This page covers SSC MTS Figure Matrix & Completion with complete concept notes, 16 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
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
16graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
In the figure matrix below, shapes are arranged in a pattern based on rotation:
Row 1: Triangle pointing UP, Square (no rotation), Pentagon pointing UP
Row 2: Triangle pointing RIGHT, Square (no rotation), Pentagon pointing RIGHT
Row 3: Triangle pointing DOWN, Square (no rotation), ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 2easy
In the figure matrix below, a pattern is formed across three rows. 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?
A) Square
B) Circle
C) Triangle
D) Pentagon
Practice 3easy
Study the 3×3 figure matrix. Each cell contains a shape with a specific number of sides:
Row 1: Triangle (3), Square (4), Pentagon (5)
Row 2: Square (4), Pentagon (5), Hexagon (6)
Row 3: Pentagon (5), Hexagon (6), ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 4easy
Study the 3×3 figure matrix where each cell contains shapes with varying numbers of elements:
Row 1: 1 Circle, 2 Squares, 3 Triangles
Row 2: 2 Circles, 3 Squares, 4 Triangles
Row 3: 3 Circles, 4 Squares, ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 5easy
In the figure matrix, each row follows a pattern of size progression:
Row 1: Small Circle, Medium Circle, Large Circle
Row 2: Small Square, Medium Square, Large Square
Row 3: Small Triangle, Medium Triangle, ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 6easy
Study the 3×3 matrix where each cell contains a shape with a specific shading pattern:
Row 1: Unshaded Circle, Half-shaded Square, Fully-shaded Triangle
Row 2: Half-shaded Circle, Fully-shaded Square, Unshaded Triangle
Row 3: Fully-shaded Circle, Unshaded Square, ?
What should replace the question mark?
Practice 7medium
A 2×2 matrix shows: Top-left has 2 dots, Top-right has 4 dots, Bottom-left has 6 dots, Bottom-right has ?. The pattern follows: each cell = (row number × column number × 2). What is the answer?
Practice 8medium
A 2×3 matrix shows: Position (1,1) has a white square, (1,2) has a black square, (1,3) has a white square. Position (2,1) has a black square, (2,2) has a white square, (2,3) has ?. The pattern alternates colors such that no two adjacent cells (horizontally or vertically) share the same color. What should replace the question mark?
Practice 9medium
In a figure series, each figure is divided into 4 quadrants. Figure 1: Top-left has 1 dot, top-right has 2 dots, bottom-left has 3 dots, bottom-right has 4 dots. Figure 2: Each quadrant has double the dots of Figure 1. Figure 3: Each quadrant has triple the dots of Figure 1. What is the total number of dots in the bottom-right quadrant of Figure 3?
Practice 10medium
A 3×3 matrix has a pattern where each cell contains shapes with increasing complexity. Row 1: 1 line, 2 lines, 3 lines. Row 2: 1 circle, 2 circles, 3 circles. Row 3: 1 square, 2 squares, ?. How many squares should be in the bottom-right cell?
Practice 11medium
In a figure matrix, each row represents a transformation. Row 1: A square rotates 90° clockwise to become a diamond. Row 2: A triangle rotates 90° clockwise to become an inverted triangle. Row 3: A pentagon rotates 90° clockwise to become ?. What is the result?
Practice 12medium
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 13hard
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 14hard
In a 4×4 matrix, each cell contains a shape rotated by a specific angle. Row 1: Triangle (0°), Triangle (90°), Triangle (180°), Triangle (270°). Row 2: Square (45°), Square (135°), Square (225°), Square (315°). Row 3: Pentagon (30°), Pentagon (120°), Pentagon (210°), Pentagon (300°). Row 4: Hexagon (60°), Hexagon (150°), Hexagon (?), Hexagon (330°). What angle replaces the question mark?