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.
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.
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Exam Patterns
What 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.
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Shortcuts
Use 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.
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Worked Example
Solve 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.
Common Mistake: 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.
Test Figure Matrix & Completion under exam conditions
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 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
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 5easy
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 6easy
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 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
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 9medium
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 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 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 12medium
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 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?