Non-Verbal Reasoning practice questions
9 topics and 180 questions, each with a worked explanation. Tap an answer to check it, or open “Show answer & explanation”.
Non-verbal reasoning tests pattern recognition using shapes and visual relationships rather than words or numbers, and it's the topic area least like anything taught in a normal primary school curriculum — which is exactly why brief, regular exposure to the question types makes such a big difference. Because our practice questions describe shapes and patterns in words rather than pictures, the emphasis here is on the underlying logic (how many sides does a shape gain each time, what happens when something rotates) rather than visual spotting — which is genuinely useful preparation, since the real exam ultimately rewards understanding the rule behind a pattern, not just recognising a picture. For any rotation or sequence question, it helps to physically act it out — turn a piece of paper, or draw the shapes out — rather than trying to visualise the whole thing purely in your head. Each topic below explains the specific rule being tested before moving into practice questions.
Shape Sequences
Follow a sequence of shapes that each gain one extra side, then work out which shape comes next.
How to approach this
Shape sequences increase the number of sides by one each time (triangle, square, pentagon, and so on), so the method is to count the sides of the shapes you're given, confirm they're increasing by exactly one each step, and then name the shape with one more side than the last one shown.
It's worth memorising the sequence of shape names by side count — triangle (3), square (4), pentagon (5), hexagon (6), heptagon (7), octagon (8), nonagon (9) — since recalling the next name quickly is often the only real obstacle.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
Rotations & Reflections
Track how a shape's direction changes after being rotated by a given number of degrees.
How to approach this
Rotation questions describe a shape pointing in a direction, then rotated by a certain number of degrees, and ask which direction it points afterward. The method is to think of the four directions (up, right, down, left) as a clock face: a 90° clockwise turn moves you one direction clockwise (up becomes right), 180° moves you two directions (up becomes down), and 270° moves you three.
Physically turning a piece of paper or your own hand to act out the rotation is far more reliable than trying to picture it purely in your head.
A shape points right. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: D. down
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from right to down.
A shape points down. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: B. up
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from down to up.
A shape points left. It is rotated 270° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: A. down
Rotating 270° clockwise moves the shape 3 step(s) around, from left to down.
A shape points down. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: B. up
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from down to up.
A shape points right. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. down
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from right to down.
A shape points up. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. down
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from up to down.
A shape points down. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: B. left
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from down to left.
A shape points right. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. left
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from right to left.
A shape points up. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: B. down
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from up to down.
A shape points down. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. up
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from down to up.
A shape points right. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. down
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from right to down.
A shape points up. It is rotated 270° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: D. left
Rotating 270° clockwise moves the shape 3 step(s) around, from up to left.
A shape points up. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: C. right
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from up to right.
A shape points right. It is rotated 270° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. up
Rotating 270° clockwise moves the shape 3 step(s) around, from right to up.
A shape points up. It is rotated 270° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
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Correct answer: D. left
Rotating 270° clockwise moves the shape 3 step(s) around, from up to left.
A shape points right. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. left
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from right to left.
A shape points left. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. up
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from left to up.
A shape points up. It is rotated 180° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. down
Rotating 180° clockwise moves the shape 2 step(s) around, from up to down.
A shape points up. It is rotated 90° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. right
Rotating 90° clockwise moves the shape 1 step(s) around, from up to right.
A shape points up. It is rotated 270° clockwise. Which direction does it point now?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. left
Rotating 270° clockwise moves the shape 3 step(s) around, from up to left.
Odd Shape Out
Identify which shape in a group doesn't share a property with the others.
How to approach this
This topic asks which shape doesn't belong with three others that share a property. The method is to test different possible categories in turn — number of sides, whether the edges are straight or curved, whether the shape is regular — until you find the one property that three of the four items share.
The odd one out is whichever shape breaks that specific pattern, even if it resembles the others in some other way.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Which shape does not belong with the others?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. triangle
The first three shapes share a category; 'triangle' does not belong.
Matrices
Complete a 3×3 grid of shapes by spotting the repeating pattern across each row.
How to approach this
Matrix questions show a grid of shapes arranged in a repeating pattern across rows, with one shape missing, and ask what belongs in the gap. The reliable method is to look along each completed row and column for the rule (often the same three shapes cycling in the same order), then apply that exact rule to work out the missing shape.
