What is an inductive figures test?

An inductive figures test shows a sequence of diagrams in which symbols change position, orientation or number by hidden rules, and asks you to choose the diagram that comes next.

It is the visual, language-free form of inductive reasoning. Unlike single-shape series, each frame usually holds several elements moving independently, so the test also measures how many rules you can track at once.

By What's Your IQ · Published 3 Oct 2026 · Updated 3 Oct 2026

Format: 4–5 frames of a grid, then choose the next frame
What changes: Position, rotation, colour or number of each symbol
Typical employer test: 15–25 items in 15–25 minutes
Measures: Rule discovery, visual tracking, working memory
This test: 10 sequences, 10 minutes, free, rule for every symbol

The six movements

Almost every symbol in these tests moves in one of these ways. Name the movement and the next position follows.

01Clockwise round the edgeThe commonest move. Count steps around the eight outer cells; the centre is skipped.

02Reading orderLeft to right, then down a row, wrapping back to the top-left.

03Down a columnStays in one column and wraps from the bottom back to the top.

04Along a rowStays in one row, wrapping from right edge to left.

05Back and forthAlternates between two cells. Odd frames match, even frames match.

06Turn in placeDoesn't move but rotates by a fixed angle each frame.

Isolate, predict, combine

Step through a three-symbol sequence. Each step hides everything except what you're tracking.

FRAME 1

FRAME 2

FRAME 3

FRAME 4

PREDICTED

Circle only.Circle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge. So in frame 5 it lands where the predicted grid shows.

Take the test

10 sequences · 10 minutes · 1 to 3 symbols each

The first puzzles have one or two symbols; later ones have three, including an arrow that turns as well as moves. Track one symbol at a time.

Sequence 1 of 101 symbol

00:00

Which frame comes next?

0/10Learn the six movements, then try again.Weakest: 1 symbol items (0/1) · 29854925:29

1 symbol items0/12 symbols items0/63 symbols items0/3

Sequence 1 · 1 symbolAnswer B · you chose nothingCircle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge.

Sequence 2 · 2 symbolsAnswer D · you chose nothingCircle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge. Star moves down its column, wrapping to the top.

Sequence 3 · 2 symbolsAnswer A · you chose nothingCircle moves 1 step anticlockwise round the edge. Triangle moves right along its row, wrapping round.

Sequence 4 · 2 symbolsAnswer C · you chose nothingStar moves 2 steps clockwise round the edge. Square stays put.

Sequence 5 · 2 symbolsAnswer B · you chose nothingCircle moves one cell in reading order, wrapping to the top. Triangle jumps back and forth between two cells.

Sequence 6 · 2 symbolsAnswer C · you chose nothingArrow stays put and turns 90° clockwise each frame. Circle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge.

Sequence 7 · 3 symbolsAnswer A · you chose nothingCircle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge. Star moves 1 step anticlockwise round the edge. Triangle stays put.

Sequence 8 · 2 symbolsAnswer D · you chose nothingSquare moves 2 cells in reading order, wrapping to the top. Circle moves 3 steps clockwise round the edge.

Sequence 9 · 3 symbolsAnswer B · you chose nothingStar moves down its column, wrapping to the top. Circle moves right along its row, wrapping round. Arrow stays put and turns 90° clockwise each frame.

Sequence 10 · 3 symbolsAnswer C · you chose nothingCircle moves 1 step clockwise round the edge. Triangle moves 2 steps anticlockwise round the edge. Arrow stays put and turns 90° anticlockwise each frame.

ON THE DAY

Use the options to save time

More symbols make items harder because you have more rules to hold at once (Primi, 2001). These habits cut the load.

Start with the easiest symbolA fixed or alternating symbol often rules out one or two options straight away.

Eliminate as you goAfter predicting each symbol, strike every option that disagrees. You may not need the last rule.

Check the last frame, not the firstPredict from frame 4. Counting from frame 1 adds steps and errors.

Watch for turns as well as movesAn arrow can move and rotate. Check both before choosing.

Keep going

Inductive reasoningNumber and letter series with the difference table.Open

Abstract reasoningSingle-shape series, odd one out and matrices.Open

Spatial reasoningRotation, mirror images and paper folding.Open

References

Carpenter, P. A., Just, M. A., & Shell, P. (1990). What one intelligence test measures: A theoretical account of the processing in the Raven Progressive Matrices Test. Psychological Review, 97(3), 404–431.
Klauer, K. J., & Phye, G. D. (2008). Inductive reasoning: A training approach. Review of Educational Research, 78(1), 85–123.
Primi, R. (2001). Complexity of geometric inductive reasoning tasks: Contribution to the understanding of fluid intelligence. Intelligence, 30(1), 41–70.