PMA Long Course Non-Verbal Intelligence Test
The PMA Long Course initial test at an Army Selection and Recruitment Centre opens with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, timed and on computer. Candidates who clear them sit the academic test the same day.
The non-verbal intelligence test is made of figures instead of words. Shapes turn, move round a box, gain or lose parts and change their shading from one figure to the next, and each question asks which figure follows the rule, completes the pattern or breaks it.
What the PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence test asks
Which figure comes next in the series?
Which figure completes a three by three pattern?
The first figure changes into the second; which figure does the third change into?
Three figures share a rule; find the one that does not.
How the figure looks in a mirror standing beside it.
How the figure looks reflected in water below it.
Which option is the same figure turned through a quarter or half turn.
Most of the field is eliminated here, before the academic test, the preliminary medical and the call to ISSB.
Sample PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence test questions with answers
1. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded down at bottom left; solid semicircle pointing down at middle right; small dot at centre
- B. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded up at bottom left; solid semicircle pointing down at middle right; small dot at centre
- C. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded down at bottom left; solid semicircle pointing down at middle right
- D. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded down at bottom right; solid semicircle pointing down at middle left; small dot at centre
A to B moves both original elements to their opposite positions and turns them 180 degrees, while adding a centre dot. Applying this to C places the pentagon at bl and semicircle at mr, with the dot at c, so A is correct.
Discuss this question2. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Half-shaded triangle pointing up at bottom left; semicircle pointing up at bottom right
- B. Half-shaded triangle pointing up at bottom centre; semicircle pointing up at bottom right
- C. Half-shaded triangle pointing up at bottom left; semicircle pointing down at bottom right
- D. Solid triangle pointing up at bottom left; semicircle pointing up at bottom right
The hexagon moves from the top centre to the bottom centre, while the star moves from the bottom right to the top right. Thus the triangle moves from middle left to bottom left, and the semicircle moves from top right to bottom right. Option A is the only panel with both positions correct.
Discuss this question3. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Semicircle pointing right at middle right; solid hexagon at middle left; half-shaded arrow pointing up-right at centre
- B. Semicircle pointing right at middle right; solid hexagon at middle left; half-shaded arrow pointing up-right at centre
- C. Semicircle pointing right at middle left; solid hexagon at middle right; half-shaded arrow pointing up-right at centre
- D. Semicircle pointing right at middle right; solid hexagon at middle left; half-shaded arrow pointing left at centre
The arrow and triangle exchange their left and right positions, while the centre pentagon stays in the centre. At the same time, every shape turns 90 degrees clockwise. In C, the semicircle and hexagon must exchange sides and all three shapes must turn, which occurs only in A.
Discuss this question4. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Star at bottom right; half-shaded semicircle pointing right at middle left; solid square at top centre
- B. Solid star at bottom right; half-shaded semicircle pointing right at middle left; solid square at top centre
- C. Star at bottom right; solid semicircle pointing right at middle left; solid square at top centre
- D. Star at top right; half-shaded semicircle pointing right at middle left; solid square at top centre
The positions change from top to bottom or bottom to top while the middle row remains fixed. The shading also advances one step through none, half and solid. Applying both rules places the star at br with no fill, the semicircle at ml half shaded, and the square at tc solid, as shown in A.
Discuss this question5. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Star at bottom right; half-shaded square, shaded left at middle left; solid circle at top centre
- B. Star at bottom right; half-shaded square, shaded right at middle left; solid circle at top centre
- C. Star at bottom right; half-shaded square, shaded left at middle right; solid circle at top centre
- D. Star at bottom left; half-shaded square, shaded left at middle left; solid circle at top centre
The pentagon moves from top left to bottom left, the semicircle moves from bottom centre to top centre, and the middle element stays in the middle row. At the same time, every shape turns halfway around. Applying both changes to C produces option A.
Discuss this questionHow to prepare for the PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence test
- Start timed practice the day you register. The same intelligence tests come round again at ISSB, so the preparation counts twice.
- Track one change at a time. Ask what each shape does between two figures: does it turn, and by how much; does it move, and which way; does its shading change; does it appear or vanish?
- Rule options out rather than looking for the answer. Once one rule is clear, most options break it, and only one or two are left to check against the next rule.
- For mirror images, left and right swap and top and bottom stay. For water images, top and bottom swap and left and right stay. A quarter turn clockwise moves the top of the figure to its right side.
- Practise against the clock. Figure questions are quick once the common rules are familiar, and familiarity only comes from volume.
Read next: PMA Long Course eligibility and every selection stage
Keep practising
PMA Long Course Verbal Intelligence Test
The other half of the PMA Long Course intelligence test.
PMA Long Course Test practice and past papers
Every subject on the PMA Long Course Test paper, timed, with answers.
Non-Verbal Intelligence Test for other services
PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence test: common questions
What is in the PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence test?
Figure series, pattern completion, figure analogies, odd figure out, mirror images, water images and figure rotation. The non-verbal intelligence test is made of figures instead of words. Shapes turn, move round a box, gain or lose parts and change their shading from one figure to the next, and each question asks which figure follows the rule, completes the pattern or breaks it.
When is the PMA Long Course intelligence test taken?
The PMA Long Course initial test at an Army Selection and Recruitment Centre opens with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, timed and on computer. Candidates who clear them sit the academic test the same day.
Is there also a verbal intelligence test for PMA Long Course?
Yes. The PMA Long Course intelligence test has a verbal part and a non-verbal part, and candidates sit both. Each has its own free practice test on TestUstad.
How long is this PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence practice test?
30 questions in 20 minutes, drawn fresh on every attempt and scored with harder questions counting more. The boards do not publish their papers, so these are original questions of the same types, at the same pace.
Is the PMA Long Course non verbal intelligence practice free?
Yes. There is no fee, no sign-up and no limit on attempts. Every question is explained when you finish.