Writing out what you'd expect in each empty cell, rather than guessing from the answer options, keeps the process methodical.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
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Correct answer: A. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Row 1: triangle, circle, square. Row 2: circle, square, triangle. Row 3: square, triangle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. circle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'circle'.
Row 1: circle, square, triangle. Row 2: square, triangle, circle. Row 3: triangle, circle, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. square
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'square'.
Row 1: square, triangle, circle. Row 2: triangle, circle, square. Row 3: circle, square, ?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. triangle
Each row cycles the three symbols in order, so the missing symbol is 'triangle'.
Nets & 3D Shapes
Recall the number of faces, edges and vertices on common 3D solids such as cubes and prisms.
How to approach this
These questions ask how many faces, edges, or vertices a 3D solid has. This is largely a memory topic — it helps to learn the numbers for common solids directly: a cube has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices; a square pyramid has 5 faces, 8 edges and 5 vertices.
Where possible, handling real 3D objects (a dice, a party hat) and counting the faces, edges and corners by hand builds a much more durable memory than reading the numbers off a list.
How many faces does a cube have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 6
A cube has 6 faces.
How many edges does a cuboid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 12
A cuboid has 12 edges.
How many vertices does a square pyramid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 5
A square pyramid has 5 vertices.
How many faces does a triangular prism have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 5
A triangular prism has 5 faces.
How many edges does a cone have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 1
A cone has 1 edges.
How many vertices does a cylinder have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 0
A cylinder has 0 vertices.
How many faces does a tetrahedron have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4
A tetrahedron has 4 faces.
How many edges does a sphere have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 0
A sphere has 0 edges.
How many vertices does a cube have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 8
A cube has 8 vertices.
How many faces does a cuboid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 6
A cuboid has 6 faces.
How many edges does a square pyramid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 8
A square pyramid has 8 edges.
How many vertices does a triangular prism have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 6
A triangular prism has 6 vertices.
How many faces does a cone have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 2
A cone has 2 faces.
How many edges does a cylinder have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 2
A cylinder has 2 edges.
How many vertices does a tetrahedron have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4
A tetrahedron has 4 vertices.
How many faces does a sphere have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 1
A sphere has 1 faces.
How many edges does a cube have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 12
A cube has 12 edges.
How many vertices does a cuboid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 8
A cuboid has 8 vertices.
How many faces does a square pyramid have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 5
A square pyramid has 5 faces.
How many edges does a triangular prism have?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 9
A triangular prism has 9 edges.
Pattern Completion
Continue a repeating pattern by working out which shape logically comes next.
How to approach this
Pattern completion works the same way as shape sequences: identify what changes consistently from one shape to the next (usually the number of sides increasing by one), then apply that rule once more to find what comes next in the pattern.
The key skill is confirming the rule holds across every step you're shown, not just the first two, before extending it — a pattern that looks right after one step can still turn out to be a coincidence.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: square, pentagon, hexagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. heptagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a hexagon, the next shape is a heptagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: hexagon, heptagon, octagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. nonagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a octagon, the next shape is a nonagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. octagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a heptagon, the next shape is a octagon.
A sequence of shapes gains one extra side each time: triangle, square, pentagon... What comes next?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. hexagon
Each shape has one more side than the last. After a pentagon, the next shape is a hexagon.
Code Symbols
Match shapes to a number code and apply the same code to a new shape.
How to approach this
Code-symbol questions assign each shape a fixed number, show you a sequence of shapes translated into their codes, and ask for the code of a new shape. The method is to match each shape in the sequence to its position in the code one by one, building up a small table of shape-to-number pairs as you go.
Then simply look up the shape you're asked about in that table, rather than trying to hold all the mappings in your head at once.
If pentagon, triangle, hexagon are coded as 415, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If triangle, pentagon, square are coded as 142, what code represents 'circle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 3
Each shape has a fixed code; 'circle' is coded as 3.
If pentagon, hexagon, square are coded as 452, what code represents 'triangle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 1
Each shape has a fixed code; 'triangle' is coded as 1.
If square, circle, pentagon are coded as 234, what code represents 'hexagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 5
Each shape has a fixed code; 'hexagon' is coded as 5.
