Spatial Ability Practice Questions

Spatial Ability Practice Questions

How to Improve

The only way to study for spatial ability questions is to practice and get used to the format.  Spatial ability questions test your perception, not facts that you have memorized.

Spatial reasoning is the ability to understand and manipulate visual information your mind. This includes the ability to mentally visualize objects and their relationships in space, and understand how they move and interact with each other.

Spatial reasoning and visual acuity are often tested through questions that require you to mentally rotate a 3D object and identify the resulting shape.

These types of questions are commonly used in cognitive and intelligence tests, as well as in assessments for specific professions, such as the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test and the Firefighter Test.

1. When the two longest sides touch what will the shape be?

2. When folded, what pattern is possible?

3. When folded into a loop, what will the strip of paper look like?

4. Which of the choices is the same pattern at a different angle?

5. When put together, what 3-dimensional shape will you get?

1. D
There is some confusion about this question.  Viewed from the side it will still have a flat top (Choice D).  If the longest side came to a point, then when the 2 sides touch, it would be a cone (Choice C).
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. B

On the your test, every second counts. Don’t try to animate the folding in your head first. Count the shapes.

1. Count the pieces in the net: 4 triangles.
2. Count the faces on the options: * A: 3 faces (2 circles, 1 curved).
   • B: 4 faces (all triangles). MATCH.
   • C: 2 faces (1 circle, 1 curved).
   • D: 8 faces (2 hexagons, 6 rectangles).

By simply counting, you arrive at B in under 3 seconds without even “folding” the object.

Here is a folding quesiton:

When put together, what 3-dimensional shape will you get?

The Correct Answer: B (Triangular Pyramid)
The net consists of four equilateral triangles. When the outer triangles are folded upward toward a central point, they meet to form a triangular pyramid (also known as a tetrahedron).

Why You Might Get This Wrong (The Deconstruction)

The Trap of Option C (The Cone)

• The Error: Many students see the “pointy” nature of the triangles and immediately associate them with a cone.
• The Reality: A cone requires a circular base and a curved surface. Since the net provided is composed entirely of straight-edged flat triangles, it is physically impossible for it to form a curved surface or a circular base. If you chose C, you were likely prioritizing the feel of the shape over the geometry of the edges.

The Trap of Option A & D (The “Complex Shape” Bias)

• The Error: Choosing the Cylinder (A) or the Hexagonal Prism (D).
• The Reality: These options are “distractors” designed to catch students who are rushing.
  • A (Cylinder): Requires two circles and a rectangle.
  • D (Hexagonal Prism): Requires two hexagons and six rectangles.
• The Lesson: If the net has only 4 pieces, the resulting 3D shape cannot have more than 4 faces. Counting the “faces” on the net is the fastest way to eliminate complex distractors like D.

1. Not understanding the question. Read the question carefully or you can easily misinterpret the information.  With any type of question proceed at a measured speed.  Don’t go fast, but don’t hang around either.
2. Misinterpretation of the diagram. Examine the diagram or map carefully.
3. Pay attention to details in the diagram.   Everything is important.

Written by: Brian Stocker MA.
Publised by: Complete Test Preparation Inc.

Updated: Thursday, January 29th, 2026
Published: Thursday, June 12th, 2014