Helping OLSAT Math Skills

My daughter is having trouble with the verbal math questions for the OLSAT®. I keep trying to practice with her using the workbook we bought but she’s not getting it. What do I do?

It’s completely normal for young children to struggle with the verbal math questions on the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. These questions are challenging because children must combine several skills at once:

• listening carefully,
• understanding vocabulary,
• visualizing the problem,
• and applying math reasoning.

If your daughter is not understanding workbook questions, simply giving her more of the same worksheets usually will not help. Instead, focus on building the underlying skill in real-life, hands-on ways first.

Focus on the Skill Behind the Question

For example, an OLSAT-style workbook question may say:

“Billy ate 2 pieces of pizza, and Bobby ate 4 pieces. How many pieces did they eat altogether?”

Before expecting your child to solve this on paper, ask yourself:

• Does she truly understand counting?
• Does she recognize numbers consistently?
• Does she understand what “altogether” means?
• Can she physically combine groups of objects?

Young children often need to see and experience math before they can solve abstract verbal questions.

Bring Math Into Everyday Life

Real-world math practice is often far more effective than workbook repetition.

Try using:

• crackers,
• fruit snacks,
• blocks,
• toys,
• coins,
• or stuffed animals.

For example:

• “You have 3 grapes, and I give you 2 more. How many do you have now?”
• “If we eat one cracker, how many are left?”
• “Who has more teddy bears?”
• “Can you split these snacks into two groups?”

Allow your child to:

• count on fingers,
• move objects around,
• draw pictures,
• or solve problems however they naturally can.

That hands-on understanding lays the foundation for later verbal math questions.

Build Math Vocabulary Naturally

Sometimes the hardest part of verbal math is actually the language.

Practice words such as:

• more,
• less,
• altogether,
• fewer,
• equal,
• before,
• after,
• bigger,
• smaller,
• and difference.

You can casually use these words throughout the day during play, meals, shopping, or storytime.

Use Games Instead of Drilling

Young children learn best through playful interaction.

Try:

• counting games,
• board games,
• cooking together,
• scavenger hunts,
• matching games,
• sorting objects,
• or simple addition games using toys.

You can even make up silly story problems using your child’s favorite characters or interests.

What About Matrix Questions and Analogies?

If your child struggles with matrix reasoning or analogies, focus on helping them notice relationships between objects and ideas in everyday life.

Ask questions like:

• “How are these two things alike?”
• “Which one does not belong?”
• “What changed?”
• “What comes next in the pattern?”

These types of conversations strengthen reasoning skills in a natural way.

Don’t Panic If Progress Feels Slow

These skills develop gradually, especially for preschool and early elementary children. The goal is not perfection; it’s helping your child become more comfortable with:

• thinking flexibly,
• solving problems,
• listening carefully,
• and explaining ideas.

Most importantly, keep the experience positive. If practice becomes stressful or frustrating, take a break and return later by playing games and doing everyday activities.

Children often make huge leaps once the foundational concepts finally “click.”