Figure Series – Study Notes
(For the Village Development Officer Reasoning Ability Test)
1. What is a Figure Series?
- A figure series is a list of pictures (figures).
- The pictures are shown one after another.
- You must guess what the next picture will look like.
Think of it like a story made of pictures instead of words.
2. Why Do We Study This?
- It tests how well you can spot patterns.
- Many entrance exams ask this question.
- The skill is useful in everyday life: noticing trends, planning, problem‑solving.
3. Everyday Analogy
Imagine you have a set of Lego bricks.
- Each picture is a different arrangement of the bricks.
- Your job is to predict the next arrangement if you keep adding or moving bricks in the same way.
4. Common Patterns to Look For
| Pattern | What to Observe | Quick Test |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shapes | Count how many shapes appear. | 1, 2, 3 → next 4? |
| Size | Are shapes getting bigger or smaller? | A tiny circle → a medium circle → a big circle |
| Color | Does the color change? | Red → Green → Blue |
| Orientation | Are shapes rotating or flipping? | A triangle pointing up → right → down |
| Position | Does the shape move left/right/up/down? | Square at left → centre → right |
| Shape type | Does the shape itself change? | Circle → Square → Triangle |
| Repetition | Do shapes repeat in a pattern? | A, B, A, B → next A |
| Combination | Several of the above together | Two circles, then three squares, then four triangles |
5. Step‑by‑Step Approach
-
Look Carefully
- Examine every picture.
- Use a ruler or your finger to line up the pictures side by side.
-
Pick One Feature First
- Choose one thing that changes (e.g., number of shapes).
- Check if that feature follows a clear rule.
-
Check the Next Feature
- If the first feature fits, look at another (e.g., size).
- Keep checking until you find a rule that works for all pictures.
-
Write the Rule Down
- In plain words: “Add one more shape each time.”
- Or: “Turn the shape 90° clockwise each time.”
-
Predict the Next Picture
- Apply the rule to the last picture you saw.
- Draw the predicted shape if you need to.
-
Verify
- Make sure no other rule fits better.
- If two rules fit, pick the one that is simpler (fewer changes).
6. Quick Tips
- Draw a quick sketch of each picture before you start.
- Use a pencil so you can erase if you get stuck.
- Start with the simplest rule – number of shapes before size or color.
- Look for repetition – many series repeat every 2 or 3 pictures.
- Practice with time limits – real exams give you only 1–2 minutes.
7. Tiny Example
| Picture 1 | Picture 2 | Picture 3 |
|---|---|---|
- What changes?
- Number of circles increases by 1 each time.
- Rule: “Add one more circle.”
- Next picture: 4 circles side by side.
8. Practice Idea
- Create your own series:
- Start with a square.
- Next, a square with a dot.
- Next, a square with two dots.
- Next, a square with three dots.
- Ask a friend to guess the next picture.
- Compare your guess with the actual rule you planned.
9. Summary
- Figure series tests pattern recognition.
- Look at number, size, color, orientation, position, shape, repetition, and combinations.
- Use a simple, step‑by‑step method: observe → pick a