Non-verbal reasoning
CAT4 figure matrices
A is to B as C is to…? Work out how one figure changes, then apply it.
What the questions look like
Your child sees a 2×2 grid. The top two figures go together in a certain way (the left one changes into the right one). They must find the figure that goes with the bottom-left one in the same way.
In the digital CAT4 (Levels A–G) this section is timed at 10 minutes.
Worked example
Example 1 · easier
The top two figures go together in a certain way. Which figure goes with the bottom one in the same way?
Show answer
Answer: E In the top pair, from left to right the colour changes from grey to white. Everything else stays the same, and each pair keeps its own shape. Doing the same to the bottom figure gives a white pentagon.
What it measures
Reasoning by analogy with shapes: seeing a rule of change and applying it somewhere new. It's one of the strongest single predictors of general reasoning ability.
Tips for your child
- Describe the change from left to right in words: "it turns a quarter, and gets darker".
- Apply exactly that change to the bottom-left figure, then look for it among the options.
- Check every feature: shape, shading, number, direction and position. At higher levels two things change at once.
- Remember what stays the same is part of the rule too.
- Say the rule aloud to check your answer before moving on.
Watch out for: Options that apply only half of the change, or that copy the top-right figure instead of transforming the bottom-left one.
A harder example
Example 2 · harder
The top two figures go together in a certain way. Which figure goes with the bottom one in the same way?
Show answer
Answer: B In the top pair, from left to right the colour changes from black to grey. Everything else stays the same, and each pair keeps its own number of shapes and direction. Doing the same to the bottom figure gives a grey semicircle turned a quarter anticlockwise.
Practise with fresh questions every time
Our figure matrices questions are generated new on every visit, so your child can practise as much as they like without memorising answers. Choose a level:
Questions parents ask
Are CAT4 figure matrices always 2×2?
The CAT4 figure matrices question type is presented as a figural analogy (A is to B as C is to ?). Other tests use 3×3 grids; the reasoning skill is the same.
My child finds rotation hard. Any tips?
Use a real object. Turn a cereal box or a toy a quarter turn and watch where the corners go. A few minutes of hands-on turning makes the drawn version much easier.
Questions on this page are original Edzuno practice items in the CAT4 style, not real CAT4 questions. CAT4 is a trademark of GL Education. Timing source: GL Assessment.