Abstract Reasoning Patterns Explained: Rotation, Reflection and More
Abstract reasoning tests rely on a limited set of pattern types. Once you know them, you can spot them quickly. This guide explains the most common patterns with examples and how to recognise them in matrix and sequence questions.
Rotation Patterns
What it is: Shapes rotate by a fixed angle (usually 90°, 180° or 270°) as you move across a row or down a column.
How to spot it: Trace one element. Follow it from cell to cell. If it turns consistently, it's rotation.
Example: Row 1: triangle pointing up, right, down. Row 2: right, down, left. Row 3: down, left, and the missing cell = up (triangle pointing up again).
Common variants: Clockwise vs anticlockwise. 45° or 90° steps. Diagonal rotation (e.g. top-left to bottom-right).
Reflection Patterns
What it is: Shapes flip horizontally, vertically or diagonally. You see mirror images.
How to spot it: Look for figures that look like reflections of each other. Check if one is the mirror of another.
Example: Row 1: L-shape facing right, then left (mirror), then right. The rule: alternate horizontal reflection.
Common variants: Horizontal flip (left-right), vertical flip (top-bottom), diagonal flip. Sometimes combined with rotation.
Size Change Patterns
What it is: Elements grow or shrink in a consistent way. Small, medium, large—or a gradual scale.
How to spot it: Compare the size of the same shape across cells. Is it getting bigger or smaller?
Example: Row 1: small circle, medium circle, large circle. Row 2: medium, large, small. Row 3: large, small, and the missing cell = medium.
Common variants: Size may follow a cycle (small → medium → large → small). Or size may correlate with position (e.g. row + column).
Colour or Shading Patterns
What it is: Shapes change fill—solid, outline, hatched, or different colours. Often a checkerboard or alternating pattern.
How to spot it: Don't ignore shading. It often carries part of the rule. Check if filled cells alternate with empty ones.
Example: Black, white, black in row 1; white, black, white in row 2; black, white, and the missing cell = black.
Common variants: Two-colour alternation. Three-colour cycle. Shading that follows position (e.g. row number determines fill).
Number or Quantity Patterns
What it is: The number of elements (dots, shapes, lines) increases or decreases. Often an arithmetic progression.
How to spot it: Count elements in each cell. Look for +1, +2, or similar progressions.
Example: Row 1: 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots. Row 2: 2, 3, 4. Row 3: 3, 4, and the missing cell = 5 dots. Rule: cell = row + column.
Common variants: Addition, subtraction, multiplication. Elements may appear or disappear. Sometimes the number follows a Fibonacci-like sequence.
Position Patterns
What it is: Elements move around the cell—top, bottom, left, right, or corners. The position changes predictably.
How to spot it: Track where one element moves. Does it shift in a consistent direction?
Example: A dot moves: top-left, top-right, bottom-right, bottom-left, and back to top-left. The rule: clockwise around corners.
Common variants: Movement along edges. Diagonal movement. Position that depends on row or column.
Addition and Subtraction Patterns
What it is: New elements appear or disappear. Shapes combine or split.
How to spot it: Compare the number and type of elements across cells. Is something being added or removed?
Example: Row 1: one shape. Row 2: two shapes (original + new). Row 3: three shapes. The rule: add one shape per row.
Common variants: Overlapping shapes that merge. Shapes that split into parts. Elements that appear in a specific order.
Combination Patterns
What it is: Two or more rules apply at once. For example, rotation + colour change, or size + number.
How to spot it: If one rule doesn't fully explain the grid, look for a second. Work through each rule separately.
Example: Shapes rotate 90° per cell AND alternate between filled and outline. The missing cell must have the correct rotation and the correct fill.
Tip: Combine patterns one at a time. Don't mix them up—apply rotation first, then colour, etc.
How to Use This When Practising
Scan for the obvious – Rotation and reflection are the most common. Check those first.
Count systematically – If shapes don't rotate or reflect, count elements. Number patterns are common.
Check the whole grid – Rules often apply across rows and columns. Don't focus on one part.
Eliminate wrong options – Even if you're not sure of the rule, you can often rule out answers that violate it.
Practice with abstract reasoning questions and the abstract reasoning test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pattern is most common?
Rotation and reflection are the most frequent. Size and number changes are also common. Combination patterns appear in harder questions.
Can I use these patterns in sequence questions too?
Yes. The same patterns apply in sequences—rotation, reflection, number, etc. The format is different (a row of shapes instead of a grid) but the logic is the same.
What if the pattern doesn't match any of these?
Sometimes there are less common rules (e.g. symmetry, grouping). Focus on the most common patterns first. If stuck, use elimination and guess.