Figure Series & Figure Classification
Logical Reasoning – BITSAT Study Notes
1. What Are These Questions?
| Figure Series | Figure Classification |
|---|---|
| Series – You see 4–5 pictures. One more picture is missing. You must pick the right one from a list. | Classification – You see 6–8 pictures. You have to group them or spot the odd one out. |
Both are about seeing patterns in shapes, colours, sizes, and positions.
2. Everyday Analogies
| Concept | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|
| Pattern | Think of a song that repeats a riff. The next beat is predictable. |
| Transformation | Imagine a toy that flips 90° every time you touch it. |
| Classification | Sorting fruit into “citrus” and “berries” because they share a trait. |
3. How to Tackle a Figure Series
-
Look at each figure carefully.
What shape?
What colour?
What size?
Where is it placed? -
Write down the attributes.
Example:- Figure 1: Red square – upright, size 1.
- Figure 2: Red square – rotated 90°, size 1.
- Figure 3: Red square – rotated 180°, size 1.
-
Find the rule.
Ask:- Does something rotate?
- Does the colour change?
- Does the size grow or shrink?
- Does the figure move left/right?
-
Apply the rule to the last figure.
Predict the missing picture. -
Pick the answer.
Choose the option that matches your prediction.
Tiny Example
| Fig | Shape | Colour | Position | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square | Red | Center | – |
| 2 | Square | Red | Rotated 90° | – |
| 3 | Square | Red | Rotated 180° | – |
| 4 | Square | Red | Rotated 270° | – |
Rule: Same square, same colour, rotate 90° each time.
Answer: Rotated 270° square – look for that in the options.
4. How to Tackle Figure Classification
-
Look at all figures together.
Note shape, colour, size, number of sides, symmetry. -
Group by one common feature.
Example: All circles → group 1; all squares → group 2. -
If asked to find the odd one out, pick the figure that does not share the chosen feature.
-
Check for multiple possibilities.
Sometimes more than one feature can separate a figure, but only one choice will make all groups equal.
Tiny Example
| Fig | Shape | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| A | Circle | Red |
| B | Square | Red |
| C | Circle | Blue |
| D | Circle | Red |
| E | Square | Blue |
| F | Circle | Red |
Possible grouping:
- Group 1: Circles (A, C, D, F)
- Group 2: Squares (B, E)
Odd one out?
- C (Blue circle) – because it is the only blue shape among the circles.
5. Quick Strategies
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Start simple. | Count sides. |
| 2. Check rotation. | Does the figure turn 90°, 180°, 270°? |
| 3. Check size change. | Does it get bigger or smaller? |
| 4. Check colour pattern. | Red → Blue → Red → … |
| 5. Check position. | Moves left, right, up, down? |
| 6. Look for symmetry. | Mirror image? |
| 7. Write it out. | A quick sketch helps. |
6. Practice Tips
-
Use everyday objects.
Arrange coins in a line and rotate them. Notice the pattern. -
Create flashcards.
On one side, draw a short series; on the other, write the next figure. -
Time yourself.
BITSAT gives 1–2 minutes per question. Practice under timed conditions. -
Review wrong answers.
Understand why a different rule could be misleading. -
Mix up the difficulty.
Start with 3‑figure series, then move to 5‑figure series.
7. Summary
- Figure Series: Find the rule that changes one figure into the next; predict the missing one.
- Figure Classification: Notice common traits; group or spot the odd one out.
- Keep sentences short, focus on shape, colour, size, rotation, and position.
- Practice with real‑life patterns and flashcards.
With these steps, you’ll spot patterns quickly and answer BITSAT figure questions with confidence. Happy studying!