Pattern Recognition section
Pattern Sequence puzzles with answers
Rows of tiles that change by rule. Name every change, apply it once more, and the missing tile is the only option that fits.
Short answer
A pattern sequence puzzle shows a row of tiles that change by fixed rules and asks which tile comes next. The rules are simple on their own: a shape turns, grows, gains a copy, cycles its fill or moves a dot around its edge. Harder puzzles run two or three rules at once.
These are practice puzzles. The full test has Pattern Recognition items like these, generated fresh for every attempt.
Try one
Plate 01 · Easy
Which tile comes next?
Tap the option you think is right, or show the answer.
Show the answer
The missing tile shows a tiny outlined star (option 3).
How to solve it
- Compare neighboring tiles and name what changes each time.
- From tile to tile, the star gets smaller.
- Everything else stays the same from tile to tile.
- The last tile shows a small outlined star. Apply each change once more.
- So the missing tile shows a tiny outlined star.
This is Pattern Sequence puzzle #1 (easy). Every puzzle below works the same way: tap an option to check it, or open the answer for a step-by-step solution.
How these puzzles work
Sequence puzzles are the opening section of the IQ Octopus test, Pattern Recognition. Each one is built from a starting tile and a small set of rules. A rule changes one attribute by the same step every time: the turn of an arrow, the size of a shape, the number of copies, the fill (outlined, hatched, solid, in a repeating cycle) or the position of a small dot that travels around the tile's edge.
Easy puzzles use one rule. Hard ones combine two or three, so you have to track several attributes at the same time and resist the option that gets all but one of them right. Every wrong option here is built that way: it applies most of the rules and breaks exactly one. The guide to pattern recognition covers the method in depth.
A method that works on every one
- Compare the first two tiles and list every difference, however small.
- Check each difference against the next pair: a real rule repeats with the same step.
- Note anything that never changes; it must stay the same in the answer too.
- Apply each rule once more to the last tile and picture the result before you look at the options.
- Eliminate options that break any one rule. The survivor is the answer.
Easy puzzles
Easy sequences change one thing at a time, such as a single turn or a growing count. Most common rules in this set: turning (7), counting (4), size change (4), fill cycle (2).
Medium puzzles
Medium sequences combine two changes, so you have to track two attributes at once. Most common rules in this set: fill cycle (16), turning (10), size change (5), counting (3).
Hard puzzles
Hard sequences run three rules at once: the shape turns, its fill cycles, and a small dot moves around the edge. Most common rules in this set: fill cycle (16), moving dot (16), turning (16).
Want them timed? The pattern sequence practice test gives you 10 puzzles with 30 seconds each and an instant practice score.