ZE
ZESTEXAM

SSC MTS Figure Matrix & Completion

Study Material · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

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.

0 PYQs
none yet
16 Practice
MCQs
8 Key Points
to remember
Free
no login needed
Take Free Mock →Full Practice Set
Also for:CGLCHSLGDCPO
PYQs
0
Practice
16
Key Points
8
Access
Free
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

16graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

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?

Practice 15hard

A 3×3 matrix shows concentric circles with shaded regions. Row 1: (2 circles, 1 shaded region), (3 circles, 2 shaded regions), (4 circles, 3 shaded regions). Row 2: (3 circles, 2 shaded regions), (4 circles, 3 shaded regions), (5 circles, ?). Row 3: (4 circles, 3 shaded regions), (5 circles, 4 shaded regions), (6 circles, 5 shaded regions). What is the missing value?

Practice 16hard

A 3×3 matrix contains shapes with internal line divisions. Row 1: (Square divided into 2 parts, 1 shaded), (Square divided into 3 parts, 1 shaded), (Square divided into 4 parts, 2 shaded). Row 2: (Square divided into 3 parts, 1 shaded), (Square divided into 4 parts, 2 shaded), (Square divided into 5 parts, ?). Row 3: (Square divided into 4 parts, 2 shaded), (Square divided into 5 parts, 3 shaded), (Square divided into 6 parts, 4 shaded). What is the missing value?

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
Studied the notes? Now test yourself
See how Figure Matrix & Completion appears in the real SSC MTS paper
Full timed mock · Instant All-India percentile · Free
Free forever for basic prepNo app downloadReal exam-pattern questions12,000+ aspirants
Test Figure Matrix & Completion under exam conditions
Free SSC MTS mock · instant rank · no login
Free Mock →
SSC MTS Figure Matrix & Completion — Study Material & 16 Practice MCQs | ZestExam