Pattern Reasoning

What this measures

Your ability to solve brand-new problems with no prior knowledge to lean on. You look at a 3×3 grid of shapes, work out the rules across rows and columns, and pick the missing piece.

Why it matters

Fluid reasoning is the ability most closely tied to overall intelligence. Matrix puzzles like these are the core of Raven's Progressive Matrices and show up on many Mensa practice and admission tests.

How it's scored

One point per correct grid. Harder grids change more features at once (shape, count, shading, size).

Tips

• Check one feature at a time: shape, then count, then shading, then size.
• Each row usually uses every value once, or keeps one value constant.
• Eliminate options that break any rule, then compare what's left.