Worked examples

Matrix Reasoning Test Examples

The best way to understand matrix reasoning is to work through real examples. Below are three worked examples at different difficulty levels, showing the pattern rule and how to identify it.

Easy example — 90° rotation

Easy

The question

A triangle points right in the first cell. In the second cell it points downward. In the third it points left. What does the missing cell show?

Answer and explanation

The triangle points upward. Each cell rotates the triangle 90° clockwise.

Pattern type: Rotation

Medium example — shape progression

Medium

The question

Row 1: a triangle, a square, a pentagon. Row 2: a triangle, a square, a pentagon — each with one internal dot. Row 3: a triangle with two dots, a square with two dots, and the missing cell.

Answer and explanation

A pentagon with two dots. The number of sides increases left to right; the dot count increases row to row.

Pattern type: Shape progression + frequency count

Hard example — positional movement

Hard

The question

A small circle moves between the four corners of each cell. In cell 1 it is top-left. In cell 2 it is top-right. In cell 3 it is bottom-right. In cell 4 it is bottom-left. What position does the circle occupy in cell 9?

Answer and explanation

Top-left. The circle cycles clockwise through the four corners. Cell 9 is position 1 in the second full cycle.

Pattern type: Positional movement

Interactive practice

Practice with interactive questions

These examples describe questions in text form. The actual test experience uses visual SVG grids where you click to select the missing piece. Use the practice tests to build speed with the real format.

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Try interactive examples

The free practice test includes 10 questions across multiple pattern types with immediate feedback and full explanations.

Free test · 10 questions