CCAT Figure Sequences: Visual Pattern Methods & Examples
Figure-sequence questions ask you to identify how visual features change from one frame to the next and predict the missing or next figure.
Common independent practice rules include:
- movement;
- rotation;
- reflection;
- count changes;
- shading changes;
- size changes;
- alternating rules;
- two interwoven sequences;
- combinations of several features.
Criteria officially reports Spatial Reasoning as one of the CCAT’s three ability areas. It does not guarantee one fixed number of figure-sequence questions.
Practice more timed CCAT spatial questions
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Use our CCAT practice comparison and online tests first, or take the free 30-question CCAT practice test. For an external topic guide, review JobTestPrep's CCAT spatial reasoning guide. The JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack is another independent option.
Scope and Official Context
This page isolates next-in-series visual patterns. It focuses on comparing consecutive transitions and does not claim a guaranteed figure-sequence count or position on every live CCAT.
Criteria’s current candidate guidance confirms 50 questions in 15 minutes and three broad question kinds: verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning. Criteria does not publish one permanent narrow subtype allocation for every live event.
Use a Visual Feature Inventory
For each frame, check:
- number of elements;
- shape;
- position;
- direction;
- movement;
- rotation;
- reflection;
- size;
- shading or fill;
- alternation.
Track one variable at a time before combining rules.
Movement
Example:
Frame 1: dot at top-left
Frame 2: dot at top-right
Frame 3: dot at bottom-right
Frame 4: dot at bottom-left
Frame 5: ?
The dot moves clockwise through the corners.
Answer: dot at top-left.
Rotation
Example:
↑, →, ↓, ←, ?
The arrow rotates 90 degrees clockwise.
Answer: ↑.
Count quarter-turns rather than relying only on appearance.
Reflection
A reflection is not the same as a rotation.
Example:
A shape contains a dot in the upper-right corner and is reflected across a vertical line.
Left and right exchange places while top and bottom remain unchanged.
Answer: dot in the upper-left corner.
Increasing Count
Example:
Frame 1: one triangle
Frame 2: two triangles
Frame 3: three triangles
Frame 4: ?
Answer: four triangles.
Check whether the count changes by a constant amount or another sequence.
Decreasing Then Increasing Count
Example:
4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, ? black squares
The count decreases to one and then increases.
Answer: 4 black squares.
The number rule can be independent of where the squares appear.
Alternating Shading
Example:
unshaded circle, shaded circle, unshaded circle, shaded circle, ?
Answer: unshaded circle.
Describe shading in words so the rule remains accessible without color.
Alternating Shape and Size
Example:
small circle, large triangle, small square, large circle, small triangle, ?
Shapes repeat:
circle, triangle, square
Sizes alternate:
small, large
Answer: large square.
Two Interwoven Visual Sequences
Example:
1. upward triangle
2. unshaded square
3. right triangle
4. shaded square
5. downward triangle
6. unshaded square
7. ?
Odd positions are triangles rotating clockwise:
up → right → down → left
Even positions are squares alternating shading.
Answer: left-pointing triangle.
Combined Movement and Shading
Example:
1. unshaded dot at top
2. shaded dot at right
3. unshaded dot at bottom
4. shaded dot at left
5. ?
Two rules operate:
- position moves clockwise;
- shading alternates.
Answer: unshaded dot at top.
Track an Invariant
An invariant is a feature that does not change.
Examples include:
- total number of shapes;
- one fixed central element;
- relative spacing;
- one repeated color or fill state;
- one shape that remains while another moves.
Identifying the invariant reduces the number of possible rules.
Compare Every Transition
A rule must explain:
Frame 1 → Frame 2
Frame 2 → Frame 3
Frame 3 → Frame 4
Do not choose an answer based only on the first and last frames.
Separate Variables
Suppose a sequence changes:
- direction;
- size;
- shading.
Create a quick table:
| Frame | Direction | Size | Fill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up | small | unshaded |
| 2 | right | large | shaded |
| 3 | down | small | unshaded |
The next frame should be:
left, large, shaded
A table is a practice method. During the live test, use only permitted materials.
Use the Answer Choices
Instead of solving every feature completely:
- identify one certain rule;
- eliminate options breaking it;
- identify a second rule;
- eliminate again;
- compare the remaining choices.
This is especially useful when the sequence combines several variables.
Original Accessible Examples
Example 1
Position: top, right, bottom, left, ?
Shape: circle in every frame
Answer: top.
Example 2
Count: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
Answer: 10.
Example 3
Direction: up, down, up, down, ?
Size: small, small, large, large, small
The direction alternates, so the next direction is up. The supplied size pattern already identifies the next as small.
Answer: small upward figure.
Example 4
Frame 1: one shaded square
Frame 2: two unshaded squares
Frame 3: three shaded squares
Frame 4: ?
Count increases by one; fill alternates.
Answer: four unshaded squares.
Common Figure-Sequence Mistakes
- Looking for one complicated rule before checking count and movement.
- Confusing rotation with reflection.
- Tracking only one transition.
- Missing odd/even interwoven sequences.
- Assuming position changes when only orientation changes.
- Ignoring an invariant feature.
- Selecting an option that matches one rule but breaks another.
- Spending too long on a sequence with no clear path.
Timed Strategy
- inventory the elements;
- check count;
- check position and direction;
- test rotation or reflection;
- check size and shading;
- separate odd and even frames;
- use answer choices;
- guess and continue when no consistent rule appears.
Use the CCAT time-management guide for pacing and the free and premium CCAT practice tests for more examples.
Practice before test day
Start with the free CCAT practice test, the CCAT spatial practice and the complete preparation guide. For a full timed simulation, use the free and premium CCAT practice tests or the CCAT study plan. Structured preparation is also available through CCATPracticeTest.com practice options and the JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are figure sequences guaranteed on every CCAT?
Criteria does not publish one fixed narrow subtype count. Figure sequences remain useful independent Spatial Reasoning preparation.
What should I check first?
Count, position, direction, movement, and fill are efficient starting points.
How do I distinguish rotation from reflection?
Track an asymmetrical feature. Rotation turns it; reflection reverses its left-right or top-bottom relationship across a mirror line.
What if several features change?
Track each variable separately, then combine the rules.
Where can I practice more?
Use the CCAT spatial guide, CCAT spatial practice set, CCAT matrices guide, and free and premium CCAT practice tests.
For classification practice, see the CCAT odd-one-out guide.
As a secondary independent option, compare JobTestPrep’s Criteria CCAT preparation.
Related Part 5 topic guides
- CCAT rotations guide
- CCAT reflections guide
- CCAT shading patterns guide
- CCAT spatial movement guide
- CCAT element-count patterns guide
- CCAT symbol sequences guide
- CCAT alternating patterns guide
- CCAT combined rules guide
Independent-Site Notice
CCATPracticeTest.com is independent and is not affiliated with Criteria. The examples are original and text-accessible.