OLSAT Nonverbal questions measure how well a child can solve problems without using words. These questions rely on shapes, patterns, and visual logic instead of vocabulary. They help schools understand a child’s reasoning skills without language getting in the way.
In this guide, you will learn what the nonverbal section includes, how it is structured, and what types of questions to expect. You will also see examples, learn why this section matters, and get clear tips to help your child prepare with confidence.
Start here to better understand the OLSAT nonverbal section and support your child’s success.
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The nonverbal section of the OLSAT Test evaluates how well a child can understand and solve problems using visual information. It does not include words or spoken language. It uses shapes, figures, numbers, and patterns instead.
The goal is to see how a child thinks, reasons, and finds solutions without reading or writing.
The nonverbal section measures visual-spatial reasoning and logical thinking. It includes questions that ask children to:
These skills show how a child handles new information, sees relationships, and solves problems quickly and accurately. The test is timed, so it also checks how well a student works under pressure.
Gifted programs often look for students who solve problems in flexible ways.
Nonverbal reasoning helps find children who may not speak or read early but show strong thinking skills. It also gives students who speak different languages at home a fair chance.
Schools can spot high-level thinkers who do not always perform well on language-based tests by using nonverbal questions. This supports a wider range of gifted learners and helps create more balanced and diverse gifted programs.
Figural reasoning uses abstract shapes instead of real-life pictures. These questions require more advanced visual thinking.
Figural Analogy Practice Question
The correct answer is E.
The first pair features a quadrilateral and a pentagon that transform into a triangle by decreasing the number of sides by one and a hexagon by increasing the number of sides by one.
Additionally, the filling color of the center and the space between the two shapes alternates (white becomes black and vice versa).
Applying the same logic to the second pair, a hexagon and a quadrilateral are converted into a pentagon and again a pentagon, with an alternating change in filling.
Therefore, the correct answer is option E.
Figural Series Practice Question
The correct answer is D.
In this sequence, the partially filled star rotates 90 degrees clockwise at each step.
As it rotates, the filled portions change to empty, and the empty portions become filled.
Therefore, the missing box should contain the star with alternate filled segments and a 90-degree rotation from the left box adjacent to the missing box.
Thus, the correct answer is option D.
This section evaluates how students recognize numerical patterns and apply consistent rules to reach a single correct result.
Items test rule-finding in sequences, across related number groups, and within row/column grids.
Numeric Inference Practice Question
45, 56, 78 23, 34, 56 ?, 43, 65
The correct answer is 32.
The pattern is that the second number is 11 more than the first, and the third number is 22 more than the second.
Considering the 1st group, we have:
45+11=56
56+22=78
Considering the 2nd group, we have:
23+11=34
34+22=56
Therefore, for the 3rd group,
?+ 11=43
43+22=65
?+ 11=43 → ? = 43-11 = 32
Therefore, the correct choice is 32.
Number Matrix Practice Question
| 3 | 9 | 7 |
| 14 | 20 | 18 |
| 17 | 23 | ? |
The correct answer is 21.
Row Pattern:
In each row, the numbers first increase by 6, and then decrease by 2:
Row 1: 3, 9, 7
3+ 6 = 9, 9-2 = 7
Row 2: 14, 20, 18
14 + 6 = 20, 20-2=18
Following this pattern in Row 3:
Row 3: 17, 23, ?
17 + 6 = 23, 23-2= ? → 23-2=21
Column Pattern:
In each column, the numbers first increase by 11, and then increase by 3:
Column 1: 3, 14, 17
3+11=14, 14+3=17
Column 2: 9, 20, 23
9+11=20, 20+3=23
Column 3: 7, 18,?
Following the same pattern,
7+11=18, 18+3=21
Both the row and column patterns consistently lead to the answer 21.
Help Your Child Prepare for the OLSAT Nonverbal & Verbal Questions with These Level-Specific Practice Tests:
The number of nonverbal questions on the OLSAT depends on the student’s grade level. Each test level includes both verbal and nonverbal questions, but the mix can vary. The nonverbal section usually makes up about half of the total test.
The OLSAT is divided into levels based on the student’s grade. Here’s how the nonverbal section is typically distributed:
Level | Grade/Age | Number of Nonverbal Questions | TOTAL Number of Questions |
A | Pre-Kindergarten | 24 | 40 |
A | Kindergarten | 30 | 60 |
B | 1st Grade | 30 | 60 |
C | 2nd Grade | 30 | 60 |
D | 3rd Grade | 32 | 64 |
E | 4th to 5th Grade | 36 | 72 |
F | 6th to 8th Grade | 36 | 72 |
G | 9th to 12th Grade | 36 | 72 |
The balance between verbal and nonverbal questions becomes more even as students move up in grade. However, the types of questions become more complex.
The OLSAT is a timed test. But it does not have a separate timer for the nonverbal section. Students must manage their time across all sections during the total test time.
The full test time depends on the student’s grade level. Here are the typical time limits:
Level | Time Limit |
Level A (Pre-K and Kindergarten) | 77 minutes |
Level B (Grade 1) | 77 minutes |
Level C (Grade 2) | 72 minutes |
Levels D–G (Grades 3–12) | 50–60 minutes |
The OLSAT scoring process begins with the raw score. This is the number of questions your child answers correctly on the test.
The raw score is then converted into the School Ability Index (SAI). The SAI compares your child’s performance to other children in the same age group. The average SAI is 100, with most students scoring between 85 and 115.
Finally, the SAI is used to determine the percentile rank. This shows how your child scored compared to others. For example, a percentile rank of 90 means the student scored better than 90% of peers.
We explain OLSAT scores in more detail on our OLSAT scoring guide page.
The OLSAT includes both verbal and nonverbal questions. These two sections are weighed equally in the final score. That means strong nonverbal reasoning can help balance out weaker verbal scores and vice versa.
However, the score is not reported as two separate scores. The verbal and nonverbal scores are combined into one SAI instead.
No section matters more by default. But some gifted programs or schools may focus more on one section than the other, depending on what they are looking for. For example, schools that value visual problem-solving may pay closer attention to nonverbal performance.
It’s best to prepare for both sections unless your school tells you they will use only one.
Strong preparation for the nonverbal section focuses on building visual thinking skills and test familiarity. These strategies help students practice key skills, stay focused during testing, and feel more confident on test day.
Encourage activities that require visual thinking. Examples include sorting objects by shape, finding patterns in everyday items, and assembling puzzles. These exercises help children learn how to compare and organize visual information.
Choose practice tests that match your child’s OLSAT level. This helps them become familiar with the question style and difficulty. Start with short practice sessions and increase the length as they get more comfortable.
Introduce games like tangrams, pattern blocks, and visual matching apps. Board games that require planning or spotting patterns can also improve nonverbal reasoning skills in a fun way.
Help your child feel confident without overwhelming them. Practice in short, focused sessions and avoid long, stressful drills. Make sure they rest well and approach the test with a positive mindset.
For Levels A and B (Pre-K to Grade 1), all instructions, including nonverbal, are read aloud by the test administrator. At Level C (Grade 2), some instructions are read aloud, and some must be read by the student. For Levels D and higher (Grade 3 and up), students read all instructions on their own.
Some schools allow students to take only the nonverbal portion, especially for English language learners or students with specific needs. This depends on district policy.
The OLSAT has one total time limit for all sections. There is no separate timer for nonverbal questions. Students manage their time across the entire test.
Many gifted programs require a score in the 95th percentile or higher. Requirements vary by school district.
Help Your Child Prepare for the OLSAT Nonverbal & Verbal Questions with These Level-Specific Practice Tests:
