How to Prepare for IQ Tests
Crush Them and Score 130+
Intro
This guide is meant to inspire and is strictly based on my own experiences with logic quizzes and IQ tests.
I’ve learned to love doing logic exercises, and these are all the things I’ve picked up along the way that help me improve my thinking and reasoning skills. This guide is based solely on what works for me and my personal experience.
So let’s jump right into it!
Step No. 1: Get Acquainted
First of all, get acquainted with the IQ test you’re planning to take. What kinds of exercises will you have to solve? How do they look? What’s the format?
Step No. 2: Gather Your Materials
Guide Book & Exercise Book: Essential for learning theory and practicing exercises.
Synonym Dictionary: Great for improving vocabulary, which helps especially in verbal reasoning sections.
College Block (dotted paper): Perfect for neat notes, diagrams, and organizing thoughts visually.
Pencil, Eraser & Pen: Basic but necessary tools for working through problems and making clean corrections.
Highlighters: Color-coding your work (like your red/yellow/green system) helps with quick visual feedback and focus.
Pocket Calculator: Handy for quickly checking your math-related IQ test questions without having to use your phone, or for performing more advanced calculations not supported by your phone’s calculator.
Water Bottle/Glass: Staying hydrated improves concentration and cognitive function during study sessions.
Extra: Get Your Study Materials
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Step No. 3: Get a Guide Book
Next, get a book that explains the logic behind each exercise type. This works especially well for number sequences, math quizzes, pattern recognition, and abstract reasoning. For the verbal section, I made it a habit to read much more, underline unfamiliar words, and learn their meanings along with synonyms. Focus on one category at a time, get an exercise book, and put the theory into practice right away.
Step No. 4: Color Code Your Exercises
Color code your exercise (the colors here are a mere suggestion, use any colors you like, but they should contrast each other):
🔴 Red/Pink: Wrong answer – needs full review
🟡 Yellow/Orange: Uncertain – revisit to clarify the pattern or concept.
🟢 Green/Blue: Correct on the first try – no need to review for now.
Step No. 5: Get Pen and Paper
Keep a pen or pencil and a piece of paper next to you at all times. Use it to: Brainstorm, Rewrite questions you don’t understand right away. Turn tricky questions into visual patterns or diagrams. Draw out sequences, grids, or mental maps to see problems more clearly.
Step 6: Take Your Brain To The GYM Daily
Consistency beats cramming. Do at least a few exercises daily, even if you only have 10–15 minutes. Take your brain to the gym.
If you’re planning longer sessions, remember to take short breaks in between. Feel free to use the Pomodoro Technique if you like. Or, if you’re in a good flow and prefer to take a break when it feels like your brain has done enough reps, go ahead recharge your energy or pick it up again tomorrow.
It shouldn’t make you want to quit out of frustration. Instead, it should become something you do daily, so let’s call it a habit.
Step No. 7: Reviewing Mistakes After Each Session
Circling back to the color coded exercises, you got different options on how to do so.
🔴 Red – Needs Full Review:
This is the type of question you got wrong. What you should do is read through the corresponding guide that explains the exercise and observe the example showing how to solve it.
Grab your pen and paper and write down the example, the question, and the possible answers. Then try solving it again without looking at the book.
If you’re still struggling, start by analyzing the answers: What do you notice? Which answers can you eliminate right away Which one makes sense as a rough estimate?
Once you’re able to find the correct answer, look for similar exercises to reinforce the pattern.
🟡 Yellow – Revisit to Clarify the Pattern or Concept:
Read through the exercise guide again if needed, and try to identify the part that isn’t clear to you.
Break the question down into smaller parts. Once you’ve done that, apply the principle of “practice makes better” and work through similar exercises.
🟢 Green – Revisit Occasionally:
It never hurts to revisit similar exercises from time to time. These are great to fit in during low-energy or low-motivation moments, just to remind yourself of what you already know!
Step No. 8: Practice With Full IQ Test
- What stationery or tools are allowed?
How many questions are there? How is the test structured?
Is there a time limit? If yes, how many minutes per question?
Are breaks allowed?
Is water permitted during the test?
Is there scrap paper or a calculator provided (if needed)?
Practicing under the same conditions helps reduce anxiety and improves performance on test day.
Step No. 11: The Day of the Test
Get Good Sleep: Make sure you’re well-rested the night before your test. Aim for at least 8–9 hours of sleep. A sharp, rested mind will always perform better, even more than one that’s been over-trained and under-rested.
If water isn’t allowed during the test, drink a glas of water (200-250ml) before the test starts.
Extra: Breating Techniques
If you feel anxiety creaping up, shut it down with the right breating techniques.
- Box Breathing (aka Square Breathing): Inhale for 4 seconds, Hold your breath for 4 seconds, Exhale for 4 seconds, Hold again for 4 seconds, Repeat for 1–3 minutes
- 4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, Hold your breath for 7 seconds, Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds, Repeat 3–5 times
- Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Use your thumb to close your right nostril. Inhale through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with your ring finger, open the right nostril, and exhale. Inhale through the right nostril, then switch again
- Simple Deep Breathing: Breathe in deeply through your nose for 5 seconds. Hold for 1–2 seconds. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6–7 seconds. Repeat 5–10 times
- Stimulating Breath (Bellows Breath / Bhastrika): Take rapid, rhythmic breaths in and out through your nose about 2–3 breaths per second. Do this for 15 seconds, then breathe normally
Outro
You can also find a printable schedule for progress tracking.
Let me know if this was helpful to you by reaching out to me. And if you have some study advice yourself, please share it. I’m always open to suggestions.
That said, I wish you all the best for your next study session!
Created by Sabrina + lots of love! <3
Extra:
Complete Guide to IQ Tests What They Measure and How