AR: The SCANS Method
A Systematic Approach
With only 14 seconds per question, you cannot afford to stare at shapes hoping a pattern emerges. You need a systematic method. MedAcademy teaches the SCANS method:
S — Shape
What types of shapes are present? Are certain shapes always present in the set? Do shapes appear in specific combinations?
C — Count
How many shapes are there? Is the number consistent? Does the total number or the number of a specific shape follow a rule? Are there always an odd/even number?
A — Arrangement
Where are the shapes positioned? Is there a consistent spatial layout? Do shapes appear in specific locations (corners, edges, centre)? Is there a relationship between position and other properties?
N — Nature (Properties)
What are the properties of each shape? Size (small/large), colour (black/white/grey), fill (solid/striped/empty), orientation (up/down/left/right). Do properties change systematically?
S — Symmetry & Special Features
Is the arrangement symmetric? Are there intersections, containments (shapes inside shapes), or overlaps? Are there lines or arrows? Do the number of sides of shapes relate to other elements?
How to Use SCANS
- Look at Set A. Run through SCANS quickly, spending 2–3 seconds on each element
- When you notice a consistent feature across all 6 boxes, you’ve found the rule
- Verify: does the rule hold for ALL 6 boxes? If not, refine it
- Then check Set B — its rule should be different from (and often contrasting with) Set A
- Apply the rules to each test shape
Common Pattern Categories
- Counting rules: “Set A always has exactly 3 black shapes” / “Set A always has an even number of shapes”
- Shape rules: “Set A always contains a triangle” / “Set A never contains a circle”
- Colour/shading rules: “In Set A, the largest shape is always black”
- Position rules: “In Set A, the arrow always points to the black shape”
- Conditional rules: “In Set A, if there is a square, it is always grey” (hardest type)
- Relationship rules: “In Set A, the number of sides of the largest shape equals the number of small circles”
Speed Building
The only way to get fast at AR is through practice volume. Aim to complete at least 10 AR sets (50+ questions) per practice session. After each set, analyse patterns you missed and add them to your personal pattern library.