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.
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
17graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
A 3×3 grid contains shaded and unshaded squares. Row 1: Shaded, Unshaded, Shaded. Row 2: Unshaded, Shaded, Unshaded. Row 3: Shaded, Unshaded, ?. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 2easy
Four figures show a square with an internal line. Figure 1: vertical line in center. Figure 2: horizontal line in center. Figure 3: diagonal line (top-left to bottom-right). Figure 4: ?. What is the pattern?
Practice 3easy
In a sequence of figures, each figure rotates 90° clockwise from the previous one. If Figure 1 shows a triangle pointing upward, what direction does the triangle point in Figure 4?
Practice 4easy
A 2×2 matrix shows: Top-left: 2 dots, Top-right: 4 dots, Bottom-left: 3 dots, Bottom-right: ?. The pattern follows: each cell = (row number + column number) × 1 dot. What is the answer?
Practice 5easy
In a 3×3 matrix, the first row contains: Circle, Square, Triangle. The second row contains: Square, Triangle, Circle. The third row contains: Triangle, Circle, ?. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 6medium
A 2×3 matrix shows a transformation pattern. Top row: Black circle → White circle → Black square. Bottom row: White square → Black triangle → ?. The pattern alternates color (Black↔White) and rotates shape type in a fixed sequence (Circle→Square→Triangle→Circle...). What replaces the question mark?
Practice 7medium
In a 3×3 figure matrix, each cell contains overlapping shapes. The number of overlapping regions increases as follows: Row 1 has 1, 2, 3 overlapping regions. Row 2 has 2, 3, 4 overlapping regions. Row 3 has 3, 4, ? overlapping regions. Additionally, the shapes used are: Row 1 uses circles only, Row 2 uses circles and squares, Row 3 uses circles, squares, and triangles. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 8medium
A 2×2 matrix contains figures with rotating elements. Top-left: Arrow pointing North. Top-right: Arrow pointing East. Bottom-left: Arrow pointing South. Bottom-right: ?. The rotation follows a clockwise pattern. Additionally, each figure has a background: Top-left is white, Top-right is gray, Bottom-left is white, Bottom-right should be ?. The background pattern alternates diagonally.
Practice 9medium
In a 3×3 matrix, the first row contains: Circle, Square, Triangle. The second row contains: Square, Triangle, Circle. The third row contains: Triangle, Circle, ?. Each row and each column must contain all three shapes exactly once. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 10medium
Study the pattern in the 2×2 grid:
Top-left: 4 dots arranged in a square
Top-right: 6 dots arranged in two rows of 3
Bottom-left: 8 dots arranged in two rows of 4
Bottom-right: ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 11medium
In a 3×3 matrix, each cell contains a shape with internal lines. Row 1: Triangle with 0 internal lines, Square with 1 internal line, Pentagon with 2 internal lines. Row 2: Square with 1 internal line, Pentagon with 2 internal lines, Hexagon with 3 internal lines. Row 3: Pentagon with 2 internal lines, Hexagon with 3 internal lines, ?. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 12hard
A 3×3 matrix contains numbers arranged as follows: Row 1: 2, 4, 8. Row 2: 3, 9, ?. Row 3: 5, 25, 125. Each cell's value is derived from the cell directly above it in the previous row. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 13hard
In a 3×3 matrix, each cell contains a shape with a specific number of sides and internal lines. Row 1: Triangle (3 sides, 0 internal lines), Square (4 sides, 1 internal line), Pentagon (5 sides, 2 internal lines). Row 2: Hexagon (6 sides, 3 internal lines), Heptagon (7 sides, 4 internal lines), Octagon (8 sides, ?). Row 3: Nonagon (9 sides, 6 internal lines), Decagon (10 sides, 7 internal lines), Hendecagon (11 sides, 8 internal lines). How many internal lines should the Octagon have?
Practice 14hard
A 3×3 matrix shows circles with dots arranged in a specific pattern. Row 1: 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots. Row 2: 4 dots, 5 dots, ?. Row 3: 7 dots, 8 dots, 9 dots. The dots are positioned clockwise starting from the top. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 15hard
In a 3×3 matrix, the first row contains: Circle with 2 dots, Square with 3 dots, Triangle with 4 dots. The second row contains: Pentagon with 5 dots, Hexagon with 6 dots, Heptagon with ?. The third row contains: Octagon with 8 dots, Nonagon with 9 dots, Decagon with 10 dots. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 16hard
A 3×3 matrix shows shapes with internal divisions. Row 1: Circle divided into 2 parts, Square divided into 4 parts, Pentagon divided into 6 parts. Row 2: Hexagon divided into 8 parts, Heptagon divided into 10 parts, Octagon divided into ?. Row 3: Nonagon divided into 14 parts, Decagon divided into 16 parts, Hendecagon divided into 18 parts. How many parts should the Octagon be divided into?
Practice 17hard
In a 3×3 matrix, each cell contains a shape with a specific rotation and shading pattern. Row 1: Right-pointing triangle (unshaded), Right-pointing triangle (half-shaded), Right-pointing triangle (fully shaded). Row 2: Down-pointing triangle (unshaded), Down-pointing triangle (half-shaded), Down-pointing triangle (?). Row 3: Left-pointing triangle (unshaded), Left-pointing triangle (half-shaded), Left-pointing triangle (fully shaded). What should replace the question mark?
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