Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CAT4 Practice Questions and Study Guide.

Amber's decision to continue taking a longer route after her usual street reopens illustrates the concept of a mental set. A mental set refers to the tendency to approach situations in a certain way based on past experiences, even when it may not be the most efficient or effective solution. In this context, Amber might have developed a habitual pattern of taking the longer route due to prior experiences, perhaps because of previous road closures or other disruptions. This could lead her to stick to the familiar longer route rather than adapting to the new circumstances presented by the reopening of her usual street.

Understanding a mental set is important because it highlights how prior experiences can shape our decision-making processes, sometimes leading us to overlook potentially better options. In Amber's case, despite the reopening of her usual street, she chooses to maintain the longer route due to this established pattern of thinking. Other options, such as mental agility, problem-solving, or creative thinking, involve different cognitive processes that focus more on flexibility, finding solutions to challenges, or generating innovative ideas, respectively, which do not directly align with the behavior demonstrated in this scenario.