General Mental Ability – Figure completion and pattern recognition

Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)

Preliminary Examination – General Studies Paper II (Objective Type, 200 Marks)

Topic: General Mental Ability

Sub-Topic: Figure Completion and Pattern Recognition

Each question tests your ability to identify visual patterns, complete figures, and recognize logical relationships in shapes or sequences. Choose the most appropriate option.

Figure Completion & Pattern Recognition MCQs

MCQ 1

A sequence shows: ◯ ▲ ◯ ▲ ◯ ?. What comes next?
A. ◯
B. ▲
C. ■
D. ◆

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The pattern alternates between circle and triangle.

MCQ 2

Find the odd one out:
A. △
B. □
C. ◯
D. ▭

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Circle has no straight sides, unlike others.

MCQ 3

Which figure completes the series:
Triangle → Square → Pentagon → ?
A. Hexagon
B. Heptagon
C. Octagon
D. Decagon

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Number of sides increases by one.

MCQ 4

In a pattern, shapes rotate 90° clockwise each time. After four steps, the shape will:
A. Be inverted
B. Change shape
C. Return to original position
D. Disappear

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Four 90° rotations complete 360°.

MCQ 5

Which figure completes the pattern:
● ○ ● ○ ● ?
A. ●
B. ○
C. ■
D. ▲

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Simple alternating pattern.

MCQ 6

Find the missing figure:
▲ ▲ ■ ▲ ▲ ■ ▲ ▲ ?
A. ■
B. ▲
C. ○
D. ◆

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Repeating block: ▲ ▲ ■.

MCQ 7

Which option completes the series based on increasing number of lines?
I → II → III → ?
A. II
B. III
C. IV
D. V

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Lines increase sequentially.

MCQ 8

In a figure series, the shaded portion moves clockwise. What is tested here?
A. Arithmetic skill
B. Memory
C. Spatial visualization
D. Language ability

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Directional movement tests spatial reasoning.

MCQ 9

Find the odd figure based on symmetry:
A. Square
B. Rectangle
C. Circle
D. Scalene triangle

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Scalene triangle has no symmetry.

MCQ 10

Which figure completes the pattern:
★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ?
A. ★
B. ☆
C. ○
D. □

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alternating filled and hollow stars.

MCQ 11

A figure series shows increasing dots:
• → •• → ••• → ?
A. ••
B. ••••
C. •••
D. •••••

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: One dot is added each step.

MCQ 12

Which figure is the mirror image of ⅃?
A. ⅂
B. ⅃
C. Γ
D. ┘

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Mirror image reverses left–right orientation.

MCQ 13

Find the missing figure in:
□ ○ □ ○ □ ?
A. □
B. ○
C. ▲
D. ◆

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alternating square and circle.

MCQ 14

Which option completes the pattern based on shading?
White → Black → White → Black → ?
A. White
B. Grey
C. Black
D. Mixed

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Alternating color pattern.

MCQ 15

Which figure completes the analogy:
Triangle : 3 sides :: Square : ?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Square has 4 sides.

MCQ 16

A pattern shows shapes shrinking gradually. The next figure should be:
A. Larger
B. Same size
C. Smaller
D. Inverted

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pattern follows decreasing size.

MCQ 17

Find the odd one out:
A. ▲
B. ■
C. ○
D. ◆

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Only circle has no corners.

MCQ 18

In a series, every second figure is shaded. Which figure will be shaded next?
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 3rd
D. 4th

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Shading follows a fixed interval.

MCQ 19

Which figure completes the sequence based on rotation:
↑ → → ↓ → ?
A. ←
B. ↑
C. ↓
D. →

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Arrows rotate 90° clockwise.

MCQ 20

Which pattern uses the concept of addition and subtraction of elements?
A. Color alternation
B. Increasing dots
C. Mirror image
D. Symmetry

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Elements are added progressively.

MCQ 21

Which figure completes the pattern:
A B A B A ?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Simple AB repetition.

MCQ 22

Which figure is different from the rest?
A. Pentagon
B. Hexagon
C. Octagon
D. Circle

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Circle is not a polygon.

MCQ 23

In a figure series, the number of sides doubles:
Triangle → Hexagon → ?
A. Square
B. Octagon
C. Dodecagon
D. Pentagon

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: 3 → 6 → 12 sides.

MCQ 24

Which figure completes the pattern of alternating size and shape?
Large circle → Small square → Large circle → Small square → ?
A. Large square
B. Small circle
C. Large circle
D. Small triangle

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Pattern repeats size + shape alternation.

MCQ 25

Which principle is mainly used in figure completion questions?
A. Memorization
B. Guessing
C. Logical visual analysis
D. Language skill

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: These questions require visual logic.

MCQ 26

Find the missing figure:
2 dots → 4 dots → 6 dots → ?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 10

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Dots increase by 2 each step.

MCQ 27

Which figure shows reflection symmetry?
A. Scalene triangle
B. Circle
C. Parallelogram
D. Trapezium

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Circle has infinite lines of symmetry.

MCQ 28

In pattern recognition, identifying the rule means:
A. Memorizing figures
B. Guessing the answer
C. Understanding the underlying logic
D. Counting shapes only

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rule identification is the key skill.

MCQ 29

Which figure completes the sequence based on number pattern?
1 shape → 2 shapes → 3 shapes → ?
A. 2 shapes
B. 3 shapes
C. 4 shapes
D. 5 shapes

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sequential increase in count.

MCQ 30

Figure completion and pattern recognition questions mainly test:
A. Numerical speed
B. Language ability
C. Visual–spatial reasoning
D. General awareness

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: These questions assess visual perception, logic, and spatial intelligence.

✅ APSC Exam Relevance

These MCQs comprehensively cover sequence identification, shape logic, symmetry, rotation, size change, and repetition patterns, fully aligned with APSC CCE GS Paper II – General Mental Ability.

• Figure completion questions for competitive exams

• Pattern recognition MCQs GS Paper II

• General mental ability figure reasoning

• Visual pattern reasoning questions APSC

• APSC CCE figure based reasoning MCQs