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Abstract and inductive reasoning tests: how to find the rule
Abstract, inductive or diagrammatic reasoning tests show you shapes arranged by a hidden rule, in a 3×3 grid or a row of panels, and ask which shape comes next or fills the gap. They are meant to measure how quickly you spot patterns without relying on language or maths, and they appear in many employer tests and in the spatial part of the CCAT.
The rules behind the puzzles
A classic analysis of matrix puzzles found that a small set of rule types accounts for them, and that puzzles get harder mainly as more rules have to be tracked at once (Carpenter, Just & Shell, 1990). Here they're practised one at a time, then combined:
- Progression: something grows, shrinks, turns or moves a step at a time. Practise
- Addition and subtraction: the third panel is the first two combined, or one taken away from the other. Practise
- Distribution of three: three values each appear once in every row. Practise
- Distribution of two: a value appears in two cells of a row and is missing from the third. Practise
- Constant: something stays the same along a row; usually the background to another rule.
The matrices guide explains each rule, with a solving routine and the research it comes from. Sent an SHL test? See what SHL says about its inductive tests.
Advanced matrix practice
Advanced matrices combine several transformations in one puzzle. Separate six-level ladders cover layered reflections, hidden hexagons and hinge folds, plus mixed practice at each difficulty, with original puzzles and worked explanations. A short overview is free; the full lesson, examples and exercises come with Premium when the private preview ends.
Read the advanced matrices overview
Other formats
- Sequences of panels: which comes next in a row of five. Practise visual series.
- Odd one out: which shape breaks the pattern the others share. Practise odd one out.
- Rotation: which shape is the same one turned. Practise mental rotation.
How to prepare
- Learn the rules one at a time, until you can name the rule in each row within seconds.
- Work row by row, and check every feature separately: shape, size, count, position, shading.
- Predict the missing panel before you look at the options. Wrong options are built to look almost right.
- Then practise against the clock. The diagnostic shows which rule types cost you most.
Start now
Every puzzle here is generated and checked to have exactly one right answer, and standard matrix practice is free up to level 3. The separate Advanced matrices course comes with Premium.