Strategy Visualization
Visualization is the ability to picture a scene or object in your imagination, including changes to that scene or object. This type of exam question tests whether you can think in pictures. If you were an avid reader of comic books as a child, you may already be skilled at this — but the ability can be deliberately developed.
Thinking in Pictures
Approach visualization questions as if you are an illustrator whose job is to provide pictures for written material. If you can generate a clear mental image of what is being described, these questions become much easier to handle.
Pay careful attention to direction. When direction is part of the material, put the traditional compass symbol on your drawing with North in the 12 o'clock position. This prevents orientation errors that are the most common source of wrong answers on spatial questions.
Reverse Views and Unchanging Parts
Focus on parts of a scene or object that remain constant regardless of the viewing angle. These anchors help you stay oriented as the question asks you to mentally rotate or reposition the object.
Keep in mind that when objects are viewed from the opposite side — from behind or from inside — the location of parts appears reversed. For example, what is on the left when viewed from the front is on the right when viewed from the back. This is one of the most reliable sources of distractor answer choices in visualization questions.
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