What kind of task it is
This task asks you to read weight relationships among figures from several balanced scales and choose the figure that balances an empty scale.
Figures with the same shape and color have the same weight. A balanced scale means that the left and right sides have equal weight. From these assumptions, the task requires logically deriving unknown relationships.
For example, if one scale shows "one circle = two triangles," two triangles can replace one circle. If another scale shows "one triangle = three squares," then one circle is equivalent to six squares. The answer is reached by layering this kind of substitution and reasoning.
Figure Weights asks you to work with "same weight," "substitution," and "integration of relationships" through figures. It is not a calculation task, but it focuses on following equality relationships.
What it measures
Within the five domains of BrainTypeIQ, this is one task that measures Gf (fluid reasoning).
Fluid reasoning has two broad types.
- Inductive reasoning, or finding patterns, is measured by Matrix Reasoning
- Deriving an answer from conditions is measured by Figure Weights
If Matrix Reasoning asks "what is the rule?", Figure Weights asks "given these conditions, what follows?" Even within Gf, finding rules and deriving answers from conditions are slightly different processes.
Another feature is that Figure Weights can easily increase working-memory (Gwm) load. As the number of scales increases, several relationships have to be held and integrated at the same time.
For Gf overall, see what fluid reasoning (Gf) is.
When the score is higher
When the Figure Weights score is higher, it is easier to hold several conditions and follow relationships step by step.
For example, while seeing conditions such as "A is the same as B" and "B is worth two Cs," the needed substitutions can be made in order. Intermediate relationships can be held while moving toward the final answer. Problems with several constraints can be handled without losing each condition.
This process is less about a sudden flash of insight and more about combining given conditions while keeping them stable. It is a figure task, but it also handles quantitative relationships and logical connections.
When the score is lower
Even when the Figure Weights score is lower, it cannot by itself judge reasoning ability as a whole. Several factors overlap in the score.
- High load from substituting relationships - A relationship such as "circle = two triangles" has to be moved into another scale
- High load from holding multiple conditions - As the number of scales increases, intermediate relationships have to be remembered while reasoning continues
- Missing counts or identical figures - The assumption that the same shape and same color have the same weight must be kept until the end
Figure Weights makes Gf easier to see, but it is also affected by Gwm. The ability to find rules is more likely to appear in Matrix Reasoning, while load from processing while holding information also appears in Computation Span and Visual Reversal.
BrainTypeIQ is an online IQ test with 9 tasks, including Figure Weights, that shows overall IQ and the five-domain cognitive profile. Reading several tasks together, rather than one task alone, makes the meaning of the result easier to see.
For reading the report, see How to read the report.