What are spatial reasoning tests?
Spatial reasoning tests are designed to assess your ability to consider objects in both their two and three dimensional forms, and, using logic, mentally disassemble and put them back together again.
The information you have for each question will be limited, as employers are looking to see how your logic and spatial awareness fare when put into action.
Most commonly these tests are employed by engineering and architecture firms, but there are a few jobs within the legal sector that require the specific skillset being tested.
As the questions may well be unlike anything you’ve answered before, we recommend attempting some spatial reasoning tests in the lead up to the test you’re preparing for. The more you practice, the better your speed and accuracy will get. It’s a win win!
Why do employers use spatial reasoning tests?
Employers use spatial reasoning tests when they hire for a role requiring someone with an ability to pick shapes apart, to think logically and creatively, and to think outside the box.
The legal sector in particular is incredibly competitive, and if a more specific skillset is being sought after, an aptitude test like the spatial reasoning test will help an employer to differentiate between a series of different candidates who may appear similar on paper.
What is the spatial reasoning test format?
The questions are based on a series of shapes or objects. You’ll be asked to reconfigure the shapes mentally, to assess the shapes from a different viewpoint or to find their mirror image.
Answering the questions successfully takes a certain type of thinking that doesn’t come naturally to everyone, so practising really is key if you want to get better.
As is the case with all aptitude tests, you’ll be under a strict time limit so you’ll need to find the perfect balance between speed and accuracy in order to answer all the questions.
What skills does spatial reasoning test?
Proffering just a small amount of information or a visual clue as guidance, the spatial reasoning test examines your spatial awareness, your ability to think outside the box and how good you are at mentally assembling and disassembling shapes.
The time pressure also helps employers setting the test to see how you are at keeping calm and thinking rationally under pressure. These are all skills that will serve you well in the role you’re applying for.
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Sample Spatial Reasoning Test question Test your knowledge!
If you are given a piece of paper shaped like a regular hexagon and asked to fold it such that one corner meets the opposite corner, what is the shape of the crease created on the paper?
- Straight line
- Semicircle
- Parabola
- Triangle
Imagine a cube. If you remove one corner of the cube by cutting it diagonally through the related face, how many faces will the resulting solid have?
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Suppose you fold a flat square sheet along the diagonal. What type of geometric shape is formed?
- Triangle
- Rectangle
- Pentagon
- Circle
You have a 3D model of a building, which is completely symmetrical. If the model is viewed from above, how many sides of symmetry could it potentially have?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Envision a pyramid that has a square base and four triangular faces. If you were to remove one of its vertices, how many edges would the resulting figure have?
- 4
- 6
- 7
- 8
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Spatial Reasoning Test Tips
- Visualize Success
Before you dive into the thick of spatial reasoning, take a moment to visualize the objects in your real-world setting. Remember, these shapes aren't just on paper but represent actual items you could encounter on the job. This mental exercise helps bridge the abstract to the tangible, making the test feel more intuitive.
- Break It Down
Staring down a complex shape can be overwhelming. Our tip? Break it down into smaller parts. Focus on each element one at a time, then piece them back together in your mind. This step-by-step method makes spatial problems more manageable and less daunting. It's like solving a puzzle — one piece at a time.
- Sketch It Out
Who says you have to keep it all in your head? If you're grappling with turning shapes around in your mind, sketch them out. Use good old-fashioned pen and paper to draw different perspectives or components of the shape. Visual aids can be a real game-changer when it comes to spatial reasoning exams.
- Watch the Clock
While it's essential to be thorough, remember that these are timed tests. Keep an eye on the clock to ensure you're maintaining a steady pace. Practice tests on Law Tests can help you get a feel for the timer and work on quickening your decision-making process without sacrificing accuracy.
- Erase Doubt with Practice
Nothing beats the tried-and-true method of practice, practice, practice. But don't just practice blindly; use Law Tests to get familiar with the types of questions you'll face. The more you practice, the more you'll see patterns and commonalities, easing the pressure when you tackle the real thing.
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Spatial Reasoning Test FAQs
- How are spatial reasoning tests scored?
At the end of the test your paper will be marked alongside the papers of everyone else who took the test. Sometimes scores will be directly compared to a normative group; this gives employers a clearer understanding of whether the test was particularly easy or hard, and where you sit alongside your peers.
- What are spatial reasoning tests used for?
The test is usually set by employers looking for people with a natural affinity for understanding how things are put together, more often than not this means architects and engineers. However there are an increasing number of roles in the legal sector for which this test is a really useful hiring tool.
- What do spatial reasoning tests involve?
The tests involve answering questions on shapes and objects and their mirror images, their perspective or visualising something in two dimensions as three.
Time is against you as you answer the questions, so make sure you focus on the task in hand by reading the question clearly and calmly.
The test is designed to help employers find people with natural spatial awareness and an ability to think outside the box - so you can expect to be tested in a way that might not be familiar.
Make sure you practice a few tests beforehand so you’re not walking into the real test unsure of what you’re about to see.
- What do spatial reasoning tests measure?
The spatial reasoning test measures your spatial awareness. Spatial awareness is often something that does or doesn’t come naturally, but you can certainly hone your skills by practising similar tests before the one you’re working towards.
By looking at a series of different shapes and objects and answering questions that involve you mentally rearranging them, you can show a potential employer that you have the creative and logical thinking to succeed at your chosen legal job.
- Where can I practice spatial reasoning tests?
At Practice Aptitude Tests, we have lots of different spatial reasoning tests you can take for practice. The website also hosts hints, tips and tricks to make the whole learning process as seamless as possible.
- Which employers use spatial reasoning tests?
Employers from a wide variety of different sectors use spatial reasoning tests to find candidates with natural spatial awareness. It may not be the most common aptitude test chosen by legal employers, but there certainly are a few roles for which the test is a helpful and relevant recruitment tool.