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Free OLSAT practice test — Grade 8

10 original OLSAT-style questions for Grade 8, with answers and full explanations. No signup needed.

These free OLSAT-style questions cover both the verbal and nonverbal halves of the test — following directions, analogies, classification, and figural reasoning.

The OLSAT rewards children who know the formats: many items (like 'following directions') trip up smart first-timers purely on unfamiliarity.

Question 1Sentence Completion
The new employee was very _____ and completed all her tasks on time.
  1. Asad
  2. Bangry
  3. Clazy
  4. Dpunctual
  5. Etired
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

The sentence describes a positive behavior, and 'punctual' fits the context of completing tasks on time.

Question 2Verbal Analogies
Complete the analogy: LEAF is to PLANT as ROOM is to ___
  1. Abook
  2. Bhand
  3. Chouse
  4. Dflower
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

The relationship is "part to its whole." leaf → plant, so room → house.

Question 3Verbal Classification
Four of the words below go together in some way. Choose the word that does NOT belong with the others. trough low point apex bottom nadir
  1. Atrough
  2. Blow point
  3. Capex
  4. Dbottom
  5. Enadir
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Four of the five words are alike: they are the lowest point. apex does not fit that group.

Question 4Figural Classification

Four of the figures below are alike in one way. Which figure does NOT belong with the others?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Four of the five figures share one property: all figures are the same shape. A is the one that does not belong (does not share the property).

Question 5Figural Analogies

Look at how the first figure changes into the second. Which answer changes the bottom figure the same way?

?
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

In the top row, the figure doubles and the figure grows and the figure's fill darkens one step. Applying the same change to the bottom figure gives C. The others each make a specific mistake: A misses one of the changes; B skips the middle change; D right change, wrong figure shape; E applies only the first of the changes.

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Question 6Pattern Matrix

Look at how the first figure changes into the second. Which answer changes the bottom figure the same way?

?
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

In the top row, the figure's fill darkens one step and a smaller copy appears inside. Applying the same change to the bottom figure gives D. The others each make a specific mistake: A applies a different rule than the top row shows; B applies only one of the two changes; C right change, wrong figure shape; E the bottom figure with no rule applied.

Question 7Figural Series

The figures change the same way each step. Which figure comes next?

?
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Each step, the fill moves one step through the cycle (light to dark, then starting over). Continuing one more step gives C. The others: A jumps two steps ahead; B the right step on the wrong shape; D repeats the last figure instead of stepping on; E the right figure with the wrong fill.

Question 8Number Series
What number comes next? 1, 4, 9, 16, ___
  1. A21
  2. B27
  3. C22
  4. D25
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

These are square numbers: 1², 2², … Next is 5² = 25.

Question 9Numeric Inference
Each group of numbers follows the same rule. Work out the rule from the first two groups, then find the number that replaces the question mark. 7, 49, 51 5, 25, 27 ?, 100, 102
  1. A5
  2. B-80
  3. C10
  4. D100
  5. E7
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

In every group the second number is the first squared, and the third is 2 more than the second. Applying the same rule to the last group gives 10: C.

Question 10Number Matrix
The numbers in the box are arranged according to a rule. Find the rule, then choose the number that belongs in the empty space. 49 ? 51 53 54 55 57 58 59
  1. A46
  2. B51
  3. C50
  4. D49
  5. E54
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Across each row the numbers change by 1, and down each column they change by 4. The empty space must fit both its row and its column, which gives 50: C.

OLSAT FAQ

What does OLSAT stand for?

Otis-Lennon School Ability Test — it measures verbal and nonverbal reasoning for gifted and accelerated placement.

What's a qualifying OLSAT score?

Most gifted programs look for a School Ability Index in the 95th+ percentile; NYC G&T historically required 90+ for district and 97+ for citywide programs.

More free OLSAT practice

KindergartenGrade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7🖨️ Printable Grade 8 pack (PDF) →Parent's guide to the OLSAT →

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