GCAT Abstract Reasoning Matrices 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A matrix pattern alternates the count of shapes: step 1 = 4 shapes, step 2 = 6 shapes, step 3 = 4 shapes, step 4 = 6 shapes. How many shapes appear in step 7?
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 6
- 5
- 8
Correct answer: 4
Odd-numbered steps always have 4 shapes; step 7 is odd, so it has 4 shapes.
Question 2: A 3×3 matrix assigns each cell a letter based on (row number + column number), where A=1, B=2, etc. What letter belongs in row 2, column 4?
- F (Correct answer)
- G
- E
- H
Correct answer: F
Row 2 + column 4 = 6, and the 6th letter of the alphabet is F.
Question 3: In a matrix, each row applies a 'subtract inner shape' rule moving left to right. Column 1 has a circle with a triangle inside; column 2 has a circle with a square inside; column 3 has a circle only. Row 3, col 1 has a pentagon with a star inside. What is in row 3, col 3?
- Pentagon only (Correct answer)
- Pentagon with star inside
- Star only
- Empty cell
Correct answer: Pentagon only
Column 3 always removes the inner shape, leaving only the outer pentagon.
Question 4: A matrix rotates a shape 45° clockwise with each step. A downward-pointing triangle (▽) is in position 1. What orientation appears in position 9?
- Downward-pointing triangle (▽) (Correct answer)
- Right-pointing triangle (▷)
- Upward-pointing triangle (△)
- Left-pointing triangle (◁)
Correct answer: Downward-pointing triangle (▽)
Eight 45° rotations complete a full 360° cycle, so position 9 = position 1, which is ▽.
Question 5: A matrix shows figures where each row adds one element to a growing pattern: row 1 has a line, row 2 has a line and a circle, row 3 has a line, a circle, and a square. What does row 5 contain?
- Line, circle, square, triangle, pentagon (Correct answer)
- Line, circle, square, triangle
- Circle, square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon
- Line, circle, square, pentagon, hexagon
Correct answer: Line, circle, square, triangle, pentagon
Each row adds the next shape in the sequence; row 5 adds a pentagon to the four elements of row 4.
Question 6: A 3×3 matrix assigns values so that each row sums to 15 and each column sums to 15 (a magic square). The center cell is 5 and the top-left is 2. What value belongs in the top-right cell?
- 6 (Correct answer)
- 8
- 4
- 7
Correct answer: 6
In a standard 3×3 magic square with center 5, the top row is 2, 7, 6 — making the top-right cell 6.
Question 7: A matrix uses a difference rule: each cell equals the difference between the cell above it and the cell to its left. Row 1: 10, 6, 4. Row 2: 8, ?, 2. What is the missing value?
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct answer: 2
The cell = cell above (6) − cell to its left (8) using absolute difference: |6 − 8| = 2.
GCAT Abstract Reasoning Matrices 5
A matrix pattern alternates the count of shapes: step 1 = 4 shapes, step 2 = 6 shapes, step 3 = 4 shapes, step 4 = 6 shapes.
How many shapes appear in step 7?