NNAT Reasoning by Analogy, Explained
A grid shows a shape transforming across a row — growing, rotating, changing color, gaining or losing parts. Your child works out the transformation and applies the same one to a new shape.
This is pure relational thinking: the answer isn't ABOUT any single shape but about what happened between shapes. It grows more important at Levels B and C, often with two changes happening at once.
How to reason through it
- 1Read the top row like a sentence: "the big white circle became a small shaded circle."
- 2Name every change — size, color, rotation, count — there may be more than one.
- 3Apply the identical sentence to the bottom row's shape.
- 4Eliminate answers that make a DIFFERENT change, even a pretty one.
Common mistakes
- Tracking only the most obvious change and missing the second one
- Picking the answer that matches the shape above it instead of transforming the shape beside it
- Confusing rotation with reflection — a flipped shape is not a turned shape
Try real Reasoning by Analogy questions
Actual Archer Anthem practice questions — tap an answer for instant feedback and the visual explanation.
Try it: Reasoning by Analogy (Level C practice question — tap an answer)
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D
In each row, the shapes rotate 90° clockwise (vertical becomes horizontal) and filled shapes become outlined while outlined shapes become filled.
Try it: Reasoning by Analogy (Level C practice question — tap an answer)
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D
In each row, shapes rotate clockwise by 1 corner position and filled shapes become outlined while outlined shapes become filled.
The other NNAT question types
Start from the beginning: the NNAT parent's guide · free interactive practice
NNAT practice books
NNAT Level B Practice Tests for 1st Grade
NNAT Level B Practice Tests for 1st Grade
NNAT Level A Practice Tests for Kindergarten
NNAT Level A Practice Tests for Kindergarten
Practice Reasoning by Analogy free
The free sample sets include this question type with instant feedback and visual explanations.
Free NNAT practiceNNAT® (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test®) is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, Inc. CogAT® (Cognitive Abilities Test™) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. Neither Pearson nor Riverside is affiliated with, nor do they endorse, Archer Anthem. Archer Anthem materials are independent practice resources in the style of these assessments.