Practice PAT #1, Question 11
Question: "If you look at it from the side, wouldn't B be correct? I looked at the 3D visualizer and it looks like answer choice B."
Answer: I have gone ahead and created an image for you that shows the correct size and dimensions of the three views. I have also brought in the side view right above option B so that you can easily compare the two. I hope that helps you see why B cannot be correct.
I will also attach an image showing the reference points for the viewing angle. The blue lines represent the front view and the green lines represent the end view.
Practice PAT #2, Question 7
Question: "It seems to have either the wrong answer or no right answer. The correct answer has a gap that is thinner than the picture. Can you help?"
Answer: You cannot measure the lengths on the given view and compare them on the answer choices. This is innately inaccurate and will result in measurements that are often, never right. Sometimes the measurements are extremely close due to the angle that the figure is viewed from but other times, it can be off. However, the proportions will always be accurate. So if you really want to test out an option choice, you can measure a few different features on the given object and obtain their ratio. You can then do the same with the option choice and you will find that they will match. However, upon reviewing question #7, I would say this is actually one of those times where the measurements are pretty much identical. This is a difficult question but essentially, you chose the wrong axis of view for the figure. Let me explain.
Given the irregular shape of the figure, we have options as to how to view the figure and align it with the 3D coordinate plane. I have outlined two plausible alignments below with red and green arrows. You essentially chose the green alignment and correctly concluded that the gap should be wider. This would have been correct if one of the option choices reflected this, however, the option choices have all been derived from the red alignment instead which results in a front view that matches option B, the correct answer. I hope this helps!
Practice PAT #2, Question 9
Question: "How can you tell the below:
1. The rectangular box is taller than the cylinder?
2. When looking from the left/right projection, the rectangular box looking thing is actually shorter than the cylinder?
3. Also, how do you know that the space between the cylinder and rectangle will be large and not small?"
Answer: We are able to tell that the rectangular feature is taller based on the relation to the base as seen in the image below with the green and red lines.
We are able to tell that the rectangular feature is 'shorter' as you have said, based on the relation to the base and a few true lines that are given to us. Please see the image below with the yellow and green lines.
As for the space between the two features, you again must use what is given to us. In this case, I used the width of the rectangular feature to ascertain the location behind the rectangle that space would begin. I then drew a line to the circular feature. Please refer to the last image with the purple and blue lines.
Practice PAT #5, Question 13
Question: "For Option C. I'm having a difficult time being able to tell that the length of the object is not the same as to the 3D image. Are there any quick tricks to fixing this?"
Answer: This is certainly a challenging question. Have you had a look at the 3D model? You must compare the lengths with other features. For example, on the 3D figure below, you are able to easily see that the green arrow which represents the width of the middle triangular extension, is shorter than the red line which represents the remainder of the edge when the object is viewed from the front view. On option choice C, the triangular extension is shown to be greater in length than the remainder of the edge. This was the give away here.
Practice PAT Question Bank #1, Question 20
Question: "Based on the correct answer and the object, I just can't see how they are the same. The dimensions and direction look wrong. Is there a trick to this?"
Answer: This is one of the most common challenges with keyholes, and it usually comes from trying to match the object exactly as it is shown. The key idea to remember is that the object does not have to stay in its original orientation. You are allowed to rotate it in 90° increments and flip it in any direction before it fits into the keyhole.
In this case, answer choice A is correct, but it does not look correct at first because it is oriented differently. Instead of trying to match the full shape right away, it helps to break the object down into its main sections and focus on how those sections align with the answer choice.
Looking at the blue highlighted sections above, you can see how the shape is made up of distinct “levels” or blocks. These sections stay consistent even when the object is rotated, which makes them a reliable way to compare against the answer choices.
You need to mentally rotate and flip the shape. It is actually rotated 90° and then flipped 180° horizontally, which is why the direction initially feels wrong. Once you account for this, the overall outline aligns with the correct answer.
If the shape still feels off, shift your focus to specific edges rather than the entire figure.
The coloured edges highlight exact matches between the shape and the answer choice. The red, green, and blue edges correspond directly once the shape is rotated correctly, showing that the dimensions are actually identical.
Practice PAT Question Bank #5, Question 14
Question: "I assumed there would be a circular hole in the front view, but there isn't. However, the side view still has a rectangular hole. Is there a way to tell when there is a hole or not?"
Answer: This question comes down to recognizing whether a feature is a continuous hole or a partial cut that stops inside the object. You should assume that the hole spans completely though the object unless it is clearly indicated that the hole ends.
The key detail to look for is whether you can see an ending to the hole. In this case, there is a very small line that indicates where the circular hole stops. It’s subtle, but once you train your eye to look for it, it becomes much easier to catch.
In the image below, the edge of the hole is outlined in blue. That line represents the back wall of the hole, meaning the hole does not pass all the way through the object. Because of this, you would not see a circular opening in the front view. If that blue line were not there, then you could assume the hole continues through, and a circular opening would appear in the respective view.
The rectangular feature on the side view can also be confusing because there is an extra line inside it. It’s easy to think this line means the hole is closed off at the back. However, it's actually an open tunnel that goes all the way through. That extra line just shows the inside corner where the tunnel walls meet, not a solid back wall.
To help visualize this, think about the lines:
If the hole were closed off: You would see a horizontal line across the back. This line would create a "face" or a solid wall, showing where the hole ends.
If it is open: There is no horizontal line at the back. Instead, we only see a diagonal line, which is just the corner where the two inside walls meet as the hole passes all the way through.