Analogies
Apply the same transformation to complete a shape pair.
What is Analogies?
Non-verbal reasoning analogy questions show you a pair of shapes where the first has been changed into the second. You must apply the same change to a third shape to find the answer.
Think of it as: “Shape A changes to Shape B in a certain way. Shape C must change to Shape D in the same way.” You need to identify what changed and apply it consistently.
Step-by-Step Method
Compare the first pair
Look at shape A and shape B. What is different? What stayed the same? List every change you can see.
Name the transformation
Describe the change precisely: “rotated 90 degrees clockwise”, “shading reversed”, “an extra line added”, etc.
Apply to the third shape
Take shape C and apply the exact same transformation to it.
Match to the options
Find the answer option that matches the transformation you applied to shape C.
Worked Examples
Shape A is a white circle. Shape B is a black circle. Shape C is a white triangle. What is shape D?
Working
- A to B: the shape stayed the same (circle), but the shading changed from white to black.
- Transformation: fill the shape with black.
- Apply to C: a white triangle becomes a black triangle.
Shape A is a small square. Shape B is a large square rotated 45 degrees (diamond position). Shape C is a small circle. What is shape D?
Working
- A to B: two changes – size increased AND shape rotated 45 degrees.
- Apply to C: make the circle large. Rotating a circle 45 degrees looks the same (circles are symmetrical).
- So the answer is a large circle.
Shape A has an arrow pointing up inside a square. Shape B has an arrow pointing right inside a circle. Shape C has a cross inside a triangle. What is shape D?
Working
- A to B: the outer shape changed (square to circle), and the inner element rotated 90 degrees clockwise (up to right).
- Apply to C: the outer shape should change (triangle to next shape – check options). The inner cross rotated 90 degrees would still look like a cross (since a cross is symmetrical under 90-degree rotation).
- Look at the options to see what the outer shape becomes.
Common Mistakes
Identifying only one change when there are multiple transformations happening.
Check every feature: shape, size, shading, rotation, position, inner elements. List ALL changes.
Applying the transformation in the wrong direction (e.g. rotating anticlockwise instead of clockwise).
Be precise about direction. If A rotates clockwise to become B, then C must also rotate clockwise.
Top Tips
- List the features of A and B side by side to spot every difference.
- Common transformations: rotation, reflection, size change, shading change, adding or removing elements.
- If a shape is symmetrical (like a circle), a rotation may not visibly change it – focus on other features.
- Practise with simple analogies first, then work up to ones with multiple simultaneous changes.
Ready to practise?
Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.
Practise Non-Verbal Reasoning Questions