Spatial reasoning test
Rotate shapes, fold paper and assemble cubes, all in your head. Spatial ability is a strong predictor of success in engineering, design and science.
Try real example questions
These are the same worked examples shown before the section in the test. Pick an answer, then press “Explain” to step through the solution.
What spatial reasoning measures
Spatial reasoning (visual-spatial processing) is the ability to imagine objects moving, turning and folding. Large long-term studies of talented students have found that it predicts achievement in science, technology, engineering and maths over and above verbal and maths ability.
The three question types
- Mental rotation: which option is the same shape, only turned? The traps are mirror images, which no rotation can produce.
- Paper folding: a sheet is folded and punched. Unfold it in your mind; every fold mirrors the holes across the fold line.
- Cube nets: which cube can be folded from a flat pattern? Faces in a straight line two apart end up opposite each other and can never be seen together.
Tips
- For rotation, pick one distinctive feature (a corner or a lone square) and track only that.
- For folding, undo the folds one at a time, last fold first.
- For cubes, first rule out options showing opposite faces side by side, then check which way the symbols point.
- Symbols look slanted on a cube's faces; that's perspective, not a different symbol.
Frequently asked questions
Can spatial skills be trained?
Yes, more than most abilities. Studies show practice with spatial tasks produces real and lasting improvement, which is one reason the test shows worked examples first.
Related
Pattern recognition testFind the hidden rules in 3×3 grids of shapes and complete the pattern.Logical reasoning testWeigh shapes on balance scales, rank them from clues and crack hidden transformation rules.Numerical reasoning testDiscover the logic behind number sequences — no math formulas needed.Working memory testHold patterns and sequences in mind for a few seconds and reproduce them.Processing speed testSpot differences, find matches and count targets — fast.