What is Inductive Reasoning
A number of employers use in their recruitment process inductive reasoning tests to assess ability of applicants to reach logically certain conclusion. Specifically, when administering such tests employers want to see the degree to which candidates can derive or infer general principles from particular facts or situations. For example, in your daily life you may draw inferences of how someone may perform on certain tasks based on his or her past performance or what the weather will be like. All of these are regarded as inferences that move from specific premises to predict general rules, beliefs or standards. It is important to note that these measures can be misinterpreted for deductive tests which assess logic of narrowing down the range of possible outcomes. Below we will introduce you to measures of inductive reasoning and examine their underlying principles.
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Format and Task
Usually these tests consist of certain number of boxes displaying various shapes and symbols where one box will always stay blank. Your task will be to uncover what choice should replace the empty box from the possible answer choices you will be given. Your task will be to analyse and find connections, analogies or relationships between shapes, symbols or codes that will make up the image of series. In order to choose the correct answer you will have to apply principles you found to select the box which continues the pattern. The below is a good example of such inductive reasoning tests where you have to identify the tile that completes the sequence. As you can see shapes move one step counter-clockwise and alternate their colours between black and white every step they move.
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Usually, patterns may be built in number of different ways for example they can be composed of shapes or symbols where colour, size or respective position would change. For more detailed explanation see inductive reasoning test patterns where you can find real examples with detailed explanations how such abstract items may form relationship.
Challenges in inductive reasoning
The main challenge of these tests is the time limit within which the assessment must be completed. Many candidates struggle to spot patterns within the allocated time because they have not prepared and thus would not be familiar with logic of these assessments. Remember, these exercises are usually strictly timed and test not only your problem solving and critical thinking skills but also your ability to work under the pressure.
Score and Evaluation
Inductive reasoning tests are standardised psychometric assessments and hence your performance will be evaluated in terms of percentiles and compared to a norm group of test takers that took the same test before. It is unusual to provide to an employer with raw score as it might give him limited picture how your abilities compare to that of the rest of their applicants.
How to Pass
It is pertinent that you undertake inductive reasoning practice tests prior to taking your real online assessment. Good preparation will enable you to find out what you need to know, improve your skills and work through the kinds of problems you may be faced with. For example it will give your greater idea of how such test work in terms of making connections between patterns, finding relationships, and you will be far better equipped to spot or pick out on analogies or differences between images even when they will be partially hidden or hard to find.