Psychometric tests: method sheet (7 question families)

KounKour — Psychometric testsMethod sheet: the 7 families of questions and how to solve themValid for any recruitment (public exams, companies, schools)

1. Number series

Key ideas: first look at the gap between two terms, then at the gaps between gaps. Also think of multiplications, squares (1, 4, 9, 16…), the sum of the two previous terms and two interleaved series (every other term).- Constant gaps: arithmetic series (+ k).- Gaps growing by 1: + 1, + 2, + 3…- Constant ratio: geometric series (× k).Example: 5, 8, 12, 17, 23, … The gaps are 3, 4, 5, 6, so the next term is 23 + 7 = 30.

2. Letter and alphanumeric series

Key ideas: replace each letter by its rank (A = 1, B = 2…) and reason as with numbers. In an alphanumeric item (M40A), follow each part separately.Example: F – I – L – O – R – … moves forward 3 places, so the answer is U.

3. Coding and decoding

Key ideas: compare the word and its code letter by letter. Common codes: alphabet shift, word written backwards, numeric value of letters (sum of ranks), word-to-word matching.Example: HOUSE is written IPVTF, so each letter moves forward 1 place and TABLE is written UBCMF.

4. Numerical reasoning

Key ideas: percentages, rule of three, speed = distance / time, working together, proportional sharing, averages, ages.Time together = a × b / (a + b)Distance = speed × timeExample: one tap fills a tank in 3 h, another in 6 h; together: 3 × 6 / 9 = 2 h.

5. Logical reasoning

Key ideas: put the facts in order (a line A > B > C) and beware of false converses ("all A are B" does not mean "all B are A"). For days of the week, start from today.Example: "If it rains, the road is wet; the road is not wet." Certain conclusion: it is not raining.

6. Verbal reasoning (analogies and odd one out)

Key ideas: name the relationship in the first pair (place, tool, opposite, part of a whole, product), then apply it. For the odd one out, find the category shared by the others.Example: doctor → hospital, teacher → school (workplace).

7. Dominoes and matrices

Key ideas: in a domino series, follow each half separately (after 6, back to 0). In a matrix, find the rule along each row (sum, multiple), then check it down the columns.Example: row 3: 6 – 12 – ? with the rule × 1, × 2, × 3, the answer is 18.

On test day

- Read the instructions and the example: they often reveal the rule.- Don't get stuck: skip and come back at the end.- Check your answer against every term of the series, not just the last one.- Practise against the clock: about 40 seconds per question.- Sleep well: reasoning speed depends on it.