A Repeatable Solving Method
These six items were created for this guide and do not reveal answers from the live test. Each example isolates a rule family used by matrix-style reasoning tasks: movement, alternation, count, row combination, rotation, or more than one change at once.
Use the same four-pass method on every item. First inventory the visible features. Next compare cells horizontally and vertically. Then state the smallest rule that explains every completed cell. Finally eliminate options that violate even one confirmed part of that rule. A plausible option is not enough; it must satisfy the whole matrix.
Worked Matrix Examples
1. Position Cycle
A filled circle moves clockwise through the four corners.
- Top row moves from left to right.
- The first cell of the lower row continues at the lower-right position.
- The next clockwise corner is lower-left, shown schematically by option A.
Answer: A. Only the location changes; shape and fill stay constant.
2. Swap Both Features
Each move swaps order and changes open shapes to filled shapes.
- Triangle-circle becomes circle-triangle in the top row.
- Both outlines also become filled.
- Applying both changes to square-circle gives filled circle-filled square.
Answer: B. A changes fill but misses the order reversal.
3. Latin-Square Distribution
Every row and column contains one circle, one square, and one triangle.
- The last row already contains square and triangle, so it needs a circle.
- The last column also contains triangle and square, independently confirming circle.
Answer: A. The row rule and column rule agree.
4. Count by Column
Shape family changes by row; quantity increases from one to three across columns.
- Rows establish circle, square, then triangle.
- Columns establish one, two, then three copies.
- The missing cell must satisfy triangle and three at the same time.
Answer: C. B has the right shape but the wrong count.
5. Rotation Sequence
The arrow turns 90 degrees clockwise at each step.
- Up to right is one clockwise quarter-turn.
- Right to down repeats the same turn.
- Down therefore turns to left.
Answer: B. D introduces a 45-degree step not supported by the sequence.
6. Row Overlay
The third cell in each row combines the shapes in the first two cells.
- Row one combines triangle and circle.
- Row two combines square and circle.
- Row three must combine triangle and square without adding a circle.
Answer: A. Options B and C copy completed rows instead of applying the rule.
What These Examples Do Not Prove
Solving these examples shows familiarity with six rule structures; it does not establish an IQ level. Practice can improve performance because the solver learns what features to inspect. Device size, vision, attention, and prior puzzle experience also matter.
The live item bank contains a different set of 36 questions and uses ten category labels, but those categories are not balanced psychometric subscales. See the technical report for exact item counts, weights, and validation gaps.
Next Steps
Take the IQ Spark pattern reasoning exercise when you understand the examples. To reproduce the score calculation, use the scoring guide together with the test technical report.
Written and maintained by: Emircan Agac, IQ Spark founder and developer. Last reviewed: July 27, 2026.