Non-verbal Reasoning: Patterns, Shapes & Spatial Thinking

What Is Non-verbal Reasoning?

Section 3 tests your ability to identify patterns, understand spatial relationships, and apply visual logic — all without relying on language or numbers. It uses shapes, figures, and abstract designs.

The Main Pattern Types

Sequence patterns: You're given a series of shapes that follow a rule (rotation, colour change, size increase) and asked to identify the next one.

Matrix patterns: A 3x3 grid of shapes where you must find the missing element by identifying the rules governing rows and columns.

Odd one out: Five shapes where four share a common feature and one does not.

Missing segment: An image with a piece removed — you choose which option completes it.

Key Strategies

Look for one transformation at a time. Complex patterns usually involve multiple simple rules applied together (for example, the shape rotates 90 degrees clockwise AND changes colour each step).

Count elements systematically. If a pattern involves shapes inside shapes, count the inner elements row by row or column by column.

Use elimination. If you can identify even one rule, use it to eliminate options that break that rule.

Practice Makes Perfect

There are a limited number of non-verbal reasoning question types. After practising 100 to 200 questions, you'll start recognising patterns almost instantly. Speed comes with familiarity.