What An Analogy Puzzle Is
An analogy puzzle reads: A is to B as C is to ? You find the relationship between the first pair, then apply it to the second. For example: “Bird is to nest as bee is to hive”, because each is the animal’s home.
Analogies appear in many aptitude and admissions tests because they combine vocabulary with reasoning.
The Relationship Types In This Test
| Relationship | Example |
|---|---|
| Part to whole | Page is to book |
| Opposites | Cautious is to reckless |
| Tool to user or task | Painter is to brush |
| Young to adult | Puppy is to dog |
| Degree or intensity | Whisper is to shout |
| Instrument to measurement | Thermometer is to temperature |
| Creator to creation | Composer is to symphony |
| Cause or process to result | Evaporate is to vapour |
| Lack of | Drought is to rain |
| Collective noun | Fish is to school |
How It Works
Each round picks 15 puzzles from a pool of 26. After every answer, you see the relationship type. At the end you get your score and a list of missed items.
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0% to 45% | Getting started |
| 46% to 65% | Good analogical thinking |
| 66% to 85% | Strong analogical thinking |
| 86% to 100% | Analogy master |
Why Analogies Matter
Cognitive scientists such as Dedre Gentner and Douglas Hofstadter argue that analogy is central to human thought: we understand new things by mapping them onto things we know. Scientists use analogies to form theories, and teachers use them to explain ideas. Research on Raven’s matrices and verbal analogies shows that analogical reasoning is closely linked with general reasoning ability.
Tips To Improve
- Name the relationship in a sentence before looking at the options: “A ___ is used to ___”.
- Check the order: “Puppy is to dog” is young to adult, not adult to young.
- Eliminate options that are related but in a different way.
- Build vocabulary through reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are analogies used in real tests?
Yes, in some aptitude and job tests. The SAT dropped its analogy questions in 2005 and the GRE in 2011, but analogies remain common in other assessments.
How can I get better at analogies?
Practise naming relationships and read widely to strengthen vocabulary.
Is this an IQ test?
No. It focuses on one skill, verbal analogies. Try the IQ-style test for broader reasoning.
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A practice tool, not a standardised assessment.