OLSAT Quantitative Reasoning is one of the most challenging parts of the OLSAT. It includes questions that ask students to find patterns, complete number sequences, and make logical guesses based on numbers.
This guide will explain what to expect, show examples, and give simple tips to help your child practice. You will understand the question types, how this section is scored, and how to support your child’s reasoning skills at home.
Continue reading to learn more!
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The Quantitative Reasoning questions on the OLSAT measure how well a student works with numbers and patterns. It includes questions that require number logic, comparisons, and recognizing relationships between numbers.
Students do not need to calculate or memorize formulas. They need to look at the information and figure out how the numbers relate to each other.
The OLSAT is divided into verbal and nonverbal sections. Each section includes different types of reasoning. Quantitative Reasoning appears in the nonverbal section of the test.
Quantitative Reasoning focuses on numerical logic. Other parts of the nonverbal section focus on shapes or patterns instead of numbers.
Quantitative Reasoning questions appear in OLSAT Levels D through G. These levels are used for students in third through tenth grade. Younger students (Levels A to C) do not receive these questions, as their tests are much simpler.
The correct answer is 0.000005.
Each number is divided by 10 to get the next number:
5 ÷ 10 = 0.5
0.5 ÷ 10 = 0.05
0.05 ÷ 10 = 0.005
0.005 ÷ 10 = 0.0005
0.0005 ÷ 10 = 0.00005
So, continuing the pattern:
0.00005 ÷ 10 = 0.000005
In Number Matrix questions, students see a grid with numbers. One number is missing. The student must find the pattern in the rows, columns, or both, and choose the correct number to complete the matrix. These questions test the ability to recognize multi-step patterns in two directions.
The correct answer is 30.
Row Pattern:
In each row, the first number multiplied by the second number equals the third number:
Row 1: 1 x 2 = 2; 2 x 3 = 6
Row 2: 3 x 2 = 6; 6 x 3 = 18
Row 3: 15 x 2 = ? = 30; 30 x 3 = 90
Column Pattern:
Let’s examine the columns:
Column 1: 1 x 3 = 3, 3 x 5 = 15
Column 3: 6 x 3 = 18, 18 x 5 = 90
Column 2: 2 x 3 = 6, 6 x 5 = ? = 30
Both the row and column patterns consistently lead to the answer 30.
In these questions, three separate groups each contain numbers connected by the same rule. Students verify the rule works for the first two groups, then apply it to find the missing number in the third group.
The correct answer is 279.
The pattern is:
First number – 49 = Second number
Second number – 49 = Third number
Considering 1st box, we have:
150 – 49 = 101
101 – 49 = 52
Considering the 2nd box, we have:
349 – 49 = 300
300 – 49 = 251
Therefore, for the 3rd box,
? – 49 = 230
230 – 49 = 181
? = 230 + 49 = 279
Help Your Child Prepare for the OLSAT with These Level-Specific Practice Tests:
Quantitative Reasoning questions appear in tests for students from grade 3 to grade 10. These levels use a mix of all three question types:
Younger test-takers see simpler patterns, while older students face more complex ones.
Quantitative Reasoning is not scored separately from the non-verbal section. But it contributes to the total picture of a student’s problem-solving ability.
Students earn a raw score based on the number of correct answers. That raw score is converted into a School Ability Index (SAI), which ranges from 0 to 150, with 100 as the average.
The SAI is then used to calculate the student’s percentile rank, showing how they performed compared to others in the same age group.
The Quantitative Reasoning section does not have its own SAI. It contributes to the nonverbal SAI, which is then averaged with the verbal SAI for the final score.
Check our OLSAT scores page for more information.
Most schools use the full OLSAT score, which includes both verbal and nonverbal scores. However, some schools may review individual subscores more closely, especially if they align with a student’s strengths.
In rare cases, schools may consider the nonverbal section more heavily for programs focused on visual or mathematical reasoning.
Practice tests are the most effective way to build confidence and improve performance in the Quantitative Reasoning section. They help students become familiar with the question types, follow directions, and manage time.
Students should practice 3 to 4 times per week, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes, depending on age. Shorter and more frequent sessions are more suitable for younger students. It helps maintain their focus. Older students can handle slightly longer sessions.
It’s helpful to begin preparing at least 6 to 8 weeks before the test. Starting early gives students time to understand the question types and reduce anxiety. It also allows for breaks, review, and gradual improvement.
Practicing too much can lead to frustration. The goal is to build familiarity, not to memorize answers.
It depends on the child’s age, exposure to pattern-based thinking, and comfort with logic. Many students find it challenging at first, especially if they haven’t seen similar questions before. But most students improve quickly with practice.
Practice tests help reduce confusion and show how the questions are structured.
No. The OLSAT does not allow calculators. The questions are designed to test reasoning, not math skills. Most items don’t require solving equations or doing long calculations.
Each OLSAT level (D–G) includes 32–36 nonverbal questions, depending on the level. These include Quantitative Reasoning items, but specific counts for that section alone are not publicly detailed.
A score in the 95th percentile or higher is typically considered within the gifted range. However, a “good” score depends on the purpose of the test. Some schools use cutoff scores, while others look at the full profile.
Always check with your school for details.
No. The Quantitative Reasoning section is part of the nonverbal portion of the OLSAT. All students take both verbal and nonverbal sections unless a school has made a special exception. Even then, most schools require a complete score profile.
Get Ready for the OLSAT with These Lifelike Practice Tests: