Assess Systems Australia

About abstract reasoning

By Ricki Sharpe | Published: April 3, 2007

A question that psychologists are often asked is why people who get high scores on verbal and numerical tests, and are apparently quite effective in their job, can also get low scores on an abstract reasoning test. How can this be?

Well, abstract reasoning has no respect for education, business success, nationality or age. It is uninfluenced by education or environment, and also tends to decline with age. Some theorists say it is the stuff you are born with, you either have it or you don’t, you can’t get it, and in fact you lose it as you get older. Others comment, use it or lose it.

Abstract reasoning (or non-verbal reasoning) calls upon people to solve complex problems, primarily in new situations with little experience upon which to draw. It measures one of the main components of general intelligence, the ability to think clearly and make sense of complexity, also known as eductive reasoning (drawing out something hidden, latent, potential or reserved) as opposed to deductive reasoning (drawing conclusions from known facts). Some refer to the dichotomy as fluid versus crystallised intelligence.

So, what can we say about those who score poorly on abstract reasoning? It does not mean that they cannot learn, only that they may be slower than others. Generally, they are most effective where they can draw on their experience and knowledge, and less effective where they are required to engage in original, complex or conceptual thinking. They need the support of prior learning, and may be found wanting in new or novel environments.

Now, what about those who score high on abstract reasoning, but low on verbal and numerical tests……?

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6 Comments

  1. Hema
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 10:29 am | Permalink

    I am a Software Engineer. Abstract Reasoning is my strongest trait. What kind of jobs require high abstract reasoning?

  2. Ricki Sharpe
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 4:41 pm | Permalink

    Abstract reasoning is the ability to discover principles and rules, and apply them to solve problems, primarily in new situations with little experience upon which to draw. While it can be helpful in any career, and we all have it to some degree, it is most likely to be helpful in careers that involve a high level of reasoning ability and for where the ability to think clearly and quickly is important. It is less relevant in routine jobs where the skill requirements are fairly basic. It is more relevant in careers that require complex and creative problem solving, flexibility of thinking and strength related to learning potential and conceptual thought. Psychologists generally only measure this ability in senior management and professional roles.

  3. Gazza
    Posted September 16, 2009 at 12:43 pm | Permalink

    What careers are suited to those with higher verbal scores than performance scores? With strengths in verbal being Comprehension, Similarities, and Information. The only strength in Performance being matrix reasoning with all other in the performance scale below 10.

  4. Ricki Sharpe
    Posted September 17, 2009 at 8:39 pm | Permalink

    I suspect that you are referring to the WAIS. I am not familiar with this test, so I would not want to make any comments about your choice of careers, only to say that it is not often used in career counseling or employment assessment.

  5. Ricky
    Posted June 4, 2010 at 6:34 pm | Permalink

    Hi Ricki, so what then is the test commonly used for employment assessment?

  6. Ricki Sharpe
    Posted June 5, 2010 at 3:15 pm | Permalink

    Raven’s Progressive Matrices is a common abstract test used in employment assessment. Most abstract tests are much the same and usually involve some form of pattern matching, with little verbal or numerical content.

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