Learn: thinking strategies

Short strategy cards that show how to think through a puzzle, with a worked example and a few questions to try. Every grade, Pre-K to 12, has its own lessons and a parent guide.

Pick a grade

What you can learn

• Same or different?

  Look closely: color, shape, size and how many.

  Pre-K to Grade 2

• What comes next?

  Find the part that repeats or the change that keeps happening.

  Pre-K to Grade 12

• Analogies: find the link

  A is to B as C is to ? Find how A and B go together.

  Pre-K to Grade 12

• Sorting and odd one out

  Find the rule that makes a group, and the one that breaks it.

  Pre-K to Grade 12

• Counting and number puzzles

  Count carefully and see how numbers change.

  Pre-K to Grade 2

• Number patterns

  Look at the jumps between numbers to find the rule.

  Grade 1 to Grade 12

• Matrix rules

  Rows and columns follow rules. Find the missing picture.

  Pre-K to Grade 12

• Paper folding

  Fold lines work like mirrors. Picture the holes when it opens.

  Grade 1 to Grade 12

• Rule out wrong answers

  Can't see the answer? Cross out the ones that can't be right.

  Grade 1 to Grade 12

• Building equations

  Put numbers and signs together to make the target.

  Grade 3 to Grade 12

• Logic clues

  Use clues to work out what must be true.

  Grade 3 to Grade 12

• Reading charts and tables

  Read the title, labels and numbers before you answer.

  Grade 3 to Grade 12

• Unknowns and balances

  Find the missing number by keeping both sides equal.

  Grade 6 to Grade 12

• Arguments and evidence

  Find the claim, the reason, and what's assumed.

  Grade 5 to Grade 12

• Checking AI answers

  Computers can be wrong. Work it out yourself, then compare.

  Pre-K to Grade 12

Ready to practice? Try Reasoning Test Practice, Brain Games or a printable worksheet.