Overlapping Shapes

In overlapping shapes questions, two or more shapes are placed on top of each other, and you must work out what the combined image looks like — or work backwards from a combined image to identify the original shapes. This question type tests your ability to mentally layer transparent images and track every element carefully.

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How Overlapping Works

Imagine each shape is drawn on a transparent sheet (like tracing paper). When you stack the sheets, you see everything from both shapes combined into one image.

Simple Example

Shape A	Shape B	Combined (A + B)
A circle on the left side	A square on the right side	A circle on the left AND a square on the right

Since the shapes do not overlap, the combined image is simply both shapes side by side.

Overlapping Example

Shape A	Shape B	Combined (A + B)
A vertical line through the centre	A horizontal line through the centre	A plus sign (+)

When the shapes overlap in the centre, their lines combine to form a new pattern.