How I Improved My Score by 40% in Two Weeks
When I first took a practice cognitive assessment, I scored in the 42nd percentile. Two weeks later, my official score placed me in the 82nd percentile. Here's exactly what I did differently.
The Wake-Up Call
I'd applied for a graduate scheme at a consulting firm—my dream job. When I took their practice test casually one evening, the results were sobering: 42nd percentile overall, with abstract reasoning dragging me down at the 31st percentile.
The real test was in two weeks. I had a choice: accept that I probably wouldn't advance, or treat those two weeks as a focused mission.
Week One: Diagnosis and Foundation
Days 1-2: Understanding My Weaknesses
I took three more practice tests from different sources, tracking my performance by question type:
My results:
- Numerical: 55th percentile (not terrible)
- Verbal: 61st percentile (decent)
- Abstract: 31st percentile (the problem)
Within abstract reasoning, I struggled most with matrix questions involving multiple simultaneous rules.
Days 3-5: Targeted Abstract Practice
I found every free abstract reasoning resource I could and focused exclusively on my weak spots.
My approach:
- 45 minutes of practice each morning (when I'm freshest)
- Focus on matrix questions specifically
- After each wrong answer, I'd write down why I got it wrong
Key insight: I realized I was looking for single rules when most questions had 2-3 rules operating simultaneously. Once I started systematically checking for multiple patterns, my accuracy improved dramatically.
Days 6-7: Building Speed
By the end of week one, my abstract accuracy had improved—but I was too slow. I started practicing with stricter time limits than the actual test.
Strategy: If the test allowed 90 seconds per question, I practiced at 60 seconds. This made the real time limit feel generous.
Week Two: Integration and Refinement
Days 8-10: Full Practice Tests
I shifted from targeted practice to full simulations under exam conditions:
- Timed strictly
- No breaks
- Unfamiliar environment (library instead of home)
- No phone nearby
Results improved each day:
- Day 8: 58th percentile
- Day 9: 67th percentile
- Day 10: 71st percentile
Days 11-12: Review and Strategy
Instead of more practice, I spent these days reviewing every mistake I'd made:
I created a "mistake log" with patterns:
- Questions I missed due to careless errors
- Questions I missed due to wrong approach
- Questions I ran out of time on
Key finding: About 30% of my errors were careless—reading questions too quickly or misidentifying shapes. Simply slowing down for the first read would capture many lost points.
Day 13: Light Practice, Early Night
The day before the test, I did only 15 minutes of easy practice—just to stay sharp without exhausting myself.
I went to bed early, set two alarms, and prepared everything I'd need for test day.
Test Day
Morning Routine
- Woke up with plenty of time
- Ate a solid breakfast (eggs, whole grain toast, fruit)
- Drank one cup of coffee (my usual amount)
- Did 10 minutes of light stretching
- Arrived 20 minutes early
During the Test
I applied the strategies I'd developed:
- Read each question twice before looking at answers
- For abstract questions, systematically check for changes in shape, size, rotation, position, shading, and quantity
- Never spend more than 90 seconds on any question
- Mark uncertain answers and return if time permits
The Result
82nd percentile overall. Abstract reasoning: 73rd percentile.
A 40-percentile improvement in two weeks.
What Made the Biggest Difference
Looking back, these factors mattered most:
1. Targeted Weakness Training
Spending 60% of my practice time on my weakest area (abstract reasoning) produced more improvement than spreading effort evenly.
2. Systematic Approach to Abstract Questions
Learning to check for multiple patterns rather than looking for a single "aha" moment transformed my abstract reasoning performance.
3. Practicing Under Harder Conditions
Timing myself stricter than the actual test made the real conditions feel comfortable.
4. Mistake Analysis
Simply reviewing errors and categorizing them revealed patterns I could address directly.
5. Physical Preparation
Sleep and nutrition matter more than last-minute cramming. I was mentally sharp on test day because I'd rested properly.
What Didn't Matter
Some things I tried that didn't seem to help:
- Brain training apps: Fun but no transfer to test performance
- Studying late at night: Just made me tired the next day
- Trying to memorize specific questions: Question pools are too large
- Over-practicing: More than 90 minutes per day led to diminishing returns
Realistic Expectations
A few important caveats:
My improvement was dramatic but not typical. I started with significant room for improvement, particularly in test-taking strategy rather than raw ability.
Two weeks is short. Longer preparation would likely yield better results for most people.
I was highly motivated. This was my dream job. Casual preparation wouldn't have produced the same focus.
Your Action Plan
If you're facing a similar timeline:
Week 1:
- Diagnostic testing to identify weaknesses
- Targeted practice on lowest-scoring areas
- Build systematic approaches for each question type
Week 2:
- Full practice tests under realistic conditions
- Review and categorize all mistakes
- Light practice and rest before test day
Test day:
- Good sleep, good food, arrive early
- Apply your practiced strategies
- Stay calm, trust your preparation
The Bottom Line
Cognitive test scores aren't fixed. With focused effort and strategic practice, significant improvement is possible—even in a short timeframe.
I'm not naturally gifted at abstract reasoning. But two weeks of deliberate practice was enough to transform a weakness into a workable strength.
If I could do it, you probably can too.