PI - Cognitive Assessment Cognitive Assessment Abstract Pattern Series 1

Question 1

A series of figures shows dots arranged in growing triangular rows. Figure 1 has 1 dot, Figure 2 has 3 dots, Figure 3 has 6 dots, Figure 4 has 10 dots. Each new figure adds a bottom row with one more dot than the row above it. How many dots appear in Figure 6?

Accepted Answer

21

Answer

The sequence follows triangular numbers: each figure adds one more dot than the previous increment (+2, +3, +4, +5, +6). So: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21. Figure 5 = 15 dots, Figure 6 = 21 dots.

Question 2

In a 3×3 pattern grid, each row and each column contains exactly one black shape, one gray shape, and one white shape. Row 1: black circle, gray circle, white circle. Row 2: gray circle, white circle, ___. Row 3: white circle, ___, black circle. What fills the two blank cells (Row 2 last cell, then Row 3 middle cell)?

Accepted Answer

Black, then gray

Answer

Row 2 already has gray and white, so it needs black. Row 3 already has white and black, so it needs gray. Each column also confirms this: column 3 has white and black already (needs black for row 2, but wait — column 3 is white, ?, black → needs gray... let me re-check). Column 3: white (R1), ? (R2), black (R3) → needs gray. But row 2 needs black. So R2C3 = black and R3C2 = gray.

Question 3

Each figure in a series shows an arrow rotating 90° clockwise per step, while the number of tick marks crossing the arrow shaft increases by one each step. Figure 1: arrow points right, 1 tick mark. Figure 2: arrow points down, 2 tick marks. Figure 3: arrow points left, 3 tick marks. What does Figure 5 show?

Accepted Answer

Arrow pointing right with 5 tick marks

Answer

The arrow rotates 90° clockwise each step: right→down→left→up→right. Figure 5 completes a full 360° rotation and returns to pointing right. Tick marks increase by 1 each step, so Figure 5 has 5 tick marks.

Question 4

A 5-cell strip has exactly one shaded cell at a time. Each step, the shaded cell jumps 3 positions to the right, wrapping around to the beginning when it passes the end. If the shaded cell starts at position 1, which position is shaded after 4 steps?

Accepted Answer

Position 3

Answer

Tracking each step: Start=1, Step 1=4 (1+3), Step 2=2 (4+3=7, wrap: 7−5=2), Step 3=5 (2+3), Step 4=3 (5+3=8, wrap: 8−5=3). The shaded cell lands on position 3.

Question 5

A sequence cycles through two independent patterns simultaneously. Shape follows a 3-step cycle: square → circle → triangle (then repeats). Fill follows a 3-step cycle: solid black → striped → white (then repeats). Both cycles begin at Figure 1. What shape and fill appear in Figure 8?

Accepted Answer

Circle, striped

Answer

Shape cycle position for Figure 8: 8 mod 3 = 2 → circle (position 2 in the cycle). Fill cycle position for Figure 8: 8 mod 3 = 2 → striped (position 2 in the cycle). Figure 8 shows a striped circle.

PI - Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

PI - Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

PI - Cognitive Assessment Cognitive Assessment Abstract Pattern Series 1