The Alva Labs Logic Test 5 Shape Patterns (with Examples)
Each question on the Alva Labs Logic Test follows one or more patterns you must identify.
While these patterns get increasingly complex, in the vast majority of times, they are a combination of the 5 Alva Labs Shape Patterns (or logical rules), presented to you for free in this guide.
By getting familiar with these patterns and thoroughly practising them, recognising them in the actual test will become much simpler.
What Is the Alva Labs Logic Test?
The Alva Labs Logic Test is an adaptive, online assessment of logical ability, problem-solving skills, and general mental ability. It is distributed by the Swedish psychometric testing company Alva Labs and designed for use by companies to inform hiring decisions.
What Is the Time Limit on the Alva Test?
The Time Limit for the Alva Logic Test is two minutes per question. With a total of 20 questions, the overall duration is no more than 40 minutes.
Two minutes to find the correct answer to a matrix question is not much, especially when testing anxiety comes into play. A good way to combat this is to understand the types of patterns typically used in matrix-type questions. With this knowledge, you'll immediately know what to look for in both the rows and columns of the actual test questions.
Common Patterns in the Alva Logic Test Questions (+ Free Sample Questions)
The questions in the Alva Labs Logic Test are presented as 3x3 matrices, in which you're asked to find the missing tile in the bottom-right corner marked by a question mark (?).
Over 90% of the time, these matrices follow one or more of the following 5 logical rules:
Note:
These sample questions are very basic and somewhat easier than those on the real test.
Alva Labs Test Pattern 1: Progression
In this kind of matrix, the object changes, or rather progresses with every step throughout the row or the column (the direction may vary).
Progression Sample Question
Observe the grid below:
Which answer represents the missing shape?
Alva Labs Test Pattern 2: Rotation
In questions of this type, the figures in the matrix rotate in a determined pattern across either rows or columns.
Rotation Sample Question
Observe the grid below:
Which answer represents the missing shape?
TIP: What Is a Good Score on Alva Labs Logic Test?
While the free test simulation offered here contains fixed questions, the actual test is adaptive. An adaptive test is one where your performance on each question determines the difficulty level of the next question. If you answer a question correctly, the follow-up will be more challenging. If you get the wrong answer, the next question will be easier.
Crucially, this means that your raw score, the number of questions you got right, does not necessarily translate to a good percentile score. Questions with a higher difficulty level will be worth more on the final score report.
If you encounter difficult questions on the Alva Logic Test, don't panic ot be discouraged. It means you are doing well! Keep a cool head and make maximal use of your two minutes to come up with the best answer you can think of within the time constraint.
Practising difficult questions ahead of the assessment will help you improve your performance.
Alva Labs Test Pattern 3: Frequency
In questions of this type, the relationship between certain features of the figures in the matrix determines the frequency and/or order of their appearance. Let’s look at an example:
Frequency Sample Question
Observe the grid below:
Which answer represents the missing shape?
Alva Labs Test Pattern 4: Construction
In this kind of matrix, two objects from the same row or column are combined to form the third object. In simple matrices, this combination might look just like a simple addition equation. For example:
Construction Sample Question
Observe the grid below:
Which answer represents the missing shape?
TIP: What Is the Alva Labs Personality Test?
In addition to the Alva Labs Logic Test, Alva's testing platform also enables recruiters to incorporate a personality assessment into their hiring process. Together, the logic test and personality test are advertised by Alva Labs as forming a comprehensive profile of your soft skills, adaptability, and suitability for the workplace.
The Alva Personality Test is derived from other Five Factor personality tests, a common, research-based model for personality assessments. It contains 120 questions with no time limit, and typically takes about 15 minutes to complete. Like the logic test, it is adaptive and chooses which questions to present based on your previous responses.
The question format is a standard Likert scale. This means that every question is a statement that you will be required to rank on a five-point scale from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". While there are, technically, no right or wrong answers, it is helpful to understand which traits are considered desirable for the position you are applying for. Our Alva Labs Prep Course contains practice for the Alva Personality Test alongside the Alva Labs Logic Test.
Alva Labs Test Pattern 5: Motion
In motion matrices, the objects move (change their position) with each step. Usually, the motion is of one or more of the objects inside a frame.
To identify the movement of the inner object, it is useful to compare the outer object or frames across either the rows or columns.
Motion Sample Question
Observe the grid below:
Which answer represents the missing shape?
TIP: What Is a Matrix Assessment?
Assessments like the Alva Logic Test are called Matrix-Based Tests.
The original matrix assessment is Raven's Progressive Matrices, an assessment of general cognitive ability developed by John C. Raven and first published in 1936.
The test's purpose is to eliminate cultural biases in cognitive testing by relying on abstract reasoning and simple figures and patterns, rather than language and culture-based knowledge.
This relatively unbiased nature of matrix assessments makes the Alva Logic Test suitable for use in companies' hiring processes to determine a candidate's ability based on merit alone.
JobTestPrep has extensive experience prepping for these assessments. In addition to the Alva Test, we also have courses for Raven's, Matrigma, and Talent Q Elements.
Tips and Strategies for the Alva Logic Test
Here are ways to sharpen your general mental ability and improve your chances of swiftly finding the correct answer to Alva Logic Test questions:
Know What to Look For
The aforementioned five patterns will help you to identify patterns quickly and intuitively. This will become all the more true if you utilise practice test simulations in advance. Pattern recognition is a muscle that can be trained.
The patterns explained on this page can apply to different features in the matrix, such as the background, the objects in the figure, the colour, the fill, or the outline.
Know Where to Look
Matrices can have different ways of applying a chosen pattern. Sometimes the pattern only affects the rows, other times, it only affects the columns. In many cases, shapes change according to one pattern from left to right, and another pattern from top to bottom. In these cases, diagonal lines often follow a pattern as well.
To solve the matrix, start by focusing on either the rows or the columns. If you spot a pattern, look for an answer that fits it. If you can’t find a match, set aside that solution and look for a new one. Being able to let go of disproven solutions is key to success on the Alva Logic Test.
If you can't find a solution when analysing the matrix by rows, quickly shift your focus to the columns or the diagonals. Observing the matrix from different perspectives will help you develop mental flexibility.
Use Top-Down and Bottom-Up Thinking
Starting with the matrix and looking for a pattern is an example of inductive thinking. Another strategy is to begin with the answer choices. Pick one answer and see if it aligns with a potential pattern. If it doesn’t, eliminate it. Practise both the elimination method and the inductive method when you prepare for the test.
FAQs
If the position asking you to take the test is one that you truly want, we recommend practising. It may be frustrating, but it's unavoidable. Your competition will likely be practising, and preparation makes an observable difference in performance.
Think about it this way: it sucks that you have to spend time preparing for a job you don't even have yet, but doing so will significantly alleviate the stress involved with taking the test.
The Alva Labs Logic Test uses candidates' responses to assess inductive reasoning. That is, their ability to draw conclusions and find rules and patterns. It also assesses your problem-solving, figural reasoning, abstract reasoning, and ability to stay calm and withstand test pressure.
Alva Labs has many important clients. You can find many testimonials on their website. Examples include BDO Global and Deloitte.
