Mental Reasoning 5- Non-Verbal Series: Questions and Step-by-Step Solutions for Competitive Exams SSC, BSSC, Bank, Railways

Mental Reasoning 4- Non-Verbal Series: Questions and Step-by-Step Solutions for Competitive Exams SSC, BSSC, Bank, Railways

Non-Verbal Series (Mental Reasoning)

Concept (Basic Idea)

In Non-Verbal Series, problems are given as a sequence of diagrams or figures, and you need to find the next figure, complete the missing figure, or find the odd one out.

👉 It tests your ability to:

• Observe patterns and changes (shape, size, rotation, number, shading, etc.)
• Identify visual logic instead of numeric or verbal logic.

Types of Non-Verbal Series

Here’s the complete list of most probable and exam-oriented types, grouped for clarity.

A. Based on Shape/Pattern Changes

1. Shape Addition or Subtraction Series
   • A new element (dot, line, or shape) is added or removed each step.
   • 🔸 Example:
     □ → □● → □●● → ?
     ➤ Each step adds one dot ⇒ Next will have 3 dots.

2. Change in Number of Elements
   • Number of figures (e.g., triangles, circles) increases or decreases in sequence.
   • 🔸 Example:
     ▲ → ▲▲ → ▲▲▲ → ?
     ➤ Next figure: 4 triangles.

3. Progressive Addition/Deletion of Lines
   • Lines are added or deleted stepwise.
   • 🔸 Example:
   • |   →   \|   →   \|/   →   \|/—
     One line → Two lines crossing → Three lines → ?

B. Based on Rotation or Direction

4. Rotation of Figures
   • The shape rotates by a fixed angle (90°, 180°, etc.) in each step.
   • 🔸 Example:
     An arrow pointing →   ↓   ←   ↑ ?
     ➤ Rotates 90° clockwise each time ⇒ Next will point .→

5. Mirror Image / Water Image Series
   • Figures alternate between their mirror or water image versions.
   • 🔸 Example:
   • A → mirror A → A → mirror A → ?
     ➤ Next: A (normal).

6. Clockwise / Anticlockwise Movement
   • Object parts move around the figure in a fixed direction.
   • 🔸 Example:●◻   →   ◻●   →   ●◻   →   ◻●
     A dot moves corner to corner clockwise around a square.

C. Based on Shading / Filling / Colour Pattern

7. Change in Shading
   • Black–white pattern alternates or increases/decreases.
   • 🔸 Example:○   →   ◐   →   ●   →   ?
     White circle → Half shaded → Fully shaded → ?

8. Alternate Shading Pattern

○   →   ●   →   ○   →   ●

8. Alternate figures have opposite shades or textures.

D. Based on Position / Movement of Components

9. Movement of Dot, Line, or Small Figure
   • A small element (dot, cross, arrow) moves in a fixed path inside a bigger figure.
   • 🔸 Example:
     A dot moves inside a square from top-left → top-right → bottom-right → ?
     ➤ Next: bottom-left.

10. Division of Figures
    • Figure gets divided into smaller parts step-by-step.
    • 🔸 Example:
      Square → Two rectangles → Four squares → ?

11. Combination / Merging of Figures
    • Two figures merge to form a new figure in sequence.

△   +   ○   →   ⊙△   →   ⊙

E. Based on Number of Lines, Dots, or Sides

12. Number of Lines Increases
    • Every step adds a line symmetrically.
    • 🔸 Example:
      | → + → ✚ → ✤

13. Change in Number of Sides
    • Triangle (3 sides) → Square (4) → Pentagon (5) → Hexagon (6) → ?

14. Change in Angle or Orientation
    • Each step changes the angle between parts.

F. Based on Mathematical or Logical Arrangement

15. Geometric Progression of Figures
    • Figures grow/shrink proportionally in size.
    • 🔸 Example:
      Small circle → Medium circle → Large circle → ?

16. Counting-Based Series
    • Count of shapes, lines, or points follows a number series.
    • 🔸 Example:
      1 dot → 2 dots → 4 dots → 8 dots → ?

G. Based on Enclosed or Overlapping Shapes

17. Overlapping Figures
    • Overlap increases/decreases per step.
18. Number of Enclosures
    • Figures within figures (nested squares, circles, etc.) increase or decrease.

H. Based on Figure Completion / Missing Parts

19. Part Missing or Rotating
    • A portion of the figure moves/rotates in each step.
20. Dot Inside Figure Changes Position
    • Dots, arrows, or small lines move around corners.

I. Mixed Pattern

21. Multiple Changes Together
    • Rotation + Shading + Movement combined.
    • Common in SSC CGL, RRB, Banking Prelims.

Tips to Solve Non-Verbal Series Quickly

✅ 1. Observe differences between consecutive figures first.
✅ 2. Focus on one change type at a time (rotation, shading, number, etc.).
✅ 3. Eliminate clearly wrong options (non-matching features).
✅ 4. Practice 5–10 questions daily visually.
✅ 5. Avoid overthinking—most series are based on simple repetition or symmetry.

Exam-Level Example (SSC style)

Question:
Find the next figure in the series:
⬜⚫ → ⬜⬜⚫ → ⬜⬜⬜⚫ → ?

Step-by-Step Solution:

• Each step adds one empty square before the black dot.
  ✅ Next figure: ⬜⬜⬜⬜⚫