There are three types of reasoning tested within the UKiset:
- Verbal Reasoning: language questions and problem solving with words
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: solving problems using shapes, pictures and logic
- Mathematical Reasoning: looking at number, value, quantity and sequence concepts.
Because the test is adaptive, the level of difficulty of each question will correspond to the accuracy of responses – the more questions a student answers correctly, the more challenging the questions are likely to become. So if a candidate finds the test particularly tough as it progresses, it is not necessarily a bad thing!
What are the best ways to practice Verbal Reasoning for the UKiset?
Computerised practice is key as students need to become familiar with the nature of online adaptive tests. These are often quite different to any other type of test they will have sat before, which can catch unprepared students out. Becoming comfortable with the look and feel of these tests, and with the adaptive questions, can help maximise a candidate’s performance.
Offline practice is also extremely helpful, as this can help establish and consolidate a candidate’s understanding of key content. It can also be particularly helpful to have an offline discussion focused on breaking down the more challenging question types, so that students learn about how to solve them in a less pressurised environment, before tackling them online.
Good resources to help with both offline and online practice are listed below:
Offline:
Galore Park has very helpful revision guides in English, Maths, and Reasoning at UKiset level. Students should consult the reasoning guides if they are unsure how to tackle a particular type of verbal or non-verbal reasoning question
Schofield and Sims is particularly useful for breaking down English and Maths skills
Online:
Atom Learning a great tool for practicing English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning online
BOFA Pre-Test similarly, a very effective tool for practicing English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning online
Pre-Test Plus offers students the opportunity to sit practice tests online and even two purported ‘mock’ UKiset tests
Bond Online one of the most highly regarded providers of English, Maths and Reasoning exercises.
Keystone Tutor Alex gives his 3 top tips for preparing for the UKiset
- Plenty of practice on lateral Logic problem-solving, Dr. Gareth Moore’s book ‘Puzzle Your Way To Smart Thinking’ is great for this
- A sequence-based approach to Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English. For example help you child find sequences and patterns in all their work (e.g. grammatical sequencing in English, or the relationship between the number of sides on a regular polygon and the size of its exterior and interior angles in Maths)
- Assessing students’ abilities in English as a Foreign Language, targeting areas of weakness with oral presentations and discussion (as one might with students of French or Spanish at the level of GCSE assessment)
Online UKiset preparation tutors
Keystone Tutors have a number of highly experienced UKiset tutors who can help with UKiset preparation, wherever you are in the world.
For more details on how Keystone can help prepare your child for the UKiset and UK schools entrance exams, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.