Mensa IQ Test Mensa IQ Matrix Reasoning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a 3x3 matrix, the first row shows a circle, a square, and a triangle. The second row shows a square, a triangle, and a circle. What shape completes the third row if it starts with a triangle and a circle?
- Square (Correct answer)
- Circle
- Triangle
- Pentagon
Correct answer: Square
Each row contains one of each shape (circle, square, triangle) in a rotating pattern. Since the third row already has a triangle and a circle, the missing shape must be a square.
Question 2: A matrix shows patterns where each row increases in the number of dots: Row 1 has 1, 2, 3 dots. Row 2 has 2, 3, 4 dots. What is the middle cell of Row 3?
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 3
- 6
Correct answer: 4
Each row starts with one more dot than the previous row, and each cell in a row increases by 1. Row 3 starts at 3, so the middle cell is 4. The pattern shows consistent incremental progression across both rows and columns.
Question 3: In a 3x3 grid, each cell contains overlapping shapes. Row 1: circle+square, square+triangle, triangle+circle. Row 2: square+triangle, triangle+circle, circle+square. What should the first cell of Row 3 contain?
- Triangle+Circle (Correct answer)
- Circle+Square
- Square+Triangle
- Triangle+Triangle
Correct answer: Triangle+Circle
The pairs rotate cyclically. Each row shifts the starting pair forward by one position. Following this rotation, Row 3 begins with triangle+circle. This is a classic Mensa-style cyclic permutation pattern.
Question 4: A matrix uses shading: Row 1 has white, gray, black. Row 2 has gray, black, white. The first two cells of Row 3 are black and white. What shading completes Row 3?
- Gray (Correct answer)
- Black
- White
- Striped
Correct answer: Gray
Each row contains all three shadings (white, gray, black) exactly once in a shifted order. Since Row 3 has black and white, the missing shading is gray. This follows a Latin square arrangement.
Question 5: In a 3x3 matrix, arrows point: Row 1 (→, ↑, ←), Row 2 (↑, ←, ↓). What direction should the first cell of Row 3 show?
- ← (Correct answer)
- →
- ↑
- ↓
Correct answer: ←
Each arrow rotates 90° counterclockwise from the cell above it. The first column goes → then ↑, and continuing 90° counterclockwise gives ←. This consistent rotational rule applies across the entire matrix.
Question 6: A matrix contains numbers arranged so that each row sums to the same total. Row 1: 2, 7, 6. Row 2: 9, 5, 1. Row 3: 4, 3, ?. What is the missing number?
- 8 (Correct answer)
- 7
- 6
- 9
Correct answer: 8
Each row sums to 15. Row 1: 2+7+6=15. Row 2: 9+5+1=15. Row 3: 4+3+?=15, so ?=8. This is actually a magic square where rows, columns, and diagonals all sum to 15.
Mensa IQ Test Mensa IQ Matrix Reasoning 1
In a 3x3 matrix, the first row shows a circle, a square, and a triangle.
The second row shows a square, a triangle, and a circle.
What shape completes the third row if it starts with a triangle and a circle?