Abstract Reasoning Guide 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a 3×3 matrix, the number of dots increases by 2 across each row and by 3 down each column. The top-left cell has 1 dot. How many dots are in the bottom-right cell?
- 9
- 11 (Correct answer)
- 13
- 15
Correct answer: 11
Moving right 2 columns adds 4 dots; moving down 2 rows adds 6 dots; 1 + 4 + 6 = 11.
Question 2: A figure is reflected horizontally, then rotated 90° clockwise. Which single transformation is equivalent?
- 90° counter-clockwise rotation (Correct answer)
- 180° rotation
- Vertical reflection
- 90° clockwise rotation then vertical reflection
Correct answer: 90° counter-clockwise rotation
Combining a horizontal reflection with a 90° clockwise rotation is equivalent to a single 90° counter-clockwise rotation.
Question 3: When a question asks you to find the 'odd one out,' which approach is most reliable?
- Choose the shape that looks visually different at first glance
- List attributes of all shapes and find which one violates a shared rule (Correct answer)
- Eliminate the most complex shape
- Pick the shape with the fewest sides
Correct answer: List attributes of all shapes and find which one violates a shared rule
Systematically listing attributes (sides, shading, size, orientation) reveals which shape breaks the pattern the others share.
Question 4: Symbols inside a shape decrease by one per row from top to bottom: 5, 4, 3. The border of the shape changes from dashed to solid to dashed. What are the contents and border in the missing bottom-right cell (Row 3)?
- 3 symbols, solid border
- 3 symbols, dashed border (Correct answer)
- 2 symbols, solid border
- 2 symbols, dashed border
Correct answer: 3 symbols, dashed border
Row 3 has 3 symbols and follows the dashed-solid-dashed pattern, so the border is dashed.
Question 5: A series shows: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon. What comes next?
- Nonagon (Correct answer)
- Decagon
- Heptagon
- Dodecagon
Correct answer: Nonagon
Each shape adds one side: 5, 6, 7, 8 → next is 9 sides = nonagon.
Question 6: In timed abstract reasoning tests, what is the recommended approach when stuck on a question?
- Spend as long as needed to be certain
- Skip it, flag it, and return if time remains (Correct answer)
- Always choose the most visually symmetrical option
- Re-read the question stem multiple times
Correct answer: Skip it, flag it, and return if time remains
Flagging and moving on maximizes answered questions; returning later with fresh eyes often resolves the block.
Question 7: A matrix has shapes that rotate 90° clockwise across columns and change from white to grey to black down rows. The top-right cell is a white arrow pointing right. What is in the middle-right cell?
- Grey arrow pointing right (Correct answer)
- Grey arrow pointing down
- Black arrow pointing right
- White arrow pointing down
Correct answer: Grey arrow pointing right
Moving down one row changes white to grey; column position stays the same so orientation remains pointing right.
Abstract Reasoning Guide 3
In a 3×3 matrix, the number of dots increases by 2 across each row and by 3 down each column.
The top-left cell has 1 dot.
How many dots are in the bottom-right cell?