VR2: Verbal Reasoning

Consisting of items which involve an understanding of vocabulary, class membership and the relationships between words, the Verbal Reasoning Test measures a person's ability to perceive and understand concepts and ideas expressed verbally.

While this test is a measure of reasoning ability rather than educational achievement, it is nonetheless generally recognised that verbal reasoning test scores are sensitive to educational factors. Thus significant discrepancies between verbal and abstract reasoning scores are often used to give an indication of the difference between a person's 'intellectual potential' and their actual attainment.

Characteristics:

High Scores

• Articulate and fluent communicator.
• Good understanding of the English language.
• Able to understand the logic of subtle arguments.
• No difficulty understanding written and verbal communications.

Low Scores

• May communicate effectively on a daily basis, but will need more time to grasp more complex verbal and written communications.

Caution:

Checks for cultural biases in this test should apply as low scores are expected if English is a second language as the norms used are standardised on people who have English as their first language.

NR2: Numerical Reasoning

The Numerical Reasoning Test assesses a person's ability to use numbers in a logical and rational way. The test only requires a basic level of education in order to successfully complete and is therefore measuring numerical ability rather than educational achievement. The test consists of items which assess the candidate's understanding of such things as number series, numerical transformations, the relationships between numbers and their ability to perform numerical computations.

Characteristics:

High Scores

• Quick in reasoning with numbers.
• Able to solve computations with relative ease.
• Quick to understand number series, numerical transformations, relationships between numbers.

Low Scores

• More time to solve computations.
• Less suited to a role, which is numerically based.

AR2: Abstract Reasoning

The Abstract Reasoning Test assesses the ability to understand complex concepts and assimilate new information beyond previous experience. The test consists of items which require the recognition of patterns and similarities between shapes and figures.

As a measure of reasoning it is independent of attainment and can be used to provide an indication of intellectual potential. Assessing the ability to quickly understand and assimilate new information it is likely to predict how responsive to training the person will be.

Characteristics:

High Scores

• Ability to recognise patterns and similarities between shapes and figures.
• High ability to grasp new ideas and assimilate new information.
• Responsive to training.
• High level of natural ability.

Low Scores

• Slow to grasp new ideas.
• Need more time to solve problems consisting of unfamiliar concepts.
• Best suited to a role in which has time to learn concepts or is well versed in existing products and procedures.
   

Reasoning Scores are presented in the following format in Beilby Assessment Reports