EPSO Abstract Reasoning key terms

A sequence of figures in which one or more properties change according to a consistent rule from one item to the next.

The pattern of change across a series, such as a steady increase, decrease, alternation, or repetition of a feature.

The underlying principle that determines how a figure changes from one position to the next in a series or matrix.

A pattern in which two or more states or features take turns in a regular repeating order.

A sequence of changes that returns to its starting state after a fixed number of steps and then repeats.

A feature that does not change across a series or matrix and therefore provides no clue to the rule.

A feature that changes across a series or matrix and therefore helps identify the rule.

A change applied to a figure, such as moving, rotating, reflecting, resizing, or altering its parts.

Turning a figure about a fixed point by a certain angle, often clockwise or anticlockwise by 45 or 90 degrees.

Flipping a figure over a line to produce its mirror image, reversing left and right or top and bottom.

Moving a figure from one position to another without rotating, reflecting, or resizing it.

Enlarging or reducing a figure while keeping its shape and proportions the same.

The direction in which a figure points or is aligned, often described by an angle or compass direction.

The location of a figure or its parts within the frame, such as top-left, centre, or bottom-right.

The overall dimensions of a figure or its parts, which may increase, decrease, or stay constant across a series.

The relative size of one part of a figure compared with another part or with the whole figure.

A grid of figures, usually two by two or three by three, in which a rule operates across rows and down columns.

A horizontal line of figures in a matrix; rules often apply consistently from left to right within each row.

A vertical line of figures in a matrix; rules often apply consistently from top to bottom within each column.

The task of finding the missing figure in a matrix by identifying the rule that governs the other entries.

The figure in a set that does not share a property common to all the others.

Grouping figures according to shared features or separating them by distinguishing features.

A measurable or observable property of a figure, such as number of sides, colour, or symmetry.

A visible characteristic of a figure that can be used to compare it with other figures.

A quality or characteristic that belongs to a figure and can be used to classify or compare it.

A relationship between two figures that must be applied to a third figure to find a fourth in the same way.

Two figures considered together, often the first two in an analogy problem, whose relationship defines the rule.

The connection between two figures, such as one being a rotation of the other, that must be replicated.

Placing one figure on top of another so that their lines and regions combine in a single frame.

A rule in which overlapping parts of two figures disappear, leaving only the non-overlapping parts.

The combined image produced when two or more figures are placed on top of one another.

The property of a figure that looks unchanged when reflected across a line or rotated about a point.

A line through a figure such that reflecting the figure across the line leaves it unchanged.

An area completely bounded by lines within a figure, often counted as a numerical attribute.

A point where two or more lines cross or meet, often counted in numerical reasoning questions.

A straight part of a figure between two endpoints, often counted as a numerical attribute.

A straight line segment that forms part of the boundary of a polygon, often counted in series and matrices.

A point where two or more sides of a figure meet, often counted as a numerical attribute.