NNAT Reasoning by Analogy

What is Reasoning Analogy?

Reasoning analogy is a kind of reasoning that is based on finding similarities between two things. When such a common relationship can be found, then what is known about one situation can be used to infer new information about the other.

Reasoning by Analogy for the NNAT

The “reasoning by analogy” section of the NNAT requires that students use their visual-spatial reasoning abilities to identify distinct relationships among a series of geometric shapes and figures. Students must be attuned to subtle details that pertain to the design such as color and shape, as well as direction. In order to find the right answer, students are required to use their reasoning by analogy skills and explore how the figures evolve across the rows, as well as down the columns. The challenge lies in the fact that students must use logic to make sense of how specific characteristics of the design are changing. They must use the available visual cues to discern what picture would follow next. The student is to use reasoning from analogy to choose the correct answer that would go next in the sequence.

Playing games is a fun and engaging way to prepare for the “Reasoning by Analogy” portion of the NNAT. If you go to the Testing Mom website, you will come across a section that says “Interactive Games”. Under this heading, you can find “Analogy Galaxy Junior”, a game that helps your child to practice reasoning from analogy based questions. They have the option of choosing their level of difficulty, on both the “picture” and “figure” analogy questions. As they improve on their skill set they can customize the questions so that they become progressively more difficult. Below, you can find an example of a “reasoning by analogy” question.

Sample Reasoning by Analogy Question:

Parent say: “Look at the figure on top. They go together in some way. Choose a figure from the answer row that goes with the figure(s) on the bottom the same way the figures on top go together.

Answer: C- Design moves clockwise

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