Mensa IQ Matrix Reasoning Flashcards

In a 3x3 matrix, each cell has a clock face. Row 1 shows 12:00, 3:00, 6:00. Row 2 shows 1:00, 4:00, 7:00. What time does cell (3,1) show?

Answer: 2:00

Each row starts one hour later than the previous row (12:00, 1:00, 2:00), and within each row, each cell advances by 3 hours. Row 3 starts at 2:00. The pattern combines two independent progressions.

A matrix has cells with dots in different positions. Each column maintains the same dot position but changes the number. Each row has the same number but changes position. Cell (2,2) has 2 dots in the center. What is in cell (3,1)?

Answer: 3 dots on the left

Row number equals dot count (Row 3 = 3 dots). Column number determines position (Column 1 = left). Therefore cell (3,1) has 3 dots on the left. The two properties are independently determined by row and column.

In a 4x4 matrix, each row and column contains shapes: circle, square, triangle, and diamond, each exactly once. If Row 1 is: circle, square, triangle, diamond, and Column 1 is: circle, triangle, diamond, square, what shape is at position (3,2)?

Answer: Circle

Position (3,1) is diamond (from Column 1). Row 3 needs all four shapes, and Column 2 already has square (Row 1) and needs to avoid repeats. Working through the constraints, (3,2) must be a circle. This is a Latin square constraint satisfaction problem.

A matrix shows shapes where each successive cell adds one more internal line of symmetry. Cell 1 has an asymmetric blob (0 lines), Cell 2 has an arrow (1 line). What shape should Cell 4 have?

Answer: Equilateral triangle (3 lines)

The sequence increases lines of symmetry by one: 0, 1, 2, 3. Cell 4 needs exactly 3 lines of symmetry, which matches an equilateral triangle. A square has 4 lines and would be the next in sequence.

In a 3x3 matrix, black and white cells form a pattern. Row 1: BWB, Row 2: WBW. What is Row 3?

Answer: BWB

The pattern alternates: odd rows are BWB and even rows are WBW. Since Row 3 is odd, it follows the BWB pattern. This creates a checkerboard-like alternation between rows.

A matrix has shapes that rotate 45° clockwise per cell moving left to right, and grow 50% larger per cell moving top to bottom. If cell (1,1) has a small upright arrow, what does cell (2,3) look like?

Answer: Medium arrow pointing right (rotated 90°)

Moving right 2 cells: 45° × 2 = 90° clockwise rotation (pointing right). Moving down 1 row: 50% larger (medium size). So cell (2,3) has a medium arrow rotated 90° clockwise, pointing right.