How to practise pattern recognition
Published by Brain's Quotient
A pattern question asks you to find a rule that connects the information in front of you. Start by describing what changes, then check whether your rule explains every step. The exercises below give you a way to practise that process.
Describe, propose, check
- Describe the changes. For shapes, compare number, position, direction, size, and shading separately. For numbers, write down the differences between neighbours.
- Propose a simple rule. Look for repetition, a steady increase, a rotation, or two alternating sequences. State your rule in a sentence.
- Check every transition. A rule that explains only the final pair is not enough. Apply it from the start before choosing an answer.
- Compare alternatives. If several rules fit, use the question's instructions and answer choices to narrow them down. A short sequence can support more than one continuation.
Four exercises to try
Write down your answer and rule before revealing each explanation. These are original practice examples; they are not a scored assessment.
1. A repeating shape
Square, circle, square, circle, square, … What comes next if the two-shape pattern repeats?
Reveal answer and explanation
Circle. The repeating unit is square followed by circle. Grouping the sequence into pairs makes the rule visible.
2. A growing difference
3, 6, 10, 15, 21, … What comes next if each increase grows by one?
Reveal answer and explanation
28. The differences are +3, +4, +5, and +6. The next increase is +7, so 21 + 7 = 28. Look at how the differences change, not only at the numbers themselves.
3. Two alternating sequences
2, 10, 4, 20, 6, 30, … Split the odd and even positions into separate sequences. What comes next?
Reveal answer and explanation
8. Positions 1, 3, and 5 contain 2, 4, and 6, increasing by two. Positions 2, 4, and 6 contain 10, 20, and 30, increasing by ten. Position 7 continues the first sequence.
4. A changing direction
An arrow points up, right, down, then left. If it turns a quarter-turn clockwise each time, where does it point next?
Reveal answer and explanation
Up. Four quarter-turns complete a full turn. Track direction separately from other features such as an arrow's colour or length.
Review the rule, not just the answer
After each question, note the rule you tried, the step where it failed, and the clue you missed. For example: “I looked for one number sequence, but the odd and even positions followed different rules.” That gives you something specific to check next time.
For a short practice session, try three questions without a timer, explain each answer, and then make one example of your own. Once you can explain a rule consistently, try similar questions with a time limit and check whether rushing changes your accuracy.
Getting these examples right shows that you can apply these particular rules. It does not establish an IQ score or a change in general intelligence.
Ready for more? Try our free logical reasoning practice with answer explanations, or read how the BQ IQ test is scored before interpreting a test result.