If hexagon, triangle, square are coded as 512, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If square, pentagon, triangle are coded as 241, what code represents 'square'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 2
Each shape has a fixed code; 'square' is coded as 2.
If hexagon, pentagon, square are coded as 542, what code represents 'circle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 3
Each shape has a fixed code; 'circle' is coded as 3.
If hexagon, square, pentagon are coded as 524, what code represents 'square'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 2
Each shape has a fixed code; 'square' is coded as 2.
If circle, triangle, pentagon are coded as 314, what code represents 'triangle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1
Each shape has a fixed code; 'triangle' is coded as 1.
If pentagon, circle, hexagon are coded as 435, what code represents 'hexagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 5
Each shape has a fixed code; 'hexagon' is coded as 5.
If hexagon, pentagon, square are coded as 542, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If circle, pentagon, hexagon are coded as 345, what code represents 'circle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 3
Each shape has a fixed code; 'circle' is coded as 3.
If hexagon, pentagon, square are coded as 542, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If square, triangle, hexagon are coded as 215, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If hexagon, circle, triangle are coded as 531, what code represents 'square'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 2
Each shape has a fixed code; 'square' is coded as 2.
If square, hexagon, pentagon are coded as 254, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If hexagon, pentagon, circle are coded as 543, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If square, circle, pentagon are coded as 234, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If pentagon, triangle, circle are coded as 413, what code represents 'pentagon'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4
Each shape has a fixed code; 'pentagon' is coded as 4.
If hexagon, square, circle are coded as 523, what code represents 'triangle'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 1
Each shape has a fixed code; 'triangle' is coded as 1.
Similarities
Group shapes by a shared property such as having curved or straight edges.
How to approach this
These questions ask which two shapes out of a set of four are most alike. The method is to test each shape against a specific property — curved edges versus straight edges is the most common one — rather than a vague sense of 'looking similar'.
Once you've identified the property that groups two shapes together (for example, both a circle and an oval have entirely curved outlines), that pair is your answer, regardless of size or orientation.
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. circle & oval
circle & oval share the same type of outline (curved).
Which two shapes are most alike: circle, oval, square, triangle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. square & triangle
square & triangle share the same type of outline (straight-edged).
Analogies (Shapes)
Apply a rule from one pair of shapes, like number of sides, to a new pair.
How to approach this
Shape analogies work like word analogies: the first pair of shapes shares a specific relationship (often 'number of sides'), and you need to apply that same relationship to a second shape. The method is to state the rule in words first — for example, 'a triangle relates to the number 3 because it has 3 sides'.
Then apply that exact rule, not a similar-sounding one, to the new shape given in the question.
Square is to 4 sides as triangle is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 3
A triangle has 3 sides.
Triangle is to 3 sides as square is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
A square has 4 sides.
Hexagon is to 6 sides as pentagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 5
A pentagon has 5 sides.
Pentagon is to 5 sides as triangle is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 3
A triangle has 3 sides.
Heptagon is to 7 sides as hexagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 6
A hexagon has 6 sides.
Triangle is to 3 sides as square is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
A square has 4 sides.
Heptagon is to 7 sides as triangle is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 3
A triangle has 3 sides.
Pentagon is to 5 sides as triangle is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 3
A triangle has 3 sides.
Pentagon is to 5 sides as octagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 8
A octagon has 8 sides.
Octagon is to 8 sides as hexagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 6
A hexagon has 6 sides.
Octagon is to 8 sides as square is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 4
A square has 4 sides.
Octagon is to 8 sides as triangle is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 3
A triangle has 3 sides.
Hexagon is to 6 sides as heptagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 7
A heptagon has 7 sides.
Octagon is to 8 sides as heptagon is to ___ sides?
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Correct answer: D. 7
A heptagon has 7 sides.
Heptagon is to 7 sides as octagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 8
A octagon has 8 sides.
Square is to 4 sides as hexagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 6
A hexagon has 6 sides.
Pentagon is to 5 sides as square is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4
A square has 4 sides.
Pentagon is to 5 sides as heptagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 7
A heptagon has 7 sides.
Hexagon is to 6 sides as pentagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 5
A pentagon has 5 sides.
Hexagon is to 6 sides as pentagon is to ___ sides?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 5
A pentagon has 5 sides.