NNAT3 Level B key terms

A repeated arrangement of shapes, colors, or features that follows a rule. Noticing the rule lets you predict what comes next or find what is missing.

The empty section of a design that must be filled so the whole picture looks consistent. Its edges and colors must match the surrounding area.

The way lines, colors, or shapes carry on across an empty area from one side to the other. A correct answer keeps them flowing without a break or bend.

The straight matching of edges, lines, or shapes across two areas. If a line enters an empty space at one point, it should leave at the matching point.

A balanced design in which one half mirrors or matches the other half. A line of symmetry divides a figure into two parts that look the same.

A flipped copy of a shape, as if seen in a mirror. Left and right swap, but top and bottom stay in place.

A set of rows and columns that organizes a puzzle. Position in a grid is often part of the rule, such as alternating colors by row.

A horizontal line of items in a grid, read left to right. Rules often apply across a row, such as size growing steadily.

A vertical line of items in a grid, read top to bottom. Comparing columns helps reveal whether a rule works up and down as well as across.

A series of shapes or figures arranged in a fixed order that follows a rule. Each step changes in a predictable way.

The hidden instruction that decides how a pattern changes from one item to the next. Finding the rule is the main task in most reasoning puzzles.

A steady change from one item to the next, such as growing larger, rotating, or gaining a side. The change usually stays the same at each step.

A pattern that switches back and forth between two or more features, such as dark, light, dark, light. The change repeats in a cycle rather than moving in one direction.

A pattern that repeats the same set of changes over and over, returning to its starting feature. Once you find the length of the cycle, you can predict any later item.

A comparison stating that two pairs of items relate in the same way. If A goes with B, then C must go with a matching D.

The connection between two items, such as bigger than, inside, opposite color, or rotated. Naming the relationship in the first pair lets you apply it to the second.

Two items that belong together in a puzzle. In an analogy, the first pair shows the rule and the second pair must follow it.

A change applied to a shape, such as turning, flipping, resizing, or moving it. The same transformation usually appears in both halves of an analogy.

Turning a shape around a point, like the hands of a clock. The shape keeps its size and form but points in a new direction.

Flipping a shape over a line so it faces the opposite way. Unlike rotation, a reflection reverses the left-right order of the shape.

A transformation in which a shape grows larger or smaller while keeping the same form. In many analogies the second pair must show the same amount of growth or shrinkage.

The ability to picture shapes in your mind and imagine how they look when moved, turned, folded, or combined. It is the skill tested by puzzles about assembling or unfolding figures.

Imagining a shape turned to a new angle without physically moving it. You compare the turned shape with answer choices to find the match.

Bending or closing a flat shape along a line so parts overlap. Folding puzzles ask what the paper or shape looks like after the fold.

Opening a folded shape back into a flat one. The challenge is tracking where each part lands once the folds are opened.

The line where a shape is folded. Creases act as mirror lines, so features on one side are copied to the other side when folded.

Joining two or more shapes or parts into one figure. Combination puzzles ask which pieces, when put together, make the target shape.

Putting separate pieces together to build a whole shape. The pieces may need to be turned or flipped before they fit.

The area where two shapes cover the same space. In overlap puzzles you must work out which lines or colors show through where the shapes meet.

Placing one shape on top of another so the lower one is partly hidden. The order of layers decides which shape is visible in the overlap.

One part of a larger design that must fit into an empty space or join with other parts. Its outline and markings must match its neighbors.

The outer edge or border of a shape. Matching outlines helps you decide whether a piece fits an empty space.

The form of a figure, such as a circle, square, or triangle. Shape is one of the main features that changes or stays the same in a pattern.

A feature of a figure that can change or stay the same, such as color, size, shape, or number of sides. Tracking attributes one at a time makes patterns easier to solve.

An answer choice that looks close but breaks the rule in some small way. Checking each attribute against the rule helps you rule out distractors.