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SSC CPO Figure Matrix & Completion

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This page covers SSC CPO Figure Matrix & Completion with complete concept notes, 14 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Figure Matrix & Completion— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept

A figure matrix is typically a 3x3 or 2x2 grid where figures follow specific rules across rows, columns, or diagonally. The pattern can involve shape changes, rotations, additions, deletions, or combinations of elements

Key Rules

Look for patterns in three directions - horizontal (across rows), vertical (down columns), and diagonal

Common pattern types include

rotation (clockwise/anticlockwise), reflection (horizontal/vertical flip), element addition/subtraction, size changes, shading variations, and position shifts.

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks 2-3 figure matrix questions. Most common formats are 3x3 matrices with bottom-right corner missing, or 2x2 matrices with one corner blank. Questions often combine 2-3 pattern types to increase difficulty.

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

Use the 'Elimination Method' - instead of finding the exact pattern, eliminate obviously wrong options first. Look for options that don't match the basic elements present in other figures.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Analyze row pattern - each row contains the same three shapes in different orders.

2
Step 2

Check column pattern - Column 1: Triangle, Circle, Square. Column 2: Square, Triangle, Circle. Column 3: Circle, Square, ?.

3
Step 3

Apply pattern logic - Column 3 should complete the sequence Circle, Square, Triangle.

4
Step 4

Verify - each row and column now contains all three shapes exactly once. Answer: Triangle. Advanced Shortcut: For complex matrices, focus on the 'corner constraint method'. Check what elements appear in corners of completed rows/columns. This often reveals the missing element quickly.

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

Students often focus only on row patterns and ignore column patterns. Always check both directions. Another frequent error is assuming only one type of transformation when multiple changes occur simultaneously (like rotation plus color change). Time-Saving Tip: If you spot an obvious pattern in 10-15 seconds, trust it.

Don't overthink simple rotations or reflections. Reserve detailed analysis for genuinely complex matrices.

Key Points to Remember

  • Figure matrices follow patterns across rows, columns, or diagonals
  • Common patterns include rotation, reflection, element addition/subtraction
  • Always check both horizontal and vertical directions for patterns
  • Elimination method helps when exact pattern is unclear
  • Corner constraint method works well for complex 3x3 matrices
  • Most SSC matrices combine 2-3 different transformation types
  • Missing position is typically bottom-right in 3x3 grids
  • Time limit: spend maximum 60-90 seconds per matrix question

Exam-Specific Tips

  • 3x3 matrix format appears in 70% of SSC CGL figure matrix questions
  • Clockwise 90-degree rotation is the most frequent transformation type
  • Bottom-right corner missing position occurs in 80% of matrix problems
  • Combined rotation + reflection patterns appear in 30% of questions
  • Element addition/subtraction patterns are tested in 25% of matrices
  • 2x2 matrices typically have simpler single-transformation patterns
  • Diagonal pattern checking is required in only 15% of SSC questions
Practice MCQs

Figure Matrix & Completion — Practice Questions

14graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

In the figure matrix below, each row follows a specific pattern. Study the first two rows carefully and then select the option that should replace the question mark (?) in the third row. Row 1: [Circle with 1 dot] [Circle with 2 dots] [Circle with 3 dots] Row 2: [Square with 1 dot] [Square with 2 dots] [Square with 3 dots] Row 3: [Triangle with 1 dot] [Triangle with 2 dots] [?] What should replace the question mark?

Practice 2easy

Observe the 3×3 matrix below. Each row contains shapes with a specific property. Find the missing figure. [Black Circle] [Black Square] [Black Triangle] [White Circle] [White Square] [White Triangle] [Black Circle] [Black Square] [?] What should replace the question mark?

Practice 3easy

In the following figure matrix, a pattern is followed in each row. Find the missing figure in place of the question mark. Row 1: Circle, Square, Triangle Row 2: Square, Triangle, Circle Row 3: Triangle, Circle, ? What should replace the question mark?

Practice 4easy

In the following 2×3 figure matrix, identify the pattern and find the missing figure. [1 dot] [2 dots] [3 dots] [4 dots] [5 dots] [?] What should replace the question mark?

Practice 5easy

Examine the 3×3 matrix where each cell contains a shape. Identify the pattern and find the missing figure. [Triangle pointing up] [Triangle pointing right] [Triangle pointing down] [Triangle pointing right] [Triangle pointing down] [Triangle pointing left] [Triangle pointing down] [Triangle pointing left] [?] What should replace the question mark?

Practice 6easy

In the following 3×3 matrix, each cell contains a combination of shapes. Identify the pattern and find the missing figure. [Circle + 1 line] [Circle + 2 lines] [Circle + 3 lines] [Square + 1 line] [Square + 2 lines] [Square + 3 lines] [Triangle + 1 line] [Triangle + 2 lines] [?] What should replace the question mark?

