Non-Verbal Analogy
Non-Verbal Analogy questions present pairs of figures or patterns where the relationship between the first pair must be applied to the second pair. Your task is to identify how the first figure transforms into the second and then use the same rule to find the missing figure in the next pair.
These problems test your ability to observe changes, detect relationships, and apply logical consistency in visual contexts without the use of language.
Types of Relationships in Non-Verbal Analogy
| Type of Analogy | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation Analogy | The second figure is the rotated version of the first. | If A → B involves a 90° clockwise rotation, then C should also rotate 90° clockwise to get D. |
| Reflection Analogy | The second figure is a mirror image of the first. | If A is reflected horizontally to get B, then C must also be reflected horizontally to get D. |
| Size/Scaling Analogy | The second figure differs in size (larger/smaller) compared to the first. | A small circle becomes a large circle; apply the same rule to C. |
| Count/Number Analogy | The second figure has more or fewer elements than the first. | If A has 2 triangles and B has 3 triangles (+1), then C’s figure should also gain one element. |
| Shading/Fill Analogy | The second figure changes in shading (empty → filled, white → black). | If an empty square becomes filled, apply the same fill change to the next figure. |
| Position/Shift Analogy | The second figure changes its position within a frame. | If A is on the left and B shifts to the right, then C must shift similarly. |
| Shape Transformation Analogy | The first figure changes to another shape systematically. | If a circle becomes a triangle, then in the second pair, a square should change to the corresponding shape. |
| Combined Attribute Analogy | More than one change occurs at once (e.g., rotation + shading). | A white triangle rotates and fills to become B; apply the same dual rule to C. |
How to Solve Non-Verbal Analogy Questions
- Compare the first pair carefully: Identify exactly what change converts A into B.
- Classify the transformation: Is it rotation, reflection, size, shading, count, position, or a combination?
- Apply the same transformation to C: Perform the identical change on C to predict D.
- Check all options systematically: Eliminate choices that fail even one aspect of the transformation.
Conceptual Tips and Common Mistakes
- Don’t assume multiple rules unless necessary. Start with the simplest possible transformation.
- Pay attention to direction: Clockwise vs anticlockwise rotations are easy to confuse.
- Mirror vs Rotation trap: A rotated “L” may look like a mirror image—check handedness.
- Count carefully: Even a small change in the number of dots/lines can define the rule.
- Check both attributes: Sometimes both size and shading change together.
Examples
Example 1 — Rotation Analogy
A: ↑ arrow → B: → arrow
Rule: 90° clockwise rotation.
C: ↓ arrow → D: ?
Answer: ← arrow (rotate ↓ 90° clockwise).
Example 2 — Reflection Analogy
A: Right-facing triangle → B: Left-facing triangle (mirror image).
Rule: Horizontal reflection.
C: Upward triangle → D: ?
Answer: Downward triangle (mirror across horizontal axis).
Example 3 — Size Analogy
A: Small circle → B: Large circle.
Rule: Size increase.
C: Small square → D: ?
Answer: Large square.
Example 4 — Combined Analogy (Rotation + Fill)
A: Empty triangle → B: Filled triangle rotated 180°.
Rule: Fill + rotate 180°.
C: Empty square → D: ?
Answer: Filled square rotated 180°.