RBC Assessment: Abstract Reasoning 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pattern shows that each figure contains a number of sides equal to the square of its position: position 1 = 1 side (a point), position 2 = 4 sides (square), position 3 = 9 sides. What describes position 4?
- A shape with 12 sides
- A shape with 16 sides (Correct answer)
- A shape with 14 sides
- A shape with 8 sides
Correct answer: A shape with 16 sides
4² = 16, so the 4th figure has 16 sides.
Question 2: In a 3×3 abstract matrix, each row contains the same three symbols in a different order, and no symbol repeats in any column. Symbol X is in row 1 col 1 and row 2 col 2. Where does X appear in row 3?
- Column 1
- Column 2
- Column 3 (Correct answer)
- It cannot be placed
Correct answer: Column 3
Columns 1 and 2 already contain X, so row 3 must place X in column 3.
Question 3: A series of overlapping circles follows the rule: each new figure adds one circle overlapping the previous total. Figure 1 has 1 region, Figure 2 has 3 regions (two circles overlapping create 3 areas). Figure 3 has circles arranged to create the maximum new regions. How many regions does Figure 3 have?
- 5
- 6
- 7 (Correct answer)
- 8
Correct answer: 7
Each new circle crossing all existing circles adds n new regions; the 3rd circle crosses 2 existing circles, adding 3 regions: 3 + 4 = 7.
Question 4: An abstract rule: dark shapes contain odd numbers; light shapes contain even numbers. A dark triangle contains 7 and a light square contains 4. A dark pentagon contains which value?
- 6
- 8
- 9 (Correct answer)
- 10
Correct answer: 9
Dark shapes contain odd numbers, and the only odd option is 9.
Question 5: A grid codes direction as shape: circle = north, square = east, triangle = south, diamond = west. A path reads: square, triangle, diamond, circle. What net displacement has occurred if each step is 1 unit?
- 1 unit east, 1 unit south
- 0 units — back at start (Correct answer)
- 1 unit north, 1 unit west
- 2 units east
Correct answer: 0 units — back at start
East and west cancel (square + diamond), and south and north cancel (triangle + circle), returning to the start.
Question 6: Figures show a 4×4 grid where exactly 4 cells are shaded so no two shaded cells share a row or column. If shaded cells are in (1,2), (2,4), (3,1), which row and column holds the fourth shaded cell?
- Row 4, Column 2
- Row 4, Column 3 (Correct answer)
- Row 4, Column 4
- Row 3, Column 3
Correct answer: Row 4, Column 3
Used rows: 1,2,3 → row 4 remains; used columns: 1,2,4 → column 3 remains, giving (4,3).
Question 7: Each step in a series, the number of small shapes inside a large shape increases by 2 and the large shape gains one side. Start: triangle with 1 small dot. What is the third figure?
- Pentagon with 4 dots
- Pentagon with 5 dots (Correct answer)
- Square with 3 dots
- Hexagon with 5 dots
Correct answer: Pentagon with 5 dots
Step 1: triangle+1 dot → Step 2: square+3 dots → Step 3: pentagon+5 dots.
RBC Assessment: Abstract Reasoning 4
A pattern shows that each figure contains a number of sides equal to the square of its position: position 1 = 1 side (a point), position 2 = 4 sides (square), position 3 = 9 sides.
What describes position 4?