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Nonverbal reasoning is often used on competitive exams to test your critical thinking skills. Pattern finishing is a key part of this nonverbal reasoning part. These Pattern Completion questions present you with a sequence or grid, often visuals in nature, where one element is missing. Your challenge is to figure out what the underlying pattern is, whether it’s a number, a space, or something that depends on spins, reflections, or other changes. By analyzing the relationship between the existing elements, you can find the missing element that completes the pattern. Pattern completion can be as easy as a series of numbers or as complicated as a set of geometric shapes.
Mastering this skill improves your ability to see patterns, understand pictures, and solve problems in a logical way. These are skills that are useful on many competitive exams, such as the GMAT, GRE, SAT, CAT, Government exams(SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, etc.), Banking Exams, LSAT, ACT, Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), and even engineering entrance exams like JEE Mains and Advance.
Table of Contents
What is Pattern Completion? And What are Pattern Completion Problems?
Pattern Completion is a thinking skill that involves identifying and filling in missing parts of a pattern. It basically checks how well you can figure out the logic behind a series and use that logic to guess what the next part will be. Here is a list of the most important parts.
- Identifying Patterns: The first step is to observe the given sequence and identify the repeating elements, rules, or relationships between them. Patterns can be visual (shapes, colors), numerical (sequences, progressions), or symbolic (letters, operators).
- Logical Reasoning: Based on the observed pattern, you need to apply logical reasoning to determine the missing element. This might involve continuing a numerical sequence, replicating a specific arrangement of shapes, or identifying the missing piece that completes a rotation or reflection.
- Problem-Solving: Pattern completion is essentially a problem-solving exercise. You need to analyze the information presented, identify the missing piece, and choose the answer choice that best fits the established pattern.
Overall, pattern completion is a valuable skill for success in competitive exams and various aspects of daily life.
What are Pattern Completion problems?
In the nonverbal reasoning parts of competitive exams, pattern completion problems are a popular type of question. These puzzles test your ability to figure out the logic behind a pattern or series and then use that logic to find the missing piece.
Here’s a breakdown of what pattern completion problems typically involve.
Problems Can Come in Various Format
- Number Series: Identify the missing number in a sequence that follows a specific rule (e.g., increasing by 2, alternating addition/subtraction).
- Shape Patterns: Complete a sequence of shapes that change color, and orientation, or have added elements.
- Letter Matrices: Find the missing letter in a grid based on a logical rule applied to rows and columns.
- Abstract Patterns: Identify the missing element in a sequence of abstract symbols or designs.
Applying Logics
The Key to solving these problems is to uncover the hidden rule or logic that governs the sequence of patterns.
- For Numerical Operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or more complex mathematical functions.
- For Spatial Relationships: Rotation, reflection, mirroring, or movement of shapes.
- For Alternating Patterns: Elements changing color, orientation, or having added/removed features.
- For Combinations: Blending elements from different parts of the pattern.
Solution Strategy
Once you identify the logic, you can predict the missing element and choose the answer choice that completes the pattern accurately.
- Observations: Carefully analyze the existing elements in the sequence.
- Identify the Rule: Look for repeating patterns, changes in order, or relationships between elements.
- Prediction: Based on the rule, predict what the missing element should be.
- Choose the Right Answer: Select the answer choice that best fits the identified pattern and completes the sequence logically.
Also Read: 20+ Questions of Cause and Effect Reasoning
Pattern Completion Formula
There is no universal formula for solving pattern completion problems because the applying logic can vary greatly. However, there are some key strategies that you can use to solve pattern problems.
- Carefully Analyze the Given Pattern.
- Identify the Hidden Rule or Logic like Numerical Operations, Spatial Relationships, Alternating Patterns, and Combinations.
- Understanding the rule and trying to make the right prediction.
- Doble-check the prediction by applying the identified rule.
- Select the answer choice that best fits the identified pattern and complete the sequence logically.
20 + Pattern Completion Questions and Answers
Directions: In each of the following questions, select a figure from amongst the four alternatives, which when placed in the blank space of figure (X) would complete the pattern.
Q1. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q2. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Q3. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q4. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q5. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
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- 4
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Q6. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Q7. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Q8. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q9. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Q10. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q11. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q12. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q13. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q14. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q15. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Q16. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Q17. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Q18. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Q19. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
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- 4
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Q20. Identify the figure that completes the pattern.
(X) (1) (2) (3) (4)
- 1
- 2
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- 4
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Tips to Solve Pattern Completion Questions
Pattern completion questions can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can crack them effectively. Here are some key tips to solve the pattern completion questions in competitive exams.
- So this is the base. Look closely at the whole pattern, including how the parts are arranged, what their qualities are (like color, shape, or number), and any changes or repeats.
- Don’t just pay attention to certain parts. Look for patterns, trends, or connections that happen over and over again.
- Once you think you know the rule, use logic to figure out what should go where it’s missing. Think about how the current parts fit together and how the pattern would continue to make sense.
- Don’t just go with your first guess. Use the rule you found on other parts of the pattern.
NOTE: There’s no particular pattern formula. Each question might have a unique applying logic.
Also Read: 20+ Questions of Arithmetic Reasoning
FAQ’s
Pattern completion means being able to find and add back lost parts or pieces of a pattern or design. It includes looking at the parts that are already there and guessing or building up the missing part based on the pattern seen.
Learn the squares of all the numbers in the range from 1 to 25.
Learn the cubes of all the numbers in the range from 1 to 20.
Look for the sequence by looking at the series and doing things like splitting, checking for multiples, finding the difference, etc.
Do not forget the EJOTY rule.
There are several patterns, with one or more. The numbers are missing, and you have to figure out the code (or the logic) that makes them all fit together. The numbers are shown in the patterns. Once you know the logic or rule that links the given numbers in the patterns, it’s easy to find the missing numbers.
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