the test shape to the set is a piece of cake. Contact us today and we can take on the arduous task of preparing for UCAT together!