Inductive Reasoning Test
Shape sequences, matrices, A/B sets and odd-one-out, in the formats employers actually set. Every question comes with the rule explained, not just the answer.
- 10 questions
- 10 minutes
- Worked solutions
- Printable PDF
Free · No sign-up · Scored the moment you finish
What is an inductive reasoning test?
An inductive reasoning test measures how well you spot patterns in unfamiliar information and predict what comes next. Employers use it to gauge problem-solving with new material before interview. You are shown a series of shapes or figures and asked to infer the rule that links them, then choose the option that fits. It rewards flexible thinking and quick pattern recognition rather than learned knowledge.
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Free Inductive Reasoning Test
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Question 1 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: D. Figure D
The answer is D. The shapes repeat in a fixed three-step cycle: pentagon, then triangle, then circle. After the cycle restarts with the pentagon, the next shape is the triangle. Figure A jumps to the third shape in the cycle, skipping one. Figure B repeats the shape just shown rather than advancing the cycle. Figure C introduces a diamond, a shape the cycle never uses.
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Question 2 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: A. Figure A
The answer is A. The diamond changes size by the same amount each step, getting larger. The next diamond continues the progression to width 48. Figure B changes size by two steps instead of one. Figure C repeats the previous size instead of changing it again. Figure D changes size in the wrong direction.
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Question 3 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: B. Figure B
The answer is B. The number of squares increases by 1 at each step. The next group therefore has 4 squares. Figure A repeats the previous count without adding any more. Figure C adds two steps instead of one. Figure D reduces the count instead of increasing it.
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Question 4 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: A. Figure A
The answer is A. Each chevron turns 90° clockwise from the one before it. Continuing the turn gives the chevron at 45°. Figure B turns back the way the sequence came instead of continuing. Figure C repeats the last shape without applying the final turn. Figure D over-rotates by one extra 90° step.
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Question 5 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: B. Figure B
The answer is B. The square alternates between shaded and unshaded at each step. The fourth shape is unshaded, so the next one is shaded again. Figure A leaves the shape unshaded instead of toggling the fill back to shaded. Figure C shades the shape correctly but enlarges it, though the size never changes. Figure D both fails to shade the shape and enlarges it.
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Question 6 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: D. Figure D
The answer is D. The shaded cell moves one position clockwise around the grid at each step. The next clockwise position is the top-right cell. Figure A moves the marker anticlockwise, the wrong way round. Figure B leaves the marker where it was, ignoring the move. Figure C skips a cell, moving two positions clockwise instead of one.
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Question 7 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: A. Figure A
The answer is A. The shapes repeat in a fixed three-step cycle: triangle, then hexagon, then star. After the cycle restarts with the triangle, the next shape is the hexagon. Figure B introduces a pentagon, a shape the cycle never uses. Figure C repeats the shape just shown rather than advancing the cycle. Figure D jumps to the third shape in the cycle, skipping one.
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Question 8 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: D. Figure D
The answer is D. The circle changes size by the same amount each step, getting smaller. The next circle continues the progression to width 16. Figure A changes size in the wrong direction. Figure B repeats the previous size instead of changing it again. Figure C changes size by two steps instead of one.
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Question 9 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: A. Figure A
The answer is A. The number of squares increases by 2 at each step. The next group therefore has 8 squares. Figure B repeats the previous count without adding any more. Figure C adds two steps instead of one. Figure D reduces the count instead of increasing it.
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Question 10 of 10
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- Figure A
- Figure B
- Figure C
- Figure D
Show the answer
Answer: D. Figure D
The answer is D. Each arrow turns 45° anticlockwise from the one before it. Continuing the turn gives the arrow at 0°. Figure A over-rotates by one extra 45° step. Figure B repeats the last shape without applying the final turn. Figure C turns back the way the sequence came instead of continuing.
How to interpret your score
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 9 to 10 | Comfortably above the bar for most graduate schemes |
| 7 to 8 | Around the typical pass mark. Worth practising for speed |
| 5 to 6 | Below most employer thresholds. Focus on method before speed |
| 4 or fewer | Work through the worked solutions above before retrying |
Employers set their own thresholds and many sift on the top percentage of applicants rather than a fixed mark, so treat these as a guide.
Practise with the full pack
One test tells you the style. A pack gives you the pace: batches under time pressure, marked, with the working shown.
- 11
- Inductive Reasoning tests
- 110
- questions, all solved
Types of inductive reasoning question
A small set of formats built from a short list of pattern rules. Each guide below covers one.
Pattern rules
Alternation, progression, rotation, position and count. Learn the short list and questions become recognition.
Learn the pattern rulesShape sequences
Find what moves the sequence on a frame. Track one element at a time across every frame.
How to find the ruleOdd-one-out and A/B sets
Find the single feature the group shares; the odd one lacks it, and a new figure joins whichever set's feature it carries.
How set questions workHow are inductive reasoning tests scored?
Most employers score you against other candidates, not against a fixed pass mark: your raw score becomes a percentile. Attempting questions matters, because most tests are built so few candidates finish, and guessing usually pays: negative marking is rare, but check the instructions.
Practice Aptitude Tests · Original data
How our test takers score
Results from every test in our Inductive Reasoning pack, past and present.
Key findingOn Inductive Reasoning tests, the quickest score 20 points higher than the slowest quarter.
How scores spread
37% scored 80% or more, and 7% scored under 40%.
Share of sittings in each score band.
Does practice help?
Regular practisers scored about the same on their fifth test as their first.
454 people who took five or more tests.
Does speed help?
Speed pays here. The quickest quarter scored 20 points higher than the slowest.
Typical pace: 39 seconds a question.
Share this data
Video tutorials
The methods behind the questions above, from our team
