TestAS cheat sheet

Solving Figure Sequences (Figurenfolgen): track rotation (90°/180°), reflection, translation, size change, shading inversion, and element count; apply the simplest recurring rule first.

Solving Numerical Sequences (Zahlenfolgen): test first differences, second differences, constant ratios, alternating operations (+3, ×2), and interleaved subsequences (odd/even positions).

Solving Equation Problems (Rechenaufgaben): translate each sentence into an equation, define the unknown, and check unit consistency; use ratio or proportion for scaling problems.

Solving Text Comprehension (Textverständnis): answers must be directly supported by the passage; reject options that add outside knowledge or overstate the claim.

Solving Figure Matrices (Figurenmatrizen): compare rows and columns separately; the rule in one direction (e.g., row-wise) may differ from the other (column-wise).

Solving Latin Squares (Lateinische Quadrate): each symbol appears exactly once per row and column; eliminate options using the most constrained row, column, or 3×3 block.

Solving Cube Problems (Würfelaufgaben): opposite faces never share an edge; from two views, fix one face and rotate the cube mentally to deduce adjacent/opposite faces.

Time management: the General Aptitude module is scored by correct answers; skip a question after ~60–90 seconds and return if time remains.

Engineering module (Ingenieurwissenschaften): analyze technical diagrams for forces, moments, and material behavior; use equilibrium equations ΣF=0 and ΣM=0.

Engineering formulas: stress σ = F/A, strain ε = ΔL/L, Hooke's law σ = E·ε, and moment M = F·d (perpendicular distance).

Mathematics/Computer Science/Physics module: for algorithms and formal logic, check loop invariants, base cases, and truth tables; for physics, use dimensional analysis to reject impossible options.

Economics module (Wirtschaftswissenschaften): distinguish fixed vs. variable costs, compute break-even quantity Q = FC/(P − VC), and interpret supply/demand shifts by curve movement, not movement along the curve.

Humanities/Social Sciences module (Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften): identify the author's thesis, evidence type (empirical vs. normative), and logical structure (premise → conclusion); reject options that reverse cause and effect.

Medicine/Natural Sciences module: interpret experimental data (control vs. treatment), recognize correlation vs. causation, and apply basic descriptive statistics (mean, median, range).

Subject-module format: typically short multiple-choice items based on brief texts, diagrams, or data tables; the correct answer is fully supported by the given material.

Cross-module strategy: read the question stem before the stimulus, underline the asked quantity, and verify units and sign conventions before selecting.