IQ test practice questions with answers and hints

Pick one row and check each tile in turn. Only one feature should differ between neighbours.

Row 2 holds only squares, each fuller than the one before. Check that row 1 steps up the same way.

1. Start with the bottom row's shape, which stays fixed along the row.
2. Tile 1 is 1 outlined hexagon; tile 2 is 1 half-filled hexagon.
3. The shading moves on again, as it did in the rows above.
4. The missing tile is 1 filled hexagon.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: B. 1 filled hexagon.

• AOption A has two faults: its shape comes from the tiles above the gap, not its own row, and its shading repeats the bottom row.
• B✓ AnswerOption B is correct: 1 filled hexagon.
• COption C has square as its shape, taken from the tiles above the gap, not from its own row.
• DOption D repeats half-filled for the shading. The bottom row already has it, so the gap needs another.

Cover tile 3 in row 1. Study the lines in tiles 1 and 2, then uncover tile 3 and see what stayed.

Rule: an element in both tiles is gone from tile 3; one in just one tile stays. Row 1 ends with arcs at the bottom right and bottom left and the right spoke. Try the bottom row.

1. Apply the rule to the bottom row.
2. Tile 1 has arcs at the top right and bottom left and the bottom spoke.
3. Tile 2 has arcs at the top right, bottom left and top left and the right spoke.
4. Elements in both tiles cancel.
5. Elements in exactly one tile stay.
6. Tile 3 therefore shows the top-left arc and spokes at the right and bottom.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: B. The top-left arc; spokes at the right and bottom.

• AOption A gets the arcs wrong: it keeps the one at the bottom left (in both tiles).
• B✓ AnswerThe correct one is option B: the top-left arc and spokes at the right and bottom.
• COption C takes tile 2's spokes off tile 1: it drops the one at the right (only in tile 2).
• DOption D has two faults: its arcs are off (bottom left extra), and its spokes take tile 2's off tile 1 (right missing).

Count the figures in each tile of the top row. Then check whether the shape or shading differs at all.

Look at row 1: 1 filled hexagon, 2 filled hexagons, 3 filled hexagons. The count increases by the same amount each column. Apply that to the bottom row.

1. Bottom row: tile 1 is 1 filled triangle, tile 2 is 2 filled triangles.
2. The number goes up by one again, while the shape and shading stay the same.
3. So tile 3 is 3 filled triangles.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: B. 3 filled triangles.

• AOption A breaks two features: its shape comes from the tiles above the gap, not its own row, and its number of figures repeats the bottom row.
• B✓ AnswerOption B is correct: 3 filled triangles.
• COption C takes its shape, hexagon, from the tiles above the gap, not from its own row.
• DOption D repeats 2 for the number of figures. The bottom row already has it, so the gap needs another.

Write the jump from each term to the next under the list. What do you notice about those jumps?

Look at 19, 28, 37: every term is the previous plus the same step, 9. Does the step hold at the end of the list?

1. Work along the list and confirm that the gap stays at 9.
2. Take the end of 55, 64 and apply one more step: 64 + 9 = 73.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: B. 73.

• A 82Option A is one step too far along the series.
• B 73✓ AnswerThe answer is option B, which is 73.
• C 72Option C is close, yet one too few. Recheck the final calculation.
• D 74Option D is one too many. The rule gives a number right next to it.

Take any term and the one right after it. Compare their sizes, then do the same for another pair.

From 3 → 9, each term is multiplied by 3. Check that every pair uses it, then apply it to the last term.

1. Each term is the one before multiplied by 3, as 3 → 9 shows.
2. The list ends 243, 729, so the next step is 729 × 3 = 2187.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: A. 2187.

• A 2187✓ AnswerThe answer is option A, which is 2187.
• B 1215Option B repeats the last gap, but this series does not keep one fixed gap.
• C 1539Option C fits only the last few terms; across the whole list each term multiplies the one before by the same number.
• D 459Option D continues every other term at a fixed gap; the rule for every term gives another number.

Write the terms on two lines: first on top, second below, third on top, and so on. Read each line alone.

The terms alternate between two lines of numbers: 13, 20 and 43, 46. Work out each step, then decide whose turn is next.

1. The list holds two series that take turns: 13, 20 and 43, 46, each with its own fixed step.
2. The next term belongs to the even-position series (43, 46, 49).
3. Carry it on: 49 + 3 = 52.

Now find it among the options.

Answer: C. 52.

• A 53Option A is one too many against the true next term, so the final step was slightly off.
• B -18Option B suits the last few terms. A rule must fit every term, and this one does not.
• C 52✓ AnswerThe correct one is option C: 52.
• D 19Option D repeats the last gap, but here two series take turns.

Write each of the 6 letters as its place in the alphabet. Compare neighbours.

Here the skip is constant: S→W, 4 places. Test it on S=19, W=23, A=1, then use it once more at the end.

1. The series moves on by the same jump each time: S→W, 4 places.
2. It ends with "I", "M".
3. Count on by that jump from the final letter, passing Z back to A if needed.
4. The next term is "Q".

Now find it among the options.

Answer: D. Q.

• A POption A is one place short: the last jump is miscounted by one.
• B ROption B is one place too far; recount the last jump.
• C SOption C is two places too far: the last jump is out by two.
• D Q✓ AnswerThe answer is option D, which is "Q".

Compare how the first two letters move with how the second and third move. Is it the same?

Test the rule on V=22, T=20, R=18: V→T, 2 places, always back. Use the same jump from the final letter.

1. The series moves back by the same jump each time: V→T, 2 places.
2. It ends with "N", "L".
3. Move back by that jump from the last letter, wrapping past the end of the alphabet if needed.
4. The next term is "J".

Now find it among the options.

Answer: B. J.

• A IOption A is one place too far: the last jump is miscounted by one.
• B J✓ AnswerThe answer is option B, which is "J".
• C LOption C is two places short: the last jump is out by two.
• D KOption D is one place short; recount the last jump.