Practice 7medium

Study the 3×3 matrix below. Each cell contains a figure. Identify the pattern and select the figure that should replace the question mark (?). [Pentagon with 1 vertex marked] [Pentagon with 2 vertices marked] [Pentagon with 3 vertices marked] [Hexagon with 1 vertex marked] [Hexagon with 2 vertices marked] [Hexagon with 3 vertices marked] [Heptagon with 1 vertex marked] [Heptagon with 2 vertices marked] [?] Options: (a) Heptagon with 3 vertices marked (b) Heptagon with 2 vertices marked (c) Octagon with 3 vertices marked (d) Heptagon with 4 vertices marked

Practice 8medium

Study the figure series below. Each figure undergoes transformations in a specific sequence. Identify the pattern and select the figure that should replace the question mark (?). Figure 1: Pentagon with all sides equal (regular) Figure 2: Pentagon with one side thicker Figure 3: Pentagon with two adjacent sides thicker Figure 4: Pentagon with three consecutive sides thicker Figure 5: ? Options: (a) Pentagon with four consecutive sides thicker (b) Pentagon with all five sides thicker (c) Pentagon with three consecutive sides thicker (same as Figure 4) (d) Pentagon with two non-adjacent sides thicker

Practice 9medium

In the figure matrix below, each row follows a specific pattern. Study the first two rows carefully and identify the pattern. Then select the figure that should replace the question mark (?) in the third row. Row 1: [Circle with 1 dot] → [Circle with 2 dots] → [Circle with 3 dots] Row 2: [Square with 1 line] → [Square with 2 lines] → [Square with 3 lines] Row 3: [Triangle with 1 shading] → [Triangle with 2 shadings] → [?] Options: (a) Triangle with 3 shadings (b) Triangle with 4 shadings (c) Square with 3 shadings (d) Triangle with 2 shadings

Practice 10medium

Observe the sequence of figures below. Each figure undergoes a transformation. Identify the pattern and select the figure that should come next. Figure 1: Square (no rotation) Figure 2: Square (rotated 45°) Figure 3: Square (no rotation, but with internal line dividing it horizontally) Figure 4: Square (rotated 45°, with internal line dividing it horizontally) Figure 5: ? Options: (a) Square (no rotation, with 2 internal lines forming a cross) (b) Square (rotated 45°, with 2 internal lines forming a cross) (c) Square (no rotation, with 3 internal lines) (d) Square (no rotation, with 1 internal line dividing it vertically)

Practice 11medium

Study the 3×3 matrix below. Each row follows a specific pattern of transformation. Find the missing figure in the bottom-right cell. Row 1: [Circle with 1 dot] → [Circle with 2 dots] → [Circle with 3 dots] Row 2: [Square with 1 line] → [Square with 2 lines] → [Square with 3 lines] Row 3: [Triangle with 1 shaded section] → [Triangle with 2 shaded sections] → [?] Which figure should replace the question mark? (a) Triangle with 2 shaded sections (b) Triangle with 3 shaded sections (c) Triangle with 4 shaded sections (d) Triangle with 1 shaded section

Practice 12hard

Study the 3×3 figure matrix below. Each row follows a specific transformation rule. Find the missing figure in position (3,3). Row 1: [Circle with 1 dot] → [Circle with 2 dots] → [Circle with 3 dots] Row 2: [Square with 1 line] → [Square with 2 lines] → [Square with 3 lines] Row 3: [Triangle with 1 curve] → [Triangle with 2 curves] → [?] Additionally, observe the column pattern: Column 1 shapes rotate 0°, Column 2 shapes rotate 45°, Column 3 shapes rotate 90° clockwise from their Row 1 orientation. Which figure should replace the question mark?

Practice 13hard

In a 4×4 matrix, each cell contains a shape with a specific number of sides and shading pattern. The pattern rule is: each row increases the number of sides by 1 (starting with 3), and each column's shading follows a cycle: solid → striped → dotted → hollow. The cell at position (2,3) contains a pentagon with dotted shading. What should be at position (4,2)?

Practice 14hard

In a 3×3 figure matrix, each cell contains a polygon with internal line segments. The rule is: the number of internal line segments in each row increases by 2 (Row 1: 1, 3, 5; Row 2: 2, 4, 6; Row 3: 3, 5, 7). Additionally, the sum of line segments in each column must be equal. The cell at (1,1) has 1 segment, (1,2) has 3 segments, (2,1) has 2 segments, (2,2) has 4 segments, (3,1) has 3 segments, and (3,2) has 5 segments. What is the number of line segments in the missing cell at position (2,3)?

60-Second Revision — Figure Matrix & Completion

  • Remember: Check row patterns first, then column patterns
  • Formula: Corner elements often determine the missing figure
  • Trap: Don't assume single transformations in complex matrices
  • Speed tip: Eliminate obviously wrong options within 20 seconds
  • Pattern priority: Rotation > Reflection > Addition/Subtraction
  • Time strategy: 60 seconds max per matrix question
  • Final check: Verify answer maintains pattern consistency
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