GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Abstract Reasoning Matrices Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the options correctly completes the following 3x3 matrix? The matrix shows a grid of squares. The top row contains: 1) a large black circle, 2) a large black circle with a small white square inside, 3) a large black circle with a small white circle inside. The middle row contains: 1) a large black square, 2) a large black square with a small white square inside, 3) a large black square with a small white circle inside. The bottom row contains: 1) a large white circle, 2) a large white circle with a small white square inside, 3) a missing image.

Accepted Answer

A large white circle with a small white circle inside.

Answer

The logic of the matrix operates both horizontally and vertically. Horizontally, the large outer shape remains consistent within each row (Row 1: black circles, Row 2: black squares, Row 3: white circles). The inner shape changes from nothing in the first column, to a small white square in the second, to a small white circle in the third. To complete the bottom-right cell, we need to follow the pattern for the third row and third column. The third row consists of large white circles, and the third column adds a small white circle inside the main shape. Therefore, the missing piece is a large white circle with a small white circle inside.

Question 2

Observe the pattern in the 3x3 matrix and determine which answer choice completes the grid. In the top row, the first cell has a single horizontal line. The second has two horizontal lines. The third has three horizontal lines. In the middle row, the first cell has a single vertical line. The second has two vertical lines. The third has three vertical lines. In the bottom row, the first cell has a single diagonal line (top-left to bottom-right). The second cell has two diagonal lines. What does the third cell contain?

Accepted Answer

Three diagonal lines (top-left to bottom-right).

Answer

The rule for this matrix is based on progression within each row. Each row introduces a specific type of line and increases its quantity from one to three across the columns. Row 1 progresses from one to three horizontal lines. Row 2 progresses from one to three vertical lines. Row 3 follows the same progression rule but with diagonal lines. Since the first two cells in the bottom row have one and two diagonal lines respectively, the final cell must contain three diagonal lines of the same orientation.

Question 3

A 3x3 matrix has a missing figure in the bottom right corner. The first row contains a triangle, a square, and a pentagon. The second row contains a circle pointing up, a circle pointing right, and a circle pointing down. The third row contains a shaded square, a shaded pentagon, and the missing figure. Which figure completes the matrix?

Accepted Answer

A shaded triangle.

Answer

This matrix combines two different logical rules. The primary rule is that each row and each column must contain one of each shape type (triangle, square/pentagon family, circle). The first row establishes the shape types. The second rule involves a transformation or attribute that is consistent within the row or column. In the third row, the attribute is shading. Looking at the columns, the first column needs a triangle, the second needs a pentagon, and the third column needs a shape from the first row's sequence. To satisfy both row and column rules, the missing shape must be a triangle, and to match the third row's attribute, it must be shaded.

Question 4

Examine the 3x3 grid. In each cell, there is a large shape with a smaller shape inside. The pattern is as follows: The third cell in each row is a combination or superposition of the shapes from the first two cells. In the top row, Cell 1 has a circle. Cell 2 has a cross. Cell 3 has a circle with a cross inside. In the middle row, Cell 1 has a square. Cell 2 has a triangle. Cell 3 has a square with a triangle inside. The bottom row starts with a diamond in Cell 1 and a single dot in Cell 2. What is in Cell 3?

Accepted Answer

A diamond with a dot inside.

Answer

The governing rule in this matrix is superposition. For each row, the figure in the third column is created by taking the figure from the second column and placing it inside the figure from the first column. In the first row, a cross is placed inside a circle. In the second row, a triangle is placed inside a square. Following this pattern for the bottom row, the dot from the second cell must be placed inside the diamond from the first cell.

Question 5

Which of the following options logically completes the matrix? The matrix contains arrows. Top row: Arrow points Up, Arrow points Up-Right, Arrow points Right. Middle row: Arrow points Up-Left, [Missing Figure], Arrow points Down-Right. Bottom row: Arrow points Left, Arrow points Down-Left, Arrow points Down.

Accepted Answer

A central dot with no arrow.

Answer

The pattern in this matrix relates to a 3x3 grid of directions, similar to a joystick or keypad layout, with the center position being neutral. The arrows in the known cells correspond to the eight cardinal and intercardinal directions, pointing away from the center. The top-left is Up-Left, top-center is Up, top-right is Up-Right, and so on. The missing cell is the central one, which in this directional grid represents a neutral or 'no-direction' state. Therefore, a central dot signifies the center point from which all arrows emanate.

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Abstract Reasoning Matrices Questions and Answers