Figure Series in Non-Verbal Reasoning: Rotation, Shading, Addition and Movement Patterns with Solved Examples for SSC
Rahul Kumar
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In a figure series question, a sequence of figures is given and you have to find the next figure in the series or the missing figure. The change from one figure to the next follows a rule. This guide on figure series for SSC explains the types of changes (rotation, movement, addition, removal and shading), a step-by-step method to find the rule, and solved examples described in words, with practice questions and FAQs.
How to Solve a Figure Series
- Look at the elements of the figures one by one: the shapes, their number, their position, their direction and their shading.
- Compare the first figure with the second, then the second with the third, to find how each element changes.
- Check whether the change is the same at every step or alternates (every other step).
- Check separately for the position of each symbol (when many symbols are given).
- Apply the same change to the last given figure and choose the matching option.
Types of Changes
| Type | Description | Example (in words) |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | A line or a symbol turns by a fixed angle each step (45°, 90°, 135°, 180°) clockwise or anticlockwise | A pointer that moves from the 12 o’clock to the 3 o’clock to the 6 o’clock position turns 90° clockwise each step |
| Movement of a symbol | A symbol moves one, two or more places in a fixed direction (around the corners or along the sides) | A dot moving from the top-left to the top-right to the bottom-right to the bottom-left corner moves clockwise |
| Addition of elements | One more line, dot or shape is added at each step | 1 dot, then 2 dots, then 3 dots, then 4 dots |
| Removal of elements | One element is removed at each step | A figure with 5 lines, then 4, then 3 |
| Shading change | The shading moves from one part to another or changes alternately | The shaded part moves one segment clockwise each step |
| Size change | The element becomes bigger or smaller step by step | A circle inside a square that grows at each step |
| Alternate pattern | The odd-numbered figures follow one pattern and the even-numbered figures follow another | Figures 1, 3, 5 rotate by 90° and figures 2, 4, 6 add a dot |
| Reflection | A figure is replaced by its mirror image in the next step | A letter shape that flips left to right at each step |
| Number of sides | The shapes change in the order of the sides | Triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon |
| Combination | Two or more changes happen together | A symbol rotates 90° and a dot is added at each step |
Angles of Rotation
| Rotation | Clock Positions (Pointer from 12) |
|---|---|
| 90° clockwise | 12 → 3 → 6 → 9 → 12 |
| 90° anticlockwise | 12 → 9 → 6 → 3 → 12 |
| 180° | 12 → 6 → 12 → 6 |
| 45° clockwise | 12 → 1:30 → 3 → 4:30 → 6 |
| Increasing rotation (45°, 90°, 135°…) | Total rotation becomes 45°, 135°, 270°… |
Solved Examples (Described Figures)
Example 1. A line pointing up (12), then pointing right (3), then pointing down (6). What is the next?
The rotation is 90° clockwise at each step, so the next is a line pointing left (9).
Example 2. The numbers of dots in the figures are 1, 3, 5, 7. What will be the next figure?
The number increases by 2: 9 dots.
Example 3. A black dot is in the top-left corner of a square, then in the top-right, then in the bottom-right. Where will it be in the next step?
It moves clockwise by one corner each step: the bottom-left corner.
Example 4. The figures show a triangle, a square, a pentagon. What is the next?
The number of sides increases by 1: a hexagon.
Example 5. Figures 1 and 3 show an arrow pointing up and right; figure 2 shows an arrow pointing down. If the odd figures rotate 90° clockwise each time, what is figure 5?
Figure 1: up; figure 3: right (90°); figure 5: down (another 90°).
Example 6. The shaded part of a circle divided into 4 equal parts is the top-left, then top-right, then bottom-right quarter. Which part is shaded next?
The shading moves clockwise: the bottom-left quarter.
Tips and Tricks
- Check one element at a time; do not try to see the whole figure at once.
- Count the elements (lines, dots, shapes) in each figure: the change in the number often gives the rule.
- If a symbol seems to be at random, check the alternate figures (1, 3, 5 and 2, 4, 6).
- For rotating figures, mark a reference point such as the end of a line or the shaded part.
- Use the elimination: reject the options that differ from your predicted figure in even one element.
- Learn the clock-face method for the rotations.
Quick Tips
- Check one element at a time.
- Count the number of elements in each figure.
- Check the alternate figures if the changes are irregular.
- Use the clock positions to track rotations.
Quick Revision Points
- The common changes are rotation, movement, addition, removal and shading.
- A 90° rotation moves a clock hand by three hours.
- If a pattern is irregular, check the alternate figures.
- A symbol moving around a square can go clockwise or anticlockwise.
- Use elimination in the options.
Practice Questions With Answers
- A pointer moves 12, 3, 6. Where is it next?
Answer: 9 - The number of lines is 2, 4, 6. What is next?
Answer: 8 - A dot moves top-left, top-right, bottom-right. Where is the next position?
Answer: Bottom-left - A figure rotates 180° each step. After two steps, how does it look compared with the original?
Answer: The same as the original - What type of change is it if an extra dot is added in each step?
Answer: Addition of elements - What do you check if the pattern is irregular?
Answer: The alternate figures - Shapes: triangle, square, pentagon. What is the next?
Answer: Hexagon - A clock hand moves 12, 1:30, 3. What is the angle of rotation each step?
Answer: 45° clockwise - What is the 90° anticlockwise move from 12?
Answer: To 9 - What type of change is a growing circle?
Answer: Size change
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Non Verbal Reasoning notes page and the next topic Figure Analogy and Classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a figure series?
A sequence of figures that follows a rule, from which the next figure has to be found.
How do I find the rule in a figure series?
Compare the figures and see how each element changes.
What are the common changes?
Rotation, movement, addition, removal, shading and size change.
What is a 90° clockwise rotation?
A turn by a quarter circle in the direction of the clock hands.
What if the pattern is not regular?
Check the alternate figures.
Is this topic asked in SSC?
Yes. Figure series is a regular non-verbal question in SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS.
How much time should I take?
About 20 to 30 seconds.
How can I improve at figure series?
By practising many questions and checking one element at a time.
What is the best way to track rotation?
Mark a reference point and use the clock-face positions.
What is the number-of-sides pattern?
The shapes change as triangle, square, pentagon and so on.
Can two changes occur together?
Yes. A combination of rotation and addition is common.
What is a reflection pattern?
A figure replaced by its mirror image in the next step.
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Cubes and Dice Notes for SSC Exams
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Figure Analogy and Classification in Non-Verbal Reasoning: Odd One Out and Relation Between Figures